This week we heard from one of the many talented bands in our year group, 'Contagious'! The boys played two songs during Year Meeting with 'Hotel California' being the crowd favourite! Well done to the boys for displaying courage to perform in front of the cohort and for their hours of dedication practising prior.

We also had an opportunity to acknowledge some boys in the year group who have displayed excellence in the learner protocols. This was a timely reminder for the boys as to the expectations we have in the classroom regarding application and behaviour. Even if boys have decided not to continue with a subject in Year 11, it is still important for them to apply themselves and ensure that they are respectful towards the teacher. This includes simple things like bringing equipment to class, arriving on time, not talking whilst the teacher is talking and making their best attempt to complete the work. If you have a moment this weekend, please remind your son of this message as we will be firm moving forward on our expectations.

Finally, I would like to acknowledge the whole cohort for their sportsmanship, character and hard work that they have displayed during the abbreviated winter sports season. I had the opportunity to watch a few of the teams over the last few weeks and I was so impressed with the attitude from the boys, win or lose. More importantly, they showed passion. The care they showed for the Black and Blue was inspiring. Well done boys! Now lets transfer this over to the classroom!

Enjoy the sunshine this weekend and stay warm!

Vicky Cowell

With five weeks left for Term 3, assessments continue. Confirmed for next week are History (elective) on Tuesday 25 August and Music on Wednesday 26 August. Both are in-class tasks. Good luck.

Summer sport

I understand there are 11 students who have still not advised the Sports Department of their choice. For those that have, thank you. Those of you who haven't, please contact Mrs Taubman as soon as possible. You don't want to miss out on Period 7 summer sport on Monday.

Food Drive

Thank you to those families who have sent non-perishable food for Ku-ring-gai Neighbourhood Centre, supporting local families in need. There is still time to donate: long-life milk, cereal, coffee, tea, cans of meat, vegetables, fruit and/or soup, cup of soup and dried fruit. No glass items, please. Please drop off food items to me. As mentioned by Andrew O'Brien in Year Meeting, we are having a competition to see which Mentor group can donate the most. Mr Robertson's mentor group is in the lead. A reminder that our campuses are currently closed to parents.

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.

Knox Student ID and StoCard app

Students should have their Knox student ID card with them in the morning to scan in after having their temperature checked. Sometimes they may forget their card or have it in their locker or another bag. A StoCard app for their phone can be used to create a Knox Student barcode on their phone. Click here for instructions. Note: All students are required to have an official Knox student ID card. Please note, the Stocard app will not be accepted at the canteens.

Have a lovely weekend.

Rebecca Smith 

For information regarding all offered co-curriculars for week 6 please click here or contact the staff member in charge. Also please note that changes may occur at short notice due to Government and Health Department requirements.

Chuck Ardron

Students from Years 10-12 and their parents were invited to attend the first online Knox Careers event held on 10 August. Focusing on the business industry, our guest presenters were three Knox Old Boys who spoke about their career journeys. In a one hour Zoom session, Rob Kellaway (OKG87), Lex Pedersen (OKG94) and Mat Hildebrand (OKG18) shared stories and practical tips with students who are contemplating a degree or career in business.

Rob, a Chartered Accountant and Principal of a boutique professional services firm, Kellaway Cridland, opened the session with a 15-minute overview of his experience; first at KPMG, then running a retail business in Westfield before setting up his own firm as a trusted accountant and advisor to the leaders and owners of a wide range of businesses.

Lex, an entrepreneur currently managing four of his own businesses including PeriscoPe Digital and Chrome Temple, is the well-known founder of SurfStitch. Combining 'passion' with career was the common theme of his presentation.

To close out the session, Mat, a second-year student studying the Accounting Co-op Course at Macquarie University, gave a brief outline of the course he is studying and shared some practical tips on what students can do now to lay solid foundations for their future careers, including making the most of the extra-curricular activities available at Knox.  

All three presenters agreed on the importance of building and maintaining relationships, by taking a genuine interest in other people and keeping in contact with and nurturing networks.  

A hugely successful night, one where students and parents heard some great insights, inspiration, and advice. Thank you to our Old Boys who generously gave their time to share their knowledge and personal insights into their industry.

Please click here to access the recording.

Knox Careers Hub

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 to create a membership. The Careers Hub is also accessible via the Knox Portal, under Senior School.

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. I encourage students to contact me via email for career guidance, advice, and support.

Linda Gomez

Saturday 29 August - Sunday 20 September

Ride with Richter fitness challenge

Friday 25 September

Term 3 concludes

Some new and exciting releases are now available from the library to boost your wide reading.

New titles from award winning authors include:

Ernest Cline

'Ready Player One'

James Dashner

'The Maze Runner'

Laura Hillenbrand

'Unbroken'

Kazu Kibuishi

'Amulet: The Stonekeeper'. Book One.

'Amulet: The Stonekeeper’s Curse'. Book Two.

Some movie suggestions for you to watch on Clickview.

Wall-E Rated G

A small waste-collecting robot inadvertently embarks on a space journey that will ultimately decide the fate of mankind.

Red Dog Rated PG

Based on the legendary true story of the Red Dog who united a desperate local community while roaming the Australian outback in search of his long lost master. Directed by Kriv Stenders.

Sally Thomson

In line with the current NSW Health guidelines and in order to mitigate the risks posed by COVID-19, the Uniform Shop staff have taken measures to ensure the safety of students, parents and other staff. External cleaners professionally clean all high-touch areas and surfaces every evening with a non-toxic, hospital grade disinfectant. During the day our staff spray down the changing rooms and service areas. Each room is equipped with hand sanitiser and wall-mounted hand sanitiser stations are at the entry.

Each room is limited to the number of people permitted and that is stated on the entrance to each room. Because of this, we have limited capacity in the changing rooms of only two rooms being operational and only one parent per child who is trying on uniform. As Term 4 is the changeover to summer uniform, can we please request that you take this into consideration. For the remainder of Term 3, we will also be sizing uniforms for Year 8 Cadets.

The options for purchasing uniform are as follows:

• Where possible, if you know the correct sizes to order, please order online through Flexischools.
• If you do require sizing, please make a note before coming what sizes your son is currently wearing.
• In Years 7-12, your son can come to the Uniform Shop at lunchtime. We can provide the sizes required and order online via Flexischools.

To avoid long waiting times towards the end of term, we would advise checking your son’s summer uniform now and, if you require new uniform, please order early. Orders are delivered to Knox Prep and Wahroonga Prep on Wednesday and Friday. Students in the Senior School are permitted to collect orders at lunchtime or after school. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.

Uniform Shop opening times: Monday through to Friday, 12.30-5pm.

Julie Blackburn

Congratulations to Jordan Menzies, Ben Holmes and Brin Yeowell - earning a Bronze Duke of Ed is a remarkable achievement and the boys were recognised in this week's Year Meeting.

'Contagious' played for us during Year Meeting this week. Thanks for playing 'Hotel California' and 'Get Up' - Seb Cook, Flynn MacGregor, Josh Darley, Alex Benson, James Phipson and Will Cusack (Year 8).

Happy Birthday to (from left): Rufus Howell, Douglas Cameron, Hunter Hellen-Ford, Parsia Abedini and Milan Ebrahimzadeh. Absent from photo: Joey Suleyman and Jay-T Stubbs.