We have enjoyed having the boys back on campus this week. As we approach Week 10, it is hard to believe that we have just one week left before the Class of 2025 turn into Year 12 students. We have been so proud of their achievements this year and are immensely impressed with their growth and maturity over the past few terms. As the Class of 2024 finishes up over the next few days, we have encouraged our own boys to look to the current Year 12s, envision their year ahead and consider what they would like to achieve.

With their return to class this week, many of the boys will be gradually receiving their results back from the recent exams. We have asked all boys to use this as an opportunity for feedback and to make some positive steps forward in preparation for the academic year ahead. We know that many of them have stepped up their academic game this year. They should reflect on the changes that they have made and remember that with a little more effort, a little more persistence, they will see the fruits of their labours.

Saturday 21 September 
• Pipes and Drums - PLC Garden Party

Sunday 22 September- Wednesday 2 October
• KOKODA Trek - Port Moresby to Kokoda - PNG

Monday 23 September
• Centenary Event: Year 12 Valedictory Ceremony
• KAPA Woodwind AMEB Soiree - JAPAC

Tuesday 24 September
• KAPA: Gallery Choir Experience Day

Friday 27 September
• Term 3 Concludes

A full list of school events can be found in the School Calendar via the Knox app or Parent Lounge.

It is hard to believe it is Friday Week 9. The assessment block finished last Friday with the boys returning on Monday. With the Class of 2024 coming to the end of their journey, it is now their time to lead, black tie or not, and set the tone and culture by which the rest of the School will follow. In order to finish their Preliminary studies strongly, and to lay a solid foundation for the start of Year 12, it is important they work right through to the last day of term (27 September).

PDF Links
• Co-Curricular Newsletter Week 9 Term 3 2024
• Co-Curricular Weekly Training Schedule Term 3 2024 
• KAPA Weekly Rehearsal Schedule Term 3 2024

Year 11 Colours and Prefects Pockets
Colour awards entitle the student to have embroidery added to the bottom left pocket of the school blazer. Prefect pockets are placed on the top left pocket. This can only be organised through the Knox Uniform Shop. The draft list of non-academic colours is on display in the WSA. It is the responsibility of the student to find out if they have received an award. The confirmed non-academic colours list was posted and advised on Wednesday 18 September. Cadet and Track and Field colours will be advised by Tuesday 24 September. Please note: Academic colours will be awarded in Term 4 and embroidered at the end of Term 1 2025.

Best Wishes
Chookas to the cast and crew for Sunday’s LETTERS performances! We also wish the Chess team all the best for this weekend's Australian Schools Team Championship as they look to represent NSW in the national competition.

Cadets
This week marks the last week of the Cadet Program for the year of 2023-24. We would like to recognise all those within the program and their commitment to the training, Unit activities, their peers, and their personal accomplishments. We would also like to recognise all our leaders this year who without, this program would not be able to operate so successfully.

For more details, click on the latest Co-Curricular Newsletter linked above. Should you have any questions regarding the activities please email the Co-Curricular department here.

Chuck Ardron, Director of Co-Curricular Operations

PDF Link
Experiential Newsletter Week 9, Term 3 2024

Larapinta Trail Hike, NT, 11-18 July 2025: We are offering students the opportunity to hike one of Australia’s most iconic and spectacular walks, the Larapinta Trail in the West MacDonnell Ranges, Northern Territory. On this hike, led by World Expeditions professional guides, students can soak up the ethereal scenery of vast flood plains, razorback rocky ridge lines and stunning waterholes. Cost is $4,500. This trip will be run with Ravenswood School for Girls.

Fiji Service Adventure, September-October holidays 2025: This unique service adventure program in Fiji provides a wonderful variety of landscapes, endemic plant species and birdlife, unique cultural encounters and an opportunity for students to contribute to the sustainability and regeneration of fragile coastal ecosystems. Cost is circa $6,000 and is being led by World Expeditions. This trip will be run with Ravenswood School for Girls.

You can find more information about all the programs on the Experiential Learning microsite here.

