Knox Prep Cyber Safety Awareness Week - Week 9, Term 2
Every year we host an annual cyber safety awareness week at Knox Prep. As part of this important week, boys in Kindergarten and Years 1, 3 & 5 will attend a presentation in year groups by digital safety experts, ySafe. Meanwhile, boys in Years 2, 4 & 6 will participate in digital safety workshops in class groups. 

Throughout the course of the week, the boys will discuss the concepts raised in the presentations and workshops. They will also work through a series of online modules to consolidate and deepen their understanding of safe online practices.

Cyber Safety Parent Webinar - Tuesday 25 June 6:00pm
As part of our Knox Prep Cyber Safety Awareness week, we are inviting parents to attend a webinar on Tuesday 25 June at 6:00pm. Protecting children in their digital worlds is an ever-evolving task for Australian families. Now more than ever parents are looking for guidance in how to manage screen time and navigate the world of games and social media. 

We are therefore pleased to help our parent community by offering a crucial and engaging education session with ySafe, Australia’s leading provider of online safety education. This practical, strategy-rich session will cover the most important points that all families need to know about online safety, covering key information about social media and gaming, screen time recommendations and step-by-step instructions on how to set up a cyber safe home for children of all ages.

If you’ve ever struggled with getting your children off their games and into bed, worried about the content of the games that they are playing or felt concerned that your child was spending too much time in the digital world, this workshop is for you!

To register for this webinar, click on the link. Once registered, a link to the webinar will be sent to your email address.

Michael Quach, Deputy Head of Prep

Several years ago, my Presentation Day Address was a litany of numbers, a testament to the scale of what we do here at Prep each year. As I sat to write this week’s Magpie article, I remembered the process of writing that speech and the feelings it conjured. This has been a big week at Prep, with many things worthy of note, so I’ve resorted to dot points!

In the last 7 days since I last wrote, we have:

• Witnessed an incredible Year 3 and 4 Musical, ‘Pirates of the Curry Bean’, which literally had it all. It was such a fun, engaging and brilliantly told tale of pirates, treasure and sailing the seven seas! My hearty congratulations to all who were involved, but particularly the boys and the incredible staff who have worked tirelessly to ensure a great rollicking experience for all who came to see it.
• Had our winter House Gala Day, as Houses competed for points towards the Bell Champion House Cup. My favourite thing about Gala Day is that boys are encouraged to try sports they had not tried before. More than one boy, in past years, has found a new favourite sport because of Gala Day. Again, this event would not have been possible without the enthusiasm of the boys, and importantly, the planning and engagement of the staff. A fabulous day!
• Had almost 500 instrumental music lessons…it’s an incredible number of lessons each week and the reason the standard of our musical performance is so high. Music is held in the same regard as all other areas of performance success, whether that be sporting or academic. It’s a wonderful thing to watch!
• An incredible Mid-Winter Choral Festival, where prep boys were on the same stage as our accomplished Senior School performers. Another opportunity for apprenticeship and another example of our staff going above and beyond to ensure they are able to perform in these events.
• The Thomson House Lap-A-Thon at the Aquatic Centre. Thank you to Thomson staff and families for supporting this fabulous event, as we seek to raise funds to support Kim Miller’s attempt to cross the English Channel in support of the Blue Dragon Foundation. An amazing group doing incredible things!
• Run the latest round of the House Chess competition – my goodness, that is reason for conversation at Prep every day at the moment, as Houses vie for the honours of being the Champion Chess House!

Then there is this coming week…

• A message from Mr Quach about Cyber Safety Week and an important parent webinar being held online next Tuesday night. ALL Prep parents should tune into this webinar!
• A message from more than one Team Leader about the importance of sleep, most particularly at this late stage of the term, when boys are increasingly tired.
• A reminder about the Light Up Lives initiative being run by Year 1 – please do support this incredible cause to end energy poverty in the developing world. Our Year 1 boys need to see the impact their hard work can produce. Go on – buy a solar buddy light and give a family the gift of light!

It’s a busy place, with literally something for everyone!

