We aim to ensure that we continue to offer our boys a quality educational experience. We have always had evening Tutors in Boarding and after school support workshops in a range of subjects and for literacy and numeracy. We want to continue this approach in an online environment.

The role of the Academic Support person is to provide academic advice and support via Zoom. This support and advice could take the form of the following:

• Responding to student questions. 
• Revisiting a key skill, concept or an aspect of the content.

Please click here for the list of subjects that will be providing Academic Support after school in Weeks 2 to 8. The list outlines the subject, day and time for students to use the link to ask teachers questions relating to their subjects. Please note that some sessions are just for Boarders and all other sessions are for any student in that year or stage.

Stage 6 is Years 11 and 12, Stage 5 is Years 9 and 10 and Stage 4 is Years 7 and 8.

Karen Yager

It is with great pleasure that I welcome back the Class of 2021, in a virtual sense, to Week 1 of Term 2. As we progress through this ever-changing and evolving environment it has been great to see a number of the boys’ smiling faces via Zoom this week. 

Whilst many of the boys worked diligently through to the end of last term within the remote learning model, it was safe to say that many of the cohort were well and truly ready for a break. I trust that courtesy of the time spent under isolation conditions with family and loved ones, the boys have returned recharged and inspired to embrace the next stage of this very unique Knox journey.

It is generally at this point that we wax lyrical about the numerous tours and sporting pursuits that took place over the break, but alas, this break will be remembered for other equally celebrated achievements. A big shout out and special congratulations is in order for all those involved in food packing for the less fortunate, performing admirably at ANZAC Day services, providing information and assistance for a number of elderly members of our local community or extending yourself within the 21-Day Challenges - the Class of 2021 have done us all proud.

While returning from a break at the best of times can be somewhat perplexing, some of us have found it difficult to summon the motivation and drive to rise to the challenges of an ongoing online approach, and we ask that those of us within the year group feeling the strain to reach out and seek support from friends and the wonderful personnel of the Year 11 Team. We will get through this together.

With the recent announcement from the Headmaster outlining the School’s intention for a staggered return to campus for the men of Knox, it is certainly exciting times indeed. We urge all to use this return as inspiration to perform to their best throughout the coming weeks as we progress ever closer to ultimate goal of a return to normalcy.

James Stubbs-Mills

A very big virtual welcome back!! What a very unusual term break that was ... I am pleased to confirm that I did manage to complete two 1,000 piece puzzles rather than one 1,500 piece puzzle during the 21 day challenge. I really enjoyed sitting quietly and taking my mind to a relaxed space while just concentrating on the puzzle pieces as a break from gardening, cleaning and numerous family games of Scrabble. Since my return this week I have had quite a few emails from the cohort learning about all of your 21 day challenges and the completely diverse things attempted. Congratulations to each and every one of you.

I would also like to acknowledge the ANZAC Day services as we paid our respects at sunrise from the end of our driveways this year. My street was very well represented and it was very moving to hear the first post played and echo across the valley as the sun came up. It has been wonderful to see the photos and hear of the Knox students that played over the ANZAC weekend at various places including nursing homes and cenotaphs.

I am very excited to advise that on Thursday 14 May, the young men of Year 11 will once again be here on campus. As we have been socially isolating I would kindly remind you to please ensure you arrive clean shaven, hair cut appropriately, shoes polished, boaters on and and in full winter uniform. Thursday is a 7 period day and you need to be here ready for Period 1 at 8.25am. As per the COVID19 distancing rules, please note we will have restrictions in place for the office and for seating during recess and lunch breaks. All that being said, I cannot wait to see you all in person!

Debra Barnard Tel: 9119 0883

The Year 11 teachers are looking forward to the upcoming student led Parent/Teacher Conferences.

Due to the current circumstances, there is a change to what was published earlier this year at the Information Evening for the interviews. The new arrangements are as follows:

• Interviews will be on Zoom.
• Interviews will now start Monday Week 3, not Week 2 as was originally published.
• The interviews will be booked through the PTO online booking system. On Monday Week 2 (4 May) parents will receive an email from Mrs Billington that will provide full details on how to make a booking. Bookings will open on Wednesday 6 May.
• As these interviews are now online, a three week period has been allocated. Teachers will be available at various times based around teaching and personal commitments.

