With the modification to the academic calendar for our boys, this week brings to a close a memorable Term 1. The shift to online learning has been refined at light-speed, and it has been impressive the way the teaching staff and student body have mobilised to create an amazing product in a very short time frame. This sentiment was reinforced with the feedback from the recent Stage 6 Student Survey, where the boys overwhelmingly endorsed the efforts of their teachers and the current format, while constructively suggesting possible future amendments and avenues to explore which has been taken into account.

In addition to the educational content online, there has been a number of clips and challenges produced by our Student Prefects and Directors of Student Development, as well as pastoral additions from the Wellbeing Centre, Team Leaders and Heads of Academies. These are small and highly palatable, and often ask for contributions from the boys in response. Many boys have taken time-out from their studies to tackle these challenges, with notable contributions coming in from Jack Craig, Aaron Erdstein, Louie Cao and a fiery war-cry from Nick Tanna. An enormous congratulations to Year 11’s very own Jake Buchanan for taking out the War-cry Challenge, with his chants now becoming part of the Tartan Army’s songbook.

While on the topic of success, this week we learned that Tony Du has been selected for the Yale Young Global Scholars Program. This is a monumental achievement, thoroughly deserved, and the whole cohort wishes him all the best leading into it.  

Staff members have spoken to the boys regularly about the importance of staying physically active at this time, and boys are encouraged to engage with the video-workouts being produced by the KSA staff. 

It is a well-worn cliche that necessity is the mother of invention, and this has truly been the case in Term 1. The online learning platform is a clear example of this, and will continue to enrich the school moving forward, but our boys have learned new skills and mindsets that will only help them through the remainder of their schooling and into their tertiary studies.

On behalf of Mr Stubbs-Mills and myself, have a fantastic Easter break and enjoy some down-time with loved ones. We look forward to re-joining the cohort again in Term 2, and working towards a return to face-to-face classes and normality. Please remember the numerous support structures in place for our boys, and don’t hesitate to reach out at any stage if you have any concerns or questions.

Adam Shaw

Welcome to the final newsletter for Term 1.

Over the last few weeks there have been many discussions about the processes on how we will work around remote learning. During assemblies and meetings, the overwhelming feeling agreed upon is that the boys themselves make the School - not the buildings and beautiful grounds. I am very appreciative of this amazing cohort and their families. For me, the Knox values have been highlighted more than ever, in particular, the value of Courage as I try to remain positive in this challenging time as I do miss seeing and speaking with the boys on a daily basis. Thank you for all the emails and messages that have been sent.

I wish each and every one of you a wonderful Easter and holiday break. I will be starting my 21 day challenge this weekend and taking over the dining table to do my puzzle. I know many of you have been trying new things and finding that you are enjoying this opportunity. Who knows, there may be a few new master chefs, artists and gardening gurus out there! I plan to remain connected by attending the Dawn Service from the end of my driveway to commemorate our ANZACs on Saturday 25 April.

Stay safe, take care and remember Term 2 starts Tuesday 28 April.

Debra Barnard Tel: 9119 0883

The assessment program has now been updated to accommodate changes required as a result of the move to an online academic environment.  We have been guided by the information publicly available from NESA as well as our own personal inquiries. NESA have been most helpful in providing the School with advice.  The new assessment schedule is now available on the Knox portal. In summary:

• We had to temporarily stop the assessment program resulting in a postponement of tasks from Tuesday of Week 8.  Any subject that was affected has had the assessment schedule reviewed to either (i) move the assessment to a new date or (ii) incorporate the assessment into another assessment task, therefore reducing the number of tasks in that subject by one.

• In-class assessments can still be administered whether we are back on campus or still working in an online environment.  The Assessment Policy has been updated to include details and guidelines for in-class tests done online (see page 10).  We are already trialling in-class testing with Year 12 with a high degree of success.

• As we are operating in uncertain times, changes to assessments may still occur. In such circumstances the boys will receive as much warning as possible.

