Each week, before I write my Magpie article, I read all of the submissions the Team Leaders, House Leaders, Sport, Music and others have contributed. Interestingly, I often find alignment with what I have planned to write, and this week is no different. Equally interesting to me, is that the Kindy article and the Year 6 article have synergy with what I had planned to pen. However, having just finished reading this massive, jam packed edition, I have decided to hold off on my text, whilst asking you to view a program that appeared on the Channel 7 Spotlight Show last night. Featured prominently is Brad Marshall, who many of you will recall spoke with us at the end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023. You might also recall that many did not come willingly, but were coerced with the knowledge that their sons would not receive their iPad until they had engaged with the content.

The content is never more relevant than right now, so PLEASE, can I ask you to view the program on the 7+ App or online at the link below, consider the content, formulate your views and then stay tuned for me to add my two cents worth next week!

https://bit.ly/4amBOiq

I’ll be back next week with my thoughts…

Mother’s Day
I am ever hopeful that your beautiful sons spoiled their mums appropriately yesterday. I also hope that you enjoyed the collection of trinkets that will have accompanied your breakfast in bed, bought from the Mother’s Day stall, which was organised by Heidi Elliot and her merry band of parent volunteers. On behalf of all of our mums, thank you to all who played a part in our successful stall again this year.  I promise that your gift was chosen, in most cases, after intense deliberation and consideration…it was also a joy for us to watch this taking place!

Sporting Endeavours
This week, we have Ethan Wang competing at the State Tennis Championships, and Ollie Radford and James Pritchard competing at the State Diving Championships. Good luck to you all!

Band Camp
Can I ask that you please read the instructions for Band Camp this coming weekend. Yes, they are long, but it is all important information that, if followed, will lead to a successful weekend of music for all concerned.

Sue Floro 
Head of Prep

Every week in K-2 I am impressed by the individual talent on display from our boys. During our assembly last week, we had three boys who showed courage and commitment in standing up in front of their peers and performing musical items. Most incredibly, one of our Kindy boys played a lengthy piano piece off by heart. The boys here are all capable of amazing things but what pleases me most is the courage and bravery they show in being willing to take risks and to take themselves out of their comfort zone. One of our main aims here at the Prep is develop the resilience and risk-taking abilities of our boys for them to be willing to try new things, sometimes failing, and sometimes succeeding. Whether successful or not, the challenge is for them to “have a go”. I am so proud of the efforts of our boys in K-2!

Last week, a number of members of staff and I spent some time interviewing our new Kindy families for 2025. One moment that stood out for me was a family telling me they decided to choose Knox because some of our boys tipped their caps at them whilst crossing at the pedestrian crossing. The little things can sometimes make a big difference! One of my favourite school values is Integrity and this is all about doing the right thing when no one is watching. Many of our boys do the small things well, even if it is not always noticeable. 

You may often see how excited your son is to receive a House token at school gate. Positive reinforcement plays a pivotal role in shaping positive behaviour among boys at home, and its benefits extend far beyond immediate behavioural changes. Research has demonstrated the significance of providing positive reinforcement as a highly effective tool for instilling and reinforcing positive behaviour. When our boys receive praise, rewards, or encouragement for their desired actions, it creates a nurturing and supportive environment that fosters self-esteem, confidence, and a sense of achievement. 

Positive reinforcement reinforces the connection between actions and positive outcomes, helping our boys understand the consequences of their behaviour and motivating them to repeat those behaviours. Studies have shown that positive reinforcement leads to better emotional well-being, improved academic performance, stronger interpersonal relationships, and enhanced problem-solving skills among children. If you ever have any questions or want any help in developing positive behaviour processes at home, please feel free to reach out. We are always happy to help. 

We hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day Celebration over the weekend and a fabulous time at our Mother’s Day Breakfast this morning.

Liam Flanagan, Director of Early Learning

• Kindergarten Home Learning Program

It was a great delight to share with you in our K-2 Mother’s Day breakfast this morning. Despite the brief shower or two, the Void was buzzing with laughter and the smell of ham and cheese croissants! We loved hearing about your fabulous Sunday breakfasts and luncheons, and thoroughly enjoyed your smiles as the boys sang to you.

