Knox Centenary Tattoo
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who made the Knox Centenary Tattoo a resounding success. It was a fitting way to celebrate Knox’s 100 years, showcasing the unique spirit and rich tapestry of our school’s traditions.

The night truly shone a light on what makes Knox special, perfectly embodying our mantra of “innovation wrapped in tradition.” This indoor military tattoo delivered an extraordinary theatrical performance while paying homage to our Scottish heritage.

Our performers, of which there were over 800, displayed remarkable talent and dedication, reflecting the essence of our vibrant school community. I would like to acknowledge and thank all those who contributed to this unforgettable event.

• Activity Selection Guide

Please be aware that the Prep Co-curricular Cubs for Term 3 have been set up on the Clipboard app. Clipboard allows you to see your son/s available clubs, as well as their sports and music schedules in the one place to reduce any possible clashes between compulsory commitments and optional clubs.

At the moment, you are able to view the clubs available, information about each club, the schedule and the associated costs. However, you are unable to make selections until it is open for enrolments. The system becomes active for bookings on Thursday 13 June (Week 7) at 7pm.

Term 3 Clubs will run from Tuesday 23 July (first day of Week 1) and conclude on Friday 27 September (Week 10).

As the Prep Reception closes at 4.00pm, you are asked to take the time to register your son with OSH Club. The registration process does not incur a fee. However. it does give you peace of mind, should you get caught up at work or in traffic, to know that your son will be supervised until you arrive. 

Please take the time to review and register your son here: https://www.oshclub.com.au/nsw/knox-grammar-school/

Reminders:

• Enrolments are secured on a ‘first in, first served’ basis
• You have 15 minutes to add clubs to your cart before checking out
• To secure your son’s placement, payment is required at the time of selection
• Students who are not successful in gaining a place will automatically be placed on the waiting list. If a place becomes available you will be notified by email to make payment to secure the position.
• Due to the strong demand for places in co-curricular clubs, students can be enrolled in only one Knox Provided Club each term. However, you can enrol in any number of Externally Provided Clubs.
• Please think carefully before you make your decision and cross check the co-curricular compulsory sport and music timetable to ensure there are no clashes.
• Carefully check your selections before you pay. If you decide to cancel your son’s club enrolment, you will no longer receive a refund. Rather, you will receive a credit balance in your Clipboard account, with a $50 administration fee incurred.
• Register your son with OSH Club

The system becomes active for bookings on Thursday 13 June (Week 7) at 7pm.

Michael Quach, Deputy Head of Prep

I had the great delight of spending Thursday and Friday with Year 6 in Canberra, as they explored our Nation’s capital and enjoyed each other’s company. In a conversation with one staff member, whilst watching the boys inquire, play and learn at Questacon, I reflected that I first visited Questacon as part of a Year 6 excursion in 1993…it’s a long time ago - I laughed that I could probably run every tour in every venue!

The basic premise of the excursion is the same as it has always been, though. That is, to learn about our country’s democracy, and the people there, who are charged with the important role of representing us; and to visit places that seek to represent our country’s rich history, or reflect things that are important to us. It’s a jam packed excursion but because most places we visited had guides to lead us through exhibits and tell us great stories about fascinating Australian people and events, we had the opportunity to engage with the boys as we noticed things together. I had become a little worried that the art of noticing was being diminished over time, as our attention is so strongly drawn to our calendars, to notifications to time spent using technology.

What did I notice while I was with Year 6? I learnt that our boys are thoughtful caring of and for each other, and for their families. I learnt that they do notice things and people, but what they notice is sometimes different to that which I notice. I learnt that they are grateful for the opportunities they are afforded, and that they express their gratitude towards their teachers, the bus drivers, the tour guides and each other as a matter of course, not because they are told to do so. It is who they are. I learnt that they are respectful to each other, to our staff and to members of the community. I learnt that our boys love to engage with their teachers as they share stories, ideas and wonderings with them. These were real conversations, with interest demonstrated equally by students and teachers. I enjoyed engaging with the boys in this way as much as I did noticing them engage with their teachers and each other, about the things they were noticing.

I learnt that our staff are not just good, or even great – they are incredible! Their selfless dedication to three days of 24/7 care for your sons was second to none. Their respect for each other and for our boys was impressive, and their attention to detail was impeccable. Their enjoyment, and sense of fun as they spent three days with a (great) bunch of 11 and 12 years olds was continuous, regardless of how tired they undoubtedly were. Their planning and commitment to ensuring that this was a truly brilliant experience for the boys was inspiring.

