In any vibrant school community, interactions shape its culture and spirit. Knox Gala Day was a perfect illustration of how community connections are strengthened, and school pride is enhanced. Seeing the communal participation of students, staff, parents, Old Boys, Senior Knoxonians, and friends emphasised the bond our community shares with its values and traditions.

I extend my gratitude to all the volunteers who went above and beyond in preparing for, setting up, and wrapping up Gala Day. Their exceptional efforts in organising stalls, managing activities, and transporting goods were truly commendable. I’d like to specifically acknowledge Megan Bailey (Head of Community Relations, Events and Communications) and Stacey Cleary (Community Relations and Events Coordinator) for their meticulous planning and dedication, which were crucial to the event’s success. A special thanks also goes to the KPA Committee and Stall Convenors.

I also want to recognise the enthusiastic participation of students. The talents of our musicians, singers, athletes, the special tattoo performance by the Pipes and Drums and the centenary musical celebration, 'Jersey Boys', added a vibrant layer of excitement and entertainment to the event. Their contributions not only showcased their individual skills but also enriched the overall experience of the day.

It was especially heartening to see our Old Boys actively engaged, particularly through the impressive classic Car Display and the Brothers IV Brothers rugby match. The game highlighted the enduring significance of our sporting clubs and the lasting connections formed during their time at Knox.

Thank you to everyone for your invaluable contributions and support on Saturday. The success of Gala Day reflects the remarkable spirit that unites us all.

Scott James

As we move through the second half of the term, we’re excited to share some of the outstanding achievements and events from our Year 8 cohort this week.

Congratulations to Joshua H for securing 3rd place at the recent Solo Piping and Drumming Championships. Your dedication and talent are truly commendable!

A special good luck to the students heading off on exchange. We look forward to hearing all about your experiences when you return. Embrace this opportunity to learn and grow, and know that we are cheering you on from here.

Thursday 12 September 
• Australian Intermediate Mathematics Olympiad, 8.30am-12.30pm

Friday 13 September 
• KAPA Ensembles Photo Morning, 7am-9am, Wenkart Theatre

Thursday 19 September 
• CAS Track and Field Photo Day
• CAS Track and Field Championships at SOPAC

Tuesday 10 September or Wednesday 11 September
• History Task 1 (HI) + (IC)

Monday 16 September to Friday 20 September
• PDHPE Task 3 (ongoing)

Please click here for the current assessment grid for Year 8.

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.

The Class of 2028 enjoyed the opportunity to meet their peers from Ravenswood School for Girls on Tuesday afternoon in preparation for the beginning of their Cadet journey next term. The initiative, run in partnership with Be Challenged, was well received with the students engaging in some fun team building activities before then receiving some important information on Cadets from current staff and students in the Unit.

This week’s Academy Assembly addressed diversity, difference and inclusion. Mr White, Mrs Raymond and Mrs Manou spoke to different aspects of these topics with the support of some of the Mentor Representatives from each year group. We are so proud and protective of our wonderful range of ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds in our diverse student population at Knox. We expect and encourage all of our boys to consistently recognise and value these differences through their actions and words.

Next week’s Academy Assembly will focus on R U OK? Day. Students from our Wellbeing Porfolio Leadership Team, along with some of our school psychologists, will lead the presentations and will issue important messages on wellbeing, mental health and being a supportive and perceptive friend/peer. This Assembly will be followed by a variety of games and activites at lunch, with staff and students donning yellow R U OK? shirts and celebrating this day together.

We hope you have a lovely and relaxing weekend.

Junior Academy Team

PDF Links
• Co-Curricular Newsletter Week 7 Term 3 2024
• Co-Curricular Weekly Training Schedule Term 3 2024 
• KAPA Weekly Rehearsal Schedule Term 3 2024

Cadets
It is that time of year where the Cadet program seeks parental confirmation whether your son is interested in continuing within the Cadet program.The Cadet Continuation Agreement is now live and can be accessed via Operoo through the Knox portal. Please complete this with the assistance of your son as this form seeks his Platoon preferences for next year. Please read all information within the form carefully as it outlines the following points:

• Posting Preferences
• Attendance
• Activity Cost
• Promotion
• General activity information

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 7, Term 3 2024

Our Athletes had a great opportunity to run on Knox 1 at Gala Day and show some great skills and speed in front of a supportive crowd. We ran the Preparatory Headmaster's Dash, as well as the Deputy Headmaster's Mile and Headmaster's Gift 100m Dash. Our boys ran in their Centenary singlets, and reminded me of scenes from the movie 'Chariots of Fire'. We were also fortunate to have Paris Olympian and Knox Old Boy Cameron McEntyre (OKG16) come and throw an exhibition Javelin on Knox 1 and show all spectators just how it is done at the top level.