Last Wednesday, the boys made their way through Wahroonga Village to Wahroonga Park. The sun was warm, the breeze was crisp and the chatter of our Kindergarten boys was like music to our ears.

‘Look at the train!’
‘Look at all the leaves!’
‘I’ve been here before – I got a babycino from here’

These were just some of the comments that were overheard during our morning of exploration. When we reached the park we admired the beautiful Bunya Pine; an ancient scared meeting place of the traditional custodians of this land, the Guringai and Dharug people. Although the grounds were a little too wet to sit, the boys managed to have a run around before making our way back to the Prep. They listened in awe as we read the story ‘Somebody’s Land’ and shared the meaning of community on Country, our roles and responsibilities and the way that our community used to be in the past compared to the present.

As parents, we oftentimes underestimate how much our children learn simply by observing our actions. Children are like sponges for new information, and they learn through what they see and hear going on around them. When our children are watching and listening to the things we do and say, they are constantly receiving messages about attitudes, habits, behaviours and reactions. So, no matter how much we tell our children how we expect them to think and act, it might not have the desired outcome if we are not also modelling these thoughts and behaviours ourselves. This hit home when my youngest daughter asked me to sit with her while she tried to sleep. My initial reaction (which I kept to myself), was, ‘Goodness, I have so much to do. I’ll just sit on my laptop while you sleep.’ Although she didn’t say anything, I felt so guilty, and put it away. This caused me to reflect on how I am presenting myself, and how I deal with everyday stresses, to my children. Here are some questions that we might ponder on:

· Am I trying to reduce my son’s screentime, while simultaneously engaging in excessive screentime myself?

· Do I demonstrate impatience and frustration when stuck in traffic, even though I expect my child to always be calm?

· Do I apologise, self correct or at least acknowledge when I have made a mistake or upset someone?

· Do I read books and promote reading to my son?

· Do I ask for help when I am struggling?

Centenary Photograph
To mark the School’s centenary, a whole school photograph is being arranged to mark this special occasion. On Wednesday 22 May, students in Kindergarten to Year 6 will walk to the Great Hall at 10am and return to Prep at approximately 12pm. Please ensure that your son is wearing his full winter uniform.

Nely Daher, Kindergarten Team Leader

Year 2 are now in the ‘Going Further’ stage of our inquiry cycle in our Knoxigations unit. We have been investigating animal and plant adaptations in various ecosystems. The boys have been exploring different environments such as rainforests, deserts, grasslands, and coral reefs. They have discovered the unique challenges that plants and animals face in these environments and how they adapt to survive.

Mother’s Day Morning
What a wonderful Mother’s Day morning today. Thank you to all the mums and visitors that came along to share and celebrate with the boys. We hope you had a lovely morning.

Centenary Photograph
To mark the School’s centenary, a whole school photograph is being arranged to mark this special occasion. On Wednesday 22 May, students in Kindergarten to Year 6 will walk to the Great Hall at 10am and return to Prep at approximately 12pm. 

Nadine Smith, Year 2 Team Leader

I would like to take this opportunity to remind you about the harmful effects of comparing children, discussing other children who are not your own, and fostering a competitive environment among young children. When you compare your child to others or talk about other children, you inadvertently send the message that your child is not good enough, which can have a negative impact on his self-esteem and motivation. Moreover, I would like to make it clear that children in Year 3 are not competing against each other, but instead, they are on their own unique developmental journey which we as a school are here to support them in. We ask that you encourage your son's efforts, praise his progress, and celebrate his achievements, regardless of how he compares to his peers. Research shows that praising effort and progress rather than ability fosters a growth mindset and increases motivation and self-esteem in children (Dweck, 2006). As a community, we should celebrate the individuality of all our children and promote a positive and supportive environment that allows them to thrive.