None of this surprised me, but it was just so lovely to have it reinforced literally everywhere I looked whilst we were in Canberra. I would encourage you to notice the little things; be on the lookout for things that either surprise you, help you to think differently, inspire you to question, or reinforce what you already suspected might be true. The art of noticing is just so important – what did you notice today?

CIS Cross Country Championships

Congratulations to our Knox Prep boys who represented us so outstandingly at the CIS Cross Country Championships last week. It is a torrid course and our results were exceptional. Congratulations to Gus Bayliss who came in 7th place from a field of 96, and to Brody Johnson in Year 5, who earned himself a Silver Medal from a field of 112 competitors, and who will now move through to the NSWPSSA State Championships in Term 3. 

Sue Floro, Head of Prep

• 2024 ICAS Parent Information

Please find information regarding ICAS for 2024 above.

MAP Information Session
Last Tuesday evening we hosted a MAP information session for our Kindergarten families as well as any of our families new to Knox in Years 1-6. We had several families indicate they were unable to attend the session due to a variety of reasons. Given this was the case, we are going to host an additional information session in Week 8.

This session will take place on Wednesday 19 June at 9:00am in the Inquiry Hub.

We encourage all Kindergarten and new Year 1-6 2024 parents who were unable to attend on Tuesday evening to attend. The information that will be shared is incredibly important. We pride ourselves on openness and transparency, so are keen to provide you with the full picture of the academic offering at Knox Prep.

We are looking forward to seeing you on 19 June. We will commence at 9:00am sharp and expect the session to run for approximately one hour. 

Tammy Paterson, Director of Students

We have a big final few weeks coming up for our K-2 boys to finish off the first semester. Just a reminder that the boys will be participating in our K-2 swim program in Week 9 of this term. It's important that the boys have the right equipment ready for swimming. This program is crucial to our K-2 curriculum here at Knox, so unless your son is very unwell or injured, it is expected that he will take part. If your son can't participate for any reason, please email his classroom teacher. We also have several exciting excursions planned. Kindy will have their first formal excursion to Clifton Gardens in Week 9, which is always an exciting time for our youngest students. Next week, our Year 2 boys will be learning about sustainability with a visit to Kimbriki on Tuesday and Wednesday.

A huge thank you to all our new Kindy, and Year 1 and 2 parents who attended our MAP parent education session last Tuesday evening. We've had several requests from families who couldn't make it, asking if we'll run another session. So, we're planning an additional session on Wednesday, 19 June, from 9-10am. This is suitable for all our Kindy parents as well as any new parents in our Year 1 and 2 cohorts. 

Wisdom is a value our boys show every day here in K-2. Often, they think it only relates to academics, but that's not true! Wisdom is an important Knox value that helps boys make good choices and understand the world around them. In the classroom, showing wisdom means listening carefully to the teacher, thinking before answering questions, and helping friends solve problems kindly. Outside the classroom, wisdom shows when boys play fairly, share toys or games, and choose safe, healthy activities. Wisdom helps boys learn from their experiences and grow into thoughtful, respectful individuals. We're always on the lookout for our boys showing wisdom in K-2.

Liam Flanagan, Director of Early Learning

• K-2 Aquatics Program
• Clifton Gardens Parent Letter

This week the boys will be unpacking our new big idea, ‘Forces are around us’. To assist with this, would you kindly send in one of your son’s favourite toys. We will be using these to explore and experiment with forces to determine which will allow the toy to be moved. To avoid tears, we ask that the toy you send be one that is not too precious and not too big. You might consider a small teddy, a rubiks cube or another soft toy. Please send these with your child to his classroom teacher at your earliest convenience. To encourage the making of connections throughout this inquiry, Kindergarten will be visiting Clifton Gardens on Monday the 17th of June. The boys will be challenged to use materials, tools and equipment to develop solutions for a need such as the need for speed during go karting races, or for air pressure power in the air rocket challenge. They’ll investigate how forces and energy are used in products and explore the effects of push and pull on various objects, all while having a tonne of fun. We are super excited and cannot wait for this event!

Kindergarten attended the dress rehearsal for the Years 3-4 musical ‘Pirates of the Curry Bean’ today. We were so excited to watch the older boys and see what we can look forward to when it is our turn to take to the stage in a few years time!

Just around the corner in Week 9 will be our K-2 Intensive swimming week. In preparation, please encourage your sons to change and pack their bags independently. 

