Whilst there is an appetite to review and rethink the NSW curriculum, the question about moving beyond the ATAR generates large-scale discussion and divides opinion.

What do we know about the HSC?

Firstly, it is an internationally recognised credential that provides a strong foundation for students wishing to pursue tertiary qualifications, vocational training or employment.

Secondly, the HSC provides students with an official record of achievement that attests to what it is they studied in Years 11 and 12. Generally, students will select a range of subjects. The results a student achieves in these subjects is used to produce a rank order of academic performance (ATAR) that can be used by universities to select students into competitive academic courses.

The shift we are seeing now with universities is that many have a large number of alternate routes for students to enter programs and courses beyond the ATAR. As Professor Tognolini from the University of Sydney states, “they (students) can find alternate pathways into the program either by gaining entry to less competitive courses and then transferring at a later stage, or entering as a mature-age student through an alternate entry program”. Another alternate method is the early–entry scheme.

Professor Tognolini goes on to say that although there may be different avenues to explore in regards university entry, this does not diminish the importance of the HSC. Whichever way students gain entry they will have a lot better chance of success in their university studies, other post-secondary studies or work if they have worked hard and prepared well for their HSC.

As an educator, I fully support flexibility in university admission practices. While there has been significant research carried out that indicates that a score comprising a range of subjects that have been studied at school is one of the better predictors of success at first year university level, I would not argue that the ATAR is without limitations.

As Professor Geoff Masters, responsible for leading the curriculum review, and CEO of the Australian Council for Educational Research states;

"[With the ATAR], finally it's us appealing to universities' common sense and self-interest that actually our kids flourishing a bit more in Year 11 and 12 and following their interests and going into more depth and developing more skills, that's actually in the interest of the preparation of students to be successful at university."

Undoubtedly, the curriculum review is imperative for Australia’s education system to remain globally competitive and succeed in equipping young people with relevant life skills.

In the future, employers will look for workers with specialised life skills, such as collaboration, digital literacy, critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, communication and empathy. An education model that fosters these personal and social capabilities must be embedded in any changes to the school curriculum.

The curriculum review interim report will be open for public consultation until December 13. If the recommendations are approved, it has been suggested they will take a decade to be implemented.

I wonder if our young people can wait that long?

The diverse programs of Orchestral, Voice, Jazz and Contemporary Music were all represented on this evening showcasing the depth and breadth of the music culture at Knox.

Performance Order

1. Oscar Chen (Y9) - Alla Gitana – P Dukas

2. Huckleberry Jurd (Y7) - Du grosser Schmerzensmann – J S Bach

3. Ethan Phipps (Y7) - Horn Concerto No.4, Rondo (III) – W A Mozart

4. Michael Shen (Y7) - Prelude No. 7 – M Shen

5. Oliver Hilliard (Y9) - Everything to Win – S Flaherty 

6. Isaac Stallan (Y8) - Pavane  – G Fauré 

7. Kevin Wang (Y7) - Prelude in B Minor – F Chopin 

8. Oliver Chen (Y9) - Five Bagatelles (II, V) – G Finzi

9. Mark Allan (Y7) - Jumbuck Jive – K Bailey 

10. Euan Choi (Y7) - Fantaisie – J N Hummel 

11. Matthew Ifield and Max Li (Y9) - Fly Me To The Moon – F Sinatra 

12. Ben Savundra (Y9) - Cello Suite No. 1 Prelude – J S Bach

13. Jack Reatti (Y7) - Swing & Swang – K Bailey 

14. Harry Sun (Y7) - Legend – H Stowasser

15. Ben Cairns (Y9) - Summer in Sydney – A Firth 

A special thanks to the accompanist on the event Ms Ingrid Sakurovs.

AMEB Diploma AMUSA Awards
During the October holiday period three Knox students successfully completed their AMEB AMUSA – The Associate in Music, Australia exam. This Diploma is awarded to candidates of both outstanding performance and theory achievements.

• Oliver Utteridge - Piano
• Ryan Thom - Saxophone
• Andrew Peng - Clarinet

Congratulations to these fine musicians.