SOUND AND LIGHT CELEBRATION OF LEARNING
The next Centenary event on our Prep calendar is the Sound and Light Celebration of Learning, which is taking place from 5:30 – 7:00pm on Thursday 1 August. I would ask you all to please add this to your calendars now, as ALL Prep boys will be required on site during that time. This will be a wonderful family event, with experiences presented by all of our year groups from Kindergarten to Year 6, and with many fun and exciting activities to engage with during that time. For parents of our younger boys, this is a fabulous opportunity for you to witness first hand, the incredible work that your sons will be fortunate to engage in, in the coming years. More information is coming in Week 1 of Term 3 but please make sure this is in your calendar. It is a full K-6 school event.

And so begins another week….

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, and families new to Knox in Years 1-6. We had several families indicate they were unable to attend the session. Given this was the case, we will 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 huge final two weeks coming up for our K-2 boys to finish off the first semester of the year. Just a reminder that the boys will be participating in our K-2 swim program throughout next week. It is important that the boys have the correct equipment ready for swimming. This is a crucial element to our K-2 program here at Knox. Unless your son is very unwell or has an injury, he is expected to participate fully in this program. If there is a reason why your son cannot participate, please ensure that you email his classroom teacher. A reminder that we will walk up to the Senior School even if it is raining. It is important you send your son to school with a raincoat to ensure he can walk to swimming. If the weather is in any way dangerous, we will, of course, cancel swimming for that day.

This Friday our boys will walk to St John’s Church for our End of Term Chapel. Chapel will commence at 9:15am and we would love to have parents come along and be a part of this special event. We understand that often you like to take photos to commemorate occasions when your son is performing of reading in front of an audience. Given this is a chapel service we ask that you please not film or take photos during this time. Please enjoy the service without the use of your device.

One thing I really enjoy doing in K-2 is spending time moving around the classrooms and looking at the learning that takes place. From Art to Library and everything in between, what is so noticeable to me is the way in which your sons engage authentically with what they are learning. Often, when speaking to families, they talk about their sons never telling them about what they are learning about at school. I can assure you they are very enthusiastic when you ask the right questions! Here are some great questions you can ask at home.

What is the most interesting thing you learned today?

Can you teach me something you learned today?

Is there something you learned today you’d like to explore further on your own? 

What is the best thing that happened to you today?

What was the most challenging part of your learning today?

These questions should hopefully assist you learning a bit more about what your son is doing in the classroom each day.

Just a couple of reminders to finish. Firstly, on Wednesday 19 June, from 9-10am we have our repeat session of our MAP parent evening from two weeks ago. This is suitable for all our Kindy parents as well as any new parents in our Year 1 and 2 cohorts. This will take place in the Inquiry Hub. Secondly, we have an increasing number of boys arriving to school very early each day. Some boys have been getting to school around 7:20am. Whilst I understand the gates are open, this is to allow boys in Years 3-6 to attend early morning sports session or to attend band practice. Playground supervision commences at 7:45am. For safety reasons, please ensure your son does not arrive prior to this time. We appreciate your support with this.

Have a lovely penultimate week of Term 2!

Liam Flanagan, Director of Early Learning

Tuning in to Kids® – Emotionally Intelligent Parenting Program – Expression of Interest (K-2 Parents Only)
We are seeking expressions of interest for parents of K-2 children interested in participating in our Tuning in to Kids Parenting Program for Term 3.

At this stage, the program will run on Wednesday mornings from 8.30am-10.30am, over 6 weeks (Weeks 1-6 of Term 3) and will be facilitated by members of our Prep Psychology Team. There will be no cost associated with participating in this program. Please note that due to the nature of the program, sessions will not be recorded and remote attendance is not possible.

