With so much activity over the past four weeks, I would like to take a moment to highlight three key events. First, a big thank you to all the boys for their enthusiastic support of the Black and Blue this winter sports season. Next, I would like to commend the exceptional major works on display at the Year 12 Showcase. Finally, as the HSC Trial examinations approach, we recognise the hard work and dedication of the Class of 2024.

Congratulations and sincere thanks to boys, coaches, medical staff and parents for your commitment and support throughout the winter sports season. Weekend sports requires significant parental involvement, logistical planning, and time spent in traffic, all of which we deeply appreciate.

I could not have been prouder of the boys and the sense of community as we concluded the season over the weekend. In particular, the games on Saturday were filled with a wonderful atmosphere of support and friendly rivalry with Barker College.

While it might be tempting to measure this winter season by wins and achievements alone, doing so would overlook the true depth of character demonstrated across all Knox teams. The qualities and values fostered are far more important than any victory.

As we close the chapter on winter sports, our focus now shifts to the Track and Field Season, with the CAS Track and Field Championships just a few weeks away.

Knox, like all schools, is bound by legislative requirements regarding school attendance. We understand there may be circumstances where it is necessary for parents/carers to request leave during the school term. For absences greater than three days, or less than three days if your son will be missing an assessment task during the leave period, a leave application is to be submitted. This leave form can be obtained from the year group portal page (navigate to Academic Resources on the portal). We assess all applications for leave and record these absences using codes mandated by the NSW Department of Education, as per the requirements of the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) National Standards for Student Attendance Data Reporting found here. A common reason for requesting leave is due to holiday bookings. Families are encouraged to take holidays during school vacation periods. Please note that holidays taken by students during the advertised term dates will need to be recorded as an ‘unapproved’ absence, as required by the National Standards.

Knox also records and monitors students who are late to school. Students who catch the Hornsby bound train that arrives at Warrawee at 8.17am are usually late to school. Despite this train arriving before the first 8.20am bell (if it is running to schedule), by the time the students make it to their locker, and then to class, they are late. Families are encouraged to make arrangements for their son to catch the earlier train which arrives at Warrawee at 8.02am. This will ensure adequate time to get to Period 1.

All the best to the athletes who are contesting the Knox Grammar Track and Field Invitational 1 tomorrow.

Andrew Weeding

The Class of 2029 have embraced another busy week with vaccinations on Tuesday, Toolbox Education sessions on Thursday, and sports training in Period 7 today.

The Toolbox Education sessions focused on psychological tools and strategies which all students can utilise for improved mental health. The boys enjoyed the sessions and learnt valuable skills during this time.

During Year Meeting this week, the boys were spoken to by various Year 12 Prefects regarding student leadership opportunities such as the Portfolio Leadership Teams (PLT), House Captains, and Mentor Representative positions that are available for the boys to apply for. The boys have all been sent an email from Mrs McMurrough, where they can sign up for a PLT or nominate themselves for a House Captain or Mentor Representative position. We encourage you to speak with your sons about these exciting positions, as they are great opportunities for the boys to develop their character and their leadership skills.

Monday 19 to Friday 23 August
• Snow Sports State Championships - Perisher

Tuesday 20 August
• OKGA Evening with an Author

Saturday 24 August
• NSW State Band Championships

Sunday 25 August
• Pipes and Drums - CSS Solos Competition

Saturday 31 August
• Knox Gala Day

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

Monday 26 to 30 August
• Geography - Multimodal Task

Tuesday 27 August to Monday 2 September
• Music - In Class Task

Please click here for the current Assessment Schedule for Year 7.

All assessments are subject to change. Students are to refer to the Assessment Notifications provided to them and if in doubt they need to contact their teacher.

It was a great finish to the winter sport season last Saturday. It was fantastic to see so many students from the Class of 2029 show their support for our senior teams. Summer sport trials are commencing as is the Track and Field season.

This week in the Junior Academy, our Year 7 students were part of workshop sessions led by Toolbox Education. The external group have designed several programs to help students navigate challenges such as anxiety, emotional regulation, and unhelpful thinking patterns. The program utilises Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques. The boys were able to learn some practical skills to manage anxiety, reframe negative thoughts, and handle emotional stress. A key part of the Mentor program is to provide our students with strategies to recognise and support their thoughts and behaviours. These activities form part of the Knox Graduate Profile and reflect the competencies and values of optimism and resilience. Follow-up sessions will be directed by your son’s mentor to provide time to discuss the presentation and work through examples and scenarios suitable for our Senior School setting.

Have a lovely weekend!

