Together with Bravehearts (Knox’s child protection education and training partner) we are again inviting parents to participate in an online child protection course. Knox has been working closely with Bravehearts to co-design education and training programs for staff, students and parents over many years. The parent online course has been written to provide increased awareness and understanding of child protection issues and strategies, with the intent of promoting the safety of young people. If you would like to register for the course  please complete this online form.

In addition to the online course Bravehearts provides information and resources to parents and caregivers. These resources offer practical suggestions for: Keeping your child safe online; facts about sexual assault and exploitation; FAQs; and resources for parents to  teach their child about personal safety. To access these resources please click on this link. 

Phil O'Regan

'An audience stays for as long as you perform, a community stays as long as you serve'.

As we move into what some might consider the mid-point of the term, there are many ways to get involved and contribute to the Knox community. This week many of our boys continued to involve themselves in the Knox community through the support of our Year 7 House day as Year 10 leaders. It was thrilling to see our young men taking the initiative to run, jump, record and participate with our youngest students. Thank you to Mrs Smith who enjoyed taking some action shots of the students on Knox 1.

During Year meeting this week,  we continued the theme of involvement and contribution as the boys were lucky enough to have a number of special guests come and speak to them about many exciting avenues to get involved in as part of the Knox community. Mrs Yager came to present a very special award to David Yue Wang. This award was in recognition of the Asean Youth Forum. The competition involves students from across the world meeting to model the United Nations and work to solve world problems and using their creative and collaborative skills, produce a solution and present their ideas to a panel of experts. Mrs Yager also spoke to the students about further ways they can collaborate and contribute to the Academy of Global Competency in the form of a working group for a new Stage 5 course on Ethical Entrepreneurship. 

In addition to Mrs Yager, we also welcomed a visit by Mr James, Headmaster of the school. Mr James spoke to the boys about the importance of recognising what the Global Competencies mean and how this translates to their actions and words. His driving question to the boys focussed on how they contribute to the Knox community. The takeaway message to each of our students is to look for opportunities to showcase their leadership skills in many areas of the school and think about how they have given back to the year group, sporting team, portfolio and school community as a whole.

A key message the students should be taking from our mid-term focus includes a short TED talk on grit and perseverance by Angela Lee-Duckworth. Angela shares the key ideas we encourage the boys to strive to replicate with a greater involvement within a school community. Our mentors will be involved in discussing the themes from this clip with the students in their groups next week.

Enjoy the weekend.

Margie Raymond

'It always seems impossible until it's done'. Nelson Mandela

Knox International Women’s Day Breakfast 2020 - Tuesday 3 March – Save the date!

Our guest speaker will be Sallianne McClelland, who is the Development Director Women's Community Shelters and founder of ‘Mobilising for Mogo’. This is a great opportunity to participate in this annual event with your son.

Venue: the Great Hall Foyer from 7am-8.15am

Cost: $20 per person - a light breakfast is included. Payments can be made via the Knox Payment Portal. Go to the Knox Payment Portal and click on ‘other activities’ and scroll down to the International Women’s Day Breakfast.

Clean Up Australia Day - Sunday 1 March

On Sunday 1 March, there is an opportunity for families to clean up our environment by registering for a Clean-up event. The boarders will be cleaning up at Wahroonga Park. Take note, change starts with you. We can all do our bit. When you go to the beach or parklands, I would encourage each family member to collect ten pieces of rubbish. I’ve been doing this for years and every little bit helps.

We celebrated Knox Harmony and Social Justice Assembly on Thursday. Orange represents Harmony in communities and signifies: respectful/social communication, meaningful conversations, freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect. 

Please congratulate Nick Bigeni and Aston Bloom when you next see them. They both competed at the recent CAS tennis trials making it into the play offs. Nick has been selected to play in the CIS tennis team. Well done, boys. 

Finally, good luck to Ellis Merrett who is representing Knox in the ACT Team Racing Championship 2020 this weekend in sailing.

Happy weekend.

Rebecca Smith: 9119 0882

Thursday 27 February

Doing da Vinci day

Sunday 1 March

Clean up Australia Day 2020

Monday 2 March

Battle of the Bands - heats

Tuesday 3 March

International Women's Day breakfast

Sunday 15 March

Kuringgai Chase Fun Run 2020

Thursday 2 April

AFX commences

Saturday 4 April

Year 10 expedition

Thursday 9 April

Term 1 concludes

Tuesday 28 April

Term 2 commences

It is with pleasure that we invite you and/or your son or any family member to participate in the 2020 KURINGGAI CHASE FUN RUN to show support for athletes taking part and, raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics Australia, Sydney Upper North Shore Region.

The Run is being held on Sunday 15 March at Claude Cameron Reserve, Wahroonga starting at 8am and finishing by 11am. Students are expected to make their own way to, and from, the venue.

The participation in the Fun Run is a great opportunity for our boys to help a person with a disability and is an important part of the School’s social justice program. As such, the value to both the boys and the Special Olympic Athletes is invaluable. There is no cost involved and this is an opportunity for students and families who are looking to give back to their local community, students to participate in the School’s Social Justice Program and help to support others. Participation and the invitation is extended to all where you and your son/s will be welcomed as will your extended family and friends.

Students do not need to pay a fee or fund raise. On the day Knox boys act in a supporting role to ‘buddy up’ with a Special Olympics Athlete and support their effort to complete the 5km walk or 10km run.

Students who do attend are required to wear good running shoes and PE uniform and students should be aware that this is considered an official school function. As such, school rules and expectations apply.

If your son would like to participate, simply reply to us by accepting the invitation in the Parent Lounge. There is no need to return a permission slip. If you or anyone you know would also like to participate, please register by visiting the website listed below.

Further information can be obtained by visiting the Run’s website or, by contacting the staff members below who are organising the event for the school.

We look forward to seeing you at the event for what promises to be an incredible day for our local community.

Aaron Nolan (Language Department) and John Diamond (History Department)

The Science Department is organising participation in the Big Science Competition this year. 
An email was sent to all parents and students at the start of the week with relevant information attached.

The Big Science Competition is mandatory for all Years 7-10 da Vinci Science students.
Any students who are in a Year 7-10 Core class and wish to participate in this competition are required to self-nominate.

All parents must accept their son’s participation in this competition through Parent Lounge by Tuesday 31 March.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Ingrid Tuktens

Young Endeavour Youth Scheme is pleased to announce that applications for voyages in STS Young Endeavour in 2020 are now being taken. Since 1988, more than 14, 000 young Australians aged 16-23 have joined national sail training ship young Endeavour on a life changing voyage. Our internationally recognised youth development program builds self-awareness, develops leadership and communication skills, and fosters a sense of community responsibility in participants. On board, 24 youth from across Australia form a youth crew. Over 11 days they learn all the skills required to sail a square-rigged tall ship including keeping watch, handling lines on deck, taking the helm, navigating using the ship’s charts, cooking in the galley and climbing the 30-metre mast to set and furl the sails. No sailing experience required. The program is delivered by a professional Royal Australian Navy crew who ensure the highest standards of safety and encourage the youth to pursue personal and team goals and challenges. Applications are taken at www.youngendeavour.gov.au. Voyage fees and conditions will apply to successful applicants. Potential applicants should apply now for the best chance of being drawn for a voyage.

Stephen Moss, Executive Director Young Endeavour Youth Scheme