If interested, please email Dr Rebecca Lazarus (Head of Prep Psychology) for further information and to discuss program suitability: lazarusr@knox.nsw.edu.au

The Tuning in to Kids Program:
The Tuning in to Kids® program teaches parents and carers skills in emotion coaching, a way of responding to emotions that can help children to understand, regulate and work through their emotions to assist them with managing their behaviour and respond in socially appropriate ways. When parents and carers respond to children’s emotions in ways that validate and accept emotions but still guide them with appropriate behaviour, children learn important skills in emotional intelligence. Over time children use these skills in all aspects of their lives. Emotional intelligence helps children to be more resilient so that when they face challenging experiences they can talk about their feelings and work through these experiences. Further information regarding the program can be found here: https://tuningintokids.org.au/parents/

• K-2 Aquatics Program
• K-2 End of Term Chapel

Excitement filled the air this morning as 73 eager Kindy boys bounced onto the coaches to make our way to Clifton Gardens. The weather was gorgeous, the view spectacular and the boys were buzzing as we were met by the Rangers, and made our way down Sarah’s Walk to the water below. Shrieks of joy could be heard as everyone cheered each other on during the billy kart races and the rocket launching activities. After a long day, the heavens farewelled us with a refreshing downpour of rain as the boys slowly trudged up the walk, onto the bus. The quickly got comfortable in their seats as we made our way back to Knox. Suffice to say, it was a very quiet ride back and I am sure your boys will sleep very well tonight. 

This Friday, the boys will be walking over to St John’s Uniting Church to enjoy our end of term K-2 Chapel. Parents are more than welcome to meet us there for this event, which commences at 9:15am.

Just a few more sleeps and Swimming week will be upon us. In preparation, please encourage your sons to change and pack their bags independently. Although the weather is chilly in the mornings, please refrain from sending your boys in multiple underlayers, as what comes off must go back on! 

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

We are delighted to remind you that our K-2 students will be enjoying their Aquatics Program this week. Each day, they will be diving into the world of water safety and building their swimming skills under the guidance of our skilled Knox instructors. Watching the boys' enthusiasm and excitement in the pool is simply gorgeous and almost makes me want to jump in too! This program is an excellent opportunity for our young learners to gain confidence in the water, learn essential safety skills, and have lots of fun.

Our Year 1 boys are now deeply engaged in our third Knoxigations inquiry. In this unit, the boys explore the big idea, "Our choices affect our world," investigating the crucial relationship between humans and the environment. They learn about significant places and the reasons behind the need to protect and care for them. By examining how Indigenous Australians care for special places, your sons gain insights into sustainable practices that they can adopt too. They apply their environmental knowledge to plan actions for future preservation and use digital technologies to showcase their understanding of the importance of caring for our world.

Parents, you can partner us and assist your sons in understanding their Knoxigations inquiry from home in several ways.  Of course this is an optional suggestion and most inquiry will take place at school, however it is a lot of fun learning together.

1. Discuss the Big Idea: Engage in conversations about how our choices impact the world. Use real-life examples to illustrate this concept, such as recycling, conserving water, or choosing sustainable products.
2. Explore Local Environment: Visit local parks, nature reserves, or significant places in your community. Discuss why these places are important and how they can be cared for.
3. Learn About Indigenous Practices: Research and share information about how Indigenous Australians care for the environment. Watch documentaries or read stories together that highlight Indigenous knowledge and practices.
4. Practice Sustainable Habits: Encourage and model sustainable habits at home. Involve your child in activities like composting, reducing waste, and saving energy. Explain how these actions help the environment.
5. Read Together: Find books and resources about the environment, conservation, and Indigenous cultures. Reading together can reinforce the concepts they are learning in school.
6. Encourage Questions: Foster curiosity by encouraging your child to ask questions about the environment and how humans interact with it. Help them find answers through research and exploration.
7. Get Involved in Community Activities: Participate in local environmental initiatives, such as clean-up days, tree planting, or community gardens. These activities provide practical experience in caring for the environment.

By integrating these activities and discussions into your daily routine, you can enhance your son's understanding of the important relationship between humans and the environment and support their learning in our Knoxigations inquiry BUT be prepared they might just surprise you with their responses to your interactions as they have incredibly curious minds!

Kindness - We believe that teaching kindness is a partnership between the school and families. It’s essential for the boys to understand what kindness looks like in practice. We encourage you to talk with your sons about acts of kindness they have experienced or witnessed. Ask them to share how they have been kind to others and how others have been kind to them. These conversations help to reinforce the importance of kindness and build a compassionate community. It’s a great time to focus on kindness as the boys become a little tired and less tolerant of each other towards the terms end.

