A caring and supportive environment 

Last year we introduced the Student Values and Learner Protocols agreement to students. Our intent was to give words to the values, behaviours and characteristics which contribute so effectively to establishing and fostering our positive school environment. A team of students and teachers from across the Senior School reviewed contemporary research and practice in education, that positively influences our learning and social environment. The team feels the selected traits will set a positive standard for meaningful and respectful communication, relationships and engagement between members of the Knox community.

In the coming weeks your son will bring a copy of the agreement home, Classroom Learner Protocols and School Values, to discuss with you and sign. We believe through a shared understanding and commitment to these values, behaviours and traits, our students will benefit individually and contribute positively to the climate and culture of both the classroom and playground.

Each of your son’s teachers will observe and evaluate his demonstration of the protocols, with progress in each standard for each subject, which will be shared with you on a termly basis. Further details will be provided towards the end of Term 1.

Mentors will oversee progression in the standards, and through reflective conversations with your son, consider areas of strength and opportunities for further development.

This week the students of the Middle Academy started to occupy their new home which is to be known as the Academy of Global Competency. It was wonderful to see the boys interacting with each other in this fabulous new facility before and after school as well as during recess and lunch. With our new building, we have been provided with facilities to foster innovation, creativity and communication. Students have been reminded that as they use technology, discuss ideas and create, they also need to remember the importance of our school values and ensure they act with integrity and compassion and are respectful and supportive of all members of our community.

At our Academy assembly yesterday Karen Yager, our Deputy Headmaster for Student and Teacher Excellence K – 12, spoke to students about the global competencies of collaboration, communication, critical thinking, creativity, character and citizenship and why they will be an area of focus for students in the Middle Academy.

Due to a special function on Monday 10 February, the area will only be available to students until 4pm. From Tuesday 11 February, students will be able to occupy the lower level of the Academy building before school from 7.45am and after school until 5.15pm every afternoon except for Fridays. From next week Maths tutorials will be run on Wednesday afternoons and there will be English support available on Monday afternoons. Students are encouraged to make use of the spaces to work collaboratively with their friends and seek the assistance of the staff who will be supervising. Unfortunately there was a delay in the opening of the canteen; however, we do anticipate it will be operational next week. 

Elizabeth Ruff

This week, the boys continue to impress in the many activities they are involved in. The Careers testing on Tuesday revealed an incredibly well-behaved and focussed year group who were ready to be involved in finding more about themselves and who they are becoming. The external markers and Mrs Gomez commented that our year group have been the most outstanding year group to date to complete the testing. Well done boys.

As the term settles, the boys maintain great enthusiasm and eagerness towards their subjects and head to class ready to learn with an open-mindset and willingness to extend their thinking beyond the classroom.

In mentor time this week, the boys were able to re-connect with classmates and friends. Many stories were shared about holiday travels and journeys. Many of the boys travelled overseas, some stayed in Sydney and pursued music or dance rehearsals, played in tennis and basketball clinics or simply relaxed on the beach. As a year group we have emphasised the message of community and leadership this year for the boys. Within each of the mentor groups, the boys are being asked over the next week to nominate and vote for a mentor representative from each group.

It has been a wonderful week for re-connection to school community for the students with the opening of the Middle Academy. As the boys share the space with Year 9 students, it has been filled with many moments of connection and collaboration. The students are sharing conversations and meeting peers in spaces which are relaxing, fun and engaging for the group. The boys are extremely lucky and privileged to have the opportunity to cohabit such an amazing academy environment which will inspire their thinking, collaboration and connection to community to prepare them for their senior years at the school.

Margie Raymond

Congratulations to the following boys for 'Excellent application to studies': Alexander Apostolou, Ben Cairns, Michael Codd, Daniel Corbett, Travis Cox, James Elliott, Simran Fardin, Bill Hirst, Tony Lee, Richard Lin, Maxim Moiseyev, Daniel O'Hanlon, Archer Saunders, Oliver Sved, Ethan Talwar, Max Touw, Justin Wang, Edmond Wu, Ryan Xia, Chris Yanco, Fredy Ye, Yenry Yin, Kevin Yoo and Daniel Zhang.

Afterschool Mathematics help will run from Week 3:

*Tuesday with Mr Glen Charlier in room MO306    

*Wednesday with Ms Clare Keagan-Ward in the Academy of Global Competency (AoGC) towards the back of the facility.

The sessions function on a drop-in basis for any length of time between 3.30pm-5.30pm where students from all stages can ask for help with mathematics exercises and problems that they have typically been set in class. Please note, no sessions are held in the last week of any term.

It’s that time of year for Doing da Vinci day – Thursday 27 February. Please click here to register. 