Throughout the course of Weeks 2 and 3 over 100 students attended their Australian Music Examination Board (AMEB) Performance exams, ranging from Preliminary to Certificate of Performance, in the JAPAC Choir Rehearsal Room and Wenkart Theatre. AMEB Rockschool and Contemporary Music Studies exams will be held on campus on 28 and 29 November. We eagerly await the reports from these exams and congratulate all candidates on their exam performance.



Miss Jo Carey, Woodwind Coordinator, Saxophone and Clarinet Tutor

Michael Dolce Workshop for Musicians
The Knox Performing Arts Department recently hosted a workshop run by world class session guitarist Michael Dolce. Michael plays guitar on the hit show ‘The Voice’ and has performed and recorded with many top international artists on the world stage. The workshop provided some of our music students with an opportunity to gain valuable insights into the different facets of working in the music industry, highlighting what it takes to be at the top of their game on their instrument. It was a great afternoon enjoyed by all in attendance.

"Attending Michael Dolce's guitar workshop, gave me an insight into what it means to be a musician outside of school and even after University. Michael was helpful, in sharing his experience on ‘The Voice’ and teaching the boys different guitar techniques and tones. It was a very fun and informative afternoon."
- Ethan Wood, Y12 Music student

Mr Rob Ewan, Coordinator of Contemporary Music Studies

"Mooting is a simulation of the court procedure that occurs when a person is in dispute of the sentence, fine or judgement a judge makes in a previous judicial trial. The Kirby Cup is a mooting competition where high school students from over New South Wales assimilate to compete in six vigorous rounds of simulated mooting court procedures. On 28 November, seven Knox boys spanning across Years 10 to 12 ventured to the Parramatta Campus of Western Sydney University to participate in the 2019 Kirby Cup.

The seven boys: Blair Davidson, Adam Soonius, James Gray, Micah Zhao, Luke Schofield, Daniel Heazlewood-Lee & James Sung have been preparing since Term 3 for the competition. This has involved weekly training sessions with their coach, Miss Amelia Taylor, who helped them construct, devise and plan oratory arguments and written submissions for the mooting court. The written submission element of the moot involved the students writing an overview of the case and the three submissions/arguments they will be making. The oratory portion is thus the students presenting their three submissions in front on the mooting judges.

At the Kirby Cup Competition our two Knox teams were fortunate enough to have two rounds of presenting their cases of both the plaintiff (for) and defence (against) sides before they were knocked out of the competition. Although they did not make it through the whole way the boys gained invaluable experience. Being able to present cases in front of world-class professors and barristers gave them great insight. All boys involved were able to enhance their public speaking and debating skills whilst also consorting with other like-minded students from across New South Wales. The boys all came out of the day with a positive outlook and are looking forward to the next competition!"

Some suggestions include: Pasta sauce, Breakfast cereals (no nuts), Long-life milk, Tinned ham and/or turkey, Long-life custard and/or canned cream, Christmas pudding/fruit cake and/or mince pies, Tinned tuna /salmon, Tea/Coffee/Hot chocolate, Canned fruit, Cordial, Milo and/or Nesquik, Savoury snacks, or Table trimmings (such as lollies, chocolate or Christmas bonbons).

STARTTS Program 2019 - Christmas Gift for those who will be without this Christmas
For many years the Knox community have generously supported the STARTTS Program. STARTTS is the acronym for the 'NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors'.

The aim of the program at Knox is to provide your son with the opportunity to learn a little about the organisation and what it does, as well as to think about children of his own age who have had to cope with very real difficulties in their lives. It encourages the boys to think about demonstrating compassion in his life and how integral it is to our Knox values.

We encourage him to please donate a small Christmas gift (of about $10 in value). The gifts should be handed to the SAOs in Room 19 by 3 December. We intend to present the gifts to a guest speaker from STARTTS organisation who is coming to the School in the last week of this term. Please be aware that, in previous years, the gift from the boys has often been the only gift these children have received. If possible, please wrap and label the gift indicating whether it is appropriate for a boy of girl.

St Lucy’s - seeking meal donations
St Lucy’s School in Wahroonga are seeking weekly food donations to assist in supporting their families during the week over the school term. St Lucy's School has been providing education to children with disabilities since 1938. Having a child with special needs can add significant pressure to families emotionally, physically and financially. Jonathan Carey is their Family Support Worker and has suggested food donations to support these families in need:

• Weekly food donations for families to take home during school terms.
• Your commitment for one school term period.
• For meal donations to benefit two families by giving four serves per week.
• Meals would be picked up and given to families privately or frozen for future use.
• St Lucy's is open to advertising and supporting your business in their school newsletter.