Food Allergies
A reminder that we have several boys who experience nut allergies at Knox Prep. Exposure to even trace amounts of nuts can trigger severe allergic reactions, ranging from mild discomfort to life-threatening situations. We respectfully request that Year 3 parents do not include products containing nuts in their son's lunch box. Please also take a moment to talk to your son about the importance of not sharing his food with his friends, for while sharing is caring, we want to continue to create a safe playground environment for all boys. By encouraging this awareness, we can work together to safeguard the health of students with allergies whilst fostering inclusivity and empathy within our school community.

Happy Mother's Day to all the amazing Year 3 mums! Your unwavering love and care that you give your son each and every day is a priceless gift that cannot be purchased. We hope you were spoiled rotten on Sunday with your day being filled with joy and happiness. We would also like to extend a special thank you to those parents who volunteered to run the Prep Mother's Day stall on Thursday. Your generosity and hard work made it a huge success, and we are very grateful for your contribution to our school community.

Centenary Photograph
To mark the School’s centenary, a whole school photograph is being arranged to mark this special occasion. On Wednesday 22 May, students in Kindergarten to Year 6 will walk to the Great Hall at 10am and return to Prep at approximately 12pm. Please ensure that your son is wearing his full winter uniform, even if he has PE or sport training on this day. Please pack your son’s sport gear in a separate bag if he has after school training.

Sarah Beaumont-Jones, Year 3 Team Leader

• ScopeIT Charges Semester 1

We hope all of our Year 4 Mums had a wonderful day yesterday for Mother’s Day and were thoroughly spoilt throughout the day!

Pen Licences
Our first round of pen licences were issued last Friday morning! A selection of boys from each class received them and it was wonderful to see the boys’ excitement for their peers. Some great conversations followed this back in class, including:

• What do I need to work on in my handwriting?
• What are you looking for when you give pen licences?

Each teacher is looking for the boys to write in cursive and be consistent across all books, not just their handwriting book. We are looking for each boy to do their personal best – it won’t always be neat! As part of this, we are also teaching the boys about perseverance as well as listening and acting upon feedback. Whilst we understand there may be disappointment if your son does not receive his pen licence straight away, we would love you to encourage him to turn disappointment into motivation. 

Lunchboxes
We are all aware of how important nutrition is to your child's wellbeing, growth, and overall development. A balanced diet, rich in essential nutrients, not only fuels their bodies but also sharpens their focus and engagement throughout the school day. At Knox, where every moment throughout the day is full of activity and requires the boys to focus in one way or another, it's important that the boys are eating foods that will enable them to excel.

We have noticed an increase is chocolate, lollies and other ‘sometimes’ foods in the boys’ lunchboxes. We would ask you to consider if these additions and treats are enabling your son to perform at his best here at school. This link provides an overview of what food groups should be included daily in all of our diets, with specific reference to children at different stages of development. We hope this helps you to consider some simple tweaks or additions for your son's lunch box and we thank you for your support. 

Centenary Photograph
To mark the School’s centenary, a whole school photograph is being arranged to mark this special occasion. On Wednesday 22 May, students in Kindergarten to Year 6 will walk to the Great Hall at 10am and return to Prep at approximately 12pm. Please ensure that your son is wearing his full winter uniform, even if he has PE or sport training on this day. Please pack your son’s sport gear in a separate bag if he has after school training.

Nicola Molloy, Year 4 Team Leader

Each week I am so impressed with the amazing array of talent we have in Year 5. Constantly, our boys are doing us proud, and themselves proud. Whether it be a musical performance, talking in front of an audience, or helping a friend in the yard, there is always something to smile about. The ability to spread joy and kindness is one that should never be taken for granted. As a team, we will continue to celebrate all the acts of compassion or moments which bring joy and we encourage you to do the same.

Mother’s Day
On behalf of the Year 5 Team, we hope all families had a wonderful weekend celebrating Mother’s Day, filled with love and joy. As always, it presents as a wonderful time to honour and appreciate the incredible mothers in our lives. Our thoughts are also extended to those who were unable to spend the day with their mother.

