There will be matches that we lose through no fault of our own: the opponents may be better; marginal calls may go against us; a crucial shot or goal may be missed. In the greater scheme of life these missed opportunities are not as significant as we may initially think.

Sport always brings tremendous support and this is celebrated and encouraged. Watching your child compete and determined to execute what they have been practising for weeks against other schools is gratifying. Indeed, seeing students extend themselves to be the best they can is one of the great joys for me on a Saturday.

Young people generally need very little, if any, extrinsic motivation to win and to do well – they are hardwired to be competitive. When extrinsic pressure builds, we need to be very careful that our fervent encouragement does not become counterproductive.

Playing well is our aim; winning is a bonus. School sport is just that!

In recruit companies, when one first begins their journey, recruits need to build relationships in their new platoon and learn to work together in this new context. As students enter their second year as a Cadet or Corporal in a Senior or Recruit company, they must continue to use teamwork to develop activities and take care of the new recruits.

A fundamental part of the Cadet Unit is to provide leadership opportunities. With our first female RSM taking post this term, we are excited by the progression and development of rank structure within the Unit. In the KGSCU, we are proud of the opportunities available for all cadets from both Knox and Ravenswood.

By CUO T Luck, Media Officer

Team 1 progressed fantastically through the competition, facing off against schools including St John’s Lutheran School in Queensland and Ruyton Girls’ School in Victoria. The boys were succesful in making it to the quarter-finals nationally in the Year 7-8 division, but were unfortunately knocked out by Scotch Oakburn College in Tasmania. Well done on this fantastic achievement boys! Team 2 also had a great run, but were unfortuantely knocked out by PLC Armidale in Round 4. We will look to expand opportunities for boys to engage in this exciting new medium for debating in 2020, so stay tuned!

Social Justice at the Knox Christmas Markets
Thank you to our many parents and their sons who generously baked cakes, biscuits and Christmas fare for the Social Justice Stall. We raised $780.80 which will go directly to help outback parents support their children at school given the hardships of the drought. 

$580 was also raised for Uniting Word ‘Everything in Common’ ethical gifts. You too can purchase these gifts online for those friends and family who would like a gift with a difference eg; buying a goat for a village or an education pack for a child.   

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.

Christmas Hampers for Wesley Mission Families in Need
Each year the Knox community supports those in need in the lead up to Christmas. We ask the Knox community to donate food for families who will struggle to provide for their families at Christmas.

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).

Shoes for the Philippines – Don’t throw out good school shoes! Shoe collection this term
Please have a look at home to see if you have any shoes that are still in good condition that you can donate to help needy children in the Philippines. 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 initiative. Donations may be brought to the SAOs or Helen Clarke’s office in Room 15.

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.

The PEAK program is a holistic wellbeing program, which includes:
     • One on one mentoring with Knox high performance coaches, including the development of an Individual Performance Plan (IPP)
     • Keynote speakers focusing on the Total Fitness pillars, including: 

o    Academic Fitness – covering themes such as time management, goal-setting and habits for academic success

o    Physical Fitness – covering effective nutritional practices for athletes, sleep for recovery and effective rehab/prehab

o    Spiritual Fitness (Personal Development) – covering communication, mental preparation and leadership

o    Social/Emotional Fitness – covering resilience, performing under pressure and respect and responsibility

     • Small group workshops to further enhance each student-athlete’s skills and learning capabilities

For more information, including eligibility criteria or visit the website here

To apply, please complete application form here

Applications will close on Thursday 5 December (last day of Term 4), with successful applicants to be notified before School resumes in 2020.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact peak@knox.nsw.edu.au  

Guide to Scholarships 2021

For more information and to apply, please visit www.knox.nsw.edu.au/scholarships.

If you have any questions, please contact the Head of Enrolments, Martin Gooding, or phone +61 2 9473 9768.

We need parents to help us with the many morning and afternoon tea food supplies for the Camp. NO Nuts please and some gluten free also requested.  Suggestions of fruit, cup-cakes, biscuits, slices, dips etc. A list of ingredients on each is necessary as many of the children attending the camp have a variety of allergies. To sign up to volunteer or provide food supplies please click here.

This year’s concert was more than just a great show; it held a powerful message of inclusion, diversity, tolerance, strength and courage. It was a celebration, and reflection, of our community and all its moving parts. People from all corners of the globe, people with strengths in different areas; people with different interests; people at the heart of all we do. All inextricably tied together under our Knox banner. All welcome, all valued, all contributing to who we are as a community.

Congratulations to our phenomenally talented music team, our amazing K-2 staff and our incredible boys – BRAVO!

We are continuing to learn about different Christmas traditions that families have and how they connect us. We are hoping you can use this big idea as a conversation starter with your son – What Christmas traditions do you have in your family if you celebrate Christmas? Are they the same or different to traditions you had when you were a child? Do you know how these traditions began?

Looking ahead, it is swimming next week. We hope the weather is kind to us for walking to the Senior School and that the boys eat and sleep well so they have lots of energy for swimming!

