Term 4 Co-Curricular Clubs
Activity Selection Guide

Please be aware that the Prep Co-curricular Cubs for Term 4 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 this Wednesday 11 September (Week 8) at 7pm.

Term 4 Clubs will run from Tuesday 15 October (first day of Week 1) and conclude on Friday 29 November (Week 7).

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.
• Changes to club registrations will incur a $50 administration fee unless a change occurs 7 days before clubs commence whereby no credit or refund can be provided for externally provided clubs as staffing and materials are set.
• Register your son with OSH Club
• The system becomes active for bookings this Wednesday 11 September (Week 8) at 7pm.

Michael Quach, Deputy Head of Prep

Congratulations to ALL Prep boys!

For the first time in as long as anyone here can remember, we have achieved a 100% completion rate for the Premier's Reading Challenge. Each year, we usually manage between 95-99% but this year, all boys have made it across the line! Congratulations to our boys, our staff and to you, for encouraging your sons to read. Of all the skills our boys learn at school, reading stands out as the signal skill that spans across, and impacts, all others. 

Congratulations Brody and Jesse!

Last Friday, Brody Johnson and Jesse Aelxander competed at the CIS Athletics Championships, representing Knox Prep as part of the IPSHA Team. Brody came in 3rd in the 1500m, which is simply outstanding, and followed that up with a 2nd place in the 800m event, after tripping about 200m into the race. Jesse high jumped his way into 4th place and recorded a fabulous PB. Congratulations to both boys on an excellent day of track and field!

Congratulations to our Chess Team!

Last week, I was excited to report that our Chess team were playing remarkably well, having progressed through the finals series against Sydney Grammar School and Neutral Bay PS, and that they would face off against Beecroft Public School on Friday afternoon. They again reigned supreme and are now heading to the Inter-Regional Finals. We are sending the boys all our best wishes for a successful next round!

Introducing Knoxi

We are excited to announce the implementation of our new school communications portal based on Schoolbox. The new platform, Knoxi is designed to provide a unified starting point for all Knox systems, streamlining and simplifying our administrative processes and communications.

What does this mean? 

Our new Knoxi portal offers a comprehensive platform with various tools and features to facilitate effective communications for students and parents. Parents will have access to news and digests which will keep them connected with their son’s learning and activities and keep you informed about co-curricular activities and events.

This platform replaces the current Knox portal/Knoxnet.

Your current Knox login details will automatically grant you access to Knoxi from Week 10, Term 3.

Knoxi will provide a user-friendly portal to serve as a central hub for accessing resources, information, and support, related to all things Knox.  

Through the portal, parents and students will have access to: 

• A fully integrated calendar and timetable: One calendar for parents and students that includes everything – including calendar events and fixtures from Clipboard. 

• News and information: Stay informed about school events, announcements, and educational initiatives through regular updates and communications. Parents and students receive a personalised ‘feed’ of information and updates. 

A new look Knox app

The Knox app is currently undergoing an overhaul to redesign it in line with the new features that will become available for Knoxi.  The app will provide you with all the information on Knoxi at your fingertips and will allow you to receive notifications to smartphones which can be customised to suit your preferences. Look out for more news on this soon.

Early Access for Prep School Families

From Week 10 this term, Prep School families will be given early access to the communications portal so that they can receive updates from the House immersion trips that are taking place during that week.  Please look out for more information about this in next week’s Magpie. House Leaders will be updating Knoxi each day with highlights of the adventures our students and their parents are engaging in, in each of the destinations they are visiting. These include Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, North Queensland, Fiji, Cambodia and Samoa. Images and videos will be uploaded each evening so that you can follow along. Be sure to look out for the notification each day!

Sue Floro, Head of Prep

Upcoming Photo Days
We are needing to reshoot the Winter Sport Photo, this day has been arranged with Melba Studios for this Friday 13 September. Please see below a list of photos which will be taken along with a list of what the students will be required to wear on the day.

Your son/s will need to wear their relevant sport uniform to school with their Knox tracksuit and will remain in that sport uniform for the day.

How to Order the Photos
When the above-mentioned photos are available for purchase, parents will be emailed directions on how to purchase 

If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact the 3-6 Office on 9473 9351.

Liam Flanagan, Director of Early Learning

• K-2 Aquatics
• Kindy Excursion to Sydney Zoo
• K-3 End of Term Chapel

Our first day of swimming was a magnificent success. I must say this was one of the rare occasions where we returned to school without any misplaced items of clothing. Congratulations to the boys for showing such responsibility and care for their belongings and many thanks to you for ensuring your child’s items are clearly labelled. We are looking forward to continuing through the rest of this week on an equally positive note. 

