We aim to ensure that we continue to offer our boys a quality educational experience. We have always had evening Tutors in Boarding and after school support workshops in a range of subjects and for literacy and numeracy. We want to continue this approach in an online environment.

The role of the Academic Support person is to provide academic advice and support via Zoom. This support and advice could take the form of the following:

• Responding to student questions. 
• Revisiting a key skill, concept or an aspect of the content.

Please click here for the list of subjects that will be providing Academic Support after school in Weeks 2 to 8. The list outlines the subject, day and time for students to use the link to ask teachers questions relating to their subjects. Please note that some sessions are just for Boarders and all other sessions are for any student in that year or stage.

Stage 6 is Years 11 and 12, Stage 5 is Years 9 and 10 and Stage 4 is Years 7 and 8.

Karen Yager

Welcome to Term 2! I trust that you all had a relaxing break and were able to enjoy the sunshine. I hope that the boys enjoyed participating in the 21 day challenge and were able to successfully achieve their goal. Attempting to train the dog was indeed a challenge for me but we were able to make some progress.

It has been a unique start to term as we welcomed students back to virtual classrooms. Additional time has been allocated between lessons to give the boys a break from their screens. Students are encouraged to use this time away from their computer and to go and stretch their legs. It is a great opportunity to go outside and enjoy some fresh air and sunshine.

Yesterday, students received an email from IT about the latest Zoom update. It is important that these instructions are followed so that they are able to access lessons being conducted via Zoom.

We have had a number of enquiries about students collecting items from their lockers. The locker room can be accessed by students; however, they must contact Ms Smith to let her know the time that they will be on-site and leave the School premises as soon as they have collected the items they require from their locker.

Have a lovely weekend.

Elizabeth Ruff

Welcome back to Term 2!

I hope you all enjoyed the opportunity to rest and relax during the holidays after a frantic and chaotic Term 1. Starting Term 2 has certainly not been normal but as we continue to embrace the ‘new norm’ for a little while longer, I wanted to highlight some of the positives that we can draw on and celebrate during these times.

There is no denying that the current situation has been challenging. Life has thrown us a big curve ball that we have all had to respond to and adjust to very quickly. However, it is often in these challenging moments that we are able to grow and develop new skills that enable us to emerge stronger on the other side. A key skill that the boys have all developed and will continue to develop is the mindset of perseverance. During our live streamed Year Meeting this week we shared with them a short video which looks at the power of grit (Passion and Perseverance) in succeeding in life rather than relying on talent and IQ.

If anything, this crisis has taught the boys the key skill of perseverance. We have all been so proud of the way the boys have shown strength and resilience in persevering with remote learning even when they have had a bad day. Every single boy has had to dig deep and show courage at some point during the last few months and even if they don’t acknowledge or recognise it now, this skill will enable them to embrace new challenges and disappointments in the future with a greater sense of strength. I have no doubt that the grit that they have all been developing will benefit them as they move through life. If anything, I believe and hope that it will lead to them finishing their last few years of senior school with a renewed sense of gratitude and motivation.

But for now, keep persevering boys. Don’t give up. Continue to work on your mindset of perseverance. Perseverance takes courage so challenge yourself to keep going when things seem tough and difficult and you will be surprised at how much you can achieve. Learn from this moment and remember: you will be back soon and we can’t wait.

Have a great weekend!

Vicky Cowell

A warm welcome back to Term 2. Yes, the start of Term 2 looks a little different. Hopefully, with the slight easing of restrictions today, we can all enjoy a little more precious time with close friends and family. As per the Headmaster's recent communications, I can't wait to see Year 10 back at school on Monday and Friday of Week 4.

The holidays were different for all of us; however, it was so nice to just be and enjoy the simple things instead of madly rushing from point A to B as we all seem to do. This phase has really given me time to stop and reflect on what's important. The air and our oceans seem clearer and cleaner, our gardens and homes have never looked so decluttered and organised. A time to enjoy a simple walk around the block, a chat with neighbours, jogging whilst listening to our favourite tunes, baking, cards, gardening, bush walking, puzzles, reading, afternoon naps - so good. I think in time, we will look back and reflect that sometimes life gets so busy so it's nice to slow down a little and appreciate the small stuff and most importantly, family, friends and good health.

I would like to share this video from Gus Worland (OKG86) who is checking in with our Knox boys.

For a list of the 2020-2021 dates, please refer to the Knox website here.

Have a lovely weekend.

Rebecca Smith: 9119 0882

Year 10 Assessment Tasks for Term 2 2020

Thank you for your ongoing support as we navigate our way through this global pandemic. I am writing to you in regard to the issues arising and considerations being made in relation to assessment tasks in Year 10 for Term 2.

An updated assessment booklet and schedule have been made available on the Year 10 page portal page. Moreover, an updated copy of the termly assessment schedule, organised by date, and a copy of my email correspondence from this week have also been uploaded.

