It’s been a busy week for Year 10 - Yearly Exams have concluded and the boys have been completing their Minimum Standards testing in preparation for the commencement of HSC studies next year. On Tuesday, Mr Nunan spoke to the boys about the NESA 'All My Own Work' modules and quizzes. These need to be completed in order for students to be enrolled in their Year 11 courses. Over the next two weeks there will be class time allocated for students to work through these modules and complete the quizzes.

We have a number of activities and incursions planned for Year 10 next week. On Monday, Paul Dillon will be presenting to the boys in periods 1 and 2.

Be the Change Agent Challenge will be running on Tuesday and Wednesday. Students will participate in the challenge on one day only and this week received an email specifying the day they will be attending. The challenge will be run in the Great Hall and will involve students working in teams to develop an idea for how we can better educate young people about the ramifications of cyberbullying. Mrs Yager has created a website with resources for the boys to use. Year 10 students are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the content provided here in preparation for participating in the challenge.

On Thursday and Friday Mrs Gomez will be running a one period work skills incursion for Year 10 students. During the incursion students will be provided with guidance about writing a CV and preparing for interviews.

During the final week of school Year 10 will attend 'taster presentations'. These sessions provide an introduction to the courses the boys have chosen to study in Year 11. On Wednesday they will be issued with a personalised timetable for the final six days of school. Boys should expect to receive some recommended preparation work or readings for each of their courses.

Elizabeth Ruff

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it, is like wrapping a present and not giving it.William Arthur Ward

This week brings us to one of the final weeks for our students in the Middle Academy. Exams were finalised for all of the grade on Monday and as the week progressed, many of the subject areas have been giving results and actively working on areas for improvement. As the yearly results from the most recent exams are handed back, it is important for the boys to remember our learner protocols; having a growth mindset, perseverance for deep learning in each subject and reflecting on learning strategies for next time.

Our Year Meeting on Tuesday also provided the students with an ability to experience the Weeks Senior Academy. Each and every one of the boys rose to the occasion of being able to spend a short amount of time sitting in the open area with their mentors to hear the notices for the week. The final weeks are very busy for the boys with many wonderful events and speakers planned for the group. We will be celebrating Ride with Richter Cap Day on Tuesday 24 November with a gold coin donation and casual dress.

Next Monday, the boys will be listening to a presentation by Paul Dillon from Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia (DARTA). Paul is an engaging and knowledgeable speaker who will be presenting the boys with current research on a wide range of issues on alcohol and drugs. The topics Paul will present on include; E-cigarettes, vapes, cannabis, alcohol and parties, the teen brain and risk taking in teenagers. We will also be hosting a parent session on the same night. Please refer to your emails on Monday for the Zoom link.

With the summer weather on its way, we were privileged on Wednesday during lunch to enjoy a short concert from our Senior Jazz band. The band comprises of students from Years 10-12. Many of the staff enjoyed the upbeat music pieces which were superbly led by Mr Brice.

Finally, as we prepare to leave the Middle Academy and focus on our senior studies into next year, the boys are looking forward to completing their gratitude cards once again in mentor to thank and recognise those significant people who have assisted them throughout the year.

Enjoy the weekend.

Margie Raymond

With the exams and minimum standards testing complete, I suggest Year 10 enjoy some down time as well as helping Mum and Dad around the house. They could mow the lawn, clean their room, put a wash on and hang it to dry, walk the dog, bake, plan and cook dinner, or vacuum - a cuppa always goes down well for Mum and/or Dad! There are so many ways to help out, boys. Give it a go, your parents will appreciate it.

I would just like to remind you all that if you are planning to finish the school year earlier, please submit a completed Student Leave Application form for absences of three days or more. Should you be planning to return to school later in 2021 than the scheduled first day back, being Thursday 28 January, we will also require a Leave Application to be submitted.

Campion Books 2021
The Campion deadline for orders is 9 December 2020. The Year 11 book list can be accessed here.

Social Justice
We are still collecting food for the Wesley Mission and Parramatta Mission. Both organisations aim to support families with basic food supplies and Christmas fare (Christmas cakes, puddings, custard, serviettes, tins of ham, bonbons, biscuits etc. as well as staple goods such as long-life milk, cereals, pasta, sauces etc.). Your support with this initiative will be most appreciated. Thank you to our Year 10 families who have contributed to both of these charities thus far.