Our hope is that the boys will take the initiative in the interviews and be well prepared so they are leading the meeting. At Year Meeting yesterday we modelled to the boys examples of how they can take the lead to assess their progress to date and to articulate their goals for this term and beyond. We have encouraged the boys to think of the interview as not being a Parent/Teacher interview, instead it should be seen as a Student Led Conference.

To assist with this preparation the boys have been asked to consider the following for each subject:

• What worked well and needs to be continued.
• What needs developing.
• Whether the Term 1 Study Break (holiday period) was utilised well.
• Assess the degree of completion of Term 1 work and whether a study plan was put in place.
• Recall the dates, requirements and expectations for each assessment this term.
• Outline a study plan for each subject including preparation for the assessment tasks this term.
• Summarise the priorities that need to be addressed and design a plan around these.

Andrew Weeding and Greg Nunan

Due to the impact of COVID-19, the delivery of career seminars and events have moved online.

I am working closely with external organisations to deliver these presentations via webinars and Zoom meetings. As these events are being organised the links to these online events will be posted on the Careers Hub. Students are most welcome to join any Zoom meeting for a career seminar they wish to listen to.

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 for the direct link to create a membership. The Careers Hub is also accessible via the Knox Portal.

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 11 to keep themselves up to date with information and to be informed about the various options available to them, therefore I encourage students to contact me via email for career guidance, advice, and support. 

Linda Gomez

Sunday 10 May

• Mothers Day

Monday 11 May (Week 3)

• Parent/teacher interviews commence online via Zoom

Thursday 14 May (Week 3)

• Year 11 on campus

Friday 15 May (Week 3)

• Year 11 on campus

Monday 18 May (Week 4)

• Year 11 on campus 

Thursday 21 May (Week 4)

• Year 11 on campus 

Monday 25 May (Week 5)

• Year 11 on campus 

Thursday 28 May (Week 5)

• Year 11 on campus  

You will have received the pleasing news with regards to students returning to school on a staggered basis from Week 3 onwards.

The Sport and Co-Curricular schedule that was advised last week is currently being updated to reflect these return timings. The new schedule, of either online or at school programs, will be advised in the year level weekly newsletters on Friday of Week 2.

Sport and Co-Curricular staff are looking forward to being able to resume a number of activities with the boys on campus.

Martin Haywood (Head of Knox Sport Aquatic Academy) and Chuck Ardron (Director Co-Curricular Operations)

The Knox Uniform Shop is still operating on reduced opening times. To assist customers that are unsure of sizing of their Winter Uniform, the Uniform Shop will be open 1pm - 5pm on Monday 4 May, Wednesday 6 May, Friday 8 May with Saturday 9 May open 9am - 12pm, running on a customer limited basis. Appointments are not required but we will only have two changing rooms operational so we ask parents and students to be patient as our team practise social distancing to keep our school community safe.

Whilst students continuing to study online, they are permitted to wear their Winter Uniform if already purchased or their PDHPE/Sports Uniform. While students are on campus they are expected to wear the Winter Uniform.

Uniforms are available to order online via Flexischools if sizes are known and these orders can be collected on the dates listed above when the Uniform shop will be open. Please disregard collection dates and times on the Flexischools website. Size charts are available online through the Flexischools website or the Knox App as a reference. If orders cannot be collected during these times, orders can be collected from the Reception Office (2 Borambil Street) during normal reception hours (8am-5pm weekdays). Please email the Uniform Shop to advise of your request.

Further information regarding the Uniform Shop opening times for Term 2 will be advised in coming days.

Julie Blackburn

All students are invited to join the CRU group who meet on Monday at lunchtime. CRU is a group of Christians (and those interested in learning more), who meet weekly to learn about Jesus as well as share and encourage each other and pray. Everyone is very welcome.

Please join us during lunchtime on Mondays (12.50pm–1.30pm) via Zoom.

Please contact Amy Keir for further information.

Knox psychologists are available for support of students and their parents by contacting us via email or phone (02) 9119 0828. A reminder too that the Knox Psychologists have produced short videos for parents on such topics as:

• how to survive and thrive as a family
• online resources
• maintaining balance
• managing conflict
• staying socially connected
• motivating adolescents
• managing parental guilt

These videos can be found here. Password: WellbeingSenior

David Schofield