Year 6 Jersey
Notification went home last Thursday regarding the Year 6 Jersey for 2025. As we know, the Year 6 jersey is a long-standing tradition at Knox Prep. A distinctive design is chosen each year and the boys are able to choose a name for the back of the jersey. This might be a surname, a nickname, or sometimes a comical name. As part of the process, the School will consider the names before they are confirmed. Please engage your son in the process of selecting an appropriate nickname which he will be comfortable and proud to parade on the back of his jersey. 

Centenary Photograph
To mark the School’s centenary, a whole school photograph is being arranged to mark this special occasion. On Wednesday 22 May, students in Kindergarten to Year 6 will walk to the Great Hall at 10am and return to Prep at approximately 12pm. Please ensure that your son is wearing his full winter uniform, even if he has PE or sport training on this day. Please pack your son’s sport gear in a separate bag if he has after school training.

Dylan Nexhip, Year 5 Team Leader 

• Year 6 Canberra Excursion Parent Letter
• ScopeIT Charges - Semester 1 

Canberra Overnight Excursion
It is now a good time for you to share any important information that will allow your son to have a positive experience at Canberra. There are no circumstances too complex or unseen and our staff are well-rehearsed in supporting students away from their families.

In the lead up to the excursion, we will share the pertinent information with your son so that he feels comfortable about the accommodation, the transport and the various activities. We will also seek to find a balance in the excitement and opportunity to learn that comes through experiencing the unknown.

Wondrous Artists
Having spent a lot of time in our art studio over the past few years, I think it’s safe to say that our Year 6 Visual Arts Teacher, Mrs Le Couteur, provides a space where art is a true celebration of our boys’ vision, creativity and collaboration. This is skillfully balanced with a focus on technique, discipline, and the effective use of time and resources. Please find some photos from the art-making process – it’s a true journey, with the product only demonstrating just how thoughtful and creative our young men are.

Mobile Phones & Connection
Our red boxes are full of phones every day and I love it when a boy leaves his behind, because it suggests that maybe he isn’t as fixated on it as I thought. For others, you can almost see their fingers twitching to get on them as they walk to the train station.

Technology is an amazing tool to connect with others and with increasing digital connectivity, it’s all about balance, maintaining genuine connections and persevering with meaningful human interaction that’s so important.

Some helpful hints for establishing good routines and boundaries around mobile phone use before the teenage years can be found on the ’raising children’ website. Some ideas are below.

• Mobile phones are either switched off or not used during family meals.
• Mobile phones come out of bedrooms at an agreed time.
• Mobile phones and other devices are charged in a family area overnight.
• Mobile phones are put down when you’re talking face to face with each other.

Always remember that you are the best role model for your son.

Year 6 Yearbook 2024
We need your help to ensure that your son is included in the Year 6 Yearbook for 2024 - a book of treasured memories.
We will require 5 photos of your son to include in his half page bio. The deadline for uploading photos is 1 August 2024.
Photos must be related to school events. All photos need to be high resolution and suitable for print. Do not include any screenshots. 

Ideas for photos for your son’s half page:

• School uniform shots (e.g. his first day at Knox Prep)
• Sporting photos (action or portraits)
• Receiving special awards
• Participating in school events
• Playing his musical instrument
• His favourite activity at school
• House carnivals
• Winter/Summer sport
• Grandparents day
• Sibling photos

There will be an opportunity to submit additional photos for the remaining sections of the book at a later date.
Please upload your son’s photos to the appropriate class using the Dropbox link below. You can also find additional instructions via the Dropbox link.

https://bit.ly/knoxprepyearbook

Have a great week! 

Sally Soo, Sophia Wu and Christina Matta, 2024 Yearbook Convenors

Centenary Photograph
To mark the School’s centenary, a whole school photograph is being arranged to mark this special occasion. On Wednesday 22 May, students in Kindergarten to Year 6 will walk to the Great Hall at 10am and return to Prep at approximately 12pm. Please ensure that your son is wearing his full winter uniform, even if he has PE or sport training on this day. Please pack your son’s sport gear in a separate bag if he has after school training.

