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.

Term 3 Co-Curricular Clubs will close for bookings on Wednesday 26 June at 10.30am.

·     Activity Selection Guide

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

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. Any changes will incur a $50 administration fee.
• Register your son with OSH Club

Parent Teacher Interviews
Parent Teacher interviews with classroom teachers will be held in Weeks 2 and 3 of Term 3. We are using Edval Interviews, an online booking system, to schedule these interviews. Maths and Reading teachers will provide information to your son’s classroom teacher to share at this time. 

Please note, this year we will be offering either an online interview or a face to face one. Parents are asked to select one interview per child only. You do not need to select a time online as well as face to face, just choose one option only. 

The system will be open for bookings on Monday 22 July at 7:00pm.

Face to face Interviews

Face to face interviews will be held in the the Inquiry Hub, Prep Campus, during the school day and in classrooms in the afternoon:

Online Interviews
Online interviews will be held for all year groups on Tuesday 6 August 6:00pm - 8:00pm only.

Specialist Subjects
Should you have a specific query in regards to your son’s progress in a specialist subject, please email prepadmin@knox.nsw.edu.au to request an interview with a specialist teacher. 

The system will be open for bookings on Monday 22 July at 7:00pm.

Michael Quach, Deputy Head of Prep

And so we come to the end of another term; one that has been filled with the broad array of activities and opportunities that serve to keep our boys learning, engaged, connected, with the aim of encouraging them to commit to their own develop in all spheres of our Total Fitness program.

I often build a suggestion into my Presentation Day address, encouraging our boys to reflect on their year and their commitment to all aspects of their life at school; assessing whether they gave their all; whether they could have done more, tried harder, listened more carefully… etc. However, it’s almost too late to do this in December, with a couple of months between that date and their return to School towards the end of January.

At this halfway mark of the school year, the holidays are perhaps a good time for your son to reflect on his effort at school; how positively he has approached his learning; things he has done to demonstrate commitment to his growth in all aspects of school; whether he has tried new things; or perhaps whether there are new things he could have tried. It’s not enough to stop there, though. The next step is the important one. It involves planning for growth, for trying new things. Setting an action plan and steps he will take to meet these goals is vital, and is often the catalyst for holding ourselves to our statements of action.

Congratulations
Congratulations to Gus Bayliss (Rugby) and Andy Zhou (Golf) who have both been selected to represent the CIS during Term 3. Congratulations also, to Ziggy Pisani (Rugby) for making it through to the final selection round. It is an arduous selection process and making it to this level is indeed an achievement in itself.

Sound and Light Celebration of Learning - Thursday 1 August
Our Centenary event - the Prep Sound and Light Celebration of Learning will take place on Thursday 1 August from 5:30 - 7:00pm. This will be an amazing whole school event for all students and families. It is expected that all Year 5 boys and parents will attend. Boys will be rostered onto specific activities for a period of time, but will also have the opportunity to explore all of the other Year group and whole school experiences. Please note the date in your diaries to ensure that you are able to attend. Further details will be shared in Week 1 of Term 3.

Happy holidays!
I wish all of our Prep families a wonderful winter break and look forward to seeing all boys back at school on Tuesday 23 July, ready to enjoy all that Term 3 holds in store for us.

Sue Floro, Head of Prep

• 2024 ICAS Parent Information

Please find information regarding ICAS for 2024 above.

Tammy Paterson, Director of Students

As we wind down to the last week of Term 2, I would like to thank the boys for all their hard work throughout the Semester One. It has been wonderful to see the effort and persistence the boys have shown during this time and the way in which they have handled what has been an incredibly busy first half of the year. Towards the end of this week, you will be receiving your son’s Semester One Report. This will provide some information around the progress your son has made and some focus areas for him in the second half of the year. When reading reports, it is always good to focus on the areas of improvement your son has shown and not just focus on the grade your son has received. It might be that he has shown improvement in his effort, or perhaps engaging with his peers has been a challenge in the past, and now he is succeeding in this area.

In my opinion, effort and persistence is one of the most crucial elements of the reporting process. Focusing on the effort your son has shown, rather than his academic achievement, is a way in which you can model to your sons that the focus of personal best is what is critically important. 

Focusing on effort rather than outcome in school reports brings forth several significant benefits for academic achievement. By shifting the emphasis to effort, our boys are encouraged to adopt a growth mindset, recognising that intelligence and abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. This approach cultivates a sense of resilience, as the boys learn to persevere in the face of challenges and setbacks. Instead of fixating solely on grades, our boys will become more engaged in the learning process, valuing the journey of acquiring knowledge and skills. You will have the opportunity to meet with your son’s teacher early next term and discuss how he is progressing and the areas of focus moving forward. 

