'In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.' Albert Einstein.

This week we finally feel like we have turned a corner as many of the boys focus on their final assessments and start to look forward to planning a break from the school routine. It was wonderful to see each and every one of the boys return to the Lawson Centre. Our mentors reunited at the back of the group, while the boys had a chance to once again sit with the entire year group in person and congratulate their peers across a number of areas of success within the School. This included birthdays, merit awards - for Outstanding Efforts in class and state results in The Law Society competition.

During Mentor Group, the students continue to focus their attention on asking many questions, inquiring with senior students and reflecting on Careers Avenue feedback on future career ideas to match their interests. I would encourage the boys to look back and review the Subject Selection Zoom sessions from each of the respective department areas to consolidate their choices for 2021.

Each lunch and recess we are continuing to witness a greater number of boys remembering to bring their sports shoes and change during the break to enable socially distanced games on Knox 1. As we move to resume many of our sporting activities, it is exciting to see the boys enjoy the refinement and practise of their skills in kicking to prepare for the upcoming winter season sport.

As we continue to remind the boys they should aim to put their best foot forward, right to the end of term. We expect that all of the boys continue to work with their teachers, contribute in classes and aim to set greater goals for themselves through to Semester 2.

As always, please don’t hesitate to contact Ms Cowell or I should you have any concerns or questions.

Margie Raymond

As a busy Week 8 comes to a close, I would like you to enjoy our recent video about the Academy of Global Competency. A number of familiar faces from our cohort were lucky to be included in this gorgeous showcase. Please note, this video was recorded prior to social distancing measures.

All students, please ensure you start clearing your lockers out early next week so you don't have to lug home all your belongings next Friday.

Please see the Week 9 Recharge canteen menu located in the AoGC under Community Notices section of this newsletter. Note that no cash will be accepted at Recharge so please ensure your Student ID cards are available and have been recently topped via Flexischools. An EFTPOS card can be used as well.

Have a great weekend.

Rebecca Smith

Semester Reports, Learner Protocols and upcoming assessments
Your son’s semester report and the accompanying ‘Realising Potential’ document will be made available on the Knox portal later next week. Based on the overwhelmingly positive feedback we have received about the Term 1 reports, we are confident that the time and energy that teaching staff invest into observing, assessing, tracking, and reporting of the Knox Learner Protocols is appreciated. The reimagined reports are allowing teachers to communicate more about your son’s mindset, behaviours, perseverance and social skills and we appreciate how the boys are rising to meet the Knox standards.

It has only been a few weeks since the release of the Term 1 reports so we encourage you to interpret your son’s learner protocol scores in the Semester report with that in mind. It may be that your son’s protocols scores have remained largely the same, or it may be that the results have improved or decreased – in all cases, please use the yellow, green and blue indicators to engage in a conversation with your son about how he might improve into the future.

Please note that the blue indicators are quite rare and require students to demonstrate the protocol consistently and exceptionally. Ultimately, a blue indicator means that the teacher believes that there is no room for improvement against that given protocol (for the given reporting period). Because the margin for receiving a blue is so narrow, we must appreciate and respect when a teacher communicates a green indicator for the reporting period because the teacher is indicating what protocol(s) your son needs to demonstrate more of – this helps us encourage a fantastic student to become outstanding.

Should you have any more questions about the Knox Learner Protocols, or the reimagined academic reports, please contact me at your earliest convenience.

Upcoming assessments are as follows:

Week 9: 22-26 June

Drama – Task 2
• No changes to the nature of the assessment task.
• The hand-in component will be due on Monday 22 June.
• The performing component will be administered between 22-24 June.

English – Task 2
• Mrs Victoria Richmond, Head of English, will prepare a communication to all parents and students later this afternoon regarding this task.
• The task is tentatively scheduled to be re-administered on Tuesday 23 June.
• The outcomes, nature of the task, and task weighting remain the same.

