The Knox School empowers and equips our community of learners to foster character, to connect and co-design their learning to enable them to enact purposeful change now and into the future.
The Knox School learns, creates and plays on the lands of Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung peoples of the Kulin Nation, land which has never been ceded
We thank them for caring for this land for over 40,000 years and recognise and pay our deepest respect to elders past and present. This was and always will be Aboriginal land.
The Knox School
220 Burwood Highway
Wantirna South 3152
Victoria Australia
P: +61 3 8805 3800 E: info@knox.vic.edu.au wwwknoxvic edu au
CRICOS Provider No. 00151G
The Knox School Limited
Registered School No. 1841
A.B.N. 16 095 158 222
FromthePrincipal NikkiKirkup
PRINCIPALAND CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Welcome to TKS, where knowledge, skills, and character define what comes next. Here, questions spark discovery, challenges fuel growth, and the ordinary is transformed Every idea, every project, every day is a chance to push boundaries and redefine the limits of possibility
Our students aren’t waiting for tomorrow; they’re already shaping it
At TKS, we challenge the status quo We think differently, learn differently, and teach differently We believe that education isn’t a transaction; it’s a partnership, a launchpad, a long game. We ask bold questions, encourage students to read between the lines, think critically, and see opportunity where others see limitations
We are the opposite of ordinary Our approach to education is engaging, adaptive, and forward-thinking, designed to inspire curiosity and nurture potential We are a school that never sits still, we are agile and responsive, continually evolving to meet the needs of our community and the changing world in which we live
From Early Learning to Senior School, on our campus in Melbourne’s leafy eastern suburbs, our students are known as individuals, challenged, and empowered to go beyond what they thought possible. Small classes. Big thinking Real relationships Educators who lead, not follow
We don’t mass-produce our learners; we nurture unique individuals We recognise our learners as human beings, not human doings
Personalised learning isn’t just a slogan here at TKS; it’s what we do We create the conditions for our learners to find their unique superpower, to write and live out their hero’s journey ensuring they not only fulfil their potential, but make a difference in the world, leaving a legacy far greater than themselves.
Every student has a pathway, not a template Through this approach, students are empowered to take risks, learn from mistakes, and build overall resilience Growth begins with challenge, and today’s setbacks become tomorrow’s successes
Yes, knowledge matters. But that’s only the start. We build thinkers, communicators, collaborators, and creators – skills that don’t expire We go deeper: Achievement, Care, Empathy, Respect, Responsibility and Resilience Not wall words - but lived values
At The Knox School, our approach is shaped by our Three Learning Journeys – Knowledge, Skills and Character All of equal importance All working in synergy All targeted explicitly Together, they form a connected framework that underpins every student’s experience Through this, we equip every student with the capabilities required to lead meaningful and extraordinary lives. TKS students graduate not just qualified and quantified, but world-ready global citizens. Ready to contribute, ready to lead, ready to act They join our alumni, The Falconians, not as spectators of the world, but as shapers of it
We prepare our students to navigate complexity, embrace challenge, and own their future
Not someday Now
Intentionally untraditional, our approach champions brave thinking, purposeful growth, and learning that truly matters - preparing students not just for what lies ahead, but for whatever comes next.