Nely Daher, Kindergarten Team Leader

• K-2 Aquatics
• K-3 End of Term Chapel

This week, our swimming program is our big highlight, offering the boys the chance to refine their aquatic skills while embracing physical fitness. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our dedicated coaches, whose patience, encouragement, and expertise guides each child to feel confident and accomplished in the water. The progress we've seen this year to date is a testament to their hard work and enthusiasm! 

Julie Stowe, Year 1 Team Leader

• K-2 Aquatics
• K-3 End of Term Chapel

As we approach another exciting week in the school term, it is no secret that our boys might be showing signs of weariness. It’s entirely natural for our students to experience fatigue as the term progresses, with the demands of schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and daily routines taking their toll. However, as we strive to help our boys finish the term strongly, it is essential that we provide them with the support and guidance they need to stay energised and motivated. We can help our boys by maintaining consistent routines, encouraging physical activity and healthy eating habits and most of all, ensuring adequate rest and sleep. Experts recommend that children aged 5-8 years old should get between 9 to 11 hours of sleep each night. A good night sleep is so important for concentration and focus, for physical growth and health, and adequate sleep helps your child manage their emotions better, contributing to a happier, more positive outlook on their day-to-day activities. Let’s work together as parents and teachers to ensure our boys have a successful and restful end to the term. 

Nadine Smith, Year 2 Team Leader

• K-3 End of Term Chapel
  
  

• What are some ways rivers help sustain life for both humans and animals? 

• What new things have you learned about rivers that surprised you? 

• Do you know of any important rivers in Australia? 

• Can you explain why it’s important to take care of rivers? 

• How do different communities use rivers? 

• How are rivers significant to Aboriginal people and their culture? 

• Why is the Murray Darling Basin important to Australia? 

Sarah Beaumont-Jones, Year 3 Team Leader

• 4-6 End of Term Chapel
• Warragamba Dam Excursion Parent Letter

Importance of Sleep 
As we near the end of the term, the Year 4 team has noticed how tired the boys are and this has been evident on their faces and in their behaviour on arrival to school, not just towards the end of the day or the end of the week. There is so much research available on the importance of sleep not only on a child’s physical and emotional growth, but also on their academic performance. To support your son to thrive both in and out of the classroom, we ask you to ensure your child is getting the recommended 9-11 hours of sleep each night. 

Nicola Molloy, Year 4 Team Leader

• 4-6 End of Term Chapel

The Year 5 Motto ‘Be Your Best’, is referred to every morning by the students at morning lines. The boys presenting provide a clear example for the cohort to practice and implement throughout their day. So, the boys can ‘Be Their Best’ for the remainder of the term, we are encouraging them to stop and think before they act. Thinking before you act reminds you to remain calm, even in challenging situations. It is critical to consider the potential consequences of your actions, including positive or negative outcomes that may occur immediately or in the future. Taking time to pause and think can help you make stronger, more informed decisions which is what we are aiming for with the boys. An important part of this process is becoming more self-aware and other-aware. We encourage you to have an open discussion about the importance of stopping and thinking before you act and potential strategies to use to support the process.  

Dylan Nexhip, Year 5 Team Leader

• 4-6 End of Term Chapel

Year 6 Yearbook
Firstly, thank you to all the families that have contributed to date.

We are also chasing photos for sporting, academic and music events to include in the Yearbook, such as, band camp, music concerts, debating, swimming carnivals, Saturday sport, athletics/cross country carnival, Gala Day and Celebration of Learning. These can be uploaded to the link below.

https://sites.google.com/knox.nsw.edu.au/year6yearbook

There are three folders where you can upload your photos; Sport, Other Events or Music and Band. Please rename the photo eg, “Gala Day”
The deadline for submissions is Friday 30th August.

Thank you again for your support in helping to make this yearbook a success!

Sophia Wu, Sally Soo and Christina Matta
Yearbook convenors 2024

Jared Rastall, Year 6 Team Leader

• Summer Sports Trials
• Summer Sport Training Schedule

K-2 Aquatics Program – This Week 
All students in K-2 will be participating in their termly aquatics program this week. Please ensure ALL of your son’s belongings are clearly labelled with his name. Please remember that if your son is too unwell to swim, you will need to send a medical certificate to your son’s classroom teacher. Please also keep your son at home to avoid the spread of illness. 

• Monday 12 August-Saturday 14 September – No sports training or Saturday sport 

• Monday 9 September-Friday 13 September – K-2 Aquatics Program 

• Monday 16 September – Summer sports training resumes 

• Saturday 21 September – Summer sports trials for selected sports 

• Friday 27 September – No after school sports training 

Susan Watt, Prep School Sports Coordinator

Parents are invited to stay and watch their son’s performance. Boys will be required for approx. 1 1/2 hrs. There will be supervision for boys who are in numerous ensembles and further information and a permission form will be sent out shortly.