Uniform Shop Opening Times:-

Monday - Friday 12.30-5.30pm

Saturday 9am-12pm (Term 1 and 4 only)

Happy wet weekend.

Rebecca Smith: 9119 0882

Learner Protocols, the Knox APA, and Academic Reports – Request for participation in Focus Groups

I have been honoured to work alongside many of our School's inspiring leaders and thought leaders as we consider how best to communicate your son’s achievement in our termly reports. A literature review was conducted and the team has been inspired by the Chicago Consortium’s Learner Protocols, which outlined some of the most meaningful contributors to students achieving their academic personal best. You may be familiar with the Learner Protocols as we have started using them in our pastoral care programs and as contracts with students at the commencement of 2020 – we are looking to enhance our academic reports and APA to pivot from these contemporary research findings.

If you are interested in participating in one of two focus groups regarding the Learner Protocols, the Knox APA and our Academic Reports, please email me at at your earliest convenience.

Possbile dates and times will be sent to interested parents/carers with the aim of meeting sometime next week (Week 3, Monday 10 February – Friday 14 February).

On behalf of the team, I am very excited to consult our parent community to help co-construct reports that are increasingly useful and are underpinned by our Total Fitness and Education for the Future models.

Assessment Schedule and Assessment related Policies and Procedures Booklet 2020

Knox offers a rich assessment program to it students in both our Core and da Vinci programs. Please make note of the linked Assessment Schedule and Assessment related Policies and Procedures Booklet which is also accessible via the portal.

The Assessment Schedule contains the important subject specific assessment details such as the task number, due date, weighting, and a brief nature of the task.

The Assessment related Policies and Procedures includes our policies for Illness Misadventure Appeal (IMA) Applications, Leave Applications, how to handle ‘technology failures’, and what occurs when an instance of plagiarism and/or malpractice is suspected.

I will be highlighting some of these policies in coming newsletters but welcome you to ask me any questions about the contents of either document at your earliest convenience.

Jake Plaskett

Thursday 13 February

Catch up photos

Friday 14 February

Knox at Home 2020

Thursday 27 February

Doing da Vinci day

Friday 28 February

Elevate

Monday 2 March

Battle of the Bands - heats

Thursday 2 April

AFX commences

Saturday 4 April

Year 10 expedition

Thursday 9 April

Term 1 concludes

Monday 27 April

Term 2 commences

The Senior School Tuckshops have a number of vacant spots which we are desperate to fill. If you are a new parent or an existing parent, helping out in the tuckshop is very rewarding experience and a great way to meet and socialise with new friends.  

To volunteer, please click on the following links:

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3

Term 4

If you have any questions about volunteering in the tuckshops, please contact Caron Suleyman, Tuckshop Convenor at tuckshop@knox.nsw.edu.au

Following is an introduction to the Oratory Programs offered as an extra-curricular activity for students at Knox across Years 7-12.

Debating

Debating is the largest oratory program run at Knox, with over 150+ students enrolled each year across Years 7-12. It is a fantastic opportunity to learn both public speaking skills, as well as skills in persuasion and rhetoric.

What is a classic week in debating?

1)      Training. Training is the cornerstone of our debating program, and it is run once a week for each year group. Knox Oratory recommends training to all boys who wish to be involved in debating, as it is where they will develop their foundation skills, and learn how to improve week-by-week. Our coaching staff at Knox  is world-class, with all of our coaches having competed at the Australian Intervarsity Debating Championships, and many having come away as Australian and/or World Champions. Indeed Knox Oratory are lucky to have the 2019 World Champion and a 2020 World Grand-Finalist working at Knox as senior coaches. The times for training are listed on the Knox Debating Board (see below).

2)      Knox Debating Cup (KDC). The KDC is the School’s internal friendly debating tournament, and it is run from 6pm-8pm on Wednesday evenings. Boys are able to join teams with their friends, experience competitive debating in a low-stakes, friendly environment, and receive feedback from their coaches after debates. Boys of all skill levels are welcome. Boys who are just starting out in debating get the opportunity to develop their competitive debating skills, and experienced debaters get to compete for the various prizes to be won at the end of each term. Knox Oratory recommends the KDC to all students who wish to practice competitive debating.

3)      Friday Evening Debating. On Fridays in Terms 1, 2 and 3, Knox participates in a variety of interschools debating competitions, including ISDA, FED and CAS. Boys who are experienced in competitive debating will have the opportunity to trial for these teams, and those selected will represent Knox at these tournaments.

Sounds great, where can I find more information? 

1)      The Knox Debating Board. This is the place where Knox Oratory indicates whether each of these programs are on week-to-week, as well as the draw, team lists and results for the Friday Evening Debating competitions. Bookmark this!

