Headmaster's Column
We often say that education is a partnership between students, school and parents – it takes a village to raise a child. We are incredibly grateful for your support as we work together to raise young men of character.
Being a parent is often a stressful and challenging job. It is never easy and sometimes we need to have difficult and challenging conversations with our sons as we seek to make them better people.
As a school for boys, we have an essential role in developing well rounded young men with a strong moral compass. Indeed, surveys of our new parents consistently indicate that providing a balanced education with a focus on values is one of the main reasons parents choose to send their son to Knox.
Our school motto, 'Virile Agitur', is derived from St Paul's letter to the Corinthians. "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love."
At its core, this motto is about doing the right thing; acting with conviction and purpose as we seek to live out our school’s values – Faith, Wisdom, Integrity, Compassion and Courage.
Team Leaders
This has been another busy week for the Class of 2023. With assessments, the launch of the Service Learning Program, World’s Greatest Shave and the Beauty and the Beast Musical - the boys have had to hit the ground running!
A huge congratulations to all the boys involved in the World’s Greatest Shave. This is an honourable charity to get involved in and I commend the boys for sacrificing their locks for this cause. We are so proud that such a large amount of Year 10 boys wanted to be involved this year. Also thanks for all the staff involved including one of our Mentors, Mr Truong!
Student Administration Officer
Not long to go now until the boys head off to AFX Camp and the Year 10 Challenge Camp. Ms Haselden has provided all students with the packing list in an email she sent to them this week. We urge you to encourage your sons to start packing their camp backpack so that everything is ready ahead of time and if anything is missing it can be attended to earlier rather than later. I hope the boys embrace this wonderful opportunity given to them by making the most of their time together and enjoying the great outdoors.
Well done to Leo Phijidvijan who represented Knox in the CAS Team vs GPs this week at the Trinity Tennis Centre. Although CAS did not defeat GPS, our Knox representatives did well and the scores were close.
Nick Bigeni (Y11), Adam Van Horen (Y11) and Leo Phijidvijan
Director of Student Development Stage 5
Service Learning Program
The Middle Academy was excited to launch the new Service Learning Program to Year 10 students this week. We were very privileged to have Max Carter (OKGA14) come in to discuss his experience with Service Leaning at Knox and how this has led to his involvement in substantial community work since graduating from Knox.
The Service Learning Program runs throughout Terms 2 and Term 3 and will allow Year 10 students to connect with community organisations. These students will use design thinking to deliver goods and services that these organisations may not have been able to access without the support of our boys. The projects on offer include designing a mural to cover graffiti in the local area, connecting with aged care facilities through performing arts and developing web pages and social media campaigns for local organisations. We are confident that the boys will engage with these organisations in order to make a significant contribution.
Director of Career Education and Development
Careers in Defence (online seminar in conjunction with the OKGA)
When: Monday 22 March 2021, commencing at 6.30pm
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 March at www.knox.nsw.edu.au/dce
Contact: Linda Gomez, Director of Career Education & Development
Students and parents will hear from speakers working in various areas of defence.
Sports News
Head of Knox Sports and Aquatic Academy
Sports Doctor on site each week
I am pleased to confirm Knox is taking the lead in terms of injury support and best practice towards head knocks and any potential concussion again this winter season. Knox will have a specialist Sports Doctor on the senior campus for the entire winter season, based on Knox 1 (First Aid room) every Saturday. Regardless of where your game may be played, what year group, any sport, age or division your son is playing, a Doctor will be on-site in First Aid room from 11am til 1pm every Saturday to assist with any serious injuries including any potential concussion.
Knox will also have plenty of physio support and First Aid at each Knox venue as well including the Knox Prep campus, Gillespie Field, Knox 1, Acron Oval and Curagul Field.
Please also be aware, each and every Monday starting in Term 2 and up to Week 3 of Term 3, we will have a Doctor available in the School Clinic for follow up of any serious injuries including head knocks from 7am til 9am. I would encourage all families to take up this offer of support for your son, if needed.
Knox Wellbeing Centre
Sleeping well for wellbeing
Getting enough sleep each day is vital for health and wellbeing. Sleeping well can benefit energy, concentration, and memory. It can also improve mood and ability to regulate emotions. Biological sleep patterns shift during adolescence, which means your son will likely need more sleep (typically 8-10 hours per night) and may have difficulty getting to sleep earlier in the evening.
Upcoming Assessments
English
Monday 22 March - In Class Task
Music
Monday 22 March - Hand In Task
A copy of the Year 10 Assessment Schedule and Policy 2021 as well as the Illness and Misadventure Appeal form may be found here.
Upcoming Events
Monday 22 March
Careers in Defence (online seminar in conjunction with the OKGA)
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
Tuesday 20 April
Term 2 commences
Thursday 22 April
Maggie Dent Webinar - Helping teen boys manage anger and failure
Tuesday 25 May
Knox Careers Night
Text for the Week
The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.