The Knox School is beautifully positioned to promote the learning and wellbeing of every student so they can flourish in a complex and changing world, to become thoughtful architects and advocates of their own future
It is my privilege to lead this dynamic and futurefocused community
SchoolProfile
School facts
School sector: Non-government
School type: Combined
Year range: ELC-12
Location: Wantirna South
Students
School staff
Teaching staff: 139
Full-time equivalent teaching staff: 100
Non-teaching staff: 111
Full-time equivalent non-teaching staff: 64
OrganisationalStructure
Our2025Board
WendyLewis,OAM
Chair of the Board
With over 35 years’ experience, Wendy has worked in manufacturing, accounting services, independent schools and tertiary colleges She has qualifications in accountancy, education and philanthropy Wendy’s experience includes financial management, strategic planning, risk management and governance She is the Chair of the Invergowrie Foundation, a philanthropic Foundation focused on advancing the education of girls and women in Victoria. Wendy is also Executive Officer of the Collier Charitable Fund. She was CEO of Girl Guides Victoria from 2004-2014
SandraBall
Chair of Property & Facilities Sub Committee
Sandra currently holds the position of Chief Operating Officer at the VET Development Centre. Her business background includes executive management in the arts and education sector, including international students and the ESOS Act She has attained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, together with additional studies in Human Resources, Education Law, Registered Training Organisation legislation, Compliance, and Training & Assessment in the Vocational Education and Training sector. Sandra’s first contact with The Knox School was when her daughter and son commenced Pre-Prep in 2001 and 2003, respectively
JohnCsorgo
Chair of ICT Sub Committee
With over 30 years as a consultant, John has extensive experience in implementing solutions for a variety of organisations His professional experience includes developing strategic plans and mentoring project and change managers for large scale public utilities organisations, Local and State Government and major private enterprises John has qualifications in Education, ICT, Business Management and Project Management. John is currently the Managing Director of Equal Bytes and has been the Board Chair of the Outer East Food Share from 2016 He is also on the Board of St Bedes College, a member of the Yarra Ranges Emergency Relief Network and President of the Dandenongs Trail Runners
Committee Member
Reena is a finance professional with close to 20 years of experience in the commercial finance space across the US and Australia, supporting organisations to achieve their financial and strategic goals Along with her business background, she is also a qualified secondary school teacher Reena’s introduction to TKS comes as a parent, but she is passionate about education and helping to create a positive environment and structure for the community
ReenaJacob AhmadSamadi
Chair of Finance & Audit Sub Committee
Ahmad is a finance and accounting professional with over 14 years of experience in audit and assurance He is a Director and Head of Audit & Assurance at Accru Melbourne and is passionate about helping the not-forprofit sector Ahmad has served on not-for-profit Boards previously and works with numerous independent schools in achieving their financial objectives.
CraigSpagnol
Chair of Risk Sub Committee
Craig is a Solicitor and Notary Public and is Principal of Spagnol Legal, a citybased legal practice.
Before taking up law, Craig was a teacher at The Knox School from 1989 to 1999 He held positions including House Coordinator and Head of the Commerce and Humanities Faculties
The Finance and Audit Subcommittee oversees financial policies and performance for TKS.
TKS remains in a sound financial position, recording a surplus of $ 078m and total comprehensive income of $1 3m attributable to the members ofTKS in 2025 ($1 66m in 2024) Surpluses are used to fund continued refurbishments and upgrades to our facilities, with the Futures Hub and Community Café delivered in 2025
VCEResults
6 students received an ATAR of 99+
64 Study Scores of 40+ across 21 subjects
The Knox School has been the place of some of my fondest memories. Not only have I developed many skills at this school, but I have learnt many lessons that have helped me become a better person. I am so grateful for the people who I have met and the strong bonds I have created at TKS.
By fully embracing their time at TKS, this year’s graduates have built a strong foundation upon which they can continue to excel in their chosen pathways
Our students are pursuing a wide range of industries and subject areas, showcasing their diverse talents and aspirations. From Medical Science to Law, Information Technology to Design, Sport to Education, Economics to Engineering, TKS students are preparing to make a lasting impact on the world in many different fields Their achievements are a clear indication of the bright futures ahead of them
Our Careers Development Practitioner, Jacky Burton, commented: “It’s a privilege to work with our students as they explore possibilities and shape their futures Each journey is unique, but what stands out is their growing confidence and clarity They are stepping forward ready to turn ambition into action in many different ways”
Happily, our 2025 graduates, now 2026 Falconians, continue to contribute to our innovative approach to learning and teaching with many of them returning as Falconian Tutors, a program that continues for ourVCE students in 2026. We look forward to seeing how they continue to excel and make the world a better place.
At the end of 2025, we celebrated the remarkable achievements of our 72 Year 12 students as they received their final VCE results, marking the culmination of their hard work, determination and resilience across their school journeys We are incredibly proud to announce that 100% of our students received first-round offers to their chosen universities
This exceptional result reflects the hard work and dedication of our students throughout their respective academic journeys In addition to the first-round offers, all of our applicants for early entry programs were successful. This achievement is a testament to their commitment and ability to meet the rigorous criteria set by top universities We are also thrilled to celebrate the success of 3 of our students, who were awarded university scholarships These scholarships not only recognise their academic excellence but also open doors to a world of opportunities at some ofAustralia’s leading universities.
