YEAR 10 WEEK 3 TERM 1 2021

Year 10 Week 3 Term 1 2021

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In an ever-changing world, the focus of education is turning towards a holistic approach where schools are considering the social, physical and spiritual development of a child just as equal as the intellectual. With the many benefits associated with learning in natural environments, a key component of Knox Total Fitness is outdoor education.

Outdoor experiences engage our students in practical and active learning in natural settings beyond the school classroom. The benefits of high-quality outdoor experiences quickly become apparent when young people are given the opportunity to take part in risk-assessed, but not risk-free activities. As Roald Dahl once said, “The more risks you allow children to take, the better they learn to take care of themselves.”

The School’s outdoor program extends students out of their comfort zones, creating just enough challenge to ramp up their focus, creativity and communication skills, which in turn will help them to respond to life stress when unexpected things happen. More often than not, the experiences of camps and outdoor education are felt immediately, and have the tendency to resonate with students for years. Through outdoor education, our students develop a real sense of self, learn how to be resilient and self-reliant, while also learning how to live with others. Through spending time in nature, students have the chance to strive, relax, learn and grow, all in a less formal setting than a classroom.

Despite the range of positives that a school camp can provide, there may be some level of stress for a student in taking that leap towards the school camp experience. If this is the case, let your son talk about their worries and fears and possibly share your own experiences at camp and how you overcame your own challenges. You may also consider reaching out to our Psychology team who can help your son replace unhelpful thoughts and how to use other practical strategies to minimise their anxiety.

Camps are some of the most exciting, life-building experiences that a young person can have. If required, I encourage families to work with the School in preparing and supporting your son to de-bunk any apparent fears or worries that may be preventing him from attending camps this term and reaping the immense developmental benefits that outdoor education has to offer.


Scott James


It’s great to see Year 10 getting stuck into business as usual, now that the beginning-of-term exhaustion is slipping away and boys are quickly regaining their school stamina. I am proud of the great start our boys are making this year, and the general tone amongst the year group is exceptionally positive.

This week, boys continued to discuss the theme of ‘Men of Integrity’ in their Mentor groups. They considered what it means to demonstrate integrity and considered examples of people in their lives and around the world who demonstrate true integrity. This core value of our School sometimes needs a little unpacking, and Mentors have reported that students have engaged well in discussions about how they can continue to practice ways of demonstrating fairness, loyalty, trustworthiness, honesty and justice, in order to shape themselves into men of integrity.

It’s so important that boys get organised early this term and invest time into establishing good habits of work that will ensure their continuing success when assessments roll around. I encourage you to work with your sons in this process and discuss what their goals are, how they know they are making progress towards them, and how they might reward themselves for their hard work when they achieve effort goals. The workload will increase this year, and is only a preview of what is instore next year; it is important that we deliver our boys to their final years of school well-prepared to achieve their potential. Staff are available after school in the Middle Academy to assist students with study and organisation.

Boys continue to receive their new laptops in the progressive rollout from IT. Information about when boys will receive their new laptop will be emailed by Ms Ruff as boys’ scheduled collection date approaches.

A final thought on punctuality. Please continue to support your boys to get themselves to school on time. It is imperative that students are in class from the beginning of every lesson so that they are not missing vital information that may be the key to proper understanding of some of the concepts covered in their classes. Mrs Hodgson will be communicating with you when students are late to school, and cumulating occurrences of unexplained lateness will result in students paying this time back at lunch times or after school. Please discuss with your boys how they can exercise some independence in ensuring their own punctuality in order to avoid this.

Alec Openshaw

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Looks like all the students have well and truly got back into the swing of things as we head towards Week 4. This week has seen them take part in the Career Profile testing session on Wednesday and some students have also received their new laptops as part of the Year 10 laptop rollout. If your son has not received his new laptop yet, please ensure he has his Laptop Agreement form completed and that he carries it with him. He should also be checking his emails as Ms Ruff would have sent information with the details of when he is scheduled to collect his laptop. On that note please remind your sons of the importance of checking their school emails regularly as quite often students forget to do so. 