Please contact Jonathan if you would like to offer support.

National Recycling Week
Over the past two years we have developed a student-led recycling and sustainability program. The boys are passionate about furthering commitment to this program. We are working towards a week of recycling events for National Recycling Week.

Speak to your son about the importance of recycling and being mindful of reducing individual waste.

We will be adding to the committee, so please encourage your son to contact Helen Clarke to join the Recycling Committee.

Guest Speaker for Recycling Week
On Friday 15 November Dr Ron Wainberg will address the boys about the importance of recycling and waste processing technologies and resource recoveries. Dr Wainberg is a consultant with a particular interest in resource recovery from waste materials, the development of practical waste management strategies, and how processing technology can be successfully applied to recover resources from waste. He will present and demonstrate about how we can all do so much more with recycling!

Sustainability Committee - new members wanted!
As a number of senior representatives are now doing their HSC, we are forming a new committee of boys from each year group to be advocates for the recycling and sustainability program. Please ask your son to come to my office and discuss their involvement in this important committee - especially with the National Recycling Week coming up.

Shoes for the Philippines – Don’t throw out good school shoes! Shoe collection this term
We have restarted the shoe collection to help needy children in the Philippines in Term 4. Please have a look at home to see if you have any shoes that are still in good condition that you can donate.  These can be school shoes, sports shoes (runners/football boots), sandals or crocs both for boys and girls.  These shoes really make a difference to many poor children and importantly, allow many to attend school. Andrew O’Brien and the Year 9 SJ Team are coordinating this imitative. Donations may be brought to the SAOs or Helen Clarke’s office in Room 15.

Social Justice at the Knox Christmas Markets
Come along to Social Justice Stall at the Knox Christmas markets! We will be supporting:

• our drought-impacted farmers through the work of Drought Angels
• Uniting Church- Everything in Common
•WANTED - Parents to bake cupcakes, slices, biscuits to sell at the SJ Stall at the Christmas Markets

Just Parents - Parents to Social Justice
If any parent is interested in being part of Just Parents, please email Helen Clarke. We hope the group will provide supplementary support in the community for both parents and our boys. We aim to have the role as hands-on and interactive.

Social Justice Club
The Social Justice Club meets each Friday at lunch time in room KCC101 and nearby classrooms. The Club is both social and proactive for all boys who want to serve others and make a difference. There are opportunities to participate in outback and overseas Immersions as well as many school and community based activities. This is important work that leads to important social change and transforms the lives of others in need. For our SJ boys this provides many opportunities for leadership and advocacy.

A nomination form is available here and on the Knox Portal should you wish to be part of the KPA Committee for 2020. Nominations close on Friday 8 November 2019.

For more information, please contact Amanda MacLean, President of the KPA on 0402 105 896 or email or Megan Bailey for further information.

Annual General Meeting (AGM) - Tuesday 12 November
When: Tuesday 12 November, 6.30pm-7.30pm
Where: Weeks Senior Academy Lecture Theatre, Senior School Campus

The AGM provides the opportunity to celebrate the KPA’s achievement this year, express our sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone involved, say farewell to those parents who will be leaving us with their Year 12 sons and welcome any new parents who may be joining the KPA.

The School Executive Team will be addressing the meeting on all that has happened in 2019.

The AGM will also be our final meeting for this year and will be followed by the Volunteer Thank You Celebration, so please join us in a celebration of another successful year.

Knox Christmas Markets - Friday 15 November
The Knox Christmas markets will be taking place in the Great Hall on Friday 15 November from 4pm to 8pm. The markets are open to family, friends and the wider Knox community. Why not start your Christmas shopping early! Click here for more details.

Christmas Pudding Fundraiser
Once again Pudding Lane will be attending the Knox Christmas markets this year and they have agreed to kindly donate 40% of takings of all pre-orders to the Knox Parents’ Association. So get your Christmas orders in now and help the KPA at the same time.

Orders must be placed by Friday 8 November. All puddings are $46, Christmas cake is $52.

Please click here to place your order.

Puddings will be available for pick-up at the Pudding Lane stall at the Knox Christmas Markets in the Great Hall, Senior School, on Friday 15 November from 4pm-8pm. Click here for more details.