Stuart Clark, Director of Experiential Learning

Last night, our Knox Track and Field team performed incredibly well at CAS to place 2nd! This brings an end to an extremely enjoyable athletics season. We will continue to work the through results and share details including all record holders, PBs and other standout performances from the event in the coming days.

Our Tartan Army were, as always, amazing and lifted the team to some incredible results. Thank you again to this amazing group of Year 12 student supporters for a great year.

This season, with the support of some amazing coaches and Director Miss Hemsworth, has seen a real shift in culture around athletics, with much time and effort going towards building the program. We enjoyed big numbers attend the training sessions right through the entire year – it was not simply a short five-week season. If last night triggered some interest from your son, please reach out to Miss Hemsworth or the Sport department as the door is always open to more students getting involved in skills sessions that do not impact on their other commitments. These flexible arrangements cater for all comers and last night was just the beginning of an exciting new era in Knox Track and Field.

Have a great week everyone. Please note the following holiday programs that may be of interest: Squash and Tennis. Go the Black and Blue!

Martin Haywood, Head of Knox Sports and Aquatic Academy

As the term comes to an end, and many families, staff and students are about to travel personally, or go on school immersion trips and tours, we remember that wherever we go, God goes with us. The ever-loving and everlasting presence of God gives us comfort and companionship for our way and will also be with our loved ones on their adventures.

May you sense this peace.

Chaplaincy Team

Text of the Week
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
Psalm 139: 7-10

Week 10 Term 3 Menu

Volunteers Urgently Needed for HSC Disability Provisions
The Diverse Learning department needs volunteers to act as Readers for some of our students in the upcoming HSC Exams. Readers simply read the questions in the exam paper to the student and subject knowledge is not necessary. Without volunteers, our Diverse Learners are not able to equitably access their HSC exams, so your support is invaluable! We would gratefully accept one-off volunteers, or those who can support in multiple exams.

If you would like to assist the School in this very meaningful way, please click here.

NB: Parents/relatives of current Year 12 students CAN act as volunteers for exams that their son/grandson/nephew is not sitting. If you son does English Advanced, you CAN volunteer for English Standard. Additionally, volunteers need a current Working With Children Check which can be obtained 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.

In Term 4 Knox will be offering two handwriting courses designed to help improve the speed, accuracy and legibility of students’ handwriting, reducing tension and fatigue when writing for long periods of time.

Both classes will be held by Ms Lisa Norton, an occupational therapist, who specialises in the development of skills necessary for handwriting and the remediation of handwriting difficulties.

Course 1 – Class of 2025 (Year 12 students only)
Tuesday mornings at 7:30am
Week 2 – 22 October to 6 Tuesday 19 November
This course is aimed at students completing Year 12 in 2025 who have not previously attended a handwriting group and have specific handwriting concerns.

Course 2 – Revision Group (open to previous course attendees only)
Wednesday mornings at 7:30am
Week 2 – 23 October to Wednesday 20 November
This course is for students that have previously attended one of Lisa Norton’s seven-week handwriting programs (during any year at Knox) and will focus on writing practice tasks and further practise and refinement of each student’s individualised identified writing targets from the seven-week course.

Each course runs for five weeks and costs $250pp. A minimum of six students, and a maximum of ten, ensures individual attention.

Confirmation of places is on a first come first served basis.

Should you be interested in pursuing this option for your son, please contact Lisa Hollis in the Diverse Learning Department ASAP.

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.

Please note that Main Reception hours during the school holidays (30 September – 11 October) are from 8am-4pm.

Every year, all schools in Australia must participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability.

Information provided about students to the Australian Government for the NCCD includes:
• year of schooling
• category of disability
• level of adjustment provided

The NCCD provides state and federal governments with the information they need to plan more broadly for the support of students with disability. The NCCD will have no direct impact on your child and your child will not be involved in any testing process. Knox Grammar School will provide data to the Australian Government in such a way that no individual student will be able to be identified.

Well done to the Year 11 athletes and supporters!