School Photos 
Just a reminder that a catch up photo session is scheduled for Monday 15 February for those students that have missed out on the photo session. Students are to wear their full summer school uniform with their blazer on to have their photos taken.

Camps

With our camps scheduled for later this term, it is important that all medical information on Parent Lounge are updated as soon as possible. Further information regarding the Cadets Camp and the Year 10 Challenge Camp as well as required equipment for those camps will be provided in the weeks to come.

Further information regarding the ordering of items for the Cadet Camp may be found here.

 

Finally, wishing you all a Happy Year of the Ox and a Happy Valentine's day for those of you celebrating these two special events.

Crystel Hodgson

    

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Welcome back to 2021 and I would like to take this opportunity to share some insight into my new role as Director of Studies Stage 5 (DoS). As part of the broader teaching and learning team across the School, the DoS will lead and develop the educational philosophy and pedagogical framework in the Knox Academy of Global Competency (Middle Academy) to deliver innovative curriculum that fosters creativity and curiosity in students across all aspects of their learning experience while ensuring compliance with NESA and other regulatory requirements.

I will be in regular contact with you through this forum to update you on any upcoming events of an academic nature. To this end, a few important current events for you to be aware of:

1. Year 10 Assessment Booklet 
This is available on the Knox portal for students to access. This contains all the relevant information regarding Assessment Tasks for each subject and other general Assessment Policies and Guidelines. Please take a moment to download this and read through it together with your son.

Your son will be working closely with his Mentor and Team Leaders to ensure this Assessment Data is captured in their diaries and alongside their subject teacher, planned for accordingly.

2. Elective Subject Changes
At Knox, our electives are run as two year courses. It is only in very exceptional circumstances that we can allow students to change electives. According to NESA guidelines, students have to complete 200 hours of Elective Subjects and the Head of Department has to sign off that each student has fulfilled the necessary requirements of the course. Unless there is an exceptional or specific reason that would prevent a student from continuing to study an elective, he will need to continue with his Year 9 Elective choices in Year 10. If your son has concerns, he will need to come and discuss with me in this regard (contact details below). My office is located in AGC109D.

3. Year 10 Minimum Standards Testing
Students wishing to achieve an HSC result are required to take the Minimum Standard online tests to gain a record of their level of literacy and numeracy skills. The test compromises of three 45-minutes online tests: reading, writing and numeracy. Students who do not reach the minimum standards will receive support and intervention and will also have multiple opportunities to re-sit the test before the HSC. There is no need for students to study in preparation for the testing. If you would like to watch a video for further explanation, please click this link.

The testing for all Year 10 students at Knox takes place on Monday 15 February in the Great Hall during Periods 3,4 and 5. Students who are absent or not able to write on Monday will be able to do so at the next sitting of the testing later in the year.

Students should be aware of the following:

Please DO bring:
• A fully charged laptop (close all open windows/browsers before starting)
• Pen or pencil

Please DO NOT bring:
• Calculator (an online calculator will be provided with the question)
• Mobile phones, smart watches or programmable watches
• Dictionaries
• Notes

4. Afternoons in the Academy of Global Competency (AoGC) – below is the schedule of staff available in the AoGC who can assist students with homework, planning, organisation and study strategies.

Monday
Mr Mulligan – English
Ms Coughlin – Maths
Mr Neville – PDHPE

Tuesday
Ms Aldridge – English
Mr Charlier – Maths
Ms Khun – Science

Wednesday
Ms Keegan Ward – Maths
Ms Rodrigues – Maths
Ms Shurville – Commerce
Ms Thompson – Science

Thursday
Ms Porter – English
Ms Heverin – Maths
Ms Choucair – Commerce

I also had a chance to speak to the Year 10 cohort during Year Meeting last week, to thank them for the time I had with them as Team Leader and whilst my role has changed, I would like to wish each of your sons all of the best for the upcoming academic year and look forward to working alongside them in reaching their full academic potential during their time in Stage 5.