2)      Knox App. Knox Oratory recommends both parents and students download the Knox App and turn on notifications for ‘Debating’. There is also a page with information on our various Oratory programs if you want to learn more about any of our offerings. 

3)      Emails. If you sign up for any of our debating programs, you will be added to a mailing list to receive emails. If you have not been receiving emails after signing up for any of our programs (you should get an email at least once per week), please let us know and we will add you to the list. 

How do I sign-up? 

Each term, boys must register for each our of programs, even if they have done so in previous terms. Here are the links for Term 1, 2020. Parents, please discuss these forms with your sons before completing them.

1)      Training

2)      Knox Debating Cup

3)      Friday Evening Debating: Boys should speak to their coaches during training sessions.

What else do I need to know?

1)      Attendance. If boys register for one of our programs, they will be added to a roll and expected to attend week-by-week. If for any reason a student is unable to attend a session, we ask that parents please complete an absentee form so we know not to worry.

Mooting and Mock Trial

Mock Trial is a form of organised argument that aims to emulate the drama and tension of a courtroom trial. Participants are either the Prosecution or the Defence, and fill a variety of roles including Barrister, Solicitor and Witness. All trials are based on extremely detailed summaries of cases provided by the Law Council of NSW. Speakers are rewarded for quick thinking, deep knowledge of the law, and aptitude as a public speaker.

Mooting is a simulation of the appeal process. The facts of the case have already been determined, but one party is appealing to have the original decision overturned in their favour. There are only three team members: Senior Counsel, Junior Counsel and Solicitor. The team prepares intensely for the trial, which is held in Term 2 at Bond University on the Gold Coast.

New in 2020: Mooting is open to all students across Years 7-12. Registration will open later in the year, so stay tuned.

Further detail on these programs can be found in the Oratory Handbook, available on the Knox Debating Board by clicking 'View Handbook'.

Looking forward to a fantastic year in debating and public speaking!

Dan Schofield

Coordinator of Oratory Programs

Computer Club is up and running again in 2020. The club runs in the iHub every Wednesday from 3.30pm – 5.30pm and operates as a drop-in space, so no long-term commitment or sign up is required. The club has a focus on computer programming. Students can use this space to work on technology related homework or extend their knowledge on computer programming or work on software-based projects. Students are also encouraged to participate in a number of computer-related competitions throughout the year, including NCSS Challenge. 

David McGowan

Ceramics - Hand building

Time: Thursdays 3.30pm – 5pm 
Duration: Eight weeks 
Cost: $50

Students will be shown hand building techniques including coil building, slab and pinch pot construction. Students will experiment with different clays, glazes, stains and firing techniques. These skills will be applied to specific projects. These projects can be student selected or alternatively have been developed by the teacher.

The classes accommodate beginner to advanced skill levels and will be delivered in a happy and relaxed environment.

Photography and Digital Media

Time: Wednesdays 3.30pm - 5pm

Duration: Eight weeks

Cost: $50

Students will be shown a wide variety of digital photography techniques including Photoshop and Lightroom editing techniques, iPhone photography, filters, studio equipment, lighting, videography and much more.

Students will experiment with different camera and studio techniques. These skills will be applied to specific projects. These projects can be student selected or guided by the class teacher.

The classes accommodate beginner to advanced skill levels and will be delivered in a happy and relaxed environment.

Teachers will provide individual advice as well as group demonstrations and technical information throughout the class and all materials and equipment are provided.

Young Curators (Years 8 and 10)

Time: Thursdays 3.30pm - 5pm

Duration: Two terms

Cost: $50

The Young Curators project aims to give students to work alongside a renowned Australian artist and plan an exhibition of that artist’s work at Knox Grammar School. This year, that artist will be Reg Mombassa, famous for his work with MAMBO clothing. Selected students will be invited to the Mombassa’s studio in order to meet the artist, browse his/her works and generate a theme for the exhibition.

Students will be required to dedicate time on a regular basis in the lead up to the exhibition to plan, create promotion material and curate the show. The experience provides unique insight into a professional artist’s studio practice; learning about how artworks are created and the decisions behind exhibiting those works.

As a student at Knox, there are so many wonderful Co-curricular opportunities available to you. The Co-curricular weekly training schedule can be accessed here.

Over the holidays a number of our Year 10 boys won national gold at the Australian Youth Water Polo Championships held in Brisbane. Representing Sydney Uni against 31 of the best teams from around Australia they took out the gold medal match, 6-4, against a team from Perth. Prior to the final, both teams were the only two unbeaten teams left in the competition!  From left to right in the photo: Harry Miller Jett Robens, Lucas Banfield, Xander Mercer and Aiden O’Neil. Also playing at the event (but in a different team) was Flynn Worner. All the boys are part of the Knox Water Polo program.