Year 12 Week 10 Term 3 2024

As the formal education journey at Knox concludes for the Class of 2024, we reflect on a year marked by friendship and achievement. This group of young men played an exceptional role in leading the centenary celebrations. Their presence at the forefront of this significant chapter in our history made 2024 a truly memorable year for all.

While it is tempting to judge the Class of 2024 solely by their individual successes, it is essential to recognise the collective spirit that defined this year group. Their commitment to embodying the values of Knox not only fostered a positive environment, but also established a tone that will resonate within the School for years to come.

We write this final message with a mix of pride and nostalgia, as we reflect on the incredible journey that the boys have undertaken at Knox Grammar School. This week was filled with memorable moments, culminating in the the Valedictory Ceremony and the spectacular Valedictory Dinner.

These events have celebrated the many achievements and milestones that the boys have reached. It was heartwarming to see so many of them recognised for their hard work, dedication, and contributions to the School community. Each award presented was a testament to their commitment to excellence and the values we hold here at Knox. Please enjoy the Class of 2024 video that was shared at the Valedictory Dinner.

Tuesday 15 October – Friday 8 November
• HSC 2024 Timetable

It was wonderful to see the boys at their Year 12 Valedictory Ceremony followed by the celebratory dinner at Miramare Gardens. Wearing their uniforms and Old Boy ties with pride, it was an opportunity to celebrate the cohort and officially draw their journey at Knox to a close.

With the focus now returning to the HSC Examinations, the boys undertook the Knox Edge program throughout the week with enthusiasm and a strong sense of urgency to ensure they made the most of the time that remains. We are sure there were many takeaways for the boys in each session, however, we would like to take this opportunity to remind the boys that collaboration and ensuring all their peers are ready to perform and hit a personal best in each of their examinations is the goal. The cohort has always embraced social learning theory and we can be sure they will continue to do so over the remaining weeks.

We trust the KAI interviews that have run throughout this week have been useful and the boys are able to leverage off the feedback they have received. We continue to remind the boys not to set a ceiling on what they can achieve based on their final indicator. We have provided a study planner in both hardcopy (in the WSA) and here.

Some important activities/information we would like you to be aware of:

• We still have many 2023 Grammarians to be collected from the WSA Management Centre. Boys, please ensure that you collect your copy during the exam period.
• The Seniors’ Hall will be open over the next two weeks (8am-4pm) for Year 12. We know the boys will make the most of this opportunity. Old Boys will be available during this time to assist the boys. Please see the Old Boy roster here.
• The HSC 2024 timetable can be found here with location/rooms noted.
• The boys' final report was made available via the Knox portal. A refresh of the reports will occur today to ensure accuracy along with any updates of extra curricular activities for Term 3.
• Mentors continue to work with their mentees to finalise their School Reference. These will be sent to you today to check. You need to email the mentor back with any revisions by Friday 18 October (Week 1 in Term 4). These references will be made available through Student Café and Parent Lounge towards the end of Term 4 at the completion of the HSC Examinations. We suggest that when the reference is made available, all boys download it with all their past school reports to their own computer. Access to the portal will close mid-January 2025.
• For the HSC 2024 we need emphasise the importance of not bringing phones into the examination room. NESA have informed us that the mere presence of having one with you is a breach, and the student will be reported. The following is from the NESA Examination manual for 2024:

“Always read the malpractice warning before each exam so every student understands the warning, particularly regarding the possession of mobile phones. The mere presence of these or a similar device is considered a breach."

• We have received information from NESA via our Examination Presiding Officer, Mrs Nicole Hayman - NESA have stated that students sitting examinations must NOT use an erasable pen in any of their HSC Examination papers. We recommend that when drawing diagrams and graphing data use a 2B pencil. Only a 2B pencil will be visible in a scanned script.
• As we have discussed in Year Meetings, if you used an erasable pen in the Trial HSC Examinations and intend to use this style of pen in the HSC Examinations, please come and speak to Mr Nunan or Mrs Goddard. They will speak to you about some of the issues that will arise if you decide to follow through with this intention.
• The McKenzie Library will be available for up to 10 students from the Class of 2024 for quiet study from Tuesday Week 1 Term 4 (15 October) through the HSC Examination period. Opening hours will be 8am-4pm. Boys will be required to exit the venue during recess and lunch. If you wish to use this space, please see Mr Nunan. The Seniors' Hall is also available as advertised.