Providing STARTTS with children's gifts has been a long-term project at Knox. Thank you to those who have generously donated. There is still time to purchase a $10 gift on the weekend and bring to room 19 to place under our Christmas tree.

Ride with Richter Cap Day is on Tuesday 24 November. Boys, wear your cap and casual gear to school while you enjoy a barbeque lunch and other activities as well.

Bon weekend.

Rebecca Smith 

Body confident children and teens - free webinar for parents
Historically, research in the area of body image and eating disorders has focussed primarily on females. However, a quarter to a third of those struggling with an eating disorder are believed to be male. Additionally, disordered eating behaviors are increasing faster in males than females.

The truth is that body image issues affect people of all ages, genders and across all cultures and so it is important as parents and carers to aim to establish environments that support healthy eating habits and body image.

The Butterfly Foundation is the national charity for Australians impacted by eating disorders and body image issues, and for the families, friends and communities who support them. In conjunction with the Sydney North Health Network, Butterfly are offering a free webinar for parents on this important topic, titled ‘Body Confident Children and Teens’.

With a focus on prevention, this session provides information and practical tips to help parents and carers of children and teenagers better understand and promote positive body image and healthy relationships with food and physical activity in the home.

The webinar is being offered via Zoom on Thursday 26 November at 7pm. To register, click here.

Body Confident Children and Teens flyer

Some additional helpful reading in this area can also be found at the following links:

• https://butterfly.org.au/body-image/who-does-it-affect/
• https://childmind.org/article/boys-and-eating-disorders/
• https://www.nedc.com.au/assets/Fact-Sheets/NEDC-Fact-Sheet-Eating-Disorders-in-Males.pdf

Monday 23 November

Paul Dillon parent seminar (online presentation) 6.30pm

Tuesday 24 November

Ride with Richter Cap Day (please click image below to enlarge)

Thursday 26 November

Body confident children and teens - parent webinar at 7pm

Thursday 3 December

Term 4 concludes

Each school has a different policy with regards to the number of spectators, so it will be important to carefully read the information below.

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
• 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?

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

St Aloysius’ College
• Indoor venues – 1 spectator parent/guardian per player
• Outdoor venues - 2 spectator parent/guardian per player

Newington College
• Indoor venues – 1 spectator parent/guardian 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 the Sports and Aquatic Academy here.

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

Martin Haywood, Head of Knox Sports and Aquatic Academy

Parent seminar - Parents, sons, parties, alcohol and other drugs: What's happening now and what can we expect in a post COVID-19 world?
Knox parents are invited to register for a webinar with Paul Dillon, Director of the Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia on the topic, 'Parents, sons, parties, alcohol and other drugs: What's happening now and what can we expect in a post COVID-19 world?”.

When: Monday 23 November, 6.30pm
Where: Online seminar (livestream only)
Who: Aimed at parents of students in Years 9, 10 and 11 (Year 12 2021) – other Knox parents welcome to register.

Please register at www.knox.nsw.edu.au/pauldillon no later than Sunday 22 November.

This online presentation will look at the latest data on alcohol and other drug (AOD) use of Australian secondary school students and discuss the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on teens and socialising and what effect the pandemic lockdown may have had on teen AOD use. There are huge challenges ahead for parents as they acknowledge the importance of their sons’ socialising but, at the same time, ensure their safety by having age-appropriate rules and boundaries in place as restrictions are gradually rolled back. To assist parents through this difficult time, some simple tips around alcohol, parties and gatherings will be provided to help ensure their child's safety now and post-COVID-19.

The online parent seminar will be live-streamed, commencing at 6.30pm and running for approximately one hour.

For more information, please email Ms Elizabeth Ruff, Head of Knox Middle Academy.

Senior School Years 7-11 Presentation Day will be held on Thursday 3 December in the Great Hall, Senior School. Senior School Presentation Day will be structured into three separate events:

• Year 11 - 11am-12pm
• Years 9-10 - 12.30pm-1.30pm
• Years 7-8 - 2pm-3pm

Students will be dismissed at the conclusion of their Academy Presentation Day ceremony. Knox buses will run at 1.45pm for Years 9-11 students and at 3.30pm for Years 7-8 students.

All Senior School students are expected to attend on Thursday 3 December. Due to COVID-19 protocols and indoor venue capacity limits, we will only be able to welcome parents of prize recipients on-site. However, the service will be live streamed. The parents of prize recipients will be sent an invite to attend their relevant Presentation Day ceremony no later than Friday 27 November (prize recipients can only be finalised once exam marks have been collated). Parents of prize recipients will be required to pre-register to attend and register by QR on arrival.

