The Class of 2021 have truly embraced the early stages of Year 11, with ever increasing numbers attending evening studies and relishing in their new Stage 6 environment. This positive start is further reinforced by the numerous complimentary comments expressed by the Stage 6 academic and support staff.

It was an absolute pleasure to stand before a strong contingent from our year group on Tuesday night at what we know was a very informative and successful evening. Those in attendance witnessed a master display from the Head of Knox Senior Academy - Mr Weeding, Director of Studies - Mr Nunan, our Head of Wellbeing - Mr Schofield and myself, your son’s Team Leader. This committed and united approach from students and their parents is crucial for a successful experience in your son's final stages of his academic expedition at Knox. The presentation was recorded and all the resources are available to be viewed here. We highly recommend that those who were unable to attend on Tuesday take the time to view these helpful presentations.

Adam Shaw and myself would like to welcome back all of the Boarders that were impacted by the COVID-19 precautions - it is great to see you settling well to your Stage 6 journey.

At this early stage of the term, please feel free to contact your son’s teachers, mentors or Team Leaders if you have any questions or concerns about your son’s progress.  If you are unsure of who to contact, please use your son’s mentor as the first point of contact.

James Stubbs-Mills

It was wonderful to see so many parents and students attend the Year 11 Information Evening last Tuesday. I am sure, like me, you found the presentations very interesting and enjoyed hearing all about the year ahead, though it seems we are hurtling towards Year 12 in Term 4 at a great pace. As mentioned by Mr Nunan, most forms are available on the Year 11 page on the portal or in the the WSA office. For your convenience you can click here for the Stage 6 IMA Application form.

I would like to thank the young men of the cohort for their prompt assistance with the 'catch-up' photos that were held yesterday. It is very much appreciated when we work together and get things done.

A special mention to the 25 students (see photo below) who have volunteered to assist this evening at Knox at Home. This, once again, demonstrates the sense of community found here amongst the students. Great job, gentlemen! I am sure the evening will be a great success.

All the best to Oliver Heller who will travel to Melbourne this weekend to compete in the National Championship Igor Fencing competition. Similarly I wish Tom Morrison and Jake Buchanan all the best for this weekend in Port Macquarie playing in the State Touch Championships.

As the majority of students have all now returned and we settle into more of a routine, please remember you can contact me for anything you need assistance with. Don't forget to look at the Year 11 page on the portal which is regularly updated.

Debra Barnard Tel: 9119 0883

Learner Protocols, the Knox APA, and Academic Reports – Request for participation in Focus Groups

I have been honoured to work alongside many of our School's inspiring leaders and thought leaders as we consider how best to communicate your son’s achievement in our termly reports. A literature review was conducted and the team has been inspired by the Chicago Consortium’s Learner Protocols, which outlined some of the most meaningful contributors to students achieving their academic personal best. You may be familiar with the Learner Protocols as we have started using them in our pastoral care programs and as contracts with students at the commencement of 2020 – we are looking to enhance our academic reports and APA to pivot from these contemporary research findings.

If you are interested in participating in a focus group Tuesday 18 February from 7:30am to 8:15am regarding the Learner Protocols, the Knox APA and our Academic Reports, please email me and indicate if you have any dietary requirements.

On behalf of the team, I am very excited to consult our parent community to help co-construct reports that are increasingly useful and are underpinned by our Total Fitness and Education for the Future models.

Jake Plaskett

We thoroughly enjoyed presenting our vision for the Class of 2021 on Tuesday evening. Moving in to Stage 6 is an exciting time and the young men of Year 11 have already embraced the opportunities and are impressing us in so many ways. A common phrase that is used at Knox is ‘start the way you aim to finish’. This is so important in Year 11 as the Preliminary Course only runs for three terms and before the boys know it they will be sitting their Yearly Examinations.

For those who couldn’t make it last Tuesday we encourage you to view the recording. Some important points that we would like to highlight from the Information Evening include:

 ·         Knowing how the Evening Study program operates and the resources available to help students in their academic endeavours.

 ·         Understanding the assessment program which is now available on the Portal. In particular we encourage all students to ensure they have customised the Excel spreadsheet that shows the dates for all assessments this term. 

 ·         Important dates including Student/Parent/Teacher interviews and when reports are issued. 

 ·         The process for Illness/Misadventure applications.

 ·        Acting quickly if a change of subject is being considered. At this point we can’t guarantee the timetable will be able to accommodate changes but any student who is still considering altering their pattern of study must have the appropriate conversations now.

 ·        The importance of the Knox Total Fitness Model and Social Learning Theory to the operation of the Senior Academy.

Andrew Weeding and Greg Nunan

Projects wanted for Year 10 Service Learning Project

The Middle Academy is launching an ambitious project to refresh our Service Learning Program in 2020. We aim to engage all Year 10 students with local and national community organisations in order for the boys to fill these organisations’ needs. This will involve staff and students working directly with the organisations to identify areas of need and design and deliver products, services or initiatives for the organisations.