Help Us Light Up Lives!
Our ‘Light Up Lives’ campaign is being led by our Year 1 students as part of their Knoxigations unit of inquiry ‘Energy powers our world’. Year 1 hope to inspire our community to be mindful global citizens, learn about energy poverty and foster values and empathy while having a real-world impact. Our goal is to have one solar light donated from each Knox and Abbotsleigh family. When our kits arrive our Year One students will then be assembling the solar powered lights for children living in extreme energy poverty in Timor. Our gift of lights will enable children to study and move around their communities safely at night. Just one light will:

• Create 7,300 additional study hours
• Offset 1.28 tonnes of CO2 emissions
• Save families the equivalent of 16 weeks of work
• Impacts the lives of 5 people living in energy poverty.

How can I help?
Donate a Solar Light via the following link here. 

Please write a short message with your son’s name and class with your donation so we can show the boys at school and watch as our fundraising total soars! When? Open now!

Nely Daher, Kindergarten Team Leader

• Light Up Lives Service Chart
• K-2 Aquatics Program

I hope you all enjoyed the gift of the King’s Birthday long weekend! Nothing says "relax" like an extended break, and while we adults certainly appreciate the rejuvenation, it’s even more crucial for our children. Let’s protect their time by ensuring they have plenty of opportunities for play and rest. Now is an excellent time to reassess the commitments of our Year 1 boys and reduce any overcommitments. Childhood is a precious, fleeting period, and we should intentionally safeguard this time for them.

In our ongoing Knoxigations inquiry, 'Energy powers our world', the boys transformed into little scientists, made predictions about light sound and heat energy and gathered data from different areas on campus.  Please enjoy a few snaps below and try hard not to smile, they were gorgeous!

Secondly, the boys recently participated in an exciting Knoxigations activity where they used their creativity and artistic skills to design eye-catching posters for their fundraising campaign. These posters will be displayed around the school, showcasing the boys' talent and enthusiasm. We are proud of their diligent work, especially in supporting the "Light Up Lives" initiative. As we approach the final weeks of the fundraiser, we encourage all families to contribute generously. The funds raised will provide solar-powered lights for children in Timor. 

Help Us Light Up Lives!
Our ‘Light Up Lives’ campaign is being led by our Year One students as part of their Knoxigations unit of inquiry ‘Energy powers our world’.  Year One hope to inspire our community to be mindful global citizens, learn about energy poverty and foster values and empathy while having a real-world impact. Our goal is to have one solar light donated from each Knox and Abbotsleigh family. When our kits arrive our Year One students will then be assembling the solar powered lights for children living in extreme energy poverty in Timor. Our gift of lights will enable children to study and move around their communities safely at night. Just one light will:

• Create 7,300 additional study hours 
• Offset 1.28 tonnes of CO2 emissions
• Save families the equivalent of 16 weeks of work
• Impacts the lives of 5 people living in energy poverty. 

How can I help?

Donate a Solar Light via the following link https://lightuptimor.solarbuddy.org/t/abbotsleigh-knox-grammar-light-up-timor

• Please write a short message with your son’s name and class with your donation so we can show the boys at school and watch as our fundraising total soars! 

• When: now OPEN 

On another note, our House system continues to foster a sense of camaraderie among the boys. Regular house meetings, points tally comparisons, team lunches, and assemblies provide opportunities for friendly competition and teamwork. No doubt you have heard about the house token encouragement system.  The boys love earning tokens and unfortunately keeping them like treasures too. Most recently we talked with the boys about ensuring they bring the tokens back to school, after showing you, and posting them in their respective house token collection boxes. We are looking forward to the return of many tokens and seeing the house point tallies skyrocket!

As we near the end of the term, we encourage all boys to maintain their focus and determination. It’s important to finish the term on a high note, and we are proud of the progress each student has made so far. There is still much to be achieved in the remaining weeks.  Similarly, we have been and will continue to remind the boys about being kind and speaking kindly to others. As they get tired these reminders are critical in assisting in maintaining a caring environment for all so please partner us in this message from home.

As always, we appreciate your ongoing support and collaboration. Together, we create a nurturing and enriching environment where the boys thrive. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

God Bless!

Julie Stowe, Year 1 Team Leader

• Year 2 Kimbriki Excursion
  
• K-2 Aquatics Program

What an amazing week of learning Year 2 had last week! Last week began our Sustainable Solutions Knoxigations Inquiry. On Monday morning the boys were greeted by the teachers who were all wearing different types of protective clothing. Boys were given the opportunity to question and discuss their understanding of the word ‘protect’ or ‘protection’. All the boys were then given the task to explore Yeldham Field and the K-2 play area to find things that protect us at Knox. The boys had a fabulous morning of collaboration, discussion, and wonder.