Jake Plaskett

We have now come to the end of the Year 11 2021 Subject Selection Zoom sessions. In light of the COVID-19 restrictions around gatherings and not being able meet in person, the sessions have proven to be the next best thing. While not everyone has chosen to attend the sessions live due to other commitments, many have viewed the recordings and boys are now well placed to make an informed decision about their subject choices moving forward. The updated recordings list is now completed and includes all seven nights.

If you or your son still have questions, please do not hesitate to contact either the Head of Department, Mrs Linda Gomez (Director of Career Education & Development), Mr Weeding or Mr Nunan via email and they will endeavour to assist you.

We are now moving into the final stages of the subject selection process. Boys will receive information regarding their subject selections via email next week. MPP and EEP will be included in this email.

Important dates
• Online selection of subjects – Monday 27 July (Term 3 Week 2)
• Preference Receipt –this needs a parent signature and returned to Ms Smith by Friday 31 July
• The website to select subjects will be opened later this term. The preference receipt will be generated when subjects are selected on this website.

Change of Preferences
• Unlimited until 27 July then changes need to fit within the subject lines created.

Andrew Weeding and Greg Nunan (WSA Stage 6 Team)

With most co-curricular activities now concluded for Term 2 (clubs to continue in Week 9), please be advised that the Term 3 co-curricular program will be published in the Week 9 newsletters.

Chuck Ardron

Friday 26 June

Term 2 concludes

Monday 20 July

Term 3 commences

2020 Applications
We would like to invite students who have competed at the state/national level to apply to join the PEAK program for the 2020 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 is in its second 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 well being 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 visit the Knox website for more information about the PEAK program.

To apply, please complete the application form. Applications close Friday 26 June (last day of Term 2). Successful applicants will be notified before school resumes for Term 3. If you have any questions, please feel free to email us.

Kieran Donohue

Would you believe…

Knox Flix 2020 registrations are now open!

This year we have two versions of one theme, and two versions of one competition.

The theme is either

'I Believe!' or 'Would you believe…'

Tell us a tall tale, or a deep truth.

Similarly this year for the first time you have the option of submitting a narrated story board, or a film.

All film entries will need to be accompanied with an outline of how you worked within the isolation rules as they existed at various times of filming.

Please read the attached information and register here. A hype reel for Knox Flix can be viewed here.

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 are now filling places for our Term 3, 2020 course.

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. 

Availability of places is dependent upon a first come first served basis. All students who miss out on a place in Term 3 will be placed on a waiting list.

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

School holiday sports training for Senior School
Following on from the Headmaster's announcements last week that CAS Winter Sport will start in Term 3, please note the training schedule for the coming holidays can now be found on the Knox app. We are mindful it is holiday time and a valuable time with family, however if your boy(s) are available we would love to give them the opportunity to best prepare for the winter season.

As always, if there are any questions regarding the schedule, please do not hesitate to email the Knox Sports and Aquatic Academy or directly with your son’s chosen sport.

The Knox Sports and Aquatic Academy will also have more information prior to the holidays regarding exactly how a day at each facility will look for players, staff and spectators on game day. This is being put together following government guidelines and the School policy regarding providing a COVID-19 safe environment for all.

Martin Haywood

Congratulations to the Top 20 performers in The Law Society of NSW Young Lawyers Program.

First photo (from left): A fantastic achievement to Andrew O'Brien (4th), Oscar Chen (10th), James Elliott (4th) and thank you to Coach Mr Christian Holman, (OKG15).

Second photo (from left): James Sung 20th, Anton Pan-Cassin 14th, Campbell Wilson 6th, Daniel Heazlewood-Lee 11th, Jeremy Huang 4th, Nick Shannon 5th, James Elliott 4th (Year 10), Blair Davidson 13th, Andrew O’Brien 4th (Year 10), Oscar Chen 10th (Year 10) and thank you to Mr Christian Holman, Mock Trial Coach (OKG15).