Pursuing personal best by setting high expectations
There is no doubt that effective teachers promote excellence in student achievement by setting aspiring goals and enabling young people to achieve their personal best. Effective teachers also understand the difference between high expectations and high pressure, and can encourage and support their students in achieving individual learning excellence without overloading them with pressure.

It is important to understand that there is a difference between high expectations and high pressure. High expectations is helping a young person reach their potential ... to be their best; high pressure is expecting a young person to be the best.

Undoubtedly, it is a fine line. It’s obviously important to have expectations, because if you have no expectations then people don’t strive for things. High expectations can have a significant impact on a young person’s attitude and self-worth, as well as a likely increase in their motivation levels and self-confidence.

COVID-19 Protocols
As you will be aware, the School has established a set of strict protocols to help us manage and stop the spread of COVID-19. We ask that all parents please carefully read these protocols – please see below. Importantly, please do not send your child to School if they are unwell. If you have any questions, please contact your Student Administration Officer. We greatly appreciate your support of the School and our collective efforts to control COVID-19.

COVID-19 Entry Policy 2021
COVID-19 Student Attendance Guideline for Parents 2021

Phil O’Regan

Whilst the boys have just commenced their Stage 6 journey, the key themes for this week have been on prioritising work and good organisation. We were fortunate to have Mr Nunan present on the Quadrants of Quality in Year Meeting: a method of learning that encourages students to study well, meet deadlines and beat their personal best. During their Stage 6 journey, it is vital that the boys are able to appropriately allocate their time to assessments, classwork, sport and, of course, social interaction. If students are able to manage their work schedules now, it will put them in a strong position as they move towards their first assessment task.

We were fortunate to have Mrs Gomez, Director of Career Education & Development, address the students and provide some insightful information for University applications and future career direction. The boys were encouraged to consider, and to engage in, activities in order to position themselves for opportunities that will arise in Year 12. Interestingly, some Universities are starting to change their admission process and starting to consider a student’s all round character including community engagement and leadership, sport or volunteering, or even part-time work. If you or your son have any questions on education or career pathways that may be of interest, please contact Mrs Gomez directly.

Finding balance and having realistic expectations will be the key to a successful time in the senior years at Knox. So far this year, it has been fantastic to see the boys positively exert their energy to their new subjects. However, as the year progresses they could soon become tired and start to feel the pressure of rigorous academic study. As part of our program to support the students, there is a Student Wellbeing Group that all boys can attend during lunch on Thursday in the KCC Auditorium. If you feel it may benefit your son, please do encourage them to pop by.

If you do have any welfare concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch with your Mentor, Team Leaders or Senior Leadership Team.

Sophie Cole

This week, parents and students would have received an email from Mr Sam White regarding the upcoming Senior Academy Expedition being offered to non-cadet students in both Years 11 and 12. The Expedition will take place from Saturday 27 to Wednesday 31 March.

Saturday sport absences
Should your child be absent from sport on Saturday, please ensure the Sport Absence Form (via the Knox app) is completed. Please don't email absences as they can be missed and the Directors of Sport not notified. Thank you for your support.

2022 Term dates have been confirmed and are now published on our website.

With assessments commencing in Week 6, the Term 1 Assessment Gantt Chart can be accessed here. As you have now settled into the WSA, don't forget to utilise Evening Study, from 3.30pm-8.30pm, Monday-Thursday. The roster can be found here.

If your son has his licence and would like to drive to school, please ensure the Student Drivers' form is completed and returned to me. Once approved, students will be notified by email. A register will be kept for all students driving to school.

We are continuing to monitor temperatures of a morning. Boys, please ensure you sanitise your hands at the door to the WSA. Continue to walk the corridor from the Boulevarde past the Administration offices every morning and proceed to have your card scanned. Let us all do our bit to stay healthy.

Finally, please join me as we congratulate the sporting achievements of Charlie Anderson, Ethan Ellis, Nick Bigeni and Jacob Wander. More details can be found under Sports News. Happy weekend.

