Headmaster's Column
Mr Scott James
While this has been one of the most challenging years in memory, there is much to celebrate. I am so proud of our community and the incredible resilience of our boys.
I’d like to provide an update regarding our Presentation Days for 2020. Due to COVID-19 protocols, we have changed the structure of these events for 2020.
Knox Prep 3-6 Presentation Day
Our ‘Plan A’ for Knox Prep 3-6 Presentation Day is:
• Years 3-6 - Wednesday 2 December, 5pm-7pm, Knox 1 Oval, Senior School
Senior School News
Knox Pipes and Drums
Mr Ainsley Hart, Pipe Band Master
2020 Pipe Band NSW Solos
On Sunday 8 November, the Knox Pipes and Drums boys participated in the Pipe Band NSW Solos at Blackmore Oval in Leichhardt. It was good to see a high level of participation from Knox. Congratulations to the following boys who did very well in their respective events.
Parent Seminar
Parent seminar - Parents, sons, parties, alcohol and other drugs: What's happening now and what can we expect in a post COVID-19 world?
Knox parents are invited to register for a webinar with Paul Dillon, Director of the Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia on the topic, 'Parents, sons, parties, alcohol and other drugs: What's happening now and what can we expect in a post COVID-19 world?”.
When: Monday 23 November, 6.30pm
Where: Online seminar (livestream only)
Who: Aimed at parents of students in Years 9, 10 and 11 (Year 12 2021) – other Knox parents welcome to register.
Social Justice
Mrs Helen Clarke, Head of Diversity, Justice and Stewardship
This term is an important one where we fulfil our long-standing support to make Christmas a time of joy for those for whom Christmas is a time of hardship and isolation.
NAIDOC Week
This week is NAIDOC Week - usually held in July but due to COVID-19, this week Aboriginal Australians celebrate their histories and cultures and we do too!
The theme for 2020 is ‘Always Was Always Will Be’ reminding us that Australia is on the traditional lands of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and their care for the land over 65,000 years is wisdom that we can all share and benefit from. Our celebration focus will be a Cultural Immersion led by elders on 24 November.
School News
Fees In Advance Program
For many years the School has offered a ‘fees in advance’ program to enable increased flexibility of such payments. The program is attractive for many reasons, enabling parents to make lump sum payments for years ahead which attract discounts to the scheduled fees. To qualify, upfront full year payments must be made for a minimum of one year and the payments must be made by 13 November in the year before your payment program begins. Payments will only be accepted by direct funds transfer or cheque (credit card or BPAY payments are not permitted for this program).
Details of the Fees in Advance Program can be found here on the Knox website. Alternatively, you might like to discuss this in confidence with Betty Fowler from the School’s Accounts Department on 9487 0442.
The Martin, Barbara, Berend, and Matthew Hollander Indigenous Scholarship
The Hollander family, with Knox Grammar School, is proud to announce the Martin, Barbara, Berend, and Matthew Hollander Indigenous Scholarship.
Established in memory of the Hollander family, tragically killed whilst on holiday in New Zealand as a result of the White Island volcano eruption of 9 December 2019, the scholarship, working with Knox Grammar School and the (Adam Goodes and Michael O’Loughlin) GO Foundation, will help provide the opportunity for local indigenous students to attend Knox Grammar School.
Prep School News
From the Head of the Preparatory School
Mrs Sue Floro
This week, we are running a number of Parent Orientation sessions, via Zoom – an interesting way to welcome our new families to the School! One of the highlights, though, has been the involvement of our current boys, in settling the nerves of families who are preparing to join our community.
Ordinarily, this Friday would be Orientation Day - a day when all of our new boys and families come to campus and spend the day with our boys and staff, getting to know them and becoming familiar with their new learning environment. As we were unable to do this, our current boys each wrote to their new classmates, welcoming them to Prep and giving them an insight into all of the fabulous experiences they will have at Prep. This was a wonderful initiative, and so well received by our new boys. Bravo Year 4 - and thank you!
K-2 Happenings
Mrs Chris Gray, K-2 Coordinator
Happiness is found when you stop comparing yourself to other people.
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Throughout the year we have always come together to celebrate various types of occasions such as holidays, school events, sports victories and life milestones. Every day of the calendar now seems to include several occasions to commemorate - pizza day, sibling day, pet day … you name it. What we celebrate and how we celebrate may vary but our appreciation of the importance of celebration is nearly universal.