On behalf of all the staff in K-2 we wish you and your sons a wonderful winter break. The boys are ready for a well-earned break! We look forward to seeing you all back, raring to go for Term 3. 

Liam Flanagan, Director of Early Learning

• K-2 Aquatics Program
• Tinkering Towards Tomorrow Overview
• 100 Days of Kindy

This morning marked the start of K-2’s intensive swimming week. We were blessed with such beautiful weather when walking to and from the Aquatic Centre. Understandably, with the increasingly crisp mornings we have been having, the boys are coming to school with additional layers underneath their uniforms. As with anything, what you put on, must come off and in this case, must come back on again after swimming! You can imagine the frenzy during changing time when we are quickly trying to get dressed to vacate the stands for the next class. To prevent tears and upset, (and to protect the sanity of our staff), please ensure all clothing and belongings are clearly labelled with your son’s full name.

Coming up in Term 3 is the hallmark event every Kindergarten boy looks forward to. Monday the 29th of July marks our 100th day of Kindergarten. This will be an immensely fun-filled day where the boys will be able to come to school dressed as what they want to be when they grow up. Hence our theme, When I Grow Up… the options are infinite! We are looking forward to seeing what your boys aspire to be in the future!

Lastly, the Kindergarten Team wish you and your sons a wonderful holiday break. School holidays provide a precious opportunity for families to reconnect and strengthen their bonds through quality time spent together. These breaks from the routine of daily life allow parents and children alike to engage in activities that foster communication, understanding, and shared experiences. This need not be expensive and extravagant; it could be a simple picnic in the park, a games night at home, or exploring new places together, these moments create lasting memories and deepen familial relationships. Ultimately, these moments of togetherness are invaluable in shaping a positive and loving family dynamic that extends far beyond the holiday season.

Sound and Light Celebration of Learning - Thursday 1 August

Our Centenary event - the Prep Sound and Light Celebration of Learning will take place on Thursday 1 August from 5:30 - 7:00pm. This will be an amazing whole school event for all students and families. It is expected that all Kindergarten boys and parents will attend. Boys will be rostered onto specific activities for a period of time, but will also have the opportunity to explore all of the other Year group and whole school experiences. Please note the date in your diaries to ensure that you are able to attend. Further details will be shared in Week 1 of Term 3.

Light Up Lives – FINAL WEEKS TO DONATE
Please watch the following inspiring video from our Year 1 boys promoting their Light Up Lives campaign.  Light Up Lives

Please click on the link below to support the children in Timor. Don’t forget to leave a message; our boys love hearing messages read from their friends and families. Your support is greatly appreciated! Please donate here!

Nely Daher, Kindergarten Team Leader

• K-2 Aquatics Program

As we approach the end of another fun-filled term, our excitement and activities are not slowing down! We have some fantastic events lined up for this week.

A huge thank you to everyone who attended our K-2 End of Term chapel service. We are grateful to God for a wonderful term. Our boys led the service brilliantly, and the Little Lads choir performances were absolutely adorable.

Light Up Lives – FINAL WEEKS TO DONATE
Please watch the following inspiring video from our Year 1 boys promoting their Light Up Lives campaign.  Light Up Lives

Please click on the link below to support the children in Timor. Don’t forget to leave a message; our boys love hearing messages read from their friends and families. Your support is greatly appreciated! Please donate here!

A big thank you to 1C for their fantastic assembly last week, which focused on acts of service contributing to Light Up Lives. The boys looked absolutely adorable in photos as they demonstrated various ways to help out at home, all in an effort to raise money for the children of Timor. Their enthusiasm and dedication to making a difference were truly inspiring. It’s encouraging to see our students embrace the spirit of giving and work together to support those in need. Well done, 1C!

Every Day This Week our K-2 students will be enjoying their Aquatics Program. Under the guidance of our skilled Knox instructors, they will dive into the world of water safety and build their swimming skills. Watching their enthusiasm and excitement in the pool is simply delightful.

Sound and Light Celebration of Learning - Thursday 1 August

Our Centenary event - the Prep Sound and Light Celebration of Learning will take place on Thursday 1 August from 5:30 - 7:00pm. This will be an amazing whole school event for all students and families. It is expected that all Year 1 boys and parents will attend. Boys will be rostered onto specific activities for a period of time, but will also have the opportunity to explore all of the other Year group and whole school experiences. Please note the date in your diaries to ensure that you are able to attend. Further details will be shared in Week 1 of Term 3.