At the end of the day the Knox #1 band was crowned NSW Pipe Band Champions is the Juvenile A division and the Knox #2 band crowned champions is the Juvenile B division.

Earlier in the day, as part of the gathering, a solo piping competition was held. Five prep boys notably performed in front of adjudicators; Greg Onikul (winning the chanter section), Cameron Bogle, Henry Pearce (placing 2nd in the Novice Snare drum March), Caden De Sayrah-Blood and Ethan Nguyen.

The following Senior School boys made the podium in the solo competition:

• Matthew Taylor 2nd C Grade Snare MSR, 3rd B Grade Snare MSR
• Julian Kelly 1st A Grade Snare MSR
• Will Tighe 2nd D Grade Tenor March
• James Tan 3rd C Grade S&R, 3rd C Grade Piobaireachd
• Shiv Suresh 1st D grade Air, 3rd D Grade Piobaireachd
• Aaron Erdstein 2nd D Grade March, 2nd D Grade Air
• Oscar Petro 2nd B Grade MSR, 2nd B Grade Hornpipe and Jig

The Headmaster warmly invites all Wahroonga Prep, Knox Prep and Senior School volunteers and their partners to a Volunteer Thank You Celebration. If you have volunteered at the School in any way throughout this year, we would love to see you at this event.

Drinks and finger food will be served. Click here for more details.

Please RSVP by Wednesday 6 November here.

Our Year 2 boys’ Celebration of Learning was so much fun last week! Inspired by Kane’s Arcade, the boys explored their understanding of forces to create cardboard arcade games and used Micro:bit technology to create scoring mechanisms. I am consistently blown away by the boys’ connection, breadth of understanding and their enthusiasm in sharing it with others. My all-time highlight, however, was playing cardboard air hockey – outstanding!

Our Prep Pipes and Drums players performed exceptionally well last weekend at the Central Coast Scottish Spectacular. The fine details of their performances will be reported later in this edition but we are so proud of the Prep boys’ efforts. For many, it was their first experience of a Pipe Band competition. Well done to all!

Last Friday night, I had the pleasure of attending the Science Teachers’ Association of NSW Awards ceremony, at which Knox Prep boys were significantly represented. Mr Fairhurst has given a detailed account of all of the awards our boys received for their projects. The power in the evening, for me, was that our Year 1-4 boys who were there were able to see a long term view of the competition, including some incredibly complex research studies conducted by Year 11 and 12 students. Congratulations to all of our boys whose projects were recognised.

We have now officially launched our Christmas Appeal initiatives, including both Operation Christmas Child, which provides gift boxes to children in the poorest countries around the world; and the Exodus Foundation/Burnside Children’s Home toy appeal, which provides toys to local children in need. Please do look out for the flyers with all of the details.

Congratulations to our Theatre Sports team who competed last week at PLC and are now through to the Finals of the competition – we wish these boys all the best for the finals in the coming weeks!

Parents are the most important influence in children’s lives. The relationships you have with your child, the values you give them and the example you set will shape your future young man.

Our boys benefit when parents are warm and loving and provide clear guidance and support. There is no such thing as a perfect parent, or one right way to be a parent. A loving relationship with your child is what’s important. Each child is an individual with their own temperament and unique qualities. You need to adapt your parenting to meet each child’s needs over time.

Talk with your children often. This shows you care and helps children sort out their ideas. Listen to what they say. Try to work out the feelings behind the words. Be relaxed and open. Talk about a wide range of topics including sensitive ones in ways that suit your child’s age. Children learn they can talk with you about anything and will be more likely to come to you if they have a problem. The SA Department of Education has some valuable suggestions:

Inspire Achievement
• Encourage children to have a go at different things that interest them and practice their skills.
• Help them see positive futures for themselves and achieve their goals.
• Encourage their learning at school and through other activities. Provide support when they need it
• Read books together from a young age, or tell stories if you prefer. It can be a special time of closeness and learning that children remember all their lives.
• Praise their efforts eg: “I see how hard you worked to achieve that” rather than saying “You’re so clever”. Celebrate their successes.