Jared Rastall, Year 6 Team Leader

Please Read

• How to Guide for Knox App
• Knox Prep Sports Expectations
• Winter Sport Training Schedule
• Extreme Weather Sports Training Plan

Weekend Highlights – Fencing, Squash & Swimming
With all outdoor sports cancelled this weekend, I was able to watch some swimming, squash and fencing. It was lovely to see our Orange Group swimmers trying their best in the pool; the improvements these boys have made is so impressive.

Our Prep squash players were working hard on the courts with some fierce serving and rallies galore!

It was all smiles over at fencing in the KCC Auditorium on Saturday, with our beginner students working on their fundamental skills and our more experienced fencers competing in bouts against each other.

Student Achievements
Over the weekend, we also had some year 6 students fence in the Roberta Nutt Shield. The boys put in a valiant efforts with the following placings (out of 51 entries):

• Aaron Huo – 5th
• Sebastian Sun – 10th
• Ethan Qi – 14th
• Jiaming Fan – 21st
• Anthony Tsung – 32nd

Good luck to Oliver Radford and James Pritchard who will be competing at the State Diving Championships this Wednesday.

Ethan Wang from Year 6 will be away in Newcastle this week competing in the NSWPSSA Tennis Championships. Good luck, Ethan!

Winter Sports Captains
It is my pleasure to share the 2024 Winter Sports Captains:

• AFL – Ben Jackson
• Football – Logan Park
• Rugby – Gus Bayliss

Wet Weather/Extreme Heat
Please remember that Prep sports training does not get cancelled due to the weather. Students will always be supervised until the training session’s scheduled finish time. Please refer to the extreme weather plan for further details.

Pickup After Sports Training & Matches
A friendly reminder that students are supervised at Billyard Ave gates each afternoon. Please ensure you remind your son to meet you at Billyard Ave rather than Cleveland St.

When leaving with your son, please do not walk across Billyard Ave. It is important to utilise the pedestrian crossing on the corner of Cleveland St and Billyard Ave to ensure the safety of pedestrians and drivers. Please also refrain from pulling into or stopping in front of the Billyard Ave gates.

Sport Absences – IMPORTANT!
Please remember that Prep Sport is a compulsory requirement of your son’s enrolment at Knox Prep. If your son is unable to attend a session for any reason other than injury or illness, please ensure you request leave in writing from Miss Watt, at least three days prior to the session.

Please log any absences due to injury or illness through the ‘Co-Curricular & Sports’ tab on the Knox App.

Prep utilises an automated system for student attendance at sport. Parents whose sons are absent without prior explanation will receive an automated email from Clipboard. If your son arrives to a session late, his absence will be removed and will be flagged as a late arrival; you will still receive the absence email, as this is sent once the rolls are marked. 

Prep Sports Expectations
Sport is an important and compulsory aspect of your son’s enrolment at Knox. Whilst we acknowledge that many boys are members of sporting clubs externally to school competitions, the School expects that all boys will fulfil their sporting commitments to School teams. We are, of course, always willing to work with families, to help boys to be able to participate in each of their commitments. If you foresee any clashes, please reach out sooner rather than later, so we can reach a resolution with you. Simply not turning up, or leaving early each week, is not acceptable.

Knox App
Please ensure you have subscribed to the correct sports categories on the Knox app to ensure you are receiving the information relating to your son’s sport. All parents should subscribe to ‘Prep Fixtures & Trainings’ as well as the sport-specific category. It is important to ensure the category contains ‘Prep’ in the title, otherwise you will be receiving Senior School information.   

Susan Watt, Prep School Sports Coordinator

"Music is the soundtrack of our lives, shaping our memories, emotions, and experiences in ways words cannot express." – anon.

