Dr Ian Paterson was today grilled by the royal commission over his actions in dealing with teachers accused of abuse allegations . The former Knox headmaster ran the school from 1969 to 1998 and was known as The Snake for his autocratic style . 'He was the power in the land , ' said former student Peterson during a break in the hearing today . Dr Peter FitzSimons began proceedings today by apologising for what had happened when the school was his 'responsibility ' Another former student said : 'His nickname at school was the Snake ... that 's true then and its true today '
Dr Ian Paterson was today grilled by the royal commission over his actions in dealing with teachers accused of abuse allegations . The former Knox headmaster ran the school from 1969 to 1998 and was known as The Snake for his autocratic style . 'He was the power in the land , ' said former student Peter FitzSimons during a break in the hearing today . Dr Peterson began proceedings today by apologising for what had happened when the school was his 'responsibility ' Another former student said : 'His nickname at school was the Snake ... that 's true then and its true today '