Craig Milligan, T: 02 9487 0166


Careers Profile Assement
On Wednesday, Year 10 students completed their career profile assessment in the Great Hall with Career Avenues. Despite the technological issues, the students’ behaviour was outstanding and their patience greatly appreciated. Every student should be congratulated.

The Career Avenues Feedback Interviews will commence on Monday 22 February up until 17 March. Each student will receive their report during a 30-minute feedback session with an accredited Career Avenues Counsellor. The report will list various career examples and suggestions, consistent with the student’s aptitudes, interests and personal style. The interviews will be conducted online via Zoom and students will need to attend the AoGC (outside the Middle Academy offices)  with their laptop and headphones on their allocated day and time to join the Zoom meeting. Students will soon receive an email outlining the details of their allocated interview date and time as well as other important information. It is important that students read the email carefully and take note of their interview time. Parents are welcome to join the online Zoom meeting from their home/work location (off-site). Students can simply forward the Zoom meeting link to their parents.

I hope the students find the feedback interview process informative to stimulate their thinking about careers, to help them identify some potentially compatible career pathways and to assist them to make important decisions around subject selection and careers.

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Careers in Medicine (online seminar in conjunction with the OKGA)
When: Monday 22 February 2021, commencing at 6pm
Where: Online via Zoom (a link will be sent to you after registration)
Who: Years 10, 11 and 12 students and their parents
Registration: By 12noon, Monday 22 February at https://knoxgrammar.com/mce
Contact: Linda Gomez, Director of Career Education & Development

Students and parents will hear from the following speakers working in the field of medicine: Dr Marco Raftopulos (OKG02, Dan Schofield (OKG15) and Thomas Lee (OKG18). For more information, click here for the flyer.

Upcoming Event - save the date
• Knox Careers Night – Tuesday 25 May 2021, Great Hall, from 5.30pm to 8pm

Linda Gomez

Head of Knox Sports and Aquatic Academy

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Last Saturday, Knox hosted an Independent Schools' Mountain Biking Carnival at Terrey Hills. As many as 200 riders participated in one of the fastest growing sports at the School at the moment. Some great results and effort was put in by our team as well as the huge amount of preparation that went in to hosting such a huge carnival. Well done to all staff and participants.

Knox also hosted local friends Barker College in the majority of fixtures in the Senior School and fortunately, the weather held off for long enough to see many boys wear the Black and Blue for the first time. The spirit among both schools was great to watch. I know the boys had a great day. Congratulations to our new Year 7s who were fantastic. We are all extremely proud of the efforts and sportsmanship shown by them in Round 1.

This week, all boys and families were sent an email and link to the Winter Sport Choices for 2021. Please take some time to read and consider carefully before your son commits to a winter sport. For logistical and other reasons, we do not allow changes once the winter trial period has begun. We need all choices completed by next Friday 19 February, please.

Congratulations to all the boys selected to compete at the Knox Swim Championships next Wednesday. Just to make finals is a huge effort. The standard of Swimming is exceptional at Knox and just rises each and every year with many more records expected to go on the night.

Congratulations to Tom Morrison (Y12) who was recently selected into the NSW Rugby 7s Under 17 team – and to top off Tom’s selection, he has been asked to captain the State Team. Well done and good luck, Tom.

COVID-19 Policy
Could I remind all parents of our current COVID-19 policy regarding the number of spectators allowed on-site on a Saturday. Siblings may not come along and only one parent may watch our sports played indoors (Lawson Centre area and Great Hall area). Unfortunately, we had to remove a number of people last Saturday and it is not ideal.

Regarding sport this weekend and how it will look regarding COVID-19 restrictions, please note the details below. Any late variations will be sent via the School app.

