Dear Parents

I would like to provide all parents with an update on our COVID-19 Student Attendance Guideline. Please read the policy document below.

Student Attendance Guideline for Parents 

A few key points:

• If your child is unwell, please don’t send them to School.
• If your child has been in any of the reported case locations listed by NSW Health, please read and follow the guidelines from NSW Health. This list is changing daily and it is imperative you check this list regularly for the protection of our School community.
• We ask that parents take their child’s temperature each morning at home using a digital thermometer. If your child has a temperature higher than 37.5 degrees, please do not send them to School. Please follow the guidelines in the document above.

Thank you

Phil O'Regan

It was lovely to see students working with the staff on duty after school in the Academy of Global Competency building this week. Wednesday afternoon was a hive of mathematical activity as students capitalised on having three members of the Maths staff to seek assistance from. In addition to support around organisation, study skills and planning, the following assistance is available after school for our Middle Academy students:

Monday: English, Essay writing, History, Mathematics, PDHPE, WLF

Tuesday: English, Essay writing, Mathematics

Wednesday: Mathematics

Thursday: Mathematics

In Year Meeting this week students were reminded that they need to arrive at school with adequate time to complete the health screening and temperature check process and visit their locker prior to 8.20am (9am on Friday). Catching the northbound train that arrives at Warrawee at 8.17am (8.55am on Friday) or the Southbound train that arrives at 8.19am (9.01am on Friday) does not allow adequate time for this to occur. To be able to arrive to period 1 lessons on time, students catching northbound trains should arrive at Warrawee no later than 8.02am (8.40am on Friday). Students catching southbound trains should arrive at Warrawee no later than 8.10am (8.46am on Friday).

We are in discussions with staff from the School of Banking and Finance at UNSW about running a Financial literacy program for our Middle Academy students. We would like to collect some feedback from parents about this. There is a short survey that you are invited to complete if you are interested in being a part of this process.  

Elizabeth Ruff

Year 10 continue to impress this semester since our return from the break. The number of staff members who comment on the quality of this cohort is incredibly encouraging. They are obviously a talented and determined group of young men. What is most pleasing, though, is how friendly, positive and supportive they are.

We are now becoming fully entrenched in the term and many of the students will be preparing for upcoming assessment tasks. I encourage them to stay motivated and to ensure that their organisation is in great shape. This will help them to navigate through the assessment periods this term. Our Academic Leadership Team have presented some great sessions throughout the year to the entire year group to reinforce this important point. This week, they presented a key communication tool in the form of a class Facebook page for the boys to read and post announcements and be able to access important information for the year group.

This week, each of the boys had some time with their mentors to evaluate and look back over their semester reports to reflect on some of the guiding questions which will assist them in their focus and goal setting for the term ahead. The reflective questions were encompassed through the learner protocols, which give the boys direction around the ability to develop meaningful relationships with their peers and staff. The reflection also enables the students to grow as young men, improving their attitude and application across the protocols of mindset, behaviour, perseverance and social skills.

Finally, this week is building as another exciting round of winter sport. Many of our boys are continuing to enjoy the re-engagement and competitive play against our CAS schools. I am always encouraged by the conversations which are enjoyed in the lead-up to the sports weekend and then the Monday de-brief! Good luck to all of our boys who are playing or competing in the many winter sports which they may be involved in. 

Margie Raymond

Congratulations to all who competed at the Knox Track and Field day on Wednesday. I've heard of some wonderful achievements and PBs. Special mention to Will Constable who set a new record in the 800 metres; one of the toughest events in the program. Congratulations to Archie Saunders - 16 years age group champion. Well done, boys.

Thank you to those families who have donated to the Food Drive. We do a food drive of daily staples for Sydney families who are struggling and living in very challenging conditions. This will continue into Week 3 of Term 3. The following non-perishable donations may be handed in to the SAOs or Mrs Clarke's office: long-life milk, cereal, coffee, tea, cans of meat, vegetables, fruit and/or soup, cup of soup, dried fruit. Note: no glass items, please.