As we move into the HSC Examinations, any communication will be made directly to parents/carers and boys via email as this is our last newsletter for Year 12. Thank you for your support. It has certainly been a team effort. We wish you all well for the upcoming break and to the boys, all the very best of ‘good management’. We know you will put your best foot forward in the upcoming exams and will aim to set some new PBs.

It has been our privilege to work with your sons across his Stage 6 journey and we are very proud of the admirable young men that they have become.

Senior Academy Team

Co-Curricular

PDF Links
• Co-Curricular Newsletter Week 10 Term 3 2024
• Co-Curricular Weekly Training Schedule Term 3 2024
• KAPA Weekly Rehearsal Schedule Term 3 2024

Knox is pleased to advise that a number of Co-Curricular opportunities will be offered again in Term 4. If you would like to register your son, please do so by using the following link here.

Students are encouraged to review the different clubs before they sign up. Please check the day that the activity is occurring to ensure that your son can commit. There are limited spaces available. Where applicable, the cost per term is also listed and payments will be made through the Clipboard facility which only parents have permission to do.

Please note only the activities listed require sign up, all other activities from Term 3 have automatically been rolled over for Term 4.

Registrations will open at 6pm, Friday 27 September and will close at 9am, Monday 14 October.

Please use your Parent Lounge login details when prompted and once logged in select ‘Activity Selection’.

Places are offered on a first come, first served basis. Students who are not successful in gaining a place will automatically be placed on a waitlist.

Refunds will not be available for any changes to activities or withdrawals, instead credit notes will be provided through the clipboard system which can be used to offset future Co-Curricular charges. Please choose your Co-Curricular activity carefully.

Chess
Chess teams contested the annual Australian Schools Team Championship (ASTC) playoffs where schools played in a two-day Chess event to determine the NSW representative for the 2024 ASTC finals held in Perth this year. It was a toughly fought competition against the best Chess players and teams in the state. Congratulations to the Knox team who were the winners this year and will be the representative school for NSW! This is the second time in three years that Knox will be the NSW representative at the prestigious ASTC event.

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

Chess
Woodwind

Sport

It has been a busy and extremely enjoyable Term 3. This week's Valedictory Ceremony was a wonderful way to farewell our current Year 12s. Before we head off for the school break, a reminder that there is much to look forward to ahead of and in Term 4! In brief:

• Summer holiday Squash and Tennis camps are running these holidays
• We welcome the new Tartan Army
• Term 4 sees the beginning of the summer 2024-25 season across all codes
• The opening of the new Centenary Gillespie Pavilion and cricket nets

We have two Friday night sporting events that we would like all boys to attend and support:
• Home to Trinity Grammar on 1 November
• Away to Barker College on 22 November

As always, if you have any queries relating to sport, please feel free to email the KSAA Department here.

Have a safe and enjoyable break. Go the Black and Blue!

Martin Haywood, Head of Knox Sports and Aquatic Academy

In 1 John 1:5 we are told that “God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.” What does this mean? Light reveals, light makes known, light brings life.

We should reflect on Christ’s statement in John 14:6, that “I am the way and the truth and the life.” The purity and glory of God is expressed by His light and reflects the process of Creation where “the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” (John 1:5).

We who have fellowship with Christ are called to reflect this light. We do this by walking in truth, showing compassion, and loving our neighbour. In 1 John 4:19 we are told that “we love because He first loved us.” If we walk in the light, and repent when we stray, we are promised that we may have fellowship, and that “the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

Chaplaincy Team

Text of the Week
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
Verse 1 John 1:5-7

Knox Christian Fellowship – Term 4

The Knox Christian Fellowship is a community of parents, carers, staff members and Chaplains from the Knox Senior School, Knox Prep and Wahroonga Prep. This term we will be holding our staff and parent prayer breakfast, for the purpose of building community and strengthening our School’s Christian spiritual identity.

All are welcome to attend.

Staff and Parents’ Prayer Breakfast: Thursday 31 October from 7.15am to 8.15 am at the Knox Chapel
RSVP for catering purposes by Thursday 24 October to Rev Dr Rosalie MacLarty with dietary requirements and number attending.

Term 4 Evening Prayer Meeting: Tuesday 29 October at 7.30pm in Gordon.

For more information please contact Rev Dr Rosalie MacLarty or Jackie and Jeremy Tham.

Diverse Learning

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.