Our History

Knox started with the preparatory school and it is still an integral part of the education at Knox.

At first classes were held in Duthme Webster Hostel (presently the cafeteria). This was not satisfactory. The noise and confusion of activities in the cafeteria and dormitories were very disturbing. So when Duthme Webster gave money in memory of Charles Webster it was used to provide a delightful Preparatory School on a piece of land.

This building was opened officially by lady Syliva Foot on a happy day in June 1951. Here May Grant gave good training in the three R's in the morning and in the afternoons nature walks, singing, dancing, crafts and visits to the animals on the farm. I t was a good solid grounding for the children's later education and a happy experience of fun and friendship as in a family.

Many parents of very young children wanted to send their children at Knox not only for the education but also because of our good healthy climate. Very early we started taking small children as boarders. The first hostel mothers were Veronica McCall and Vida Bent.

When the prep school grew too large for Charles Webster building the children of 8 to 11+ we moved to form a separate Junior School.

When Mae Grant resigned after fifteen years she was succeeded by Mrs. Gloria Miller (now Swaby). By the late 1960's the Junior School was bursting at the seams and the only solution seemed to be to build a completely new Junior School. A good site on the hill above the gateway with the road to Knox below it on one side and the K. E. S. Factory at the foot of the hill on the other side. It was not until the 1970's that the new Junior School was built - light classroom each with its own verandah where out door work could be done. The new Junior school was opened by the then Minister of Education Mr. Florizel Glasspole on June 1, 1972.