Term 3 Commences Tuesday 23 July
As we prepare to bid farewell for the term break, we remind you that Term 3 will commence on Tuesday 23 July. We hope the boys will use the holiday period to play, relax, recharge, and spend quality time with family. Engage in activities that nurture their curiosity and creativity, whether it’s exploring nature, reading books, or simply enjoying their time as 6-7-year-olds. These experiences contribute to a well-rounded education and provide a welcomed break from formal learning routines.

We are incredibly proud of our Year 1 boys and their steadfast effort throughout Term Two!

God Bless!

Julie Stowe, Year 1 Team Leader

• K-2 Aquatics Program

Can you believe that it is Week 9 and the end of Term 2? When we look back on the term it is hard to believe we were able to fit in all the fun and learning in just 9 weeks!

We have been on an excursion to Kimbriki, celebrated Reconciliation Week, participated in National Stimulus Story time and had a guest speaker Mr Duncan Sharpe and a tour of the Senior School bio feed machine and cardboard recycling area. We welcomed our mums in for a special Mother’s Day morning and hosted assemblies and chapel on a Wednesday. We became published authors through our research and creation of our own ecosystem CANVA magazine. We went to the senior school to watch the Years 3 and 4 musical and finally we are finishing off with our swimming program.

When we reflect on all of this, we can see that the boys have had an extremely busy term and are very deserving of their holiday break. The Winter holiday break is the perfect time for our boys to stop, relax and rejuvenate. It is a time to spend with family, a time to play, to have adventures, to play outside, to go bike riding, to watch movies, read a favourite picture book, to go for a walk or simply a time to do nothing! It is not a time to do schoolwork, the boys have worked extremely hard this term and really, really need a break. It is perfectly fine to have a pyjama day or days where they do nothing, so they are all refreshed and ready for a busy Term 3.

One activity we do encourage over the holiday period is for the boys to continue reading. The Winter holidays are the perfect time to snuggle up and enjoy a good book together. We are challenging the boys to read a book a day with someone in their family.

The boys have entered the ‘Finding Out’ phase of the inquiry learning cycle and are developing their knowledge of key concepts associated with sustainability including the four Rs; rethink, reduce, reuses, recycle, and the concepts of responsibility and cause and effect. Over the holiday period it would be wonderful if you could discuss the four R’s strategies that your family implements at home each week as this knowledge can be easily transferred to your son’s learning experiences in the classroom during Term 3. 

We had a great start to our swimming lessons today. Just a reminder to all our parents to please check that all items of clothing and equipment (including towels, goggles, shoes, socks, tracksuit pants, jackets, and swimmers) are clearly labelled with your son’s name.

We are very thankful for all the support of our parents during this term. You have continued to trust, support and work with us, we are truly grateful. We wish all our students and families a safe, relaxing, and restful holiday break.

Sound and Light Celebration of Learning - Thursday 1 August

Our Centenary event - the Prep Sound and Light Celebration of Learning will take place on Thursday 1 August from 5:30 - 7:00pm. This will be an amazing whole school event for all students and families. It is expected that all Year 2 boys and parents will attend. Boys will be rostered onto specific activities for a period of time, but will also have the opportunity to explore all of the other Year group and whole school experiences. Please note the date in your diaries to ensure that you are able to attend. Further details will be shared in Week 1 of Term 3.

Light Up Lives – FINAL WEEKS TO DONATE
Please watch the following inspiring video from our Year 1 boys promoting their Light Up Lives campaign.  Light Up Lives

Please click on the link below to support the children in Timor. Don’t forget to leave a message; our boys love hearing messages read from their friends and families. Your support is greatly appreciated! Please donate here!

Nadine Smith, Year 2 Team Leader

•  Renewable Energy Incursion Parent Note

Renewable Energy Incursion
Year 3 will be participating in a science incursion facilitated by Fizzics Education on Tuesday 30 July 2024. This incursion links with our Knoxigations unit investigating the Big Idea, 'Our energy choices sustain our future'. The boys will investigate electrical energy production from renewable and non-renewable resources with activities covering a range of topics including solar & wind farms, the Snowy Mountains Scheme, how to reduce energy consumption in the home and the difference between ozone depletion and the enhanced greenhouse effect. Please see attached note with further information.

Semester One Reports
This week, students' Semester One Reports will be published. As you review your son's academic report, please remember the significance of focusing on effort and persistence rather than simply celebrating his academic achievements over this period. Each grade reflects a moment in time, but it is the effort invested and the progress made that truly shapes your son’s journey of learning. I encourage you to celebrate his hard work, perseverance, and the strides he has taken to develop his skills. As a teaching team, the focus for all Year Three staff is effort. Your support and recognition of your son’s commitment will foster resilience, determination, and a love for lifelong learning.