Dates for the Diary
• Thursday 7 November, 2pm - Yr 1 Assembly
• Wednesday 13 November, 6pm - K-2 Concert
• Friday 15 November - K-6 2020 Orientation Day
• Thursday 21 November, 2pm - Kindergarten Assembly
• Friday 22 November, 9am - K-2 end of Term Chapel Service
• Monday 26-Friday 30 November - K-2 Aquatics Program
• Monday 2 December - K-2 End of Year BBQ
• Wednesday 4 December - Last Day for K-2

The boys are truly displaying focus and dedication to learning our dance for the concert. We hope parents and carers have found the information on Seesaw about the costume details. It would be appreciated if items can be brought to school by this Friday.

The Kindergarten boys are looking forward to the concert and seeing you there!

Day Without Speech
Congratulations to all the boys for participating in the ‘Day Without Speech’. The boys described the day as frustrating, annoying and very difficult. They said everything took longer and they developed greater empathy for people who find it difficult to communicate.

This charity raised an incredible $7551.85! The Year 1 boys are so excited that they have changed so many people’s lives and they cannot wait to hear some of the stories of children they have helped.

Global Change Makers
Year 1 have begun exploring some of Earth's Treasures during the final Knoxigations Unit of Inquiry. When introducing the big idea, ‘I Can Protect My World’ to Year 1 they made connections, used their prior knowledge and discussed solutions as to how we can protect Earth's Treasures. How do you protect living things, air, soil and water every day?

Have a wonderful Week Four!

Tickets are $10 with a limit of six per family. All ticket proceeds go to Drought Angels supporting our Aussie Farmers.
Please note that the Concert will begin at 6pm and will be held in the JAPAC this year. We look forward to you joining us!

Last week, a number of boys travelled to Wollongong for the Young Scientist Awards. Congratulations to all of the boys involved and a huge thank you to Mr Ian Fairhurst, Mr Angus Fabian and Mr Jason Milner for all the hard work they have put into supporting our boys.

Celebration of Learning
Boys in Year 2 created a working arcade as part of their 'Tinkering Towards Tomorrow' unit of study and earlier last week they showcased their work for their parents.

Through developing a product, the boys have been learning about how energy and forces are used to make different products. As creative producers, they built Rube Goldberg Machines, worked with Turing Tumbles and used Micro:bits to code their arcade games.

Within the classroom, the boys’ attention has been turned towards exploring the final big idea for the year, ‘Significant Places Should Be Conserved and Protected’. This inquiry unit links with our ‘Global Changemakers’ domain which seeks to encourage students to recognise the power they possess to lead change in the world by exploring future outcomes of their actions. As part of this inquiry, the boys have recently researched various examples of significant sites around the world and what characteristics contribute towards making these places worthy of conservation and protection. Students are also in the process of conducting a case study on Macquarie Island, examining the impact of human interaction on this environment and its current status as a World Heritage Site.  

Dates for the diary
• Friday 29 November - Year 3 Surf Awareness and Education Day
• Thursday 5 December - Years 3-6 Presentation Day

If you have any queries with upcoming events, please do not hesitate to contact your son’s classroom teacher or Mr Glenn Stephenson.

The Year 3 team hopes you enjoy the week ahead.

Some useful sources of information for your son are provided below:
https://www.kidsnews.com.au/news
https://www.abc.net.au/btn/

Khan Academy Reminder
As outlined on the weekly homework grid, all boys are expected to complete at least 30 minutes of Khan Mappers each week in addition to any Khan Assignments set by the teacher. These Khan Assignments are targeted to the teaching areas of the week. Homework practice is beneficial in supporting the learning taking place in the classroom and will assist boys when they are completing their MAP assessments in a few weeks’ time.

The musical is in full swing and the boys have been practicing incredibly hard throughout the term. The boys have another choreography dancing session coming up in Week 5 and Week 6 before we begin our dress rehearsals! We are looking forward to seeing many parents and friends at the Wenkart Theatre in the JAPAC performances being held in Week 7.

A reminder that the boys will continue their aquatics program this week and need to bring their swimmers, towel and goggles on Thursday.

Enrolments for 2020 now open
If your son would like to learn an instrument or is already learning an instrument and will continue next year, please fill out the 2020 Private instrumental Lessons form here.

