Thirroul retired headmaster awarded OAM

Reading the news, you may think the world's in trouble. But teaching in high schools around the state for 50 years provides a different perspective. 

“I look at the young people today and I am really excited and really positive about the future,” says retired headmaster John Weeks.

“Young people today are so much more in tune with everything than we were as children of the 50s.”

In the 2026 Australia Day Honours List, the Thirroul local has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for his service to secondary education. 

Over the past five decades, John has taught at country schools and city schools, government and independent. He was headmaster of The Illawarra Grammar School from 1997-2003 and Knox Grammar School from 2004-2018. 

“I think my greatest achievement has been making a positive contribution to the education of young people across many areas of our state, and seeing them flourish,” he says. 

“To know that you’ve been able to contribute to that absolutely makes me just incredibly proud.”

In 1989, John was appointed the founding principal of Hunter Valley Grammar, which he remembers as a “really special” time. In 1997, he became headmaster of The Illawarra Grammar School. He led TIGS until 2004, before taking on the role of headmaster at prestigious Knox Grammar School on Sydney's Upper North Shore. 

During his 15 years at the boarding school for boys, John led and represented the school at 2015’s Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, and started the Knox Indigenous Education Program, in conjunction with Australian Indigenous Education Foundation. When he left, the school council hailed his “truly visionary” leadership and transformation of pastoral care, the teaching and learning program and educational facilities. 

It was during this period that John co-founded and led the Australian Positive Psychology Learning Institute (also known as the Positive Education Schools Association) in 2009.

He counts this among his proudest achievements. 

“It was all about trying to bring programs to young people in schools which helped them to feel positive about their future and themselves, he said. “So that they can go on and really flourish.”

During a wide-ranging career, John has also served his local community, including as a warden at Austinmer Anglican Church and a coach with Thirroul Cricket Association.

In 2019, he was asked to take on one final challenge: leading Scots All Saints, a merger of two former rivals in Bathurst. “To be called to, when I’d retired, to go and help the Presbyterian Church amalgamate two schools in Bathurst … to do that for the last five years was remarkable.”

John feels fortunate to have worked in education, praising the “unbelievably dedicated teachers and support staff” that he’s met over the years. 

“To be able to work in the different regions with wonderful educators and to make a contribution to the development of young people around our state … I’ve just found it remarkable. 

“My own children went through Grammar School and my grandchildren started there, and to be part of all of that is a great privilege.”

John Weeks is one of 949 people recognised by the Governor-General in the 2026 Australian Day Honours List. 

“The qualities and accomplishments of this year’s honourees reflect Australia’s values for service, community, kindness, curiosity, tenacity, and care,” says the Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC.

“As the list so vividly showcases, so many Australians continue to give the best of themselves across many endeavours, in the interest of others. It is rewarding to see an increase in the number of awards, which reflects more nominations and recognition of the many Australians who inspire the best in all of us.”