We would like to wish all Year 3 families a safe and happy holiday break. We look forward to hearing about the boys adventures when they return.

Sound and Light Celebration of Learning - Thursday 1 August

Our Centenary event - the Prep Sound and Light Celebration of Learning will take place on Thursday 1 August from 5:30 - 7:00pm. This will be an amazing whole school event for all students and families. It is expected that all Year 3 boys and parents will attend. Boys will be rostered onto specific activities for a period of time, but will also have the opportunity to explore all of the other Year group and whole school experiences. Please note the date in your diaries to ensure that you are able to attend. Further details will be shared in Week 1 of Term 3.

Light Up Lives – FINAL WEEKS TO DONATE
Please watch the following inspiring video from our Year 1 boys promoting their Light Up Lives campaign.  Light Up Lives

Please click on the link below to support the children in Timor. Don’t forget to leave a message; our boys love hearing messages read from their friends and families. Your support is greatly appreciated! Please donate here!

Sarah Beaumont-Jones, Year 3 Team Leader

It’s hard to believe we have reached the last week of Term 2! It has been a wonderful term of learning and shared experiences for our boys. As a team, we are really pleased with the progress the boys have made this semester and they continue to impress us with their enthusiasm for learning. Wherever you are travelling to or whatever your plans are as a family for the upcoming break, we hope it is a safe and enjoyable time.

Holidays
School holidays are such a crucial time for our boys to relax, explore and connect. The boys have worked extremely hard during Term 2 and they have earned a well-deserved rest. Time for play, time in nature and time with family and friends should be high on every family’s priority list for these holidays. This is the time to take a complete break from all academic work so that the boys return to school ready to learn. We look forward to welcoming the boys back in Term 3 and hearing all about their holiday adventures.

Musical – Pizza Lunch
As communicated last week via Operoo, we are holding a Pizza Lunch this week on Thursday 27 June to celebrate the boys’ effort and commitment to the Musical. Please ensure you have made the pizza selection for your son and noted any dietary requirements on the Operoo form by 4pm tomorrow (Tuesday 25 June). 

Getting organised for Term 3
The holidays also provide an opportunity to get organised for the term ahead. Please ensure that all uniforms are up to date and ready for the start of next term. These are some of the areas which might need your attention:

• replace missing Varsity Caps
• replace missing blue bucket hats for sport and playtime
• ensure black leather school shoes are polished
• replace school shoes if needed – all Year 4 boys should be in black leather, lace-up shoes

Sound and Light Celebration of Learning - Thursday 1 August

Our Centenary event - the Prep Sound and Light Celebration of Learning will take place on Thursday 1 August from 5:30 - 7:00pm. This will be an amazing whole school event for all students and families. It is expected that all Year 4 boys and parents will attend. Boys will be rostered onto specific activities for a period of time, but will also have the opportunity to explore all of the other Year group and whole school experiences. Please note the date in your diaries to ensure that you are able to attend. Further details will be shared in Week 1 of Term 3.

Visual Literacy
As we conclude our learning about Visual Literacy and our focus on Shaun Tan’s book The Rabbits, I wanted to share some insights from the boys about their learning: 

• I learned about the techniques and features of visual literacy, which have helped me to understand how to read pictures more deeply. – Charles M
• I discovered about how much information can be represented in the pictures and that they tell the story more than the words do in the text.  – Michael H
• I learnt about juxtaposition and gaze. I now know how to compare images and I understand more from the pictures. I can tell how characters might feel because of where they are looking and see the emotions in their eyes. – Jaxson W
• In The Rabbits, we learned lots about visual literacy techniques and how they can influence the reader’s perspective and understanding of a text. A technique that I liked was juxtaposition, because I like how it showed things in contrast. – Sean B
• I enjoyed how we read the text and discussed devices such as motifs, juxtaposition and vectors. These techniques helped us learn more about the themes and purpose of the book. – Steve C
• I have enjoyed looking at the different visual literacy elements, especially symbolism. In the Rabbits, there are lots of symbols that have hidden meanings. – Omar P
• I liked discovering the different themes in our Rabbits text. These themes connected to our Knoxigations unit and our big idea which is 'Colonisation creates Impact and Opportunity'. The visual literacy elements that I enjoyed learning about were light and shade. – Johnyar M
• We have been learning about how we should consider different perspectives of characters in the book. We have also been looking at visual literacy elements such as light, shade and colour to represent the mood of different scenes and themes in the book. – Lucas S

Light Up Lives – FINAL WEEKS TO DONATE
Please watch the following inspiring video from our Year 1 boys promoting their Light Up Lives campaign.  Light Up Lives

Please click on the link below to support the children in Timor. Don’t forget to leave a message; our boys love hearing messages read from their friends and families. Your support is greatly appreciated! Please donate here!