Junior Academy Team

PDF Links
• Co-Curricular Newsletter Week 4 Term 3 2024
• Co-Curricular Weekly Training Schedule Term 3 2024 
• KAPA Weekly Rehearsal Schedule Term 3 2024

Social Justice
Please find some ways we can all help communities here and overseas through the following initiatives:

School shoes for Manila in the Philippines
Each year, we collect school shoes in good condition for the children in the slum areas of Manila. If you son has outgrown his school shoes, and they are still in good condition and polished and clean, please send them to Mrs Clarke in Room 15 or to your son’s SAO.

Donating Old Spectacles/Sunglasses
Do you have any old spectacles/sunglasses hidden away in your drawers? Consider donating them to those in need in Zambia! We are supporting this World Vision initiative as they collect these to deliver and distribute overseas. Please send any old spectacles/sunglasses via your son to their SAO or to Mrs Clarke in Room 15.

World Environment Day postponed until Week 8
The focus will be a fundraising day for our planet. We will be supporting WIRES and through them, Australia’s sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife via their 24/7 Wildlife Rescue Service.

Jersey Day, 30 August
Boys and staff are invited wear their favourite Supporters jersey on this day at School as part of this organisation sharing awareness of organ and tissue donations. For 10 tens, Knox has been supporting their work. We can make a difference!

Legacy Day
Boys will have the opportunity to volunteer to sell Legacy Merchandise at Wahroonga Shops.

Reconciliation Club
Reconciliation Club is led by Prefect, William Humes, a proud Gunditjmara young man. Let Mrs Clarke know if you would like to join. Meetings happen each Wednesday A in Room 15 (Mrs Clarke’s office in the Main Building).

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 4, Term 3 2024

New Caledonia Service Adventure, December holidays 2025: This unique service adventure program 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.

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

Stuart Clark, Director of Experiential Learning

PDF Link
Sport Newsletter Week 4, Term 3 2024

Thank you to all for making last week’s conclusion to the winter season so special, particularly for a great group of Year 12 boys who wore the Black and Blue for the very last time. The School could not be more proud of their sport results and the amazing support from the boys who got behind our teams vying for the CAS Premierships. From Friday night AFL right through to the afternoon at Barker, a huge crowd and so much Tartan Army support that got behind the Rugby 1st XV. Congratulations to our CAS Premiership teams for winter 2024:
• AFL – 1st XVIII
• Football – 1st XI
• Tennis – 1st IV

The CAS Track and Field season is officially underway, and we want boys to be a part of it! Boys, whether you have previously trialled for the team, have never done Track and Field, or have been training year-round with the Track and Field program, we encourage you to give athletics a try!

Uniform: PE Uniform or Knox Black Thistle Singlet, Sneakers or Spikes can be used.
Event: Knox Grammar Track and Field Invitational 1
Date: Saturday 17 August
Location: Knox 1 Oval and Gillespie Field

Please see schedule for event times and locations here. Sign up here. This link is for expressing your interest to participate. On the day, you can compete in as many additional events as you like without needing further registration. To compete for a spot on the CAS Track and Field Team, you must participate in this week's Saturday Invitational/Trial event or, if unable to, contact Miss Hemsworth.

For more on sport this week, please read the Sport Newsletter linked above.

Martin Haywood, Head of Knox Sports and Aquatic Academy

We will all face difficult circumstances at some time. The biblical verse today gives some suggestions for how to face them when they arise.

First, the text says, “whenever’ you face trials, not “if’ you face trials. We live in a broken world that has not yet been fully restored, so we shouldn’t be surprised when issues and challenges arise for us.

Next, the text connects hardships with the testing of our faith. This doesn’t mean that God causes every challenge in our life, but God can certainly use challenges to refine us and grow our faith.

Finally, the text says, to consider difficult seasons or situations “pure joy.” While that can seem a stretch, inner joy is possible no matter the circumstances.

Chaplaincy Team

Text of the Week
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
James 1:2-3

Week 5 Term 3 Menu

This year, Knox once again competed in the Australian Geography Competition. The competition is nation-wide with over 70,000 students in Years 7-12 from over 700 schools taking part. The competition is organised by the Royal Geographic Society of Queensland and the Australian Geography Teachers’ Association and is supported by a number of universities including UNSW, Melbourne University and Flinders University.

Knox had a total of 539 students compete. The students were from the Years 7-10 da Vinci classes and the Year 11 and Year 12 Geography classes. This year are the best results we have achieved in the seven years that we have been involved, finishing as the second most-successful school in Australia which is measured by the top five students in each year division.