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

Martin Haywood, Head of Knox Sports and Aquatic Academy

PDF Link
Experiential Newsletter Week 7, 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. This adventure will cost $6,000 and is being led by World Expeditions. Please note, this trip will be run with Ravenswood School for Girls.

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

Stuart Clark, Director of Experiential Learning

I sometimes find myself focusing on the negative aspects of my day, or looking to point the finger at how others could have made my day a bit easier. Our inner dialogue that shapes our attitudes and identity, can be critical of our own gifts, efforts and abilities.

Gratitude to our gracious God helps us to shift that focus to our many blessings. Giving thanks for the beauty we see in the everyday, the new spring flowers that have spontaneously arrived, a beautiful sunset that catches our eye at the end of a long day. If we are encountering difficulties in our lives, we can remember God’s promises to walk alongside us in the good times and the bad. A colleague shared a song with me today, and I hope these words are helpful to remind us to sing the glory of God’s name, and to give glorious praise.

“And I know that seasons never last forever
So, God I will remember all of the reasons
My heart has to be grateful
All the times You've been faithful to me
God, I'm still counting my blessings
For all that You've done in my life.”
Counting My Blessings, Seph Schleuter

Chaplaincy Team

Text of the Week
Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise.
Psalm 66:1-2

Week 8 Term 3 Menu

Year 8 will be commencing Cadets in Week 1, Term 4 and this year, all compulsory Cadet uniform items are available to order online via Flexischools. You will find these items listed under the Cadets section.

The Uniform Shop will exchange most items (except socks) provided the swing tags are still attached. You are encouraged to place your order as soon as possible ahead of the commencement of Cadets. Below is the list of all compulsory items required, along with sizing recommendations.

• 1 x shirt (order the same size as your son's school shirt)
• 1 x pants (recommend to size down from your son's waist measurements as pants are of a generous fit)
• 1 x ripstop jersey (recommend to size up as this is worn over the Cadet shirt)
• 2 x socks
• 1 x boots (recommend to go one size up from your son's shoe size to allow for some room to grow and thickness of the Cadet socks)
• 1 x balmoral (the size is equal to the circumference measurement of your son's head)
• 1 x balmoral bow
• 1 x bush hat
• 1 set of name badges (note that these have been pre-ordered)
• 1 x compass

Should you have any questions, please contact the Cadet Unit Adjutant, Mr Ben Moss or the Cadet Administration Assistant, Ms Donne Boers.

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.

Read your Way Around the World
The best books to transport you to faraway places – without even leaving home are on display in the library foyer.
A great way to learn about a place including its traditions, culture and history is by reading a book about it. Whatever your desired imagined destination, we have a book for you.

• 'Wonders of the World' by Lonely Planet. From Antarctica and the Amazon to Victoria Falls and the Great Wall of China, Lonely Planet reveals 101 spectacular sights.
• 'Australia in 100 Places' by National Geographic. Identifies 100 places that every Australian should aspire to explore.
• 'Wonders of the World' by Hugh Thomson. From Stonehenge and the Empire State Building to Angkor Wat and the Pyramids, this book surveys every continent to discover the most impressive, exotic, and intriguing man-made wonders of the world.
• 'Hidden Wonders' by Lonely Planet. A guide to the wildest, weirdest places.
• 'The Road Less Travelled' by Eyewitness Travel. A guide to the world's unspoilt sights and experiences.

All members of the Knox Community (aged 18+) are invited to the OKGA Annual Golf Day.

When: Wednesday, 16 October 2024 | From midday for a 1.30pm Shot Gun Start
Venue: Avondale Golf Club, Pymble
Event Information and Registration: OKGA website here

The Diverse Learning Department needs volunteers to read and/or write for some of our senior students in the upcoming 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 the Diverse Learning Department on 9473 9757 for further information.

It was an exciting afternoon as Year 8 participated in activities with the Year 8 girls from Ravenswood. The activity assisted the students in their preparation for the upcoming Cadet experience beginning in Term 4. Students were involved in, and guided through, a series of icebreaker activities run by the ‘Be Challenged’ organisation who specialise in team building exercises and programs. A key part of the afternoon was an immersion into the Cadet Program by current Knox and Ravenswood senior leaders from our Cadet Unit.

On Thursday and Friday, students enjoyed a visit to the Field of Mars Reserve. Through gathering information on biotic and abiotic features of different sites in the reserve, students complemented the unit of work being studied in Science. Students undertook a range of hands-on fieldwork techniques to collect primary data for the purpose of analysis.