Dates for the Calendar Term 3
10 September - Knox Instrumental Concert Series for all drum/percussion students 6-7.15pm
15 September – Australian Band and Orchestral Championships involving all string and band ensembles. All day event

Rebeccah Morris, Director of Music

We are thrilled to share the latest news from the Knox Prep VEX Robotics Clubs and Competitions space. There are currently 130 students involved in VEX across Years 1 to 6, and 70 students competing in the Elementary and Middle School Age Divisions. The Innovation Hub buzzes with energy throughout the week as students meet during recess, lunchtime, and after school to refine their team designs and strategies.

This season, we have 20 competition teams actively engaging in the VEX Robotics challenge, Rapid Relay. With four tournaments completed, we are proud to share that two of our teams have already qualified for the NSW State Championships in November. Congratulations to all the students and coaches for their hard work and dedication.

Here’s a quick rundown of our recent achievements:

• Teamwork 2nd Place Award (VIQRC): 2076E - Invalid Syntax
• Excellence Award (VIQRC): 2076E - Invalid Syntax
• Teamwork Champion Award (VIQRC): 2076A - Apollo 18 (Twice)
• Design Award (VIQRC): 2076K - Space Elevator
• Judges Award (VIQRC): 2076H - Goose On The Loose!
• Innovate Award (VIQRC): 2076A - Apollo 18
• Sportsmanship Award (VIQRC): 2076R - Robotix
• Judges Award (VIQRC): 2076C - It Works in Theory
• Energy Award (VIQRC): 2076K - Space Elevator
• Judges Award (VIQRC): 2076M - Atom

Please find some photos from the VEX space so far via this link. We are looking forward to sharing more successes as the season continues.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1GfnBqsHNdFXGLjnoLAznPl27VZB3ZQc-?usp=sharing

Dear Ewan families,

Thank you so much to all those boys/ families that have participated in the Ewan Read-a-thon. Can I please ask that you return the booklets to school this week and transfer the donations through the link provided below. Every single dollar raised is going to make a difference and I’m hoping to include a plaque in the Cuvu library with every participant’s name.

The donation transfer portal is now ready for you to make payment for the Ewan House Readathon - helping us build a library in Fiji! A step-by-step on how to complete payment is below. Please follow this link 2024 Immersion Payment Link and the numbered steps below.

1.      Select : OTHER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES -> Next

2.      Payment option -> Next -> Event Name -> Select ‘2024 Ewan house Readathon’

3.      Please enter your donation raised , boys full name and class in the ‘ Participant Names’ field, so that we are able to easily allocate your payment.

 
Thank you for your support! 

I sometimes find myself focusing on the negative aspects of my day, or looking to point the finger at how others could have made my day a bit easier. Our inner dialogue that shapes our attitudes and identity, can be critical of our own gifts, efforts and abilities.

Gratitude to our gracious God helps us to shift that focus to our many blessings. Giving thanks for the beauty we see in the everyday, the new spring flowers that have spontaneously arrived, a beautiful sunset that catches our eye at the end of a long day. If we are encountering difficulties in our lives, we can remember God’s promises to walk alongside us in the good times and the bad. A colleague shared a song with me today, and I hope these words are helpful to remind us to sing the glory of God’s name, and to give glorious praise.

“And I know that seasons never last forever
So, God I will remember all of the reasons
My heart has to be grateful
All the times You've been faithful to me
God, I'm still counting my blessings
For all that You've done in my life.”
Counting My Blessings, Seph Schleuter

Chaplaincy Team

Text of the Week
Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise.
Psalm 66:1-2

Please find the menu for Term 3 here

For many years the School has offered a ‘fees in advance’ program to enable increased flexibility of such payments. The program is attractive for many reasons, enabling parents to make lump sum payments for years ahead which attract discounts to the scheduled fees.

To qualify, upfront full year payments must be made for a minimum of one year and the payments must be made by 8 November in the year before your payment program begins. Payments will only be accepted by direct funds transfer or cheque (credit card or BPAY payments are not permitted for this program).

Details of the Fees in Advance Program can be found here on the Knox website. Alternatively, you might like to discuss this in confidence with Elizabeth Sim from the School’s Accounts Department on 9119 0880.

This is a gentle reminder that all students will be required to wear summer uniform at the start of Term 4. Boys, now is a good time to check that your summer uniform still fits. The Knox Uniform Shop has stock in all sizes of summer uniforms for ordering online via Flexischools or purchasing in-store.

The Knox Uniform Shop Holiday Opening Times are as follows:

• Thursday 10 October 2024, from 10am-4pm
• Monday 14 October 2024, from 9.30am-4.30pm. Note: on this day, the Uniform Shop will be closed between 12.30-1pm.

Prep School Tuckshop - Volunteers Required for Term 3 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 3, please click on the following link to choose days that suit you:

https://signup.com/go/KTsSsYd

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.

Code Camp - Spring
Code Camp is back for another jam-packed holiday program running from 30 September – 4 October.

Please Click Here for more information.