Psalm 28:7
Community Notices
ANZAC Service and Parade
We are pleased to announce that the Knox ANZAC Service and Parade will go ahead on Sunday 2 May 2021 at 8.30am with some modifications and restrictions. All students in the Cadet Unit are expected to attend this event.
Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, we will be limiting spectators to two tickets per Year 11 and 12 Cadets only. We apologise for any disappointment this may cause and thank you for your understanding.
The service and parade will be live streamed to the internet.
Invites for Year 11 and 12 Cadets will be sent via email during the last week of Term 1.
If you have any questions, please email events@knox.nsw.edu.au.
Knox Academy of Performing Arts
Battle of the Bands 2021 – The Heats
Paying homage to the music of the 1980s was part of the score for this year’s Knox Battle of the Bands (BOBs) Heats. Despite the absence of spandex, eye shadow, blonde perms and shoulder pads, I think our boys did a mighty fine job!
This year we saw the biggest BOBs Heats to date, with 15 bands performing over four days. Each band took to the steps of the Great Hall to perform in front of an enthusiastic crowd of students and teachers that all gathered around to enjoy their lunch and offer plenty of vocal support.
The standard of performances was strong across all year groups, with some notable performances from our Year 8 bands, who were gracing the BOBs stage for the first time. We had a couple of surprise Year 12 performances which proved to be crowd pleasers and a big representation from our Year 10s, with six bands from this year group participating!
Knox Uniform Shop
Trading Hours
Monday to Friday: 12.30pm-5.30pm
Saturday (Terms 1 and 4 only): 9am-12noon
Term 1 Holiday Trading Hours
Thursday 1 April - Uniform Shop closes at 5.30pm
Friday 2 April through to Monday 5 April - Closed for Public Holiday
Tuesday 6 April - 9.30am-5pm (closed 12.30pm-1pm)
Wednesday 7 April - 9.30am-5pm (closed 12.30pm-1pm)
Thursday 15 April - 9.30am-5pm (closed 12.30pm-1pm)
Friday 16 April - 9.30am-5pm (closed 12.30pm-1pm)
Saturday 17 April - 9am-12noon
Monday 19 April - 9.30am-5pm (closed 12.30pm-1pm)
Tuesday 20 April (First day of Term 2) - 8am-5pm (closed 12.30pm-1pm)
For all enquiries, please contact via us by phone 9487 0191 or email.
You may also visit the Knox website here for more information.
Julie Blackburn, Knox Uniform Shop Manager
McKenzie Library
Holiday borrowing is now open
From the start of Week 9, any books or resources borrowed will be due for return the first week of Term 2. This is your opportunity to borrow some great reading materials for the holidays!
Our recommended holiday reads include:
'The Hobbit' by J.R.R.Tolkien
'Wolf Brother' by Michelle Paver
'Hatchet' by Gary Paulsen
'The Cherub series' by Robert Muchamore
'Alex Rider series' by Anthony Horowitz
'Illuminae' by Amie Kaufman
'Percy Jackson' by Rick Riordan
Senior students may be interested in 'Act of a Scythe Series' by Neal Shusterman
Holiday Movies
Holiday movies can be accessed through ClickView via the library portal found through KnoxNet here.
Enjoy your reading and viewing.
Sally Thomson
Old Knox Grammarians' Association
Knox Community: 'Penguin Bloom' Private Screening
An Old Knox Grammarians’ Association (OKGA) Event
Sunday 18 April
3pm for 3.30pm at the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace
To support Old Boys and their families who are doing it tough, the Old Knox Grammarians’ Association, in collaboration with Cam Bloom (OKG89), presents a private screening of the film, 'Penguin Bloom'.
To reserve your seats, please click on the session time of 3.30pm on the Orpheum website.
For any event enquiries, please email the OKGA.
Senior School Tuckshops - Volunteers Required
We are so excited to be able to welcome parent volunteers back on campus to assist in the Tuckshops from the start of Term 2, 2021. The return of volunteers is subject to continued stabilisation of local and state health requirements regarding COVID-19.
We greatly appreciate our volunteers and their contributions to our School community.
Helping out in the tuckshop is very rewarding experience and a great way to meet and socialise with new friends. If you are able to volunteer in one of the Senior School Tuckshops, please click on the following link here.
Photo Galleries
3:33 Art Projects’ Young Curators program
A small team of Year 8 and Year 10 Visual Art students are taking part in 3:33 Art Projects’ Young Curators program throughout 2021. The students will be working together to curate an exhibition of work by Reg Mombassa to be hosted here at Knox. Their first experience was a visit to the Germanos Collection, where they were able to view artworks by Mombassa as well as a broad array of other leading Australian artists.
Launch of Service Learning Program
On Thursday, we welcomed Max Carter (OKG14) to speak to our cohort about his experience with Service Learning at Knox.
World's Greatest Shave 2021
This year, students and staff have so far raised over $46,000 for the World's Greatest Shave for the Leukaemia Foundation.
There is still time to donate and click on this link if you wish to do so. We had a few students from our cohort who took part in the event and Ms Haselden our Assistant Team Leader dyed her hair blue as well to support this worthy cause.