Finally, we are eagerly anticipating our K-2 end of term chapel, which will take place on Friday. It is a wonderful opportunity for our younger students to come together in community and celebrate their term achievements by giving thanks to God for each other, their families, and every good thing He blesses us with every day. This special event is a heart-warming reminder of the values and sense of community that we cherish at Knox.

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 

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

• K-2 Aquatics Program

Kimbriki Excursion
Last Tuesday and Wednesday Year 2 visited the Kimbriki Resource Centre as part of ‘Tuning In’ phase in our Sustainable Solutions inquiry. Year 2 demonstrated their passion for sustainability with boys pledging to protect our planet. Students explored the 4R’s and how we can apply these to our daily lives while discussing ways to care for Mother Earth by tidying up our world, planting more trees and using less electricity. The students impressed the staff at Kimbriki with their knowledge of materials and their understanding of how everything comes from something - aluminium from rocks, plastic from oil, paper from trees and glass from sand. A highlight of the day had to be the worms! Our boys were enthralled by the idea that everything we eat (even fish!) comes from soil and how worms are a vital part of the composting cycle. Year 2 also took a tour around the Resource Centre learning about the different areas where rubbish is recycled. Boys learnt to become Bin Rangers and about why it’s so important to use the correct bins at home and at school to dispose of their waste. 

The Year 2 teachers were incredibly proud of all our boys, they were great ambassadors for Knox!

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

3/4 Musical - The Pirates of the Curry Bean
Thank you to all the parents and family members who attended the Year 3 and 4 Musical ‘The Pirates of the Curry Bean,’ last Wednesday evening. As the boys gathered backstage, they were a little nervous about their first time performing, yet, as they ran onto the stage, their nervousness transformed into pure joy and excitement. With each song and dance, their energy radiated through, bringing this unique tale to life. The resounding applause from the audience was a testament to their hard work and dedication, leaving the boys beaming with pride and a newfound sense of accomplishment. This musical experience undoubtedly became a cherished memory for our boys, and I am sure that we will see many of our boys on the Wenkart Theatre stage in the future. A very special thank you goes out to the Year 3 parents who volunteered their time to assist staff with stage makeup for the performance, it was very much appreciated. 

Gala Day
It has been a big week for Year 3 with the boys participating in their very first House Gala Day on Friday. With spirited determination, the boys fearlessly took to the field (and swimming pool) and cheered fervently for one another, applauding not only their own victories but also the triumphs of their peers in opposing houses. It was wonderful to see the teamwork and joy on the faces of our boys as they competed to earn points for the hotly contested Bell House Cup.

Monitoring YouTube Access
On a more serious note, the Year 3 teachers have recently observed an increase in poor choices and inappropriate behaviours amongst the boys, which we have linked directly to the content they are viewing on YouTube. Whilst YouTube can be a valuable educational tool, it also contains a vast array of material that is not suitable for young children. In line with Australian standards for online safety, the recommended minimum age for this platform in 13 years of age. Should your son have access to this platform, we urge you to closely monitor your son's YouTube usage and encourage open communication about anything they see that they do not understand or that might be inappropriate. We appreciate your assistance in fostering a safe and positive environment for our boys both at school and at home.

We also encourage you to ensure that you attend the cyber safety webinar, which is on Tuesday 25 June at 6pm. See Mr Quach's article in this edition of the Magpie.

Sarah Beaumont-Jones, Year 3 Team Leader

• Walking Wahroonga Excursion Parent Information

Pirates of the Curry Bean!
What a truly spectacular show! The Year 4 team are so incredibly proud of each and every single boy and the effort they put in on stage! We witnessed so many instances of the Knox values in action last week, both on and off the stage. Here are some examples:

• All of the boys showed courage to step outside their comfort zones and perform to such large audiences
• They demonstrated compassion towards one another when everyone was tired and some were overwhelmed
• They showed wisdom in abundance to make wise choices even when tired

Special congratulations go to our leads who spent hours rehearsing at recess and lunch to learn lines and work together to bring this wonderful story to life. A show of this calibre simply cannot happen without the vision and contribution of so many people. Again, our sincere thanks go to Mrs Irwin, Mr Foltyn, Mrs House, Mrs Morris and Mrs Paull for the many hours spent supporting the boys and ensuring the show was a success.