     • My friend held the door open for me when my hands were full.
     • When we sit in lines, some people push in. One boy is always at the front and people push in front of him. He never complains and just smiles and follows the expectations.
     • I saw my friend pick up other people’s rubbish and put it in the bin.
     • My friend saw that I didn’t have anyone to play with so they came and got me and helped me to join into their game
     • I didn’t know how to do something in class so my friend showed me.
     • My friend gave my teacher flowers from his garden. They smelt very nice and everyone in the classroom loved them!
     • My friend wrote a nice letter to me. I put it next to my bed because it makes me smile.

These are just some of the random acts of kindness. Year 1 you have demonstrated so much improvement at understanding what kindness looks like and how you can be a part of it every day! I wonder what you are grateful for? This is the next skill we will focus on.

On Friday all Year 3 students took part in an Orientation Day as they were placed into groups and participated in various rotating activities with the current Year 4 teachers. Although staffing for next year has not yet been finalised, this was still a wonderful opportunity for the boys to get to know the existing Year 4 staff and their expectations.

It also provided students with a chance to meet the many new boys who will be attending the Prep School in 2020. It was most pleasing to hear of the manner in which the current Year 3 students embraced the day as they displayed great enthusiasm and excitement for the different classes which were held. Parents are reminded of the fact that the group the boys were placed in for Orientation Day in no way reflects the class in which they will be placed next year.

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.

Australian Changemakers
As part of our Knoxigations inquiry, the boys have been using library lessons to develop their research skills, collecting information on an Australian Changemaker from a variety of sources. Their understanding of Australian innovators such as Victor Chang, Fiona Wood, John Flynn and Graeme Clark is continuing to develop and it has been rewarding to see them applying their understanding to new contexts, articulating character strengths needed and appreciating the trials and tribulations experienced when starting small, but thinking big.

At this point, the boys are now ready to hypothetically consider what kind of changes they would like to make in the fields of science and medicine in the future. They will then prepare a ‘mock proposal’ to present at a Global Changemakers Youth Conference on their selected concept.

These positions, with the other elected position, School Captains and Social Justice Captains will be announced on Presentation Day.

The Year 5 team have been thoroughly impressed with the way the boys have taken on board all the information from the guest speakers during our Inspired Leadership talks. They are clearly taking the responsibility of being the leaders of the school next year very seriously and we commend them for their attitude. 

MAP Testing

This week we will conduct our final MAP testing for Maths, reading and Language for the year. This will enable the Year 6 team to plan with the most up to date information in terms of the boys individual learning strengths and areas of focus. 

The Aquatics Program for Year 6 has now concluded and boys should wear PE uniform as usual on Thursday. The confidence and skill demonstrated in the swimming pool during these lessons should hold the boys in good stead for the warm summer ahead.

The Senior School staff were captivated with the enthusiasm and kindness shown by your sons at Year 7 Orientation Day last Friday. Creating a great first impression is equally as important as finishing the year with honour. We are encouraging the boys to show integrity and maturity in their last days at the Prep School and would appreciate your support in ensuring your son wears the correct uniform with pride and has a neat hair cut for presentation day.

Dates for Your Diary
• Wednesday 27 November - Year 6 Musical Performance 7pm
• Thursday 28 November - Year 6 Musical Performance 11.30am and 7pm
• Friday 29 November - Water Sports Day
• Wednesday 4 December - Year 6 Farewell Assembly 11.30am
                                             - Final Assembly 3-6 and piping out of Year 6 at 2pm

2019 Premier’s Reading Challenge

Congratulations to all boys who have participated in the 2019 Premier’s Reading Challenge. This year, we had 668 students complete the challenge. Well done boys!

Participation certificates will be distributed during Library and Literacy Centre lessons in the next week.

A special mention to those boys who will receive a Gold or Platinum certificate. To be eligible for a Gold certificate, students must complete four challenges (not necessarily consecutive). To be eligible for a Platinum certificate, students must complete seven challenges (not necessarily consecutive).  This is an amazing effort. Congratulations!

Gold and Platinum Certificates will be distributed once they have been received from the Premier’s Reading Challenge Team.

Christmas Markets
Well done to our Choirs and the Year 6 String Ensemble for their marvellous performances at the Christmas Markets last Friday!! Please see below a few pictures of the boys in action.

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. 

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 application form.

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 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.

• 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.
• Trivia Night Convenor - organise this fun event for parents, held at the Prep school. Contact Shoaleh.  

On Friday afternoon there was also plenty going on in our pool where Knox hosted CAS friends St Aloysius’ and Barker Swim teams for some competitive racing. The team enjoyed the afternoon with many solid performances, and cannot wait for the competition that comes with term 1 – CAS.

Our senior Diving team were out in force at Abbotsleigh on Friday night for the North Harbour invitational. Representing Knox were Luke Baker, Michael Xenofontos and captain James Riordan. Knox divers placed second, third and fourth at this event with some spectacular dives - congratulations to Luke ( second) Michael (third) and James (fourth). This is a great sign for strong results in term 1. Well done team and thanks to Ms Manual for her outstanding coaching and preparation of this squad.