• The student/parent/teacher interviews were scheduled for Monday May 5. Interviews will still go ahead; however, these will need to be done through Zoom or over the phone and teachers will do these over a three week period. We will provide more information about this in Week 1 next term.   

• In mentor time yesterday we encouraged the boys to maintain a study pattern throughout the break.  They should consolidate on the work they have done this term and prepare for the work ahead. As we said at the Information Evening earlier this term, all term breaks should be considered as a ‘study break’ which involves a good balance of study time and personal time.  Some templates to help with planning are available on the Knox portal.

The boys have been brilliant in these last few weeks and we congratulate them on the way they have adapted to this new environment. We wish everyone a Happy Easter.

Andrew Weeding and Greg Nunan

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every challenge.

Winston Churchill

It is hard to know where to start when reflecting on this term. It has been a period of change and unrivaled success in so many ways. From the Year 11 students slotting seamlessly into the Senior Academy and taking on its rich and supportive culture, to the Year 12 students continuing to set the standard for the School in terms of leadership and work ethic, the Senior Academy staff cannot be more proud of the boys’ efforts.

With a graded shift to full time online learning taking place over the course of the past three weeks, both students and staff alike have had an unprecedented opportunity to show their flex, agility and resourcefulness to adapt to the current situation. I have been truly humbled and inspired by the lead that the Prefect Executive has taken in creating opportunities for connection, humour and positivity through their videos and messages. Similarly, courage, integrity and compassion have been on full display, whether via Zoom, Google Hangouts Meet or face to face. Each and every member of the Knox community have put their faith in the School and have, thus far, been richly rewarded.

Throughout the upcoming holiday break, the Heads of Academy, Directors of Student Development and Team Leaders will be urging their boys to stay physically, emotionally, spiritually and academically fit and to continue to connect with their friends, family and peers. Mr David Schofield and the Psychology Team have been working with some student volunteers to create Wellbeing Support videos. These are great resources and have been shared with the boys. This series will continue next term.

Additionally, the Directors of Student Development have been working to create Brain Breaks, short challenges and activities for the boys to participate in to engage their creativity and to break up the time spent using technology. We have just launched the 21 Day Challenge which gives students the opportunity to show commitment and focus to learn a new skill/habit throughout the three week holiday break. They can then, with their families and friends if they want, capture this new skill on video and share it when they commence school again next term.

As the Headmaster has already said, every Knox boy has an incredible opportunity to now develop and tune vital skills in communication, organisation and planning that will undoubtedly set them up incredibly well for their future studies and careers. This is also a unique time for young men to work on their strengths and leadership skills and I would encourage any student that wants support in this space to contact me directly via email.

Academy and year group teams will continue to be on hand through this three week break and we look forward to continuing to support your sons.

Sam White

Friday 3 April

• Term 1 concludes

Friday 10 April

• Easter weekend

 Saturday 25 April

• ANZAC Day

Tuesday 28 April

• Term 2 commences

On Friday March 20, Year 11 Drama students with students from Pymble Ladies’ College and Loreto Normanhurst performed Oscar Wilde’s classic, 'The Importance of Being Earnest' as the first Drama production in the Junior Academy and Performing Arts Centre’s beautiful new Drama Theatre. This was also the first drama production ever staged at Knox in 1929.

Although, owing to the necessary audience restrictions, the limited staff audience gave the play a well-deserved standing ovation. The play was exquisitely interpreted by a resilient and gallant cast and was stylish, witty and highly polished. It was professionally filmed with three cameras to record its magnificent theatrical impact.

The production will return, when possible, to enchant audiences in future performances.

Michael Griffiths - Director of Drama & Theatre K-12

The Uniform shop is closed until further notice. If you wish to order items online, this can be done via Flexischools and there will be an option to collect the orders. The dates for this will be advised on the Knox App in the next few days depending on the volume of orders.