What a week we have had! Rain, sunshine, rainbows, and muddy shoes in the car were just some of the events we all dealt with last week. However, last Wednesday at lunchtime a new piece of history at the Prep was made……….Picture this: a very cloudy lunchtime (will it rain, won't it rain……let's risk it, we all thought……), the school oval buzzing with energy. On one side of the oval, boys trying to get as much running and energy out playing rugby. On the other, a melody drifts through the air, ‘The Man From Snowy River’ played by our Performance Ensemble. Whilst they struggle to march in a straight line and play in time and dodge the sweaty runner and footy ball! It was a momentous occasion, a convergence of two worlds that had long coexisted but rarely intersected. For the first time that I have ever seen (in my 20 yrs at the Prep) the rhythmic pulse of footy and the melodic cadence of music found harmony on the soggy grounds of our school oval! As history unfolded, it truly was a heart-warming event to watch; boys concentrating ever so hard on trying to march and play their instrument in time, whilst the chaos and palpable energy of our many rugby and soccer enthusiasts carefully sharing the oval, ensuring their footy balls did not go anywhere near our musicians and expensive instruments! As the footy players dashed across the field, dodging tackles and chasing victory, the band marched and rehearsed with equal fervour. It will stick in my mind for many years to come! And as quickly as I realised how amazingly beautiful this cohesion at lunchtime was, the electrifying moment was very quickly cut short, with the weather and clouds having other ideas, beginning to pour down upon us all at the very end of lunch!

As our boys rehearse madly in preparation for the upcoming Centenary Tattoo, it has been amazing to watch and feel the excitement build. The knowledge that our Prep boys are part of a concert that will be history in the making and a truly remarkable experience that they will probably never ever imagine being a part of again! With only 3 weeks to go, the nerves and excitement are definitely building! If you haven’t already purchased your tickets to the Centenary Tattoo, make sure you do so! Tickets are available via the School portal!

Dates for the Diary
Week 3
18 and 19 May - Annual Band Camp involving all boys in Junior Band, Intermediate Band, Senior Band and Performance Ensemble. Don’t forget to accept the T&C’s via Operoo and pay for camp..

Week 5 
27 May - Knox Instrumental Concert Series: Woodwind Concert in the Inquiry Hub from 6-7pm.Students who learn from Meredith Hastings.
29 May – Knox Tattoo rehearsal 1.30-3pm – involving Prep Performance Ensemble, Year 5-6 Vocal Ensemble and all Prep Trumpeters.
1 June - Knox Tattoo – involving Prep Performance Ensemble, Year 5-6 Vocal Ensemble, Prep Pipe Band and all Prep Trumpeters.

Band Camp 2024 This Weekend – 18-19 May!
Only 5 sleeps to go until the best weekend all year…. Our Annual Band Camp! Band camp is for all boys in Junior Band, Intermediate Band, Senior Band and Performance Ensemble. 

Below are a few important details in regards to camp this weekend.
 
WEAR: Groovy casual clothes. MUST have sneakers or closed in shoes (no thongs, crocs or school uniform).
BRING:         1. MUSIC FOLDER
                       2. MUSIC STAND clearly labelled. (if you don’t have a music stand please purchase one from Turramurra Music).
                       3. INSTRUMENT
                       4. Spare reeds if they are a woodwind player.
                       5. If your son plays the Bass Guitar he will need to bring his own amp.
TIME:              Arrival is 1pm on Saturday and Pick up is 5.30pm in the undercover area next to yr 3 classrooms.
                      SUNDAY arrival is 9.45am and parents are invited to the concert at 3pm on Ireland Field – Bring a picnic rug to sit on and arrive at 2:45pm as the concert will start right on 3 and finish at 3:45pm. Please note if it is raining, the concert will be in the Inquiry Hub on Sunday. The concert will go ahead rain/hail/shine and the times for each band will be staggered so that only parents with students in each band will watch their performance (due to size of Inquiry Hub). Please check the School APP on Sunday for an update if the weather is wet.
 
Boys are to arrive at school on Saturday at 1pm and are to go straight to the Sails/undercover area on Yeldham next to the Year 3 Classrooms. There will be a table for each band set up and a roll that boys are to get their name marked off at.
 
Pick up on Saturday evening is at 5.30pm and I ask that all parents wait outside under the sails in the undercover area for your son to come out to meet you, as he will need to sign out before leaving. Every year, there are boys not collected on time, which is a big imposition on Music staff who are committed to working with your sons all weekend. We appreciate you being on time for collecting your son.
 
FOOD: Make sure your son has lunch before coming to camp. All other food is provided. We will provide food for any gluten, wheat, nut, dairy free students, however, if you have any concerns in regards to food/allergies please email me before the camp.
 