Sleep!
Following a wonderful term of learning, the Musical and the Winter Sports Gala Day last week, the boys are very tired as we near the end of term. We ask you to ensure that they are having early nights (i.e. lights off and books closed by 8:30pm!) so that they can give their best to their learning each day at school. This will help them to finish off the term in productive way and make positive choices both in and out of the classroom.

“Walking Wahroonga” Excursion
Please read the attached information letter carefully about our local excursion around Wahroonga, which is taking place this Friday 21 June. We would appreciate you providing permission for your son by Wednesday this week.

Please note the following:

• All students to wear PE uniform
• No recess orders on Friday 

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

We have arrived at Week 8, the final B week for Term 2! As the end of term draws closer, we notice the tiredness of the boys significantly increases. Please be mindful over the next two weeks of keeping a balanced and achievable schedule for your son, as this will enable him to be well equipped to finish off the term successfully. Please prioritise adequate amounts of rest, accompanied with nutritious food and opportunities to have fun!

Homework
The final round of homework for Term 2 will be distributed to the boys on Tuesday this week. As normal, they have until the following Monday to submit their homework. This means no homework will be allocated in Week 9, leading into school holidays. Our homework program will recommence in Term 3.

Winter Gala Day
On Friday, we witnessed and supported a fun and fiercely contested Gala Day. It was wonderful to see all eight houses represented, with splashes of colour spread all over the fields, pool or courts. All games were played in high spirit, with considerable encouragement and support. Up at Knox 1, there were communal chants of inspiration, truly demonstrating the house spirit. It was a sensational day for all involved. 

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

Singing at Knox
Every week, our boys sing—whether during music lessons, at assembly, in chapel, or even quietly while working (and they think we aren’t listening). One of my first and most surprising memories at Knox was hearing 340 Year 5 and 6 boys enthusiastically singing during chapel and assembly. Although the Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions tried to dampen these moments, the warmth and reverence of their singing has returned stronger than ever. 

Yesterday I had the privilege of attending the Mid Winter Choral Festival at the Wenkart Theatre. It was a lovely way to end a perfect winter’s day. The Years 5-6 Vocal Ensemble conducted by Mrs House features almost 30 of our Year 6 boys and they delighted the audience with a heart warming ‘Homeward Bound’ before a more upbeat ‘Beyond the Sea’. It was particularly impressive to see the talent and courage of two boys, Ethan Cheng and Nicholas Still, perform solos.

Some Year 6 students also represented the Prep School in the Gallery Choir, a feature of the School since 1985 that combines boys and girls across all three campuses.

Simply Google ‘Power of Singing’ and you’ll see the following headlines:

• ‘Choir singing improves health, happiness’ – University of Oxford
• ‘The Healing Power of Singing’ – New York Times
• ‘The neuroscience of singing: How choirs help our brains and bodies recover from burnout’ – ABC News
• ‘Singing is good for you. Singing with others may be even better.’ – Washington Post

It makes sense, then, that the boys’ singing was such a significant memory from my first days at Knox and a part of the week that I always look forward to.

The boys will continue their singing throughout their schooling and whilst their voices will change, the joy and light that they bring to others certainly won’t.

I thank all the boys for their enthusiastic participation and performance yesterday and to Mrs Jay House for always encouraging their passion and talents. If you want to feel the joy from combined singing, consider joining us for our End of Term Chapel Service next Friday.

Uniforms & Haircuts
We thank you for supporting the School in ensuring your son arrives each day in the correct uniform as outlined in the Uniform Policy and Regulations. Please check to ensure your son has the required equipment for the cooler months. Knox tracksuits, fleece jumpers and scarves are available for purchase through the uniform shop. 

Similarly, when visiting the hair dresser, please ensure that your son’s haircut is appropriate for school. Whilst there is often a desire to match their favourite football player or other celebrity, please note the following:

 “Boys must have their hair cut according to the Knox requirements: Hair must not be long enough to be over the collar, ears, eyebrows, nor overly full at the back or front. An all over  short haircut may be acceptable to a minimum No.3 cut. Dying of hair is not permitted under any circumstances. In all respects, the School remains the final arbiter of what is acceptable.”

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.