I will be providing information about the upcoming two weeks of assessments in my newsletter entries, for your quick reference and convenience. The information below relates to the assessments scheduled between Weeks 2-3 of Term 2 2020.

WEEK 2: 4-8 May

No scheduled assessment tasks for Year 10.

WEEK 3: 11-15 May

History and WLF – Interdisciplinary weighted task.

• The task will be administered on Thursday 14 May in Periods 1 and 2 for all students.
• Please refer to the assessment notification provided this week (week 1) for specific details about the outcomes, the submission/completion details, and organisation.
• Students must join the assessment-specific Google Classroom for this task using the code: eudqcm2

Jake Plaskett

Due to the impact of COVID-19, the delivery of career seminars and events have moved online.

I am working closely with external organisations to deliver these presentations via webinars and Zoom meetings. As these events are being organised the links to these online events will be posted on the Careers Hub. Students are most welcome to join any Zoom meeting for a career seminar they wish to listen to.

Information about courses, careers and University pathways will be via the Careers Hub so it is important for every student to register. Parents are most welcome to register to the Knox Careers Hub as well.

Click here for the direct link to create a membership. The Careers Hub is also accessible via the Knox Portal.

To register:
• Fill in the details (your name and email address).
• Enter the school code KNOX20
• Create a password
• Complete the remainder of the form to create a profile/account.

Once students have registered, they will have full access to the Knox Careers Hub with all newsletters, guides, and career information available. Important messages for specific year groups is available through the message board, including the links to the Zoom career presentations and Virtual Careers Expo.

It is important for Year 10 to keep themselves up to date with information and to be informed about the various options available to them, therefore I encourage students to contact me via email for career guidance, advice, and support. 

Linda Gomez

Sunday 10 May

Mother's Day

Monday 18 May

Year 10 - learning on campus

Friday 22 May

Year 10 - learning on campus

Monday 8 June

Queen's Birthday - Public holiday

Friday 26 June

Term 2 concludes

You will have received the pleasing news with regards to students returning to school on a staggered basis from Week 3 onwards.

The Sport and Co-Curricular schedule that was advised last week is currently being updated to reflect these return timings. The new schedule, of either online or at school programs, will be advised in the year level weekly newsletters on Friday of Week 2.

Sport and Co-Curricular staff are looking forward to being able to resume a number of activities with the boys on campus.

Martin Haywood (Head of Knox Sport Aquatic Academy) and Chuck Ardron (Director Co-Curricular Operations)

The Knox Uniform Shop is still operating on reduced hours. To assist customers unsure of the sizing of winter uniform, the Uniform Shop will be open from 1pm-5pm on Monday 4 May, Wednesday 6 May, and Friday 8 May and then on Saturday 9 May from 9am-12noon. Please note that we are running on a customer limited basis so appointments are not required but we will only have two changing rooms operational. We ask parents and students to be patient as our team practises social distancing to keep our School community safe.

Whilst students continue remote learning, they are permitted to wear their winter uniform if already purchased or their PDHPE/Sports uniform. When they are on-site, they are expected to wear full winter uniform.

Uniform is available to order online via Flexischools if sizes are known and these orders can be collected on the dates above when we are open. Please disregard collection dates and times on the Flexischools app.

Size charts are available online through the Flexischools website or the Knox app as a reference.

If orders cannot be collected during these times, orders can also be collected from Senior School Reception (open 8am-5pm weekdays). Please email us to advise of your request.

Further information regarding the Uniform Shop opening times for Term 2 will be advised shortly.

Julie Blackburn

Please remember to check our school library portals, available via KnoxNet, for free access to a wide variety of information databases across all subjects, videos created specifically for students in Clickview and Curriculum Video on Demand, ebooks and audiobooks, movie suggestions by year group, the digital replica edition of The Sydney Morning Herald every day from 6am, as well as tips for effective study.

 
For parents supporting their children learning at home, the Australian School Library Association has collated some wonderful resources including the national Learning from Home resources from each state.

The library staff are all online from Term 2 to help students and parents in any way we can. Please use the online form on the library portal to request assistance with research related assessments or any other library related issue, or contact us via email.

Beth Wilson

All students are invited to join the CRU group who meet on Monday at lunchtime. CRU is a group of Christians (and those interested in learning more), who meet weekly to learn about Jesus as well as share and encourage each other and pray. Everyone is very welcome.

Please join us during lunchtime on Mondays (12.50pm–1.30pm) via Zoom.

Please contact Amy Keir for further information.

We were overwhelmed by the number of Knox musicians who took part in the Light Up The Dawn commemoration on ANZAC Day. Well done to all who took part.

Knox psychologists are available for support of students and their parents by contacting us via email or phone (02) 9119 0828. A reminder too that the Knox Psychologists have produced short videos for parents on such topics as:

• how to survive and thrive as a family
• online resources
• maintaining balance
• managing conflict
• staying socially connected
• motivating adolescents
• managing parental guilt

These videos can be found here. Password: WellbeingSenior

David Schofield