Our students achieved some wonderful results, including:
• 19 (3.5%) achieving in the Top 1% of the country in their year division
• 131 (24.3%) achieving a High Distinction in their year division
• 101 (18.7%) achieving a Distinction in their year division
• 102 (18.9%) achieving a Credit in their year division
• 65% of students achieved a Credit or above

Enquiries: OKGA Office 02 9487 0419 | 0416 183 474 or email 
For more information and to register, click here.

When: Saturday 31 August 2024, 10am-4pm
Where: Knox Senior School

The event is a huge community celebration with children’s rides, live music performances, market stalls and much more.

Come and enjoy a wide range of foods and market stalls. Members of the public are welcome to attend throughout the day. Entry is free.

Attractions include:
• Kids rides
• Live music – bands, choirs and more
• Performance by the Knox Pipes and Drums
• Bargain bazaar
• Book stall
• Classic cars display
• Café – coffee and homemade treats
• Market stalls
• Show bags
• Lucky dips
• Souvlaki
• Asian food
• Hot Chips
• Cake Stall
• Popcorn and Slushies
• Barbeque
• Boarders' spit roast and produce

Parking is limited – we encourage all attendees to use public transport.

More information: www.knox.nsw.edu.au/galaday.

The purpose of Book Week is to foster a love of reading in students and to celebrate children’s literature. The simple activity of visiting the McKenzie library is an enriching educational experience. Boys, if you do nothing else during Book Week, make the effort to visit the library and choose something to read. There is a wide collection of fiction and non-fiction books, biographies, quick reads, graphic novels, and magazines.

Bookmark Competition
• Entries open to Years 7 to 9
• Must be hand drawn or painted
• Bookmark templates provided here
• Winning bookmarks will be printed and used in the library!

The Diverse Learning Department needs volunteers to read and/or write for some of our senior students in the upcoming HSC Trial exams, End of Year 11 Exams and the HSC Exams.

Volunteers can be parents, grandparents, or recently graduated students.

As a writer, it would be your task to act as an extension of the student by writing as they dictate their response to an examined question. As a reader, it would be your task to read the examined question aloud for clarity. As a reader/writer you would be asked to perform both tasks for the one student.

You may like to volunteer your time to cover the whole exam period, part of the exam period or you may prefer to be an emergency scribe for those inevitable sporting injuries the day before an exam. Either way, we would love to hear from you. Availability during the working week is obviously paramount.

If you would like to consider assisting the school in this very meaningful way, please contact Rebecca Papageorgiou in the Diverse Learning Department on 9487 0470 for further information.

The Year 7 Technology students from Mrs Tobia's Agriculture class, along with Mrs Kitchener, paid a visit to the Knox Farm in two straight lines, just like the chickens have demonstrated in the picture below! Our wonderful boys met with and held the chickens, they saw eggs in the chick pen, fed the goats and cows.

Students were curious learners and questioned as to why one of our goat's stomach was an odd shape and whether or not it was "normal", much to their surprise they were informed that the goat is indeed expecting a baby/ies! How exciting! And as a bonus, students were able to link their theoretical learning about the difference between Jersey/Dairy cows and cattle farmed cows by meeting our two very own Knox Jersey cows, Tess (the light one) and Coco (the dark one).

Fun fact: Did you know that Jersey cows/Dairy cows produce milk and cattle farmed cows produce our beef for exporting to other countries, such as China?

Our Year 7 students in Technology-Agriculture have been learning about this and so much more in relation to Agriculture, how food is grown, food security, and the importance of sustainability-starting in our own backyards/school Ag plot that Mrs Allen has set up for the group this semester. Students are also learning about import and export trade agreements between Australia and other countries and the importance of weather/climate conditions and the best growing conditions for harvest. They too are learning about raw products such as strawberries and how they are manufactured and turned into valued-added, secondary products like strawberry jam!

What did students have to say about the experience?
• Caiden Jin - "Holding the chicken was so much fun, she felt like she weighed about 1.5kgs."
• Ollie Young - "It was great heading down to our Knox Farm to meet the animals and experience first hand what we are learning in class."
• Ken Yu - "It was so good to see where our dinner comes from!"
• Denzel Jin - "I can't wait to go down there as meet the animals."
• Tony Li - "I know the Farm well as I am part of the Ag club, it is really fun and hands on".

For those boys interested in joining the Ag club to learn more about the wonderful world of Ag or continue caring for our Knox Farm animals with care, please contact Mrs Kitchener or Mrs Luo for more information.