Student Achievements
Today we had three students represent Knox Prep at the CIS Golf trials. Well done to Enoch Mu, Charles Yuan and Andy Zhou for playing so well. We will know results in the coming days.

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:

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

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

Term 3 Sports
Please note that winter sport concludes carries on for the first 3 weeks on Term 3, concluding on Saturday 10 August. We then have a 5 week break from sport, with summer sports training resuming on Monday 16 September. Students will train with the same teams they were in at the end of Term 1. Please remember that students are not permitted to change their summer sports.

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

The Benefits of Learning a Musical Instrument
In the Prep we have over 500 music lessons a week. These lessons are available in a wide range of instruments as well as voice and musicianship and students receive a minimum of 8 lessons per term. Learning a musical instrument has many proven benefits. Essentially, learning a musical instrument activates your ability to process different information simultaneously and to develop fine motor skills. Boys are also able to improve self-expression, confidence and concentration – all qualities that can be used outside the musical environment. The responsibility for organising music, remembering instruments, and practising, is the students’ responsibility, especially for those boys in Years 5 and 6, with them being expected to do approximately 3 to 4 practice sessions a week for a minimum of twenty minutes. To be responsible, accountable and organised, is an excellent life skill, and learning a musical instrument can help facilitate the development of these traits and is proven over years of study to increase the cognitive effects of learning. 

For boys to see improvement and progress in their technical work, a regular and focused practice routine is required in order to achieve desired outcomes. No two students are the same, and each boys individual experience is directly affected by their natural talent, as well as the amount of work they put in to improving their playing or singing. It is important to put the technology and devices down, put the rugby ball down and remember to have a well-balanced home practice schedule!

If parents need clarification of learning goals, or require specific information outside the usual lesson parameters, they are welcome to email the tutor directly. If there are any issues (such as wishing to discuss lesson scheduling, repertoire, AMEB examination entries and so forth) with your son’s progress, please contact the tutor and have a conversation directly so that these matters can be addressed early and change can occur. If you have any other questions or you would like your son to learn an instrument at school please don’t hesitate to email Mrs Morris.

3-4 Musical was a HUGE success!
Wow! A huge congratulations to all boys in Year 3 and Year 4 on their performance in the musical ‘Pirates of the Curry Bean’. The energy, enthusiasm and happiness seen on stage truly reflected in all your performances. To all the Lead Cast, you were outstanding!!! We are so proud of you all. Your commitment to rehearsals every recess and lunch for the entire 7 weeks of preparation was phenomenal. You displayed courage, resilience, and incredible teamwork. I am very excited to watch your journey through Knox as you continue your journey on the stage in the years to come. A huge congratulations must also go to Ms Ali Irwin and Mr Terence Foltyn who worked tirelessly every single recess and lunch to make the musical such a success!!

Bravo everyone!

Choral Festival
This year's Knox Mid-Winter Choral Festival was a resounding success, with performances that showcased the exceptional talent and hard work of the students across the Knox campuses, and Loreto Normanhurst.  The Prep boys performed as part of the Vocal Ensemble, Gallery Choir and the Finale (combined choir). Their precise harmonies and energetic renditions of both classical and modern pieces earned them an enthusiastic applause.

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

Overdue books
As the holiday’s approaches please help your son locate any overdue items he might have on his record.  Boys can check their loan history if they are in 2-6 using the Library App on the portal.  If your son is in K-2 and you have questions about your son’s loans, please contact Mrs Wood;woode@knox.nsw.edu.au

If you have received an email if your son has an overdue item belonging to the K-1 Literacy Centre or our 2-6 Library please note; Items not returned within 60 days will be charged to your account. Any items that are overdue and have not yet been returned to our Libraries will be charged to your account in the next billing cycle. If the item is found after you have been charged, you will not be credited. We appreciate your support in assisting your son to locate any library books that are overdue.

2024 Premier’s Reading Challenge
Just a reminder that if your son is in 3-6 to encourage your son to keep reading and add books to their Premier’s Reading Challenge profile.  Boys in K-2 will be working with their buddies to add the books they have been reading in class to their profile.