In order to ensure an effective program for both the students and the organisations, Knox is encouraging all community members with connections to community organisations, Rotary clubs, non-for-profit organisations and special interest groups to reach out to us with the hope we will be able to fill a need for the organisations.

Some examples of potential projects might include:

• Design and deliver a new awareness campaign
• Webpage design and publication
• Developing a fundraising initiative
• Creation of a community mural to replace graffiti
• Providing IT support of senior citizens

We are encouraging community organisations from all walks of like to reach out to Knox. An information evening for all potential organisations will be held on Wednesday 26 February from 6.30pm – 7.30pm.

If you have a connection to an organisation you think may be able to benefit from our project, please email me or RSVP for your organisations here .

Tom Waterhouse

Earlier this week all students in Years 7 to 12 were sent an email asking to commit to a Winter sport for 2020. The email is forms@edsmart.com.

If you have not received the email please contact the Sports office. It is really important that the boys choose carefully as changes are unacceptable and have huge impact on the teams, coaches, bookings, logistics, buses. Students need to complete their selection by using the link emailed to them. The cut off date is Friday 21 February.

For any student that missed the Knox Swim trials held on Sat 1 February, you have one last chance to qualify on Monday 17 February from 7am in the Knox pool.

Thank you for your continued support of Knox Sport.

Martin Haywood

Friday 14 February 

• Knox at Home.  7.30 to 9.30pm. WSA

Friday 21 to Sunday 23 February 

• ACT Sailing Event

 Monday 24 February 

• Photography Incursion

 Friday 28 February 

• D&T Incursion

Tuesday 3 March 

• International Women's Day Breakfast. 7am - 8.15am. Save the date. Tickets are now on sale via the portal.

 Wednesday 11 to Sunday 15 March 

• Worlds Greatest Shave

Sallianne McClelland, a local champion of the Hornsby Women’s Shelter and other community groups is our guest at the Knox International Women’s Day Breakfast on 3 March.  Parents from the Prep, WPS and Senior School are invited to attend this annual event with your son or daughter.

• The Great Hall Foyer 7am to 8.15am
• $20 per person with a light breakfast included

Tickets are on sale now via the Knox portal. Select from the drop down options in 'other activities' the Women's International Breakfast option.

This iconic event, the World's Greatest Shave is one of Australia's biggest fundraisers. It's an annual event where family, friends, businesses and individuals come together to raise money by getting sponsored to be brave and shave their head. The money from sponsors will go towards research, which is needed to find better treatments and cures for leukaemias, lymphomas, myeloma and related blood disorders.

Your sponsorship will also support families when they need it most, providing leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma patients with a free home-away-from-home near hospital during their treatment.It will also mean we can transport them to appointments and provide as much practical assistance and emotional support as we can, all free of charge.

Join the Knox team - sign up today. If your not brave enough to shave please sponsor someone and donate generously for those that are!

Please note that the Photography and Digital Media classes have been moved to Thursday afternoons due to a scheduling conflict. The details for the two Art Classes are as follows:

Photography and Digital Media

Date & Time: Thursdays 3.30pm-5pm

Location: Art Building (VG02)

Cost: $50 (see link below to sign up)

Ceramics – Hand Building

Date & Time: Thursdays 3.30pm-5pm

Location: MK12

Cost: $50 (see link below to sign up)

To sign up for either of these, please follow the process explained here.

Senior School Tuckshops - Volunteers Urgently Required for 2020

The Senior School Tuckshops have a number of vacant spots which we are desperate to fill. If you are a new parent or an existing parent, helping out in the tuckshop is very rewarding experience and a great way to meet and socialise with new friends.  

To volunteer, please click on the following links:

Term 1             

Term 2               

Term 3            

Term 4           

If you have any questions about volunteering in the tuckshops, please contact Caron Suleyman Tuckshop Convenor.

Thank you to the twenty five Year 11 students below who have volunteered their time to assist at the 'Knox at Home' event tonight. In no particular order;

Angus Rich, Dom Goddard, Nic Rogers, Tom Osborn, Samuel Luo, Greg Felton, Miles Ball, Harry Lawson,Tom Stewart, Nick Tanna, Ben Hiller, Peter Poulos, Lachlan Hui, Charlie Virgona, Peter Zhang,Tom Johnston, Cameron Austin-Clarke, Max Olesen, Will Sneyd, Dan Wartho, Harry Gosper, Christian Wells, Josh Parsonage, Cameron Stocks and Baxter Wilson.

Over the weekend  during horrendous weather conditions Gabe Carmody and team participated in the NSW state Rowing Championships reaching third place. Gabe rowed for Sydney Rowing Club and his crew won a Bronze Medal in the Championship Men’s Under 19 Coxed Four. Well done, Gabe.