MEDICATION: if your son has any medication please give it to either myself or Ms Irwin upon arrival. Clearly labelled with your son’s name on it.

HELPERS NEEDED!!!!  I also still need about 8 parents to help on the Sunday and show their MasterChef skills on the Barbie and help serve burgers to boys. If you are able to help from 11.30- 2.00pm on the Sunday, can you please email me at morrisr@knox.nsw.edu.au.

We are all looking forward to camp very much! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email Mrs Morris anytime.

Prep School AMEB exams on Campus
This year we will again be hosting the Prep School AMEB Music exams at the start of Term 4 here on the Prep Campus. The exams are open to any Knox boy who learns an instrument both at school or externally and who is ready to sit the exam. There are TWO steps that parents will need to do to enrol your son via Operoo, however, you will firstly need to ask his tutor what grade your son is ready to sit and has been working on.

If you would like to enrol your son for an AMEB exam and have already chatted to his tutor, simply read the AMEB information form for instructions on how to pay and enrol through school. Or email your sons tutor and make sure you have your sons full name, DOB, his AMEB candidate number (if known) exam name, exam code, exam fee.

If you have any questions in regards to AMEB exams please email Mrs Morris any time.

Student news and Chapel/Assembly Performers
A huge congratulations to our performers this week on Assemblies. Geoffrey Yao-Li in Kindergarten, Luca Han, Kai Bennetts, Aadhi Wickramsuriya, and Brayden Huang were all outstanding! It takes a lot of courage to get up and perform in front of your peers, wo well done to all involved. It is so great having students perform as part of our assemblies and chapel services!! A huge congratulations also must go to Bennett So in Year 6 who performed brilliantly at a recent violin competition and was awarded 2nd prize 🏆 in the XII international BALYS DVARIONAS (For Young Violinists and Pianists) Competition.  And 1st prize and best performance award for the Vienna Virtuoso Festival!

Private Instrumental Lessons 
If your son is already learning an instrument at school and he cannot attend his lesson for whatever reason, 24hrs notice must be given to the tutor directly or you will be charged for the lesson. Please do not assume that because something is in the calendar (which means your son cannot attend his lesson) that your tutor will know about it. It is the responsibility of the parent to always inform the tutor of any absences.

Rebeccah Morris, Director of Music

On Wednesday 22 May, boys in K-2 will again participate in National Simultaneous Storytime.  This event is held by ALIA (Australian Library and Information Association), who for the last 24 years have run this event to highlight the importance of reading aloud and children’s literacy.

On Wednesday morning,  boys in in K-2 will gather in the void to hear the story ‘Bowerbird Blues’ which has been Shortlisted for Book of the Year by the Children’s Book Council of Australia.   Thousands of children across Australia from schools, playgroups, childcare centres and libraries will be hearing the same story at this time.

From the ALIA website:

About the author

Aura Parker is an award-winning illustrator, writer and designer. Her picture books are joyful with a playful sense of humour, brimming with details to explore. Aura Parker’s storytelling though words and pictures inspires imagination, courage and confidence in young readers as well as a love, curiosity and passion for nature.

If you would like to find out more about the books chosen for this year’s Storytime, please have a look at the Scholastic website:

https://shop.scholastic.com.au/Product/100130674/Bowerbird-Blues

Jo Wheatley, Emma-Kate Smith and Emma Wood Library Teachers

Burns and Haslett had a jam-packed chess session today with almost 60 boys in the Inquiry Hub. Congratulations to Haslett for taking the lead and securing a spot in the semi-finals. Miles and Thomson will face off next Monday to find the next house to rival Haslett.

Pertinent details are as follows:

When: Monday lunch time 1:15-1:40 (eat first)

Where: Inquiry Hub

Who: Miles v Thomson (all boys are welcome regardless of ability)

Each student will earn one house point for participation, and another for a winning game.

Best of luck to all houses. Stay tuned for updates!

Mrs Daher & Miss Felizz

Thomson House Lap-A-Thon
In July, Kim Miller from Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation is swimming the English Channel to raise money for Blue Dragon to eliminate human trafficking.