On Tuesday we were lucky enough to have a special guest speaker, Mr Duncan Sharpe come to talk to the boys about what Knox is currently doing to protect our planet and how Knox is ‘rethinking’ to protect our planet in the future. Mr Sharpe provided us with examples of what Knox is doing to rethink, reduce, reuse, and recycle and the positive effects this is having for our community. The Year 2 boys are already ‘rethinking’ their decisions as students of Knox and what we can do to ‘lead by example’ at school to protect the planet. Stay tuned!

Congratulations
Congratulations to 2H for presenting their assembly last week. We were so impressed with you how spoke clearly and confidently when presenting. We really enjoyed learning all about the various ecosystems you have been learning about in class.

Congratulations also to our Year 2 boys who received their first Values pins last week. These students have gone above and beyond, earning ten Values Stickers to reach their Values Pin. Well Done boys!

Year 2 Excursion - Kimbriki
Just a reminder that this week on Tuesday 11 June (2C and 2A) and Wednesday 12 June (2S and 2H), will be traveling to Kimbriki Resource Recovery Centre to investigate the importance of recycling in our community. Information regarding this excursion is as follows:

• All students are to wear their full sports uniform including sports tracksuit jacket in case of cold or wet weather. The school bucket hat is required for sun safety. All students are to have their raincoat in their excursion bag in case of a change in the weather. Please ensure all items of school clothing are clearly labelled with your son’s first and last name.
• We will be leaving the school at 8:30am and will return before carlines at 1.30pm.
• The students will need to bring their excursion bag with the following:
  - Recess
  - Lunch
  - Refillable drink bottle.
  - Raincoat
  We kindly request your son’s lunchbox be packed using minimal single use plastic. Please note there will be no recess or lunch orders on excursion day.

We are looking forward to a fantastic day of learning with the boys!

Swimming – Week 9
We are looking forward to our swimming lessons again in Week 9. We ask that over the next couple of weeks the boys practise getting dressed and changing by themselves. This includes putting on underwear, pulling up shorts/tracksuit pants and putting shirts on over their head. We also ask you to spend some time practising putting shoes and socks on and tying shoelaces. These are all skills which help establish independence in our boys and make the swimming experience much more enjoyable for them. It is also an opportune time to make sure all items of clothing (including towels, goggles, and swimmers) are clearly labelled with your son’s name.

Help Us Light Up Lives!
Our ‘Light Up Lives’ campaign is being led by our Year 1 students as part of their Knoxigations unit of inquiry ‘Energy powers our world’. Year 1 hope to inspire our community to be mindful global citizens, learn about energy poverty and foster values and empathy while having a real-world impact. Our goal is to have one solar light donated from each Knox and Abbotsleigh family. When our kits arrive our Year One students will then be assembling the solar powered lights for children living in extreme energy poverty in Timor. Our gift of lights will enable children to study and move around their communities safely at night. Just one light will:

• Create 7,300 additional study hours
• Offset 1.28 tonnes of CO2 emissions
• Save families the equivalent of 16 weeks of work
• Impacts the lives of 5 people living in energy poverty.

How can I help?
Donate a Solar Light via the following link here. 

Please write a short message with your son’s name and class with your donation so we can show the boys at school and watch as our fundraising total soars! When? Open now!

Nadine Smith, Year 2 Team Leader

• Year 3 and 4 Musical Parent Information
• Year 3 Costume Requirements
• Sustainable Solutions Overview

Knoxigations
Our Year 3 boys are thoroughly engaged in our third Knoxigations inquiry, with the big idea, ‘Our energy choices sustain our future’. Over the next 7 weeks, the boys will be investigating different energy forms and how they are captured; renewable energy at Knox; and designing energy solutions to meet renewable targets. For further information please read the attached Sustainable Solutions Overview. 

Gala Day
Year 3 boys will participate in their very first Winter Sport Gala Day this Friday with boys competing with others from their House to claim the winning points for their chosen sport. Please note, no recess orders will be available on Friday. 

3/4 Musical - The Pirates of the Curry Bean
Excitement is building for the much-anticipated Year 3/4 Musical, The Pirates of the Curry Bean. With the performance just a day away, our boys have been eagerly rehearsing their songs and dance moves to ensure a spectacular show. They are sure to impress you all with their enthusiasm and hard work. 

We look forward to seeing you there and sharing this wonderful experience with you! Please find below a reminder of the key details for this event. 