There is also a new link for 2020 Ensembles. With the end of term fast approaching, it is with great excitement that I inform all parents on the movement for bands next year and attach all information for anyone who would like to JOIN band next year. Below is the link to the information booklet that has all of the information in regards to band next year. If your son would like to join one of our ensembles (including strings and choir) please fill out the online link found here.

All boys who are already in the Band Program automatically move up into the next band (unless, of course, your son is in Year 5 and is in the Performance Ensemble already and in this case he will stay in the Performance Ensemble). So boys in the Intermediate Band will automatically move into the Senior Band, boys in the Junior Band will automatically move into the Intermediate Band and boys in the Senior Band will automatically move into the Performance Ensemble.

Ensemble rehearsal times for 2020 are:

• Junior Band - Friday morning. 7am-8.15am
• Intermediate Band - Tuesday morning 7.10am, Wednesday Lunchtime in Ensemble Room 2
• Senior Band – Wednesday Morning 7.00am, Tuesday Lunchtime in Ensemble Room 1
• Performance Ensemble - Tuesday morning 7.00am, Wednesday Lunchtime in Ensemble Room 1
• Jazz Band - Thursday Lunchtime in Ensemble Room 1. commencing Week 2
• Concert Strings - Monday morning 7.15am in Ensemble Room 2
• String Ensemble - Wednesday morning in Ensemble Room 2. 7.15am
• Prep Orchestra - Friday morning in Ensemble Room 2. 7.15am
• Little Lads - Friday morning in the Music room 1. 7.45am
• Knoxapella - Thursday morning in the Music room 1. 7.30am
• Years 5-6 Ensemble - Thursday morning in the Music room 2. 7.30am
• Gallery Choir - Tuesday afternoon in the Music room. 3.15pm-4.30pm

Vocal Ensemble and Knoxapella
We are just about to start the busy season for the choirs. Below are important dates and times you need to have in your diary. Thank you for those who already have let me know about availability. If you are unable to attend any of these events can you let either Mrs Irwin or Mr George know.  

Christmas Markets
It is with great pleasure and excitement that I announce that the Years 3-4 Vocal Ensemble, Years 5-6 Vocal Ensemble and Year 6 String Quartet have been invited to perform at the annual Knox Christmas Markets in the Senior School Great Hall on the evening of Friday 15 November. The time allocations for each ensemble are below.

This is a fun and exciting concert and families are more than welcome to come and watch our performance in the foyer of the Great Hall and then enjoy  shopping in the hall. Summer uniform (minus boater) is to be worn.

• Years 3-4 Vocal Ensemble and Years 5-6 Vocal Ensemble will be performing from 5pm-5.40pm in the hall. Arrival time 4.45pm.
• String Quartet will be performing from 5.40pm-6pm in the hall. Arrival time 5.15pm to give time for tuning.

If you have any questions in regards to this event please feel free to email Miss Morris.

End of Year Choir Concert 

Groups performing: Little Lads, Knoxapella & Vocal Ensemble

Date: Thursday 21 November

Time: Meet 5.45pm at the Wenkart Theatre. Concert starts at 6pm till 7pm

Venue: Wenkart Theatre (JAPAC Building) 

Full summer uniform, no hats

Christmas Chapel Service 

Groups performing: Little Lads, Knoxapella & Vocal Ensemble

Date: Sunday 1 December 

Time: Rehearsal 9am and Service starts at 9.30am till 10.30am

Full summer uniform, no hats

End of Year Band Concert
On Tuesday 3 December, all five bands will be performing at our End of Year Concert in the evening from 5pm-6pm (please note the change of time). This year we are going to have a Twilight Concert outside in the Amphitheatre. The bands will all set up on the large steps of the Amphitheatre outside Ewan House and parents and guests are asked to bring a rug and a picnic and set themselves up on Ireland Field facing the amphitheatre!

 
All four bands and the Jazz Band will be performing at this concert and boys will need to be at school by 4.30pm for a quick tune and warm up before the concert! Boys are to wear their full school summer uniform (minus boater).

Boys in the Junior and Intermediate Band are to meet in Ensemble Room 2 at 4.30 to set up their instrument and be tuned.
Boys in the Senior Band and Performance Ensemble are to meet in Ensemble Room 1 to set up their instrument and be tuned.

Parents, family and friends are more than welcome to attend our last big gig for the year!