To show our support and for the boys to appreciate what an incredible feat this will be, we are holding a Thomson House Lap-A-Thon to fundraise. Together, our 90 families and Thomson House staff will swim 34 km, the length of swimming the English Channel.

You don’t have to be a great swimmer, at a minimum you need to make 25m. Every lap counts and together we can make the distance. At the conclusion of our Lap-A-Thon, we will celebrate with a barbeque.

WHEN?            Sunday June 16 from 10am to 2pm

WHERE?          Knox Aquatic Centre

WHO?              Your whole family – including parents and siblings.

Enjoy the video here explaining the incredible work of Blue Dragon and why Kim is swimming the English Channel.

Please look out for further information including weekly interviews with Kim in the upcoming Magpie issues.

As we continue into Term 2, it is important to be reminded of Jesus’ unconditional love for us. In spite of the challenges that we may face individually and also as a society, we can take comfort in the knowledge that the goodness of God will follow us throughout our lives. There will be times of hardship, but there will also be times of abundant blessings and through it all, God remains constant in his love for us.

When David wrote this passage, he did not know of the incredible miracles Jesus would perform on Earth but his insight into the love of God reflects Jesus’ life as one which served and uplifted others. This passage provides us with a promise that gives us spiritual encouragement today whilst also assuring us of our place as part of God’s kingdom forever.

Chaplaincy Team

Text of the Week
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23:6

Please find the menu for Term 2 here

The Headmaster warmly invites members of the community to the Knox Centenary Tattoo to celebrate 100 years of Knox, relive fond memories, and most importantly look towards a bright future inspired by our traditions, values, and connections.

See flyer here for details of the event and how you can purchase your tickets.

Please understand that tickets are highly sought after and limited to a maximum purchase of two (2) tickets so act quickly to avoid disappointment!

If you are unable to attend, you may view the Knox Centenary Tattoo at this link www.knox.nsw.edu.au/tattoo-livestream

Knox Christian Fellowship – Term 2
The Knox Christian Fellowship is a community of parents, carers, staff members and chaplains from the Knox Senior School, Knox Prep and Wahroonga Prep.

We will be holding a staff and parent prayer breakfast and an evening meeting in Term 2 to pray for our schools. All are welcome to attend. 

Staff and Parents Prayer Breakfast:
Thursday 16 May from 7:15am to 8:15am at the Knox chapel

RSVP for catering purposes by Thursday 9 May to MaclartyR@knox.nsw.edu.au with dietary requirements and number attending.

Term 2 Evening Prayer Meeting:
Tuesday 14 May at 7.30pm in Gordon

For more information please contact Rev Dr Rosalie MacLarty MaclartyR@knox.nsw.edu.au or Jackie and Jeremy Tham jackietham@yahoo.com.au 

When: Saturday 31 August 2024
Where: Knox Senior School

We are excited to announce that Gala Day has been rescheduled for Saturday 31 August.

The decision to move to Term 3 is to celebrate Gala Day on the eve of spring.

Gala Day is such a great event where the wider Knox community comes together to enjoy a vibrant day of live music, market stalls and entertainment and we look forward to celebrating with the community later in the year.

Please save the date in your diaries and stay tuned for further information closer to the time.

Prep School Tuckshop - Volunteers Required for Term 2 2024
We greatly appreciate our volunteers and their contributions to our School community. 

Helping out in the tuckshop is a very rewarding experience and a great way to meet and socialise with new friends. If you are able to volunteer in the Prep School Tuckshop in Term 2, please click on the following link to choose days that suit you:

https://signup.com/go/iDzhwiV

Please note that persons working as volunteers at the tuckshops are required to have had at least two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine. By signing up to volunteer, you provide the School with an assurance that you have had at least two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine, and may be required to show proof of double vaccination when signing in on campus.

All volunteers are also asked to please read and comply with the Knox Volunteer Code of Conduct.

If you have any questions about volunteering in the tuckshops, please contact Stacey Cleary, Community Relations and Events Coordinator.