Date: Wednesday, 12th June 2024
Matinee: 11:30 am
Evening Performance: 7:00 pm
Venue: Wenkart Theatre at the JAPAC (Senior School campus)

Help Us Light Up Lives!
Our ‘Light Up Lives’ campaign is being led by our Year 1 students as part of their Knoxigations unit of inquiry ‘Energy powers our world’. Year 1 hope to inspire our community to be mindful global citizens, learn about energy poverty and foster values and empathy while having a real-world impact. Our goal is to have one solar light donated from each Knox and Abbotsleigh family. When our kits arrive our Year One students will then be assembling the solar powered lights for children living in extreme energy poverty in Timor. Our gift of lights will enable children to study and move around their communities safely at night. Just one light will:

• Create 7,300 additional study hours
• Offset 1.28 tonnes of CO2 emissions
• Save families the equivalent of 16 weeks of work
• Impacts the lives of 5 people living in energy poverty.

How can I help?
Donate a Solar Light via the following link here. 

Please write a short message with your son’s name and class with your donation so we can show the boys at school and watch as our fundraising total soars! When? Open now!

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.

3/4 Musical
The 3/4 Musical is fast approaching! Performances are on Wednesday 12 June 2024 (Matinee 11.30am and Evening Performance at 7.00pm) in the Wenkart Theatre at the JAPAC. Please read the letter attached from Mrs Irwin and Mr Foltyn carefully for information regarding costume and makeup requirements. I have also included a table below which includes Year 3 requirements for each day.

Please read the letter above from Mrs Irwin for information on costume requirements.

Sarah Beaumont-Jones, Year 3 Team Leader

• Year 3 and 4 Musical Parent Information
• Musical Lead Costume Requirements
• Non-Lead Costume Requirements

It’s Musical Time!
The wait is finally over and this is the week you will get to see all of the boys’ hard work revealed on stage! We can’t wait to welcome you all to the matinee and evening performances this week. There are still tickets available, so please ensure you have yours!

https://events.humanitix.com/pirates-of-the-curry-bean-94bd66fe

Again, there is a lot of logistical information for this week so we would appreciate it if you could take the time to carefully read what is outlined in the table below.

Clubs
Whilst normal Co-Curricular Clubs will continue running this week, we would ask you to consider whether or not your son needs to attend on Wednesday afternoon. With the two performances on Wednesday, it might be a good idea for the boys to head home, have a decent meal and return to school fresh for the evening performance. Please note that all boys are expected to attend the evening performance.

Help Us Light Up Lives!
Our ‘Light Up Lives’ campaign is being led by our Year 1 students as part of their Knoxigations unit of inquiry ‘Energy powers our world’. Year 1 hope to inspire our community to be mindful global citizens, learn about energy poverty and foster values and empathy while having a real-world impact. Our goal is to have one solar light donated from each Knox and Abbotsleigh family. When our kits arrive our Year One students will then be assembling the solar powered lights for children living in extreme energy poverty in Timor. Our gift of lights will enable children to study and move around their communities safely at night. Just one light will:

• Create 7,300 additional study hours
• Offset 1.28 tonnes of CO2 emissions
• Save families the equivalent of 16 weeks of work
• Impacts the lives of 5 people living in energy poverty.

How can I help?
Donate a Solar Light via the following link here. 

Please write a short message with your son’s name and class with your donation so we can show the boys at school and watch as our fundraising total soars! When? Open now!

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.

Nicola Molloy, Year 4 Team Leader

• ICAS Parent Information Letter

I hope all families managed to have an enjoyable long weekend, finding opportunities to spend quality time together. Year 5 have a busy week ahead with the viewing of the Year 3/4 Musical and Winter Gala Day. Please allow the boys to have adequate rest so they can fully engage with all upcoming activities.

Excursion
The boys had a wonderful time last week at the Police and Justice Museum, deepening their understanding of how the Gold Rush impacted law and order in the colony of NSW. Within Knoxigations the boys have been investigating the tensions which occurred on the gold fields, understanding there was disagreement between the miners and the authorities. This will lead into the boys deeply exploring the Eureka Stockade and what caused this, and how it helped shape Australia into the nation it is today.

Cross Country
A massive congratulations to the Year 5 boys who represented Knox at the CIS Primary Cross Country Championships last Thursday. In the 11 years age group, Knox placed 3rd overall which is an incredible achievement. In addition to that, Brody Johnson finished the race in second place out of 117 competitors and will now head to the NSW PSSA State Championships. Well done everyone!

Reminders

• Please ensure your son’s outer layers of clothing are clearly labelled. We are seeing a large number of jackets laying around after playtime. Some of the markings are slowly fading, which means it can be hard to identify who the item of clothing belongs to.
• As we head into the final three weeks of term, continue to encourage your son to connect with the Year 5 motto and to be his best in every situation. 

Help Us Light Up Lives!