An instruction video on how to log books on to student reading records for the Premier’s Reading Challenge is available to view on our Prep Library Page. To access our Prep Library Page at home, go to bit.ly/knoxpreplibrary. Access is available for students only as they are patrons of our Library. Your son will need to log in using his Knox email address and password.

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

Bowerbird Blues
Something borrowed, something blue? 

We have been talking in library about collecting blue things for our Bowerbird blues display.  Keep it coming!  We are looking for blue bottletops, bread clips, wool, thread, straws, anything blue!  Ask you son to bring them to the K-2 office if you have anything.  Thank you.

Damaged Books
We have had a spate of damaged books returned to our libraries.  We are noticing books being returned ripped, wet, or having sustained some sort of rough treatment.  If boys are not using book bags, please remind your son to take care of it while it is on his borrowing record, as all damages will need to be replaced.

The much-anticipated match between Miles and Haslett Houses has concluded, and it was nothing short of spectacular. After a series of brilliant moves and intense strategies, Haslett emerged victorious with a razor-thin margin, clinching the win with a final score of 34 - 32. Talk about a close call! As Haslett basks in the glory of their hard-fought win, the question now is: who will they face in the finals? The answer lies in the upcoming epic clash between Fuller and Lang Houses, set to take place next week. The excitement is building. It’s a match you won't want to miss!

Pertinent details are as follows:
When: Monday lunch time 1:15-1:40 (eat first)
Where: Inquiry Hub
Who: Fuller v Lang (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

 

THOMSON HOUSE LAP-A-THON
When we aimed to swim 34km’s, the length of the English Channel, I never expected that the Thomson House community would make it a round trip! Congratulations for swimming an astounding 63.825kms! 

 There are so many special moments from Sunday. Here are some highlights;

• Kim from Blue Dragon and her friends who are also swimming the Channel swimming alongside the boys 

• Kindy boys pushing themselves to make a length with their parents cheering them along on the sideline

• A number of mums laughing that they can’t get their sons out get him out of the pool because they were so determined to swim as many laps as possible

• The joy on the boys faces as they had their laps recorded

• Parents swimming alongside their sons

• Staff swimming alongside boys and parents – motivating each other to keep going

• Siblings swimming together

• Boys from different year groups enjoying being in the water together

• Enjoying a sausage sizzle in the winter sunshine

• Parents and staff catching up poolside

• Parents talking with Kim and learning more about the work of Blue Dragon to support the vulnerable

• Parents and staff running the barbeque

Kim and the Blue Dragon team are so thankful for your support. For those parents who are still keen to donate, please  donate using this link to the Knox fundraising page on the Blue Dragon website.   Remember that APT Travel/One Tomorrow, have agreed to match our Lap-A-Thon donations with a grant of up to $5 000.

Finally, a heart-felt thank you to the staff and parents who made the Lap-A-Thon such a success, it really was a team event making it such a successful day.  We wanted to show solidarity to Kim by swimming the length of the English Channel, have fun as a House and raise money for the work of Blue Dragon – all achieved! What a gift to have you all in Thomson House!

Warm regards,

Katrina Wallis

A few weeks ago we celebrated Reconciliation Week. This week, we held an Intercultural Assembly in the Senior School, where we celebrated the many cultures we have at Knox. Beliefs, religion and culture are intertwined. In our Uniting Church School, we celebrate all religions and cultures – while giving expression to our Christian foundation and identity most fully.

We are called to love, serve and encourage one another. Our biblical witness echoes this passage recorded hundreds of years before Jesus. Jesus said there were only two commandments. Love God with all your heart, soul and mind; and love your neighbour as yourself. The passage in Leviticus reminds us that there is no place for hate in a world of difference. There are no outsiders and insiders; we all belong.

Chaplaincy Team

Text of the Week
Suppose an outsider lives with you in your land. Then do not treat them badly. Treat them as if they were one of your own people. Love them as you love yourself.
Leviticus 19:33-34

Please find the menu for Term 2 here

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.

On 24 June, the Knox Cadet Unit will Parade to celebrate the past year in the program, and most importantly, to acknowledge the contribution of our Year 12 leavers who have led and inspired all those in the Unit.

Please join us in celebrating their achievement at the Knox 1 Grandstand on the Monday evening.

• 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!