Process for Sports fixtures – Saturday 13 February
1. Check the team list to see your son’s team – see the Knox app (download instructions)
2. Check the sports draw to see where and when your son’s team is playing – check the Knox app
3. Is he playing at a Knox Grammar School venue? If yes:

• 2 spectator parents/guardians per player at our outdoor venues
• 1 spectator parent guardian per player at our indoor venues
• Service NSW QR code registration will be in place across all facilities at entry points, with standard health checks and questions.
• Players in all teams should turn up ready to play – no change rooms will be available.
• Canteens will be closed. Players should bring their own labelled water bottles and snacks if required.
• Players should leave immediately after completion of their fixture.
• Teams due to play in Great Hall, MacNeil and Lawson court will need to wait on Boulevard until they may enter the facility. This will depend on finish time of previous fixture.
• Water Polo players will need to wait in JAPAC rec area for clearance to enter the pool area.
• Standard 1.5m social distancing for all spectators.

4. Is your son playing away? Which school is he playing against?

St Aloysius' College
• Willoughby Leisure Centre - NO SPECTATORS
• Other Indoor venues - 2 spectator parent/guardians per player
• Outdoor venues - 2 spectator parent/guardians per player

Barker College
• Indoor venues - 2 spectator parent/guardians per player
• Outdoor venues - 2 spectator parent/guardians per player

Cranbrook School
• Indoor venues - 1 spectator parent/guardians per player
• Outdoor venues - 2 spectator parent/guardians per player

Trinity Grammar School
• Indoor venues - 2 spectator parent/guardians per player
• Outdoor venues - 2 spectator parent/guardians per player

St Ignatius College (Riverview)
• Indoor venues – 1 spectator parent/guardians per player
• Outdoor venues - 2 spectator parent/guardians per player

Shore Pool (fixture vs St Joseph's)
• 2 spectator parent/guardians per player

Drummoyne Pool (Newington)
• 2 spectator parent/guardians per player

Please ensure you follow social distancing guidelines at all times and leave immediately after your son’s game. As always, any sports cancellations due to wet weather will be announced via the Knox app (make sure you have subscribed to alerts for your son’s summer sport).

If you have any questions, please email Sport.

Thank you and best wishes to all our students this weekend. 

Martin Haywood

Certificate of Global Competency


When: Wednesday 24 February 2021, 7.45am-8.15am
Where: Online seminar, register at www.knox.nsw.edu.au/GC-seminar
Who: All Senior School parents

With the launch of a new Knox Certificate of Global Competency for Senior School students in 2021, Knox parents are warmly invited to an online seminar. Speakers will include Margie Raymond (Coordinator of the Knox Certificate of Global Competency), Karen Yager (Deputy Headmaster of Student and Teacher Excellence K-12), Elizabeth Ruff (Head of Middle Academy), David Caspari (Deputy Chairman of School Council), students and parents. The seminar will cover topics including why global competency is important and how the Knox Certificate of Global Competency will be delivered for students.

Please register your interest by Monday 22 February. All enquiries to Margie Raymond.

Knox Certificate of Global Competency seminar flyer

Monday 15 February

Minimum Standards Testing - Periods 3 to 5 - Great Hall

School Catch Up photo day - Lunch time - Great Hall

Friday 19 February

Scholarship Application closes for 2022 school year

Monday 22 February

Careers in Medicine (via Zoom)

Wednesday 24 February

Knox Certificate of Global Competency Online Seminar - 7.45am to 8.15am

Thursday 25 February

Maggie Dent Webinar - Teen boy communication that really works

Friday 26 February

Elevate Incursion (Study skills)

Thursday 18 March to Saturday 20 March

Musical Performance - 'Beauty and the Beast'

Tuesday 23 March

Maggie Dent Webinar - 'Unsticking' an unmotivated teen boy

Thursday 25 March to Thursday 1 April

Cadets AFX Camp

Saturday 27 March to Wednesday 31 March

Year 10 Challenge Camp

Thursday 1 April

Term 1 concludes

Thursday 22 April

Maggie Dent Webinar - Helping teen boys manage anger and failure

Tuesday 25 May

Knox Careers Night


Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6

Handwriting Course


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 have a few places remaining for our Term 1, 2021 course which begins next week, Week 4. 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.