Our ‘Light Up Lives’ campaign is being led by our Year 1 students as part of their Knoxigations unit of inquiry ‘Energy powers our world’. Year 1 hope to inspire our community to be mindful global citizens, learn about energy poverty and foster values and empathy while having a real-world impact. Our goal is to have one solar light donated from each Knox and Abbotsleigh family. When our kits arrive our Year One students will then be assembling the solar powered lights for children living in extreme energy poverty in Timor. Our gift of lights will enable children to study and move around their communities safely at night. Just one light will:

• Create 7,300 additional study hours
• Offset 1.28 tonnes of CO2 emissions
• Save families the equivalent of 16 weeks of work
• Impacts the lives of 5 people living in energy poverty.

How can I help?
Donate a Solar Light via the following link here. 

Please write a short message with your son’s name and class with your donation so we can show the boys at school and watch as our fundraising total soars! When? Open now!

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

Dylan Nexhip, Year 5 Team Leader

• ICAS Parent Information Letter

Thank you for appropriately preparing the boys for our excursion last week and for equally being on time to collect their tired selves on Friday afternoon! By Canberra’s standards, the weather was relatively mild and despite the intermittent rain, there was minimal disruption to our program. I was exceptionally proud of the boys’ behaviour as they visited some of the most important sites in our country. It was reaffirming to receive positive feedback from guides, members of the public and other school groups.

Our social media platforms seek to provide a small selection of photos to our broader community about the many wonderful opportunities available to our students and in a range of settings. The team of teachers took many photos that, similar to last year, will be shared with families as a single folder towards the end of the year. One of our Year 6 goals is to build memories and we are sure these photos will be a great keepsake for you and your son.

Overnight excursions and camps offer so many valuable experiences for our boys.

• Personal Growth – The boys stepped outside their comfort zones; they faced new challenges, ate different foods, slept away from home and therefore built their resilience. They navigated unfamiliar environments, adapted to different situations, and became more self-reliant.
• Social Development – The boys interacted with peers and teachers in a different environment. They encouraged each other and looked out for their friends and teachers. This helped develop new friendships and build upon existing ones.
• Educational Enrichment – The boys experienced hands-on learning opportunities, allowing them to deepen their understanding of our Knoxigations unit and to provoke further wonderings and avenues of inquiry.
• Independence and Responsibility – The boys took responsibility (mostly!) for their belongings, personal hygiene and daily routines. This enhanced their organisation and time management skills.
• Memory – The shared adventure created a lasting memory with stories to tell between their peers and teachers.
• Confidence – They gained a sense of accomplishment by overcoming challenges, further building on their self-esteem.

All these outcomes motivate the teachers to embark on the significant planning and organisation, the sleepless nights and the time away from their families, because the rewards for the boys are so great. We also love the memories formed through such collective experiences.

A thank you, therefore, to Mrs Kim Inglis, in the 3-6 office who coordinates the information and paperwork to make the excursion so seamless and to the team of teachers who took on the additional responsibilities with great professionalism, care and compassion to ensure a positive experience for our boys.

Help Us Light Up Lives!
Our ‘Light Up Lives’ campaign is being led by our Year 1 students as part of their Knoxigations unit of inquiry ‘Energy powers our world’. Year 1 hope to inspire our community to be mindful global citizens, learn about energy poverty and foster values and empathy while having a real-world impact. Our goal is to have one solar light donated from each Knox and Abbotsleigh family. When our kits arrive our Year One students will then be assembling the solar powered lights for children living in extreme energy poverty in Timor. Our gift of lights will enable children to study and move around their communities safely at night. Just one light will:

• Create 7,300 additional study hours
• Offset 1.28 tonnes of CO2 emissions
• Save families the equivalent of 16 weeks of work
• Impacts the lives of 5 people living in energy poverty.

How can I help?
Donate a Solar Light via the following link here. 

Please write a short message with your son’s name and class with your donation so we can show the boys at school and watch as our fundraising total soars! When? Open now!

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.

       

Jared Rastall, Year 6 Team Leader

• How to Guide for Knox App
• Knox Prep Sports Expectations
• Winter Sport Training Schedule
• Extreme Weather Sports Training Plan
• Winter House Gala Day
• K-2 Aquatics

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.

Year 4 Football Training This Week
Friendly reminder that there is no Year 4 Football training after school this Wednesday. We are looking forward to seeing the boys shine on stage!

Winter House Gala Day
All boys in Year 3-6 will be participating in the Winter House Gala Day this Friday 14 June. This day is an opportunity for students to try out a new sport and have fun with their friends while earning points for their Houses. Please see attached letter for further information, including any equipment your son may require.