Nicola Molloy, Year 4 Team Leader

• ICAS Parent Information Letter

In a blink of an eye, the final week of Term 2 is upon us! We are so impressed with the ongoing growth of the Year 5 cohort, embracing all the opportunities that come their way. All students who commenced at Knox at the start of the year, are truly settling which is allowing them to thrive in the classroom and for friendships to flourish. We hope all families have a restful break and if travel is on the agenda, for everyone to travel safe and for wonderful memories to be made.

Gold Immersion
On Friday last week, the boys were treated to a full-scale Gold Immersion Day! The boys were involved in a range of activities stemming from folk dancing, singing, a political rally, gold planning and learning about migration. The boys had a fun day, with many licences being ripped up and bribes accepted by the police officers. This day adds another layer of depth to the boys understanding of how Gold shaped Australia and we look forward to seeing how they transfer this understanding into their future learning.

Holidays
School holidays look different for everybody; however they provide an opportunity for our boys to relax, explore and connect. The boys have worked extremely hard during Term 2 and have earned a well-deserved rest. The holidays also provide an opportunity for the boys to participate in different activities in which they may not be able to during the school term.

Some holiday ideas:

• Have a playdate with a friend.
• Visit one of Sydney’s wonderful zoos.
• Help an adult in the garden.
• Cook your favourite recipe.
• Visit the local library and borrow a book or two.
• Try a new sport.
• Learn a new skill.
• Have a craft afternoon.
• Visit a landmark.
• Ride your bike along a track.

Reminders:

• There is no homework this week for Year 5.
• Please check all school clothing is appropriately labelled.
• Please clean and polish shoes before Term 3.

Sound and Light Celebration of Learning - Thursday 1 August

Our Centenary event - the Prep Sound and Light Celebration of Learning will take place on Thursday 1 August from 5:30 - 7:00pm. This will be an amazing whole school event for all students and families. It is expected that all Year 5 boys and parents will attend. Boys will be rostered onto specific activities for a period of time, but will also have the opportunity to explore all of the other Year group and whole school experiences. Please note the date in your diaries to ensure that you are able to attend. Further details will be shared in Week 1 of Term 3.

We look forward to welcoming the boys back on Tuesday 23 July. 

Light Up Lives – FINAL WEEKS TO DONATE
Please watch the following inspiring video from our Year 1 boys promoting their Light Up Lives campaign.  Light Up Lives

Please click on the link below to support the children in Timor. Don’t forget to leave a message; our boys love hearing messages read from their friends and families. Your support is greatly appreciated! Please donate here!

Dylan Nexhip, Year 5 Team Leader

• ICAS Parent Information Letter

Homework
Whilst the boys do not have homework this week, it is a good time to re-assess your son’s homework routines and workspaces in preparation for changes in homework in Semester 2.

Our homework is designed to:

• let you know what your son is learning about at school and
• provide you a reason to talk about what’s going on at school

We appreciate an age-appropriate level of parental involvement in the homework process that will allow your son to build responsibility and independence.

To assist your son, we encourage you to:

1. Specify regular times for homework and establish structures for time use.
2. Articulate and enforce high expectations and standards for work.
3. Help your son structure his space, time and materials for homework.
4. Structure homework within the flow of family life.
5. Reinforce and reward effort and completion of homework.
6. Discuss the learning taking place at school.

Happy Holidays!
Wishing all our families a safe and happy holidays. We hope the boys take advantage of the opportunity to relax, rest and unwind. It is the perfect opportunity to spend time outside reconnecting with family and friends who they may not see much during the term.

Whilst technology can be a great tool, we do encourage it to be used in moderation and with appropriate supervision.

Sound and Light Celebration of Learning - Thursday 1 August
Our Centenary event - the Prep Sound and Light Celebration of Learning will take place on Thursday 1 August from 5:30 - 7:00pm. This will be an amazing whole school event for all students and families. It is expected that all Year 6 boys and parents will attend. Boys will be rostered onto specific activities for a period of time, but will also have the opportunity to explore all of the other Year group and whole school experiences. Please note the date in your diaries to ensure that you are able to attend. Further details will be shared in Week 1 of Term 3. 

We look forward to welcoming boys back to a busy and exciting Term 3. 

