It has been fantastic to have the Class of 2021 back to full-time face-to-face teaching this week. With continuous shifts in rooming, training schedules and the like, this week has progressed at pace.

The progression towards a return to normality took another step this week with the re-opening of the locker space, which is quite a relief to many of the boys that craved a respite from the burden of a fully stocked Knox backpack. However, as is with all adjustments of restrictions comes the necessary protocols to ensure the safety of all those involved in this space. A colour-coded system has been put in place to alleviate the large gatherings of students within the confined space that is the locker precinct. This process appeared to have operated successfully during the course of business on Friday and will be reviewed and continued into Week 6.

Many students have completed a very congested period of assessments and there are also a number of results from earlier in the term being returned. It is important that the boys allow for some time for rest and reflection as the peak of the assessment period begins to subside. We encourage you to discuss with your sons the progress they have made thus far this term, celebrate the achievements, and reassess any academic setbacks in order to take stock of what has been a very intense and challenging five weeks.

It is true what they say that an army marches on its stomach and this was reinforced with the jubilant cries from the boys when informed of the imminent reopening of the canteen. This process again will be gradual, staggered and modified, but will be a welcome addition to many a boy who can now unashamedly 'forget' his lunch and not need to rely upon his ever-committed parents.

Once again to the committed fans of this enduring publication, I bid you a fond farewell and if you have any questions pertaining to your son’s progress please contact his Mentor, myself or Mr Shaw.

James Stubbs-Mills

It has been a very busy and full week having everyone back on campus!

For the most part the majority of the Year 11 cohort have readily participated as requested by arriving on time, coming into the building via the tennis courts, using the hand sanitiser, being temperature checked and scanning in with their ID cards. We cannot reinforce enough how important this process is and that it needs to be followed until advised otherwise. This means if your son is late to school for any reason he must sign in and have his temperature checked before he attends any classes. Any student who arrives to class without being screened will be sent to be checked and therefore possibly be even later to class.

Earlier this month we missed giving proper recognition to two members of our cohort. I would like to offer my congratulations to Joseph Hamson and Josh Collett who both received recognition from Swimming Australia that they would have likely have qualified for the now cancelled 2020 Junior Pan Pacific Championships in Hawaii - Joseph for the 100m Freestyle and 100m Butterfly, Josh for the 50m Freestyle. The boys' recognition noted, 'You have the ability and skills to represent your country but for this year unfortunately not the opportunity to do so.' While the boys are sadly unable to compete, we congratulate them on this outstanding achievement. 

The Boater Cafe will reopen on Monday with a limited menu. Please see below the menu being offered for next week (Week 6).

And finally, I am pleased to announce the winning design for the Year 12 2021 Jersey is .....  (colours will be the Knox Black and Blue not as below)

Further details to follow in next week's newsletter.

Happy weekend!

Debra Barnard Tel: 9119 0883

We are very excited to introduce a re-imagined report for Year 11 that mirrors the reports that have been published for Years 7-10 earlier this term. These reports will be made available through Parent Lounge on Friday 5 June (Week 6). The new report format will include:

• The Knox Learner Protocols assessment and reporting tool;
• A refreshed grade distribution table that highlights where your son sits within the Standards of Achievement (SOA) letter Grade A-E;
• New executive summary and subject specific pages;
• An abbreviated guide to interpreting the report; 
• Personalised reflection questions your son will use to reflect on how he can deepen and improve his learning and take ownership of his learning journey. In Year 12 your son will be allocated an academic mentor who will engage with him using questions and strategies that align with the learner protocols;
• Mentor comments.

More information about the Learner Protocols