Dear Parents,

It has been reported that we have one case of a student with Whooping Cough in Year 9. The student is recovering at home. Should your son experience persistent bouts of coughing please keep him home from school and seek medical advice before he returns.

The text below includes information about pertussis and a link to the NSW Health pertussis factsheet.

WHOOPING COUGH

What are the symptoms?

In vaccinated cases pertussis may present as a very mild illness with very few symptoms, for example a mild cough at night.

Some cases may have a more typical presentation including a persistent cough that comes in bouts. Bouts may be followed by vomiting and a whooping sound as the child gasps for air. Pertussis can cause a severe illness in young children particularly those aged under 6 months.

How is it spread?

Pertussis is usually spread by direct contact with the droplets from the nose and throat of an infected person produced whilst coughing. People at greatest risk of getting the illness are those who have had a considerable amount of face-to-face contact with a person with the disease. Pertussis can occur in people previously vaccinated.

What should parents do?

Anyone developing symptoms should consult their local doctor and mention that there has been a case of pertussis at the school. Children who are diagnosed with pertussis cough need to stay away from school until they have taken 5 days of a special antibiotic.

For further information please refer to the NSW Health pertussis factsheet or contact the Northern Sydney Public Health Unit on 9477 9187.

Phil O'Regan

As we approach the halfway point of Term 1 the Class of 2021 continue to impress in many aspects of the School community. From the academic buzz of the WSA to the wonderful tunes of the Pipes and Drums drifting with the early morning mist from Knox 1, to the lunchtime musical and band rehearsals, culminating with the sweat and toil of sports training in the afternoon, this Year 11 group are really relishing in their senior schooling. 

This week signalled the final session of a series of group seminars presented by Mr Sam White on the topic of Purpose and Meaning. These thought provoking and inspirational presentations hopefully have the boys reflecting on their direction, goals and aspirations moving forward both at school and beyond. These groups sessions will now progress into a number of Study Skills based Mentor sessions to allow the boys to engage with strategies to best navigate the academic rigour of Stage 6 in the lead up to the first round of assessment tasks in the coming weeks. Furthermore, these sessions will afford the Mentors and Mentees the opportunity to discuss how these strategies can be best utilised in conjunction with the evening study sessions and the plethora of resources on hand in the form of experienced teaching staff and passionate Old Boy Coaches in the WSA.

The Academic and Social Justice Portfolio Leadership Teams, in conjunction with Mr White and Mr Shaw, have been in over-drive in launching numerous community and school based initiatives. These opportunities range from Peer Maths Support Sessions, The Global Leadership Summit, Year 11 Formal Committee, Gotcha For Life Fun Run, Year 11 Leadership Camp and the Kuringgai Chase Fun Run. The boys certainly have plenty to participate in to assist themselves and others both at school and local community level. 

Whilst the term continues to move at a rapid pace it is important to ensure a clear line of communication between all parties in your son’s Knox journey. 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 port of contact.

James Stubbs-Mills

In this newsletter there is a link to a document titled Classroom Values and Learner Protocols which can also be found on the Year 11 page on the portal. The contents of the document has been discussed in mentor group over the last few weeks and the boys have signed it to acknowledge classroom expectations.  If you have any questions about these Protocols, please contact your son’s mentor. 

Last Saturday I had my first taste of the Basketball competitions that regularly take place at Knox. I had the thrill of watching from the sidelines the speed, fast paced game, precision and timing, all to the beat of the very loud and very enthusiastic Tartan Army. It was amazing to see the boys in action with the added bonus of catching up with some parents. 

The Tartan Army were very diligent on Saturday and spent the first quarter down at the Water Polo 1sts team against Riverview in full voice. We later received news the Water Polo team won with a score of 9 to 8 with a fantastic goal by Tyler Krenkels with one second to go - right on the final buzzer. As a result of this win the Knox team is still in contention for the CAS/GPS Championships. How exciting, and what great 'edge of your seat' stuff. Well done to Tyler and Gabe Carmody for their contribution to this great win for the team.

Congratulations to James Simmonds who competed in the NSW Surf Lifesaving Championships on the weekend at Blacksmiths Beach. James, together with three other team members from the Newport surf club, took out the gold medal in the U17 Patrol Competition with James placing fourth in the U17 Champion Lifesaver event. James will now represent Newport SLSC at the Australian Championships at Broadbeach in April.

The accolades continue with another Year 11 trio who, as part of Knox teams, performed well with the 1sts placing fourth in the ACT Sailing Competition in Canberra over the weekend. Well done Jack Hildebrand, Tom O'Sullivan and Ethan Jones.

Moving away from sport towards another area of the diverse curriculum offered at Knox, tickets are now on sale for the wonderful satirical play by Oscar Wilde of 'The Importance of Being Earnest'.  I look forward to seeing you there for what I am sure will be a great performance. 

