As the boys settle back from their Trial Examinations, the focus in classes is very much about learning key lessons from that important experience and planning for even better outcomes in the HSC Examinations. Central to that is the message that the entire cohort will benefit from everyone’s success as Mr Weeding so effectively explained in Year Meeting. Collaboration now is the key to our best outcomes in every subject. It should be note that Mr James spoke to the boys at Year Meeting about the need to celebrate with dignity and respect.

For details of the rest of the schedule for Weeks 9 and 10 of Term 3 please refer to the Year 12 Road Map. This document gives an overview of the program of final events for Year 12. We hope that this aids you in your planning. There will be further details made available for each event in due course.

As we come to a close for the Class of 2024, please join us as we reminisce and see the photo gallery below for photos of the boys when they were in Years 7 and 8.

Friday 20 September
• Year 12 Parent Breakfast with the Boys

Monday 23 September
• Year 12 Valedictory Ceremony
• Valedictory Dinner

You are encouraged to save the Year 12 Road Map for Term 3 here. There will be further details made available for each event in due course.

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

We have been so impressed with the way the boys have received their feedback from the HSC Trial Examinations. With their external marks being determined by their performance and the cohort in the HSC Examinations there is still so much that can be done over the coming weeks. In Year Meeting on Monday, Mr Weeding spoke about the importance of collaboration given the NESA moderation process and how the internal assessment is moderated against the performance of the cohort in the final examination. Aiming to achieve our personal best in the HSC Examination is the highest priority. If we can all strive for this outcome, it will ensure we have the largest pool of marks and highest mean that will have a positive impact on our moderated school assessment marks and final HSC mark.

On Tuesday, Mrs Goddard addressed the importance of doing well in the multiple-choice section of the paper. There are 20 subjects that have a MCQ component in the HSC. Our goal as a cohort is to achieve 80% across all twenty subjects. The average across all subjects in the Trial HSC Examinations was 74%. We encourage the boys to address this further with their teacher and work collaboratively to lift their performance over the coming weeks.

PDF Links
• Co-Curricular Newsletter Week 8 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 and to facilitate this please note the following:

The draft list of non-academic Colours will be on display in the WSA from Monday 16 September. It is the responsibility of the student to find out if they have received an award. The confirmed non-academic colours list will be 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.

If students have any queries regarding the Awards, please direct all enquiries to the Head of the Activity involved immediately; all queries must be raised prior Wednesday 18 September, after this date, they will not be considered.

• Students and parents will be emailed their colours by Wednesday 25 September (earlier if possible).
• Please print off two copies of the colours email both copies are to be signed by a parent/guardian to confirm acceptance of the costs associated with the embroidering of the blazers and place these in the top left pocket.
• Blazers are to be placed on the racks in the walkway outside the WSA offices.
• Blazers are to be handed in on the last day that students will be at school in Week 10. Kokoda students may place blazers in the SAO’s office prior to departure, In anticipation parents can bring it in once email has been received.
• When leaving school on this day if the weather is cold students may wear their track suit top home.
• Any blazers received after this time will not be accepted and the next opportunity to have them done will be the end of Term 1 2025.
• Without the signed form the embroidery will not be done.
• The embroidery will be done over the holidays and the blazers will be available for collection from Tuesday 15 October from the WSA Seniors' Hall. Students will be advised should there be any changes.
• All embroidery will be charged to the students School Account. It is not compulsory to have the embroidery done but it must be organised through the Uniform Shop and not an independent embroiderer.
• Cost for embroidery is as follows: Dry Clean $20.50, Pocket Off $28 and Per Line $20.50

Please note: New Blazers are no longer available to order on Jotform they must be purchased from the uniform shop prior to submitting your Blazer and paperwork for Colours.

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 8, Term 3 2024

Wilderness Survival and Bushcraft Course, 6-8 December 2024: We have a few places remaining for Years 7-9 students to learn exciting and valuable skills in wilderness survival and bushcraft in the first few days of the summer school holidays. Cost is $995 which includes three days of professional instruction from trainers from Bushcraft Survival Australia, transport, camping accommodation and most meals.

Rock Climb and Canyon Trip, Blue Mountains, 21-24 April 2025: We are offering students the opportunity to undertake an exhilarating rock climbing, abseiling and canyoning trip in the stunning Blue Mountains. The four-day trip will be run by the Blue Mountains Adventure Company who are specialists in the delivery of climbing, abseiling and canyoning activities in the Blue Mountains area. Trip cost is circa $2,200 which includes fully guided program, equipment, lodge accommodation, transport and meals.

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

Stuart Clark, Director of Experiential Learning

Emails have been sent together with reminders for boys to express interest in attending the CAS Track and Field Championships next Thursday. We want to take as many boys as possible to get behind and cheer on this very talented team to success. We can't wait to see our Year 7s at their first CAS Track and Field event, with many students (thousands!) cheering on the Knox team.

Our athletes have been training extremely hard and are in their final week of preparation prior to giving CAS a big crack this year. Win, lose or draw – this is a great sport to participate in. Track and Field is a great foundation for so many other sports with training in speed, technique, fitness, strength, jumping and throwing. The program also complements other sports in such a way that the training is designed not to clash with other pursuits. It is never too late to get involved and I encourage all boys to give it a go! We have some great coaches and the program is very welcoming. Boys, come and see the KSAA team if you're interested.

Details for all spectators will be sent early next week once the list is finalised. Details will include transport, departure times, food and what to wear.

Have a great week everyone. Go the Black and Blue!

Martin Haywood, Head of Knox Sports and Aquatic Academy

It’s an old cliché to ‘take things one day at a time’ but sometimes, that’s the best thing we can do. As Year 12 enjoys their final weeks of school before embarking upon completing the HSC, there is great opportunity for reflection. Whilst it is exciting to consider the prospect of a fresh start and a new chapter, it can also be daunting to be stepping off into the ‘big world.’

The verse from Matthew this week is relevant for us all as we are reminded by Jesus to seek first his kingdom and give him our worries. It is so easy to worry about what the future may hold for us, but through Jesus, we can take comfort in knowing that he is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Whatever your worries are, give them to him and you will find peace.

Chaplaincy Team

Text of the Week
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:33-34

Week 9 Term 3 Menu

In amongst all the exciting performance preparation, this week saw the submission of the HSC Music 1, Music 2 and Music Extension composition major works to NESA. The boys have been working hard all year writing and refining their compositions. We have a delightful range of major works, from a-cappella pieces, to orchestral and choral works, rock songs and even a Russian-themed song with accordion. The final part of the process is to record these original compositions, which is a time-consuming but enjoyable project. Mr Wheatley and Mr Gott have helped our classes with the recordings, and we’re delighted with the final outcome!

Can you guess who is who amongst this gallery of Years 7 and 8 boys!

Senior Academy staff and students supported R U OK? Day on Thursday.