Kindergarten News
Mrs Mary Mae Burton, Kindergarten Team Leader
This week is NAIDOC week. The Kindergarten boys will be acknowledging this significant event by listening to traditional Aboriginal legends throughout the week. Some of the titles we will be exploring are, 'Why the Koala has a stumpy tail', 'How the Kangaroo got its pouch' and 'How the birds got their colours'. NAIDOC Week provides an opportunity for the boys to learn about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, culture and history.
Year 1 News
Miss Nadine Smith, Year 1 Team Leader
It has been another exceedingly busy week in Year 1! We have been busy rehearsing for our K-2 Christmas Showcase. It was a great experience going to the JAPAC today to be filmed on stage. We have enjoyed learning a new song and dance and cannot wait to share our Christmas Showcase with all our families.
Year 2 News
Miss Sarah Beaumont-Jones, Year 2 Team Leader
A busy week in Year 2 with filming taking place at the JAPAC for the K-2 Christmas Concert, 'A Nut Cracker of a Christmas!' The vibrant smiles and exuberant atmosphere were infectious and the Year 2 teachers can’t wait to see the final product. A very big thank you to Ms Irwin for her tireless efforts to produce such an incredible show for our boys, despite the challenging circumstances.
Year 3 News
Mrs Tina Ruddock, Year 3 Team Leader
This week in Year 3, the students have been focusing on NAIDOC Week. Our big idea ’Significant sites should be preserved and protected’ lends itself beautifully to the theme of ‘Always was, always will be.’ The boys have explored kinship and reconciliation, and the importance of recognising Indigenous culture and its connection to country.
Year 4 News
Mr Jared Rastall, Year 4 Team Leader
NAIDOC Week
This week is NAIDOC Week and to acknowledge the history, stories and culture of Indigenous Australians, we looked at the importance of oral tradition and storytelling within our Indigenous communities. The boys recognised that in terms of families and the importance of culture and tradition, there is far more that unites us than separates us.
Year 5 News
Mrs Tammy Paterson, Year 5 Team Leader
Our Knoxigations inquiry continues this week with the focus on our big idea, 'Human Solutions to Global Problems'. Our boys are busy developing their ideas using the Design Process and their Micro:bit knowledge to create a device that assists an environmental issue. They are using Google Sites to record their process, changes in thinking and ideas along the way. Our student-led Micro:bit conference allowed them to gather a new set of skills which they can apply to their design. Our novel 'Blueback' looks at population and the impact of overfishing. In reading groups, the boys are almost halfway through the novel and this allows them to develop a deeper understanding of the impact of these issues.
Year 6 News
Mr Liam Flanagan, Year 6 Team Leader
Another busy week has come and gone for Year 6 as we head towards the last few weeks of Term 4. This week is a very exciting time as the boys head off the Senior School for their first Orientation Day of the year. This is a great opportunity for the boys to spend some time in the Senior School and learn about some of the new and exciting opportunities they will have when they commence Year 7.
K-2 Literacy Centre and 3-6 Library
Mrs Emma-Kate Smith and Mrs Jo Wheatley
Annual Library Stocktakes
The K-2 Literacy Centre and the 3-6 Library will be closed for our annual stocktake from Week 7. All items on loan must be returned to the respective library by Week 7.
Code Camp
These school holidays, Knox will be hosting Code Camp, the holiday program where kids design, code, problem solve and become storytellers and creators of technology, by creating games, websites, and videos in just three days!
Sports News
From the Head of Knox Sports and Aquatic Academy
Mr Martin Haywood
What an incredible few days of Knox sport with so much on offer and plenty to be proud of from all of those wearing the Black and Blue.
From Knox Swim Captain, Josh Collett
The CAS Swimming season commenced last Friday with an invitational carnival for the North Harbour schools of Barker College, St Aloysius' College and Knox. It was an excellent hit-out for the Knox team, as we competed strongly with a fine spirit set amongst the enthusiastic chants that reminded us of the great CAS traditions. The Barker and Aloys teams competed well and this has encouraged us to be well prepared for the CAS season ahead.
Thank you to all those that attended. I’d like to give a special mention to our Years 7 and 8 boys who brought their A-game and were notable contributors to the team spirit. We have a tough assignment to retain the Thyne Shield but it is great to see so many boys across all year groups swimming well and giving their best early in the season.
Text for the Week
Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.
Psalm 25:5