Light Up Lives – FINAL WEEKS TO DONATE
Please watch the following inspiring video from our Year 1 boys promoting their Light Up Lives campaign.  Light Up Lives

Please click on the link below to support the children in Timor. Don’t forget to leave a message; our boys love hearing messages read from their friends and families. Your support is greatly appreciated! Please donate here!

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
• K-2 Aquatics

Weekend Highlights – Football & Rugby
It was a very wet day for football on Saturday. The Prep 1sts footballers fought hard in tough conditions, unfortunately being beaten by a very strong St Pius team.
The Prep 2nds fought valiantly in tough conditions, showing heart, desire and amazing work rate and effort. Callum made an incredible save off a penalty and was commanding in goals. While Pius scored early, the boys were rewarded for their hard work as Paxton aggressively won the ball in the box, setting up Harry who scored calmly. Overall, a great effort from the boys in tough conditions.

Incredible effort from the 5A boys in very tough conditions on a challenging playing surface bright and early on a bitterly cold winters day! Playing with a man down for most of the game, the boys truly held their own and should be immensely proud of themselves for the resilience they displayed and how they supported one another both on and off the field. Special shout outs go to Oliver and Carter who played some of their best football this season so far. Additionally, Leslie was outstanding both on the field and in goals with some saves that were beyond belief!

It was a great game from the 5Bs after previously losing to St Pats earlier in the season. Tom M had a great game, with special mention to Marcus who scored 2 goals. Well done boys!

Our Prep 1sts Rugby boys travelled to Tudor House in Moss Vale this weekend. It was a very close and entertaining match. Both teams were evenly matched in skill and determination. Some great attacking play and defence from both teams.
Another great win from the 5As rugby boys on a wet and freezing day on Lower Gillespie. A great first half with the boys ending the half with a 47-0 score line. Overall, 4 tries to Nick, 3 to Bailey and a try each to Jack, James and Lachlan, finishing the game with 10 tries. Freddie and Jack both added conversions to assist the team’s points. The game ended the score 66-0. Special mentions must go to Lucas for his tenacious defence and Jack for his impact in the game. Thank you to all the parents that supported the Knox 5A team in freezing conditions.

Student Achievements
The CIS Golf Trials took place at Belmont Golf Course last week. Well done to Andy Zhou (6th), Enoch Mu (11th) and Charles Yuan (16th) for representing Knox Prep. Congratulations to Andy for being selected in the CIS team.

Last week, we also had two students representing Knox Prep at the CIS Rugby Trials. Ziggy Pisani and Gus Bayliss played their hearts out, with both boys being selected to return for phase two of the trials. The second day saw our boys play some brilliant rugby against tough competition. Well done to both boys for their efforts at the trials and congratulations to Gus, who was selected to join the CIS team.

Week 9 Sport Changes
Please remember that there is no after school sports training on Friday, as it is the last day of term.

K-2 Aquatics
This week, all K-2 students will be attending their aquatics program. Please ensure all items are labelled clearly with your son’s first and last name.

Important Prep Dates:

• Monday 24-Friday 28 June – K-2 Aquatics     
• Friday 28 June – No training (last day of term)
• Tuesday 23 July – Winter sports training resumes

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

“Success is not about the destination; it’s about the journey. After reaching a milestone, take a moment to appreciate how far you’ve come and recharge your energy for the next adventure!” - Unknown

This term our Music Program and musicians have been exceptionally successful, with boys showcasing a remarkable level of musical talent and dedication to their instrument, their rehearsals and all of their performances. Throughout Term 2, all students have set and maintained a high standard, demonstrating their proficiency in their instruments through different performance opportunities! As I reflect on the events of this term it is with great delight that I remember all of our Instrumental Concerts -  including the Cello concert with over 40 students, numerous Coffee and Concert Series concerts bright and early in the mornings, The Centenary Tattoo, Choir performances including the Mid-Winter Choral Festival, and the String Soiree evening. Add to all of those concerts the huge success of our Band Camp with over 260 musicians all performing brilliantly together over two jam packed days, and to the culmination of one of the best 3-4 Musicals we have ever staged and performed! WOW! What a Term!! Back in my day when I was in primary school (only a few years ago), we were lucky to even have a school choir and 1 band that had about 18 students in it. We certainly didn’t have the over 19 ensembles that rehearse weekly and the exceptional talents and concerts our boys have performed in! The culture of Music at Knox is thriving and it has been amazing to watch our energetic little musicians run into rehearsals every week and strive for excellence both In the classroom, in rehearsals and on stage!