I would like to bring your attention to the following note from NSW State Transport. When using public transport other than for school, children aged 4–15 and secondary students aged 16 years and over are entitled to concession travel. Secondary students aged 16 years and over are required to travel with their proof of entitlement card. As such I would ask your son to come and see me to get his concession card. Please note the current cards will expire at the end of March so all students will need to come to see me to be issued a new concession card after 1 April.

I would also ask that 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.

Finally, next week the exciting Battle of the Bands heats are off and running. I look forward to hearing the musicians compete as this is always a fantastic showcase of the amazing talent found here at Knox.

Debra Barnard Tel: 9119 0883

In Year Meeting on Wednesday, the Year 12 students from the Academic Portfolio Team spoke to the cohort about a quadrant approach to organisation, as outlined in Stephen Covey’s book ‘First Things First’. This simple 2 x 2 matrix breaks activities down on the basis of importance and urgency. When an assessment looms 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. This quadrant approach will be referred to regularly over the coming seven terms prior to the HSC.

The assessment program is now on the portal and will assist in forward planning. To complement the assessment program is a spreadsheet (for Term 1) that documents the day of all assessments and can be customised by each boy by removing all but the subjects they study, printed and posted in a visible location.

Andrew Weeding and Greg Nunan

Calling all rugby enthusiasts! We are recruiting for new members to be involved with the Knox Rugby Referee’s Association for 2020. We will provide you with training and support for whatever level of rugby with which you are comfortable. Whether you are a parent, old boy, sibling or interested party, we would love to have you as part of our team.

Please email me call 9487 0166 for more information.

Craig Milligan  Rugby Referees Coordinator

Monday 2 March 

• Battle of the Bands - heats

Tuesday 3 March 

• International Women's Day Breakfast. 7am - 8.15am. 

Wednesday 4 March 

• Geography excursion. Penrith water Treatment

Tuesday 10 March 

• World's Greatest Shave. KCC Auditorium.

Thursday 12 March 

• CAS Swim and Dive Championships. SOPAC 

Sunday 15 March 

• Pipes & Drums Years 8 -12. Scots College Highland Gathering 

Thursday 19 March 

• Visual Arts Installation Excursion. Narrabeen Lake and Beach.

Thursday 19 March to Saturday 21 March

• 'The Importance of Being Earnest' performances. Tickets now on sale.

Sunday 22 March 

• Pipes & Drums Years 8 - 12. Scots All Saints Bathurst Highland Gathering 

Saturday 28 March 

• Earth Hour 2020

Thursday 2 to Wednesday 8 April 

• AFX Cadet camp

Saturday 4 to Wednesday 8 April 

• Years 11 and 12 Senior Academy Leadership camp

Thursday 9 April

• Term 1 concludes

The tuckshops are in urgent need for help on Monday 2 March. If you are able to assist  please use the link for signup or email Caron Suleyman on tuckshop@knox.nsw.edu.au.

Thank you!

Please see attached important information regarding the 2020 Student Residential Address and Other Information notice. 

Knox Theatre Ensemble presents ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’

When: Thursday 19 – Saturday 21 March 2020, 7.30pm
Where: Drama Theatre, Junior Academy and Performing Arts Centre, Senior School
Cost: $20 per ticket (limited tickets)

Please click here for tickets. 

Winter uniform
As we approach the halfway mark of the first term we would like to remind all parents that Term 2 changes over into winter uniform. For further information on what the changes are, please refer to the Uniform Policy which is available on the Knox portal here. We strongly recommend purchasing the winter uniform earlier rather than later. Do not wait until the last week of the holidays as we cannot guarantee the sizes that will be available.

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 you are not brave enough to shave please sponsor someone and donate generously for those that are!

It is with pleasure that we invite you and/or your son to participate in the 2020 Kuringgai Chase Fun Run to show support for athletes taking part and, raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics Australia, Sydney Upper North Shore Region.The Run is on Sunday 15 March at Claude Cameron Reserve, Wahroonga from 8am and finishing by 11am. Students are expected to make their own way to, and from, the venue.

We are encouraging the young men of the cohort to attend as a 'buddy' for a Special Olympic athlete in either the 5km or 10km course. To be a buddy Knox students do not need to pay a fee or fundraise, however must be granted parental permission to attend. Parents can give permission via the Parent  Lounge and navigate to the Ku ring Gai Chase Fun Run under the tab marked Excursions and Tours. There is no need to return a permission slip.

The participation in the Fun Run is a great opportunity for our boys to help a person with a disability and is an important part of the School’s social justice program. As such, the value to both the boys and the Special Olympic Athletes is invaluable for students and families who are looking to give back to their local community and help to support others. 

Students who do attend are required to wear good running shoes and PE uniform and students should be aware that this is considered an official school function. As such, school rules and expectations apply.

Further information can be obtained by visiting the Run’s website or, by contacting the staff members below who are organising the event for the school.

We look forward to seeing you at the event for what promises to be an incredible day for our local community.

Aaron Nolan  and John Diamond 

On Monday afternoon the photography class students had the opportunity to put their photo skills to practice. They were visited by a couple of interesting subjects who were constantly on the move away from the spotlight.