Student Achievements:
Last Thursday we had 6 Prep boys compete at the CIS Cross Country. It was an incredibly wet day, and the boys ran so well:

●       Jayden Chen – 40th (out of 111)

●       Jesse Alexander – 36th (out of 112)

●       Brody Johnson - 2nd (out of 112)

●       Archie Ure – 55th (out of 112)

●       Leslie Xue – 31st (out of 112)

●       Gus Bayliss – 7th (out of 96)

Our 11yrs boys came third as a team and Brody is off to the NSWPSSA Championships next term. An amazing day for our Prep boys, well done!

The Prep AFL played a hard fought 4 games at the Paul Kelly Cup today. In a heated battle in the first game, we were down 11-1 at half time and came back to win 37-24, displaying great camaraderie and determination. The next 3 games saw a decline in scores, but our determination never wavered. Throughout the day, the boys displayed some of the best skills of the year with multiple hand balls resulting in goals, fantastic wins from the ruck, quick transitions from defence into our forward third, and accurate goal kicking. Well done, boys, we are so proud of your efforts! 

This week, the Olympic Swim Trials are being held in Brisbane. Knox has a number of students, including former Prep students, competing. You can watch these trials daily on Channel 9. Good luck to these swimmers! 

Prep Winter Tennis – Knox Champs
We will once again be running the Knox Champs for students who are participating in tennis as their winter sport. Please check the Knox app for further details.

Important Prep Dates:

●       Friday 14 June – Prep Winter House Gala Day

●       Monday 24-Friday 28 June – K-2 Aquatics     

●       Friday 28 June – No training (last day of term)

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.

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

“Being on stage makes the human soul feel alive! Musical Theatre is for everyone. It doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned performer or someone who has never set foot on the stage before. There is a place for everybody in this incredible artform.” – Hugh Jackman

Year 3-4 Musical – ‘Pirates of the Curry Bean’
We are SUPER excited with this week’s 3-4 Musical! The boys have been working really hard and the show will be amazing!! Tickets went out last week and are limited to 3 tickets per family per performance, to ensure that each student on stage will have some family in the audience for this amazing performance.

Both Performances are on Wednesday 12 June at The Wenkart Theatre, Woodville Rd Wahroonga.
Matinee 11.30am
Evening Performance 7.00pm

Please find below the link to purchase tickets for the show. 

https://events.humanitix.com/pirates-of-the-curry-bean-94bd66fe

Mid-Winter Choral Festival
The Year 5/6 Vocal Ensemble and the Gallery Choir will be performing at the upcoming Knox Mid-Winter Choral Festival. Please see details below:

🗓 Date: Sunday 16 June 2024

🕓 Time: 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Students to arrive at 1.45pm (rehearsal and sound check)

📍 Location: Knox Senior School - Wenkart Theatre

If you are free Sunday 16 June in the afternoon and want to hear some beautiful singing come along support our singers —it's the perfect way to brighten a winter's day!

Knox App for Ensembles
If your son is involved in our Instrumental Program, please make sure that you have joined the relevant ensembles for your son in our School App as we often send out important notifications via the App. If you have any questions about the App or what you should join, simply email Mrs Morris at morrisr@knox.nsw.edu.au for further information.

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

Book Covering Volunteers Required
Research shows volunteering has many health benefits that can improve mental health such as increasing happiness and decreasing stress levels. Please sign up by clicking on the link:

https://signup.com/go/aTEifhi

3-6 Book Swap
At lunchtime on Thursday 20 June, (Week 8), the Year 6 Library Leaders will be hosting a Years 3-6 Book Swap in the Inquiry Hub. A Book Swap is a fabulous opportunity to clear bookshelves at home and swap them for some great new titles. If your child has any good quality 3-6 friendly books that they no longer need and would like to be involved, please send books and a gold coin donation to the Inquiry Hub.

One donated book = One gold coin donation

All monies raised will be assigned to each House charity that is supported in the Prep School.  Thank you for your support.

Scholastic Book Club issue #4 is out now. All orders need to be submitted online using the LOOP payment system by Friday 14th June. Orders placed should arrive at school the following week.

Ewan and Fuller took to the floor at lunchtime to see who would rival Lang in the upcoming semi-finals. Fuller secured the lead, and they will now defend their position against Lang in Week 9.

The first of the semi-finals is set to take place on 17 June.

Pertinent details are as follows:

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

Where: Inquiry Hub

Who: Haslett vs Miles (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 and Miss Felizzi

 

Auditions for Knox Prep Theatresports will be taking place in weeks 6B and 7A of Term 2 for boys in Year 5 and Year 6.