OSHClub Inventions and Innovations Years K-2 and Primary Environment Award - Awarded for the best primary school environmental project - Oscar Fairhurst, Bowen Gozdzialski & Christian Strumendo, ​R.C.B.O.C (River Cleaner, Bowen, Oscar, Christian)

OSHClub Inventions and Innovations Years 3-4  - Jackson Macdonald & Oliver Schlosser, WaterBOT

OSHClub Inventions and Innovations Years 3-4 and also AIP Most Outstanding Physics Award for the students who best represent the theme, “Drones, Droids and Robots”  - Kingston Rahme & Mitchell Whiley, ​Robot Head

Next Steps - BHP Foundation Science and Engineering Awards

The BHP Foundation Science and Engineering Awards are Australia's most prestigious school science and engineering awards. The Awards are a partnership between the BHP Foundation, CSIRO and the Australian Science Teachers Association (ASTA). All Knox Prep students who received awards at the STANSW State Level have entered their projects into the National Awards. The finalists are not announced until early 2020. We wish all the students the best of luck!

• Tuckshop Convenor - We are looking for someone to coordinate the tuckshop roster for next year. The process will be streamlined and less time consuming as the roster will be setup on signup.com. If you are interested, please contact Robyn Lollback.
• Library Bookcovering - organising dates with the Library staff for parents to come in and help cover books. Contact Alexandra Clarke.
• Lost Property Convenor - Clearing out the Lost Property box twice a term with two-three other volunteers. Clearing out the box takes approximately one hour. Contact Fiona Small. 
• Trivia Night Convenor - organise this fun event for parents, held at the Prep school. Contact Shoaleh.  
• Mother and Fathers Day Stall Convenor - order gifts and then organise a group of volunteers to help out on the day when the boys purchase gifts. Contact Jacqui. 

Other great stories came in from around the Cricket fields and in the pool. All reports can be found on the School app in the various sport sections.

The NSW CIS Team Triathlon Championships was held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre, Penrith last week and our boys were brilliant. Knox entered 13 teams across the 3 divisions of Junior, Intermediate and Senior. Each of the legs was keenly contested as qualifying spots were available for the NSW All Schools competition early in 2020 and our boys raced extremely well. Congratulations to all of the boys who participated.  Knox made the podium in all divisions with the following outstanding results:

Junior boys –1st place (pictured)
Henry Anderson – Swim (400m)
Sean Williams – Bike (10 km)
Josh Harty – Run (3 km)

Intermediate - 3rd Place
Will McDonagh – Swim (400m)
Matt Pearson – Bike (15 km)
Will Constable – Run (3 km)

Senior – 1st Place
Tyson Bujak-Upton – Swim (400m)
Mitchell Westhuizen – Bike (15 km)
Henry Hill – Run (3 km)

Henry Anderson, Sean Williams & Josh Harty

Specific training sessions are scheduled for the boys competing at the team event in early 2020 as well as boys who may be interested in entering the individual triathlon.  Boys interested in this training should contact Mr Hart or drop into the Pipes and Drums Centre.


PREP SPORT NEWS
Last weekend saw our Prep boys give their sport a real shot - donning the black and blue they stepped out onto the field/court to give their best. The enthusiasm, team spirit and good sportsmanship displayed by the boys was very impressive.

This week we have Oliver Dawson (12yrs 200m), Chester Swaffer (12yrs 800m), Maks Saravanja (11yrs High Jump) and Owen Dixon (Junior 1500m) representing NSWCIS at the NSW State Track & Field Championships at Homebush. We wish them all well in what will be a very tough competition.

Next week Leon Li will be competing for NSW in the School Sport Australia National Golf Championships in Toowoomba, Queensland. Good luck, Leon!

On the weekend one of our Year 6 sailors, Archie Pethard (pic below) competed in Round 1 of the NSW State Championships Flying Ant Skiff Regatta held at Lake Macquarie. Archie and his team-mate Abby performed very well in their first regatta on an unfamiliar boat in increasingly challenging conditions – strong wind and gusting. They didn’t win the races they contested but certainly won the respect of their slightly older peers in the way they dealt with the conditions, equipment failures and things generally not going to plan. Both Archie and Abby kept smiling and their enthusiasm never waned. For the never say die attitude they were both presented by Adam Beashel, the 'Stepping up and giving it a go!' award.

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