Another week has flown by for Year 7 and we are almost at the half way point of Term 3. At Year Meeting this week, the boys were reminded about the student leadership opportunities available such as the Portfolio Leadership Teams (PLT), House Captains, and Mentor Representative positions. Applications close by the end of next week and we encourage the boys to put themselves forward for these exciting leadership positions.

We introduced our new social skill and focus area for the next two weeks; supporting others, in particular asking for help and helping others. We would love to see the boys put these skills into practice with their peers and families as they are vital to their character development and growth as young men. Also this week, our Mentor Representatives launched the Paralympics Competition, with each mentor being allocated a country. The boys engaged so well with the Olympics Competition, so we are sure this will be another exciting few weeks ahead. Year 7 have also been continuing their enthusiastic participation in the Mini Olympics lunchtime sessions to win points for their Mentor Group. This week was a hit with a Handball competition in the JAPAC Rec Area. Week 5 closed with the boys participating in their first Summer Sport training sessions.

Sunday 25 August
• NSW State Band Championships
• Pipes and Drums - CSS Solos Competition

Friday 30 August
• Jersey Day

Saturday 31 August
• Knox Gala Day

Monday 2 September
• Woodwind Soiree #3

Tuesday 3 September
• KAPA Ensembles Photo Morning - 7am-8.20am - JAPAC
• Parent Event: Emotion Regulation - Webinar - 6.30pm-8pm

Thursday 5 September
• Horn Soiree - 6.30pm-7.30pm - JAPAC

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

Thursday 5 September
• Mathematics - In Class Task

Friday 6 September
• Mathematics da Vinci - 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.

This week’s entry is from our Study Skills expert, Dr Prue Salter, on Motivation.

7 Key Questions to Ignite Your Motivation
Knowing what motivates you can help you take action. Having the certainty that you can “push past” procrastination also builds your confidence. Next time you are feeling unmotivated, ask yourself these questions:

1. Why does this matter to me? Understanding the significance of your task is crucial. Ask yourself why it's important to you personally. Knowing the purpose behind your actions can fuel your desire to succeed and make the journey more meaningful.

2. What are the consequences of not taking action? Consider the potential costs of procrastination. Visualise how not completing the task could impact your goals, grades, or even your wellbeing. This awareness of potential consequences can serve as a powerful motivator to get things done.

PDF Links
• Co-Curricular Newsletter Week 5 Term 3 2024
• Co-Curricular Weekly Training Schedule Term 3 2024 
• KAPA Weekly Rehearsal Schedule Term 3 2024

KAPA
NSW State Band Championships – Sunday 25 August, Penrith
Full details of band arrival and performance times can be found within this letter.
Venue: The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, 597 High Street, Penrith
Meeting Place: in the main foyer of ‘The Joan’
Uniform: Full Winter School Uniform (no boater)
Bring: Instrument and music folder (Year 7, Year 8 and Concert Band). You can bring a water bottle and light snack with you too, but we ask for no additional bags, there is only space for instrument cases. Spit towels – you know if you need them!

Arrival Times:
• Year 7 Wind Band – 7.30am
• Year 8 Wind Band – 10am
• SWE – 1.15pm
• Concert Band – 4pm

Students will be dismissed directly following their performance.

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
Sport Newsletter Week 5, Term 3 2024

The CAS Track and Field season has officially kicked off. This past weekend, our students competed in their first internal meet at Knox, showcasing their skills in running, jumping, and throwing whilst some were dusting off the cobwebs after a big winter season. Some incredible times have already been recorded.

We are thrilled to have Knox’s own Paris Olympian, Cameron McEntyre (OKG16), share his expertise on the javelin with our athletes and this will be ongoing for the entire season. Cam spoke to our Year 7s last week about his first experiences at Knox as a 13yr old Athlete and the journey that got him to Paris.

It’s not too late to get involved. Tomorrow, all students are invited to join the Knox Track and Field program at the Sydney Olympic Park Athletics Centre for more athletic fun as we gear up for the CAS Track and Field Championships on September 19 – see you there! For more information, please refer to the Knox app and select Track and Field.

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

Martin Haywood, Head of Knox Sports and Aquatic Academy

There are many things to be concerned about today. Whether it is socio-political, personal, financial or health issues, there never ceases to be something that causes anxiety. These anxieties are surely exacerbated by 24-hour news cycles, social media interconnection, and other peculiarities of our time; in the same breath, anxiety seems to follow us all regardless of time and place.

But as Christians we can rest on Christ. We are told not to be anxious about anything, but rather to be prayerful. We are told that we can “bring all (our) anxiety and worry to Him”. I am thankful that I don’t have to have everything figured out, I’m so grateful that I don’t have to puzzle through everything myself. It brings the greatest peace to know that whenever we encounter anxieties or problems that may appear insurmountable, we can trust in the mercy and goodness of God. The peace from faith “transcends all understanding”, which is such a wonderful gift to reflect upon.

Chaplaincy Team

Text of the Week
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

Week 6 Term 3 Menu

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

What's on at Knox Gala Day 2024? Live music, track and field and an Old Boys' Rugby game. There's also the huge range of food and market stalls, rides and games, classic car show, the popular Bargain Bazaar and giant book sale, our Boarding Parents' Fresh Produce Stall and so much more!

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

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

Book Week Continues! Don't miss our Bookmark competition
During Book Week, all Years 7-9 students are encouraged to enter the Bookmark competition. Prizes will be awarded including book vouchers. Watch this space for the announcement of the winners!

On Thursday 22 August, the Headmaster communicated with the community in relation to the significant strides we've made in the first half of 2024 towards our environmental stewardship goals. Please see the letter here.

This week, we continued with the Meet the Headmaster session and the mentees from Mr Zagami and Ms Zaidi's mentor group got to learn a bit more about Mr James.

The Australian Science Olympiads are a national enrichment program for secondary science students. Knox has been very successful every year with students often being selected to move onto second round, national level and even international recognition status. The Australian Science Olympiads provide rewarding opportunities for students to extend themselves way beyond school science through challenging exams, stimulating extensions and enrichment programs and international competitions. Australian Science Olympiads are a staged enrichment program where students receive support and recognition for their efforts. Congratulations to the boys on their achievements!

Bishoy Kolta