Theatresports involves students working together to improvise comedic scenes with no rehearsal or scripting and very little time to plan. Successful audition students will be invited to form an initial squad of up to 20 students who will be taught improvisation and Theatresports skills, strategy and games at a weekly workshop on Wednesday afternoons during Terms 2 and 3. To showcase what they’ve learned, towards the end of Term 3, the Squad will put on a Knox Prep Comedy Show for parents and friends.

From this Squad of students a team of 7 (5 team members + 2 reserves) will be selected. They will go on to receive further training and represent Knox in the Primary Division of the Theatresports Schools Challenge in November taking place in Term 4. More information here.

Sign up here.

THOMSON HOUSE LAP-A-THON

THIS SUNDAY!

We are days away from our Lap-A-Thon on Sunday in our challenge: Thomson House to swim 34 kms (the equivalent of 1 360 laps of our 25m Knox Pool), in 4 hours! 

I am very excited to share with you that a Blue Dragon sponsor,  APT Travel/One Tomorrow, have agreed to match our Lap-A-Thon donations with a grant of up to $5 000! To donate use this link to the Knox fundraising page on the Blue Dragon website.   

Thank you to those of you who have already RSVP’d by completing the Google Form here.  Remember, every lap counts and kickboards, flippers, pool noodles are all fine to use for those who need them to participate.

Looking forward to seeing grandparents, parents, sisters, brothers and staff swimming side by side! 

Katrina Wallis

With the final weeks of term approaching, fatigue becomes a factor. Finding moments of rest to recuperate is important. Jesus reminds us that we do not need to tackle the busy periods of life in our own strength. We are challenged by this scripture to actively seek rest during periods when there is seemingly no time. In a society that is increasingly time-poor, there is great wealth to be found in promoting rest and improving our wellbeing.

Finding a moment each day to pause, reflect, take some deep breaths and practise some mindfulness increases our ability to improve our wellbeing, as well as increasing our ability to support others. This isn’t a new concept but something that is biblically endorsed! When we look to Jesus for spiritual strength, we will find the rest we need and will gain the energy required to get through the busy times.

Chaplaincy Team

Text of the Week
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30

Please find the menu for Term 2 here

Please note that the Knox Parents’ Association Meeting that was scheduled for Tuesday 11 June at 6.30pm in the Wenkart Theatre has been postponed.

We will notify parents once a new date has been confirmed.

Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.

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.

• Winter Code Camps

Code Camp is back these school holidays with two exciting camps!

2 - 4 July:

• Curious Minds: Exploring how technology and science are shaping our world, investigating topics such as robotic prosthetics limbs, cars of the future, cryptocurrency & bitcoin, and so much more via fun and engaging hands-on (screen-free) activities.
• Minecraft Enginers: Students will learn to build a rollercoaster by learning and applying basic engineering concepts and command-based programming in an age-appropriate way.
• Spark - Coding:Kids in years 2-6 can create their own arcade-style game and bring their game to life via drag and drop coding.

15 - 19 July:

• AI Camp: From debunking Artificial Intelligence myths to hands-on experiences with cutting-edge applications, AI Camp will dive into generative AI, computer vision and explore concepts to understand how AI works, how it’s used in today’s world, and what it might look like in the future.
• DJ: Your child will take their first steps into the exciting world of mixing music to create unforgettable experiences. Over two days, your music makers of tomorrow will learn from real DJs and producers to create their very own mix and perform it to their class on professional DJing equipment.
• Ignite - Coding: Kids will build an awesome new game with advanced features using a mixture of drag & drop and JavaScript coding.
• Minecraft Minis: For beginners aged 5-6 years old, where they will learn how to play Minecraft Education in a safe and supportive environment through a range of engaging activities, developing essential skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and creative thinking over 2 days of fun.
• Youtube Creators: Students will use professional editing software to cut together footage and add music, chroma key backgrounds, video effects and transitions. They’ll gain confidence ‘performing’ in front of audiences and on set, plus create a personal brand and learn all about staying safe online.
• Get Crafty: Build a Mini House: New! Our Get Crafty holiday program offers a screen-free escape into the world of craft for kids. These holidays, gather some friends and get ready to unleash your child’s creativity as they join us for a two-day craft-a-thon to construct and decorate a miniature house!
• Robotics: Kids will explore the magic of robotics, using coding and programming to bring their very own Edison robot to life! They’ll command their robot to navigate mazes, solve puzzles, and even compete in a wrestling match with other robots. Get ready to code, create, and have a blast with robots!
• Minecraft Masters: This camp is the next stage in our Minecraft learning journey, brimming with creativity and fresh challenges. Students will build, code and harness redstone to create complex parkour courses, complete rescue missions and more!