Rebecca Smith

In Year Meeting on Tuesday, we spoke to the boys about a quadrant approach to organisation, as outlined in Stephen Covey’s book ‘First Things First’. This simple 2x2 matrix breaks activities down on the basis of importance and urgency. When an assessment looms (they commence in Week 6) the boys will be in a period of urgency and importance with regards to their preparation - the Quadrant of Necessity. When an assessment is some weeks away preparation should involve active note making, doing all homework and acting on feedback from their teachers; this work is important but non-urgent (at the moment) and is referred to as the Quadrant of Quality. Students who prepare ahead of time are making the most of the Quadrant of Quality and helping themselves to reduce the stress associated with busy assessment periods. In fact, the more time they spend in the quadrant of quality the small the other quadrants become.

The boys will have the opportunity in mentor next Monday to enagage further with this model by completing a worksheet that not only looks at using the matrix but also requires the boys to undertake a study habits audit. The boys will be asked to take a photo of what they do and possibly discuss what they have done with you. This quadrant approach will be referred to regularly over the coming seven terms prior to the HSC.

Here is an example:



Can we also remind parents and boys that they need to ensure they have finalised their suite of subjects by the end of Week 5. Leaving changes until after this deadline can be problematic for a range of reasons including difficulties with catching up work missed and timetable constraints.

 Gregory Nunan and Beth Goddard

Careers in Medicine (online seminar in conjunction with the OKGA)
When: Monday 22 February 2021, commencing at 6pm
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 February at https://knoxgrammar.com/mce
Contact: Linda Gomez, Director of Career Education & Development

Students and parents will hear from the following speakers working in the field of medicine: Dr Marco Raftopulos (OKG02, Dan Schofield (OKG15) and Thomas Lee (OKG18). For more information, click here for the flyer.

Upcoming Event - save the date
• Knox Careers Night – Tuesday 25 May 2021, Great Hall, from 5.30pm to 8pm

Linda Gomez

As we continue to battle mother nature and all it throws at us in Term 1, I cannot help but feel for the boys wanting to get out and run around wearing the Black & Blue – particularly those playing outdoor sports such as Cricket and Tennis. Please understand we are doing as much as we can with our opposition schools to get our boys a fixture, whilst also weighing up the inconvenience of travel when there is no chance of action. Please stay tuned into the Knox app and we will continue to keep families up to date with any changes to the fixtures.

Last week our First and Second Basketball teams played their last home game for the season which included a Friday night experience in the Great Hall against St Aloysius’ College. It was a great event and was well supported by our Tartan Army who are just busting to open their lungs out and start singing. Fingers crossed we can let them loose at the upcoming CAS Swimming and Diving Championships. First and Second Tennis teams also enjoyed a Friday night match and continue to press for the CAS Championship. They are currently in second place and closing in on a Championship.

Unfortunately our Surf Life Saving squad did not get a chance to compete in the Schools Carnival hosted by Knox at Whale Beach on Saturday due to weather. There was much disappointment but they will remain positive and hope for a big finish at the Shore carnival next week.

Well done to all students who were selected to swim in the Knox Swimming Championships this week. Just to be selected into finals is an amazing achievement, given we are the #1 Schoolboy Swim Team in Australia. It was a great night and there were again some incredible performances including nine new Knox Swim records, a number of boys achieving times that qualify for National titles and numerous personal bests . All of their hard work is paying off! The look on the boys' faces as they look back at the clock is a real thrill for coaching staff. The boys now eagerly await news of Knox selections to go and try and defend the CXAS Championship in March. Well done, boys - good luck for the next few weeks.

Winter sport choices
All families were sent an email last week from the Sports Department asking boys to choose their Winter sport for the upcoming season. Please help us and help your son choose carefully and ASAP. We have to start nominating teams into competitions, book fields and organise coaches. Cut off is Friday 19 February. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email Sport.