As the term draws to a close, it Is well-deserved for all of our students to have a restful holiday break. They have poured their hearts and souls into their music! The holiday break will provide them with an opportunity to recharge their creative energies, explore new musical inspirations, and spend quality time with family and friends. It is crucial for our young musicians to find a balance between their amazing dedication to their craft and self-care. I hope that all of our students relax over the break and return with a renewed vigour and enthusiasm next term, ready to continue their musical journey! In saying that though, please remind your son to take his instrument home over the holidays!

All Bands/Strings/Choirs Term 3
All Ensembles will go back in Week 1 in Term 3, commencing first day back on Tuesday (23rd July). All rehearsal days/times are the same as per Term 2. If your son cannot attend a rehearsal for whatever reason, please email your Ensemble Director or Mrs Morris at morrisr@knox.nsw.edu.au.

String Concert
Last Monday 17 June, 33 wonderful Violinists and Violists performed solo performances in our annual Winter Strings Soiree. We had boys from as young as Year 1 all the way through to Year 6, get up confidently and play to a big audience. For some, it was their very first concert, while others had had past experiences to expand on. It was great to see all of the students take it so seriously, and then be extremely proud of their efforts when they received a warming applause for their solo. The growth in the standard from all of our soloists was very impressive and it was so enjoyable to listen to this outstanding progress. Congratulations to all of the students that were involved!

STRING CAMP- Term 3
The String Camp is being held for all boys involved in the Prep Orchestra, Concert Strings, Camerata Strings and String Ensemble on Saturday 3 (Prep Orchestra ONLY required on the Saturday, no other ensembles) and Sunday 4 August (for Concert Strings, Camerata Strings and String Ensemble) here at the Prep School.  This camp will provide a great opportunity for students to get to know each other, the Ensemble Directors and Music Staff and to workshop pieces. We would like ALL members to come to the camp so please make any necessary arrangements for your son to be there. 

Students in Prep Orchestra will book into camp on Saturday afternoon at 1pm and will conclude at 4:40 pm with a short concert in the Inquiry Hub. Parents and family are invited to the concert.

All Concert Strings, Camerata Strings and String Ensemble are required on the Sunday morning at 9.45am for a 10am start and will conclude at 3pm with a short concert. The concert will be from 3.00 – 3.30pm on Ireland Field – Bring a picnic rug to sit on. Billyard Gates will open at 2.30pm.

We are all looking forward to camp very much!! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email Mrs Morris or Ms Irik anytime. A Parent Information Letter and link to pay for the camp will be in Week 1 Magpie.

Insert String images attached

Assembly and Chapel Performances
We welcome any students of any level to have the courage to jump up and perform on assembly or in one of our Chapel Services. If your son would like to perform, simply email me morrisr@knox.nsw.edu.au with your son’s name, class, instrument and the name of the piece he would like to play and I will then be in touch to confirm a date for his performance next term.

Dates for the Calendar Term 3
1 August – Knox Prep Centenary Sound and Lights Show 5-7pm all boys K-6 with performances from our Prep Orchestra, Pipes and Drums and Choirs.

2 August – IPSHA Prep Battle of the Bands for Year 5 and 6 Rock Bands. In the Wenkart Theatre 10-1pm.

3 – 4 August – Prep Strings Camp involving boys from String Ensemble, Camerata Strings, Concert Strings and Prep Orchestra.

8 August - Knox Instrumental Concert Series for Piano, Tutor and students TBC 6-7pm

12 August - Knox Instrumental Concert Series for woodwind students, Tutor and students TBC 6-7pm

22 August - Knox Instrumental Concert Series for Flute, Tutor and students TBC 6-7pm

23 August – Prep Battle of the Bands involving ALL Rock Bands 1.40-3pm Prep School Ireland Field.

28 August - Knox Instrumental concert Series for Clarinet for all of Peter Salkeld’s students, 6-7pm

31 August – Knox Gala Day involved all Choirs, Rock Bands and String Ensembles.

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

Book Week Celebrations
August is a busy time of year in the Library with a number of events being held to celebrate Book Week.  Book Week celebrations will be held from Monday 19 August to Friday 23 August (Term 3, Week 5). The theme for this year is Reading is Magic. We will celebrate our love of children’s literature with many exciting activities planned during the week that ties in with the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book Week Events.

Our annual K-6 Book Character Parade will kick start our Book Week Celebrations. Students will have the opportunity to dress up as their favourite book character, with outfits constructed out of items found at home, rather than being purchased or hired for the day. Dress ups need to be book characters, not movie or video game characters. The internet is a wonderful resource for ideas, or perhaps you could recycle a costume from a previous year. The holidays are a perfect opportunity to start planning!

More information will be published via the Magpie next term outlining our planned events.