We will also be taking an ‘Expression of Interest’ for a five-week refresher course to run the second half of Term 1 for anyone who has completed the seven-week course previously.

Availability of places is dependent upon a first come first served basis. All students who miss out on a place in Term 1 will be placed on the waiting list for Term 2, 2021.

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

Knox Academy of Performing Arts


Knox Symphony Orchestra (KSO) Rehearsal Workshop Day 
On behalf of KAPA, we offer our collective congratulations following our brilliant Rehearsal Day on Sunday to our 2021 KSO Ensemble.

Our KSO members demonstrated commitment, tremendous enthusiasm, and high calibre musicianship throughout the entire day.

With 67 musicians in attendance, encompassing students from Years 7-12, we could have not asked for a better start to the year. Just listen to how great they all sounded by clicking on the following link: KSO.

What a magnificent start towards our Orchestral Night at the Proms Concert, Meet the Symphony Orchestra incursion and 2021 Sydney Eisteddfod performances - congratulations boys!

James Brice, Head of KAPA

Knox Parents' Association


KPA Name Badges - last chance to order
The KPA organises name badges for parents at the start of each school year for use at the various school functions you will attend throughout your son's time at Knox. They come with the Knox crest and your name, with a simple magnet on the back for attaching. They are a much better alternative to the sticky labels that always peel off! The cost of $16 includes postage.

Orders close Friday 19 February 2021. This is the only opportunity to order name badges for 2021, so please put your order in now to avoid disappointment.

Please click here to order and pay for a name badge. Be sure to put down your name as you would like it to appear on the badge (first and last name only).

Knox Uniform Shop


Winter Uniform
We would like to remind all parents that Term 2 changes over into winter uniform. For further information on what the uniform item changes are, please refer to the Uniform Policy and Regulations. We strongly recommend purchasing the winter uniform earlier than later and not wait until the last week of the school holidays as we cannot guarantee all sizes will be available.

Special orders
For any students who have special requirements regarding winter uniform items, it is strongly recommended that these are discussed with the Uniform Shop Staff as soon as possible. Occasionally, we have students who have allergies/sensitivity to wool and in these instances, time permitting, we can get winter trousers lined and jumpers made in a cotton/nylon blend. These special orders require some notice: four weeks for the trousers and up to eight weeks for knitwear.

Other instances include if your son is not of a standard size. For example, very tall but slim and may require extra length or he may be of a more solid frame like a Rugby player and the standard sizes may be disproportional.

Please visit the Uniform Shop during trading hours (see below) or contact via us by phone 9487 0191 or email.

Trading Hours
Monday to Friday: 12.30pm-5.30pm
Saturday (Terms 1 and 4 only): 9am-12noon

Phone (02) 9487 0191 or visit the Knox website here for more information.

Julie Blackburn, Knox Uniform Shop Manager

Week 4 Term 1 2021 Menu

Knox Prayer Meetings


Our informal prayer meeting for Term 1 will be held at 10am on Friday 19 March, at the home of Prue Feather. Morning Tea will be included.

There will also be an evening meeting at 8pm on Wednesday 10 March, at the home of Fiona van Horen.

Please RSVP if you plan to attend so that we comply with the gathering limits prescribed by the government’s Public Health Orders in place at the time.

A warm welcome is extended to anyone from our Knox community who would like to attend.

Any enquires to Prue Feather.

Art


Year 10 Photography students have been building on their skills in photographing low light situation and stage lit scenes. On Monday and Tuesday, they were invited to the Wenkhart Theatre to photograph amongst the lights and haze.

Career Testing

On Wednesday, students in Year 10 undertook a career profile assessment in the Great Hall with Career Avenues. Forming part of the Knox Career Development Program,  the career assessment tool is based on positive psychology principles designed to stimulate students’ thinking about careers, and to help them identify some potentially compatible career pathways that suit their strengths, interests and personal style.