This enables teachers to keep an accurate record of attendance for certifying authorities such as the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority Our roll marking system is also helpful for parent and teachers interviews and for use in counselling
If the School has not already been notified of an absence, the Assistants to the Heads of School will send a text message (SMS) to the parent requesting an immediate response The reason for absence is then entered against the students’ details Students who are absent without explanation are subject to the School’s normal disciplinary procedures
Continuous Online Reporting is available to parents of students in Year 7 and above Comprehensive reports are distributed to parents and guardians at the completion of each semester Reports outline gradings in each subject as well as general and constructive comments by teachers on a student’s progress Parents are invited to follow up with the teacher or Head of School Parent/Teacher interviews are held at different
The increasing enrolment at the school contributes to the expansion of the TKS community and presents significant opportunities for institutional growth as well as enhanced experiences for our students
At TKS, we acknowledge the complexity and changing nature of the world and recognise the importance of considering community perspectives as we plan for the future. Over the past year, we have engaged with students, staff, and parents to reflect on the evolving environment and the role of education, as well as the responsibilities ofTKS
In 2025 we continued to utilise the Independent School Victoria (ISV) LEAD Survey Used by several Independent Schools in Victoria, the survey not only provides insight into feedback from our own community, but moreover allows for us to benchmark data against other similar schools in Victoria The survey is standardised across all participating schools and thus provides a useful tool for monitoring our understanding of our local and regional environment within the sector overall.
Following the delivery of the final reports earlier this term, we have analysed the headline data to identify the initial insights from the survey Although response rates among parents were limited, the feedback has provided a valuable basis for both recognising TKS’s strengths and identifying areas for further enhancement as we continue to review and develop our TKS programs and structures.
In 2025, several expanded programs, revised structures, and co-curricular options were implemented for TKS students from ELC to Year 12 These changes were based on community feedback, including information gathered from parent and student surveys, and were made in consideration of broader developments in the education sector
Over the past year, we have engaged with our community to gather feedback on multiple aspects of these programs, as part of our ongoing commitment to continuous review and improvement
I would like to take this opportunity to thank families who have attended the consultation and engagement sessions throughout the year; your input has helped us to shape the many aspects of life here at TKS
YourSay
In 2025, surveys were distributed to parents across Year 5 – 11 The survey questions were grouped into categories, and within each category, there were approximately a dozen questions asked Survey questions asked the user to rate their level of satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, and to consider their answers in relation to the past 12 months.
The overall LEAD Report delivered to the school brings together all data sets into one report to present stakeholder perceptions against real performance data collected from reliable sources such as ACARA (Naplan) VTAC (ATAR) and Commonwealth DESE Financial Questionnaire (financial reports )
Common questions were asked of all stakeholder groups within each domain; responses were then collated to provide an overall indicator score.
SummaryofResponses
In 2025, overall satisfaction was surveyed against nine indicators and provided a 360-degree review of performance In 2025, we received 131 parent responses out of an estimated population of 629 – a 20% response rate
BeyondtheHeadline
The data revealed several favourable trends at an aggregate level, which was promising for the school; however, we aimed to conduct a more detailed analysis to better understand the underlying factors contributing to these results The reports enabled us to review each domain and analyse question subcategories influencing overall results We focus on high scores to identify strengths and, more importantly, on the lowest quartile responses to highlight areas for improvement
Top5Responses(highestlevelofagreement)
YourSay
The data presented highlights several positive factors worthy of recognition, particularly the perception of the school as a safe and welcoming environment, and the acknowledgement and encouragement of our students' learning. We were also delighted to see the recognition that the school is innovative in its approach to pedagogy This feedback serves as valuable confirmation of our core School Values and our strategic commitment to Personalised Learning
However, we know that growth involves both recognising our strengths and considering issues from multiple perspectives
The lower quartile responses indicated concerns about communication, specifically concerning student comparative achievement and advice around future options Additionally, there were concerns regarding opportunities for parent involvement and the selection of co-curricular programs provided
Bottom5Responses(highestlevelofagreement)
In 2025, many of the concerns emphasised above are at the forefront of our understanding, and work to refine our offerings in these highlighted areas already underway The Parent Ambassador Group, launched in 2024, is one such example of our commitment to not only offering enhanced opportunities for authentic parental involvement, but moreover to provide more effective channels of communication as part of the strengthening of the partnership of home and school
As we continue our TKS Strategic Planning process, which honours the achievements of our predecessors and prepares the way for the future ofTKS 2025 and beyond, we will continue to engage with our community to share more details of our plans and to seek input on our future strategic goals and actions
In the coming months, look out for further opportunities to participate in a range of parent forums and mini surveys. We understand that scheduling and attending such events can be difficult for many of our families, and we will therefore provide several diverse formats for contributions