If you have any questions about Senior School Presentation Day, please email Zsa-Zsa Monardo (Senior School).

Future Events
The Magazine Giveaway is happening in Week 8. Please come to the library to take advantage of this opportunity to top up your magazine collection. Lots of titles are here for your selection and collection, including 'National Geographic', 'Science Illustrated' and more.

New Reads are available for you to borrow from the Fiction section and include;
'Sword in the Stars' by Amy Rose Capetta and Cori McCarthy
'The Great Unknowable End' by Kathryn Ormsbee
'The Survivors' by Jane Harper
'Tom Clancy’s Firing Point' by Mike Madden

Non-fiction books
Do you like reading factual information? Do you have a hobby or a particular interest? Non-fiction books are plentiful and remember you are most welcome to borrow these with titles ranging from Mathematics, Science and Psychology all the way through to History.

Holiday Borrowing
You are welcome to borrow for the school holidays. Books will be dated to return the first week of Term 1 2021.

Returning Books
Have you received an overdue reminder? Do you need more time to read your selected book? Just come along and speak to the staff in the library or email us to extend your loan.

Enjoy your reading.

Sally Thomson

2021 Applications
We would like to invite students who have competed at the state/national level to apply to join the PEAK program for the next intake. We understand that COVID-19 may have impacted some state/national championships, so PEAK eligibility criteria has been extended to include the last 12 months, or the last state/national championship event that was run.

What is PEAK?
PEAK will be going into its third year of operation and is designed to support high-performing student-athletes who aspire to have a career in elite sport. We aim to develop healthy, resilient and capable students by supporting the holistic wellbeing of each individual, whilst assisting them to achieve their academic and sporting potential.

The PEAK program includes:

• One on one mentoring with Knox high performance coaches, including the development of an Individual Performance Plan (IPP)
• Keynote speakers focusing on the Knox Total Fitness pillars, including:

  • Academic Fitness – covering themes such as time management, goal setting and habits for academic success
  • Physical Fitness – covering effective nutritional practices for athletes, sleep for recovery and effective rehab/prehab
  • Spiritual Fitness (Personal Development) – covering communication, mental preparation and leadership
  • Social/Emotional Fitness – covering resilience, performing under pressure and respect and responsibility

• Small group workshops to further enhance each student-athlete’s skills and learning capabilities.

Please see the PEAK website for more information about the program, including a copy of the prospectus.

To apply, please complete application form here. Applications will close on Thursday 3 December (last day of Term 4), with successful applicants to be notified before school resumes in 2021.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email here.

Kieran Donohue, Director of PEAK

Fredy Ye achieved the highest honour that can be bestowed on a high school mathematics student by being selected in the Australian Mathematical Olympic Team which competed at the 61st International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), held online from St Petersburg, Russia in September 2020. He earned this honour by first winning a Medal in the Australian Mathematics Competition and then by subsequent outstanding results in competitions and further development activities at selection camps run by the Australian Mathematics Trust (AMT) at The University of Melbourne and The University of Sydney.

Fredy’s result at the IMO in September was wonderful. He received a Gold Medal and the highest score in the Australian Team. This result helped Australia rise to 8th place in the world from the 105 countries that participated.

His performance at the IMO makes Fredy, who is only in Year 10, the best high-school mathematics student in Australia and indeed the 22nd best young mathematician in the world!

Fredy wears both his Knox blazer and Australian blazer with great pride and his success is a tribute to his hard work, passion and meticulous preparation. He is very thankful to his school, his teachers and Mr Willcocks who coordinates his busy competition schedule and the AMT for supporting him on this exceptional journey.

Congratulations, Fredy!

The Big Band Lunchtime Concert was held on Wednesday and drew a large crowd. The following pieces were played:

• 'Backburner' – Carl Strommen
• 'Seize the Noche' – Tom Kubis
• 'Sir Duke' – Stevie Wonder, Arr. Michael Mossman
• 'Slingshot' – Jeff Jarvis
• 'The Queen Bee' – Sammy Nestico
• 'What A Wonderful World' – Arr. Ed Wilson
• The Chicken' – Alfred James Ellis/Arr. Kris Berg

Thanks to the Year 10 band members - Ben Cairns, Matt de Meyrick, Jonah Nicholson, Alex Sky and Ethan Talwar.