2024 NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge (PRC)
Over 290 students at the Prep have now completed the 2024 NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge. Well Done! Let’s aim for every boy at the Prep to complete the PRC this year. The schools holidays are the perfect time to unwind and read. The 2024 PRC concludes August 23.

Fuller and Lang houses took to the floor today at lunch time and as expected, their match was nothing short of spectacular. War cries from Mr Oates for Lang, were coupled with those of Ms Morris for Fuller, the pressure was on. Thirty minutes later, Fuller emerged victorious with a final score of 52 – 47 securing their position in the Grand finals where they will play Haslett for the House Cup. The suspense is building now as we await the recommencement of the tournament in Term 3, week 2. 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 Haslett (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

 

Fuller House Ride-A-Thon – Pedal for Purpose – Ride for a Better Tomorrow
Get ready, Fuller House community! The excitement is building for our upcoming Immersion trip to Thailand in September. We're thrilled to announce that 10 of our amazing Fuller students will be traveling to Thailand to collaborate with students at the BTN School, an incredible home and educational facility founded by Mr. Peter Baines. This initiative aims to give Thai children a brighter future through education and support.

To help raise funds for the BTN School and home, we're hosting the Fuller House Ride-A-Thon. This event will see our 100 Fuller families and staff riding as many kilometres as possible within a set time at Bicentennial Park. Bring your scooters, push bikes, and most importantly, your enthusiasm – this event is for the entire family!

Event Details:

Date: Saturday 17 August

Time: 10 am to 2 pm

Location: Bicentennial Park (Sydney Olympic Park) https://maps.app.goo.gl/23ckSDRj5G8fnqBe6

Participants: Everyone in the family, including parents and siblings

No need to be an expert cyclist – just bring your bike or your scooter and your energy! Every kilometre we complete together will help make a significant difference. We'll wrap up our Ride-A-Thon with a celebratory barbeque, so don't miss out!

Stay tuned for more details, including weekly interviews with Mr. Peter Baines and the BTN School Director in our upcoming Magpie issues at the start of Term 3. The fundraising link for our Bike-A-Thon will also be available in the Week 1 Magpie next term.

Mark your calendars and gear up to ride for purpose. Let's pedal together to support our Fuller House Charity – Hands Across the Water.

There are times in our lives when we look back and see that things didn’t really turn out the way we thought they were going to. Perhaps this can cause regret, or maybe something turned out for the best after all, inspiring a sense of gratitude. At times we can’t always see the direction our lives are heading, even with the finest attention to detail and planning.

Thankfully, we can place our trust in our loving God, who promises to walk alongside us in everything we do. We can trust that even when we are unable to clearly see a path ahead, that God will be right there with us. We can bring our requests and plans to God, knowing that he hears our prayers. We can live by faith, trusting in him, even when the road ahead isn’t as clear as we might have hoped.

Chaplaincy Team

Text of the Week
For we live by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7

Please find the menu for Term 2 here

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.

Professional photos from the Knox Centenary Tattoo are now available for purchase via the Knox app or by clicking here to access the Knox portal.

Knox Parents’ Association Term 3 Meeting
Date: Tuesday 30 July 2024
Time: 8.30am-10am
Venue: Inquiry Hub, 1st floor, Oval Building, Knox Preparatory School

Notice is hereby given that the Knox Parents’ Association Term 3 Meeting will be held on Tuesday 30 July 2024 at 8.30am. The Headmaster, Mr Scott James, along with the Head of Wahroonga Prep (Mrs Julie Wiseman), Head of the Prep School (Mrs Sue Floro) and Deputy Headmaster K -12 and Head of Senior School (Mr Andrew Weeding) will be attending to give an update on the different campuses.

The invitation is open to all parents from Senior, Prep and Wahroonga Prep. The agenda is available here.

If you are able to attend, please click here to register your attendance.

For those parents unable to attend in person, you may view the meeting via the following livestream link here.

If you are viewing the meeting via live stream, please could you still register your attendance here.

We look forward to welcoming you on the day.

Knox Grammar School is proud to once again support the important work of Lifeline Harbour to Hawkesbury by hosting the Lifeline Book Fair over the school holidays. This year marks the 20-year anniversary of the Lifeline Book Fair at Knox.

Thursday 18 July, 9am-9pm
Friday 19 July, 9am-9pm
Saturday 20 July, 9am-5pm
Sunday 21 July, 9am-5pm

Location: Great Hall, Senior School

More than 110,000 books, CDs, vinyl records, DVDs and puzzles will be for sale. The School supports Lifeline and its mental health work, and is providing the venue for the book fair at no charge.

For more information, click here. 

Please note that Main Reception hours during the school holidays are from 8am-4pm. 

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.

• 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!