All of this and Saturday hasn’t even started!

Performances and effort on Saturday were just as impressive with so many wonderful stories filtering through. Our Cricketers had a great day out with every A team recording a Win including our 1^st XI who declared on 8/359 then went about bowling Waverley out for 256 with youngster Trystan Kennedy picking up 3 valuable wickets and all other bowlers contributing to the pressure created on the Waverley batsmen. Just one win off top spot – this team cannot wait to take on Cranbrook this week. For all performances over the weekend, please refer to the school app.

One other notable performance on Saturday was from our young Baseball team who had a huge 10-1 win and are enjoying a great season so far. The boys have shown commitment and a real desire to improve with extra sessions and results have so far been brilliant. Well done team.

Congratulations to
1.       Euan Liney in his first Open water 7.5km swim event – qualifying for the Nationals. Great effort.

2.       To our Surf Life Saving squads on Saturday. The results are in for all of our Bronze medallion and SRC students- everyone has passed that went for assessment on Saturday at Whale Beach. A great testimony to our coaches and students - demonstrating crucial lifesaving rescues and skills that will enable them to patrol the northern beaches this summer. Students will be presented with their patrol gear this weekend at whale beach. Our passing ARTC students will also be recognised for their skill acquisition.

3.       Xavier Bryce came 2nd in the under 14s boys Surfing competition and was awarded the most progressive manoeuvre award for the competition. Great stuff Xavier.

4.       Last week the NSW Institute of Sport awards were held for 2019 and our Knox Pymble Swim Club were recognised as “Program of the Year”  and Simon Cusack won NSW Coach of the Year. This is great recognition for the Club, as well as the Northern Swim Hub at Knox and our efforts in the pool over the last 12 months

Peak nominations due -
It is that time of year where we will be opening applications for the January 2020 intake of the PEAK (Pathways for Elite Athletes at Knox) program. Please see the above section for further information.

Week ahead in Senior School
For the majority of students, this Saturday will mark the final Saturday commitment with a fixture against Barker College.

Good luck to our Open Tennis squad travelling to Albury this week to compete in the 2019 Australian Schools Tennis Challenge. This will be a great challenge for our young squad and a great opportunity to compete against the best in Australia whilst enjoying an opportunity away to build team spirit and work on combinations with the pressure of CAS competition. 

Holiday programmes
There will be plenty going on for our Senior and Prep students through the coming Christmas break with tours, training sessions and a number of fun camps for many Summer Sports. To help you prepare your schedules please consider the following –

• Tennis Coaching Camp January 2020
• Tennis Round Robin Tournament December 2019
• Squash Coaching Camp January 2020
• Prep Basketball Holiday Camp January 2020
• Senior Basketball Holiday Camp January 2020
• Cricket Holiday Camp December 2019

Prep Sport News
Leon Li at National Primary Schools Golf Championships

Report by Leon Year 6

Last week, I participated in the Under 12s School Sport Australia National Golf Championships. I represented NSW in Golf at Nationals which was played at City Golf Club in Toowoomba, Queensland. For each state team there were 12 people, 8 boys and 4 girls competing. Overall 5 states - New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT, participated in the competition. The tournament ran for 5 days with an opening ceremony to start things off. On the first day of the championships, we had photos, an official ceremony where all states attended and a practice round where we met our team members and got to know each other a bit better

On Day 2 of the tournament, we had a Remembrance Day ceremony at 7:15am before the shotgun start of the Ambrose Event at 8am. This event was a separate event to the championships. My team made a slow start before making a couple birdies which grew to a few then turning into 6. Alternatively, our team finished 6 under for the Ambrose Event. Unfortunately, it was not enough to win the event but was enough for us to enjoy ourselves.

On Day 3, we officially started the real stuff. This portion of the tournament meant that it was an individual stroke format and that the top 6 boys scores and top 3 girls scores of the team that you are representing, would add up and be your team’s total for the day. Everybody played well and we concluded the day with total chaos at the pool.

The following day, we had an educational excursion to the Highfields Pioneer Village. During the excursion, we cooked damper, visited the bakery, saw the museum of transport and the museum of the Fire Brigade and witnessed sheep being sheared. The village was very interesting and was very educational.

The final day was the finale! We had a very early start which meant that for a 7 am shotgun start we had to wake up at 5:30 am for a warm-up. Before everybody went to their tee boxes, the supportive parents gave the team a pep talk and talked about what it meant about representing the state and how every shot meant for the state and the team. The captain wished everyone good luck and we headed out for a rollercoaster round of golf. All golfers finished with smiles on their faces and had fun.

I bet that everyone playing were just as eager as me to know the results! The two main events we were all excited for were the Team Nett and the Team Overall Stroke- the real deal.

NSW finished 2nd in the Team Nett and 2nd in the Overall event, falling behind Queensland in both events. Victoria finished 3rd in the Overall event finishing behind us by a lot.

All participants had a blast and did not want to go home that evening! It was definitely an experience that I will never forget and an honour representing the School and the state and hopefully I will be able to get to do this again when I move into secondary school!<

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