Parenting Help
A reminder that each year group in the Senior School is connected to one of our school psychologists who is available to you for support and advice. While no one knows your sons better than you; we have the advantage of experience. Over the years our psychologists have seen many students who are often working through similar issues and so are well placed to offer support and guidance to both teachers and parents on a range of topics. As a parent you may like to take advantage of this by making an appointment with your son’s year group’s psychologist to discuss any wellbeing/parenting matters, such as:

• Detecting adolescent issues, like anxiety and depression
• Motivation and procrastination
• Promoting growth into manhood, independence and responsibility-taking
• Managing screen and technology use
• Discipline that promotes maturation and wellbeing
• Promoting identity formation
• Preparing your son for camp

We would love to help. To make an appointment (phone or in person) with your son’s year group psychologist please email or call 9119 0828.

Melinda Price

When: Wednesday 24 February 2021, 7.45am-8.15am
Where: Online seminar, register at www.knox.nsw.edu.au/GC-seminar
Who: All Senior School parents

With the launch of a new Knox Certificate of Global Competency for Senior School students in 2021, Knox parents are warmly invited to an online seminar. Speakers will include Margie Raymond (Coordinator of the Knox Certificate of Global Competency), Karen Yager (Deputy Headmaster of Student and Teacher Excellence K-12), Elizabeth Ruff (Head of Middle Academy), David Caspari (Deputy Chairman of School Council), students and parents. The seminar will cover topics including why global competency is important and how the Knox Certificate of Global Competency will be delivered for students.

Please register your interest by Monday 22 February. All enquiries to Margie Raymond.

Knox Certificate of Global Competency seminar flyer

Monday 22 February

Careers in Medicine, commencing at 6pm

Friday 5 March

Battle of the Bands - heats commence

Sunday 7 March

Clean up Australia Day

Thursday 11 March

CAS Swim and Dive Championships

Thursday 18-Saturday 20 March  

Musical - 'Beauty and the Beast'

Thursday 25 March

AFX Camp commences

Saturday 27 - Wednesday 31 March

Senior Academy Expedition

Thursday 1 April

AFX Camp concludes

Term 1 concludes

Friday 2 April

Good Friday

Tuesday 20 April

Term 2 commences

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Colossians 4: 2

A Knox Drama and Theatre Production
Disney's Beauty and the Beast

18-20 March 2021
7pm in the Wenkart Theatre

All tickets $30. Online bookings will be available soon. Save the date!

Limited seating due to current health restrictions with masks mandatory for all audience members.

For all enquiries, please email Michael Griffiths.

In light of current restrictions, the School has decided to postpone Knox Gala Day from Term 2 to Saturday 31 July, Term 3. We are hopeful that this new date will give this much loved community event the best chance to proceed. This date will be the last game of the winter sports season and a home game against Barker College. Please save the date. If you have any questions, please email Megan Bailey.

Winter Uniform
Term 2 changes over into winter uniform. Parents are encouraged to refer to the Uniform Policy and Regulations and we strongly recommend purchasing the winter uniform in the coming weeks as we cannot guarantee all sizes will be available at the end of term.

Special orders
For any students who have special requirements regarding winter uniform items, it is strongly recommended that these are discussed with the Uniform Shop Staff as soon as possible. Occasionally, we have students who have allergies/sensitivity to wool and in these instances, time permitting, we can get winter trousers lined and jumpers made in a cotton/nylon blend. These special orders require some notice: four weeks for the trousers and up to eight weeks for knitwear.

Other instances include if your son is not of a standard size. For example, very tall but slim and may require extra length or he may be of a more solid frame like a Rugby player and the standard sizes may be disproportional.

Please visit the Uniform Shop during trading hours (see below) or contact via us by phone 9487 0191 or email.

Trading Hours
Monday to Friday: 12.30pm-5.30pm
Saturday (Terms 1 and 4 only): 9am-12noon

Phone (02) 9487 0191 or visit the Knox website here for more information.

Julie Blackburn, Knox Uniform Shop Manager

Year 11 enjoying their new spaces in the WSA.