Absence Notification

When lodging your son's absence in Parent Lounge please remember to include the nature of his medical condition in the comment section if you have selected Illness/Medical. Should your son be suffering from any of the symptoms of COVID-19, please follow the government advice regarding getting tested and keep your son at home.

Uniform shop

All students will be expected to wear their summer Uniform on the first day of Term 4.

Please be aware that due to social distancing measures, we only have two changing rooms available at the Uniform Shop. To avoid long waiting times, we would advise checking your son's summer uniform now and, if you require new uniform, please order early. Alternatively if you know their new size, orders can be placed online through Flexischools. Students in the Senior School are permitted to collect orders at lunchtime or after school. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding. The Uniform Shop opening times are Monday through to Friday 12.30pm-5pm.

Happy weekend.

Rebecca Smith

Just a reminder that all the recent wellbeing resources produced by the Knox Psychologists can be found on the Knox Portal – Knox Wellbeing Centre – Wellbeing Blogs. Please click here to access.

Included here are information on Low Mood v. Normal Teenage Mood Swings, Managing Conflict at Home, Procrastination, Healthy Eating; and includes videos on: Internet/Devices Issues with Knox researcher in residence Dr Philp Tam, and The Optimal Parenting Webinar.

To make an appointment to speak to a Knox psychologist please contact us here.

Monday 3 August - Friday 7 August

NAIDOC Week - a celebration of Aboriginal culture and history

Tuesday 4 August

Battle of the Bands finals

Thursday 6 August

NAIDOC Assembly

Friday 25 September

Term 3 concludes

Information regarding summer sport choices have been emailed to all boys in Years 7-11. Choices should be carefully considered and made as soon as possible. Submissions must be made by 14 August at the latest.

If you have any questions, please contact us here.

Martin Haywood, Head of Knox Sports and Aquatic Academy

If you are considering studying and working in the Business industry this will be an important event to learn more about the many possibilities on offer.

When: Monday 10 August 2020, 6pm-7pm
Where: Online via Zoom (a link will be sent to you after registration)
Who: Years 10, 11 and 12 students and their parents

Register now by clicking here or download the PDF for more information.

On Tuesday 4 August (Week 3) we will see our new JAPAC Theatre fired up as four exciting bands take to the stage to give the new speaker system a real test drive. Please come and support your classmates and enjoy the atmosphere - you will not be disappointed! Don’t be late as we will be kicking off at 12.55pm sharp. Student and staff attendance only.

This year’s finalists are: The Unknown (Year 8), Contagious (Year 10), Scapegoat (Year 11) and Floating Boats (Year 12).

Please come and support the Year 10 band, Contagious. Band members include Josh Darley, Alex Benson, James Phipson, Seb Cook, Flynn MacGregor and Will Cusack (Year 8).

Each term, Knox holds a Handwriting Course designed to help improve the speed, accuracy and neatness of students’ handwriting, reducing tension and fatigue when writing for long periods of time. In 2020 the classes will be held by Ms Lisa Norton, an occupational therapist, who specialises in the development of skills necessary for handwriting and the remediation of handwriting difficulties.

We are now filling places for our Term 3, 2020 course.

Our course will run on either a Tuesday or Wednesday or both mornings, starting at 7.30am, once minimum numbers are confirmed.

A minimum of seven students, and a maximum of ten, ensures individual attention. The course costs $300 for seven sessions of 45 minutes.

The Introductory seven week course includes a tub of theraputty, that is designed to improve hand muscle strength and fine motor skills. 

Availability of places is dependent upon a first come first served basis. All students who miss out on a place in Term 3 will be placed on a waiting list.

Should you be interested in pursuing this option for your son, please contact Rebecca Papageorgiou in the Learning Enhancement Department ASAP.

Computer Club is back on at a new venue!

Computer Club is back up and running and will take place in R34 (Reid Building) on Wednesday afternoon from 3.30pm-5.30pm. The club is open to any student who needs some computing help with their projects in Years 7-8 Technology, IST, or Senior Computing subjects. Students may also use the equipment in this room for any project that they are currently working on, as long as they have completed relevant safety training. Please email Mr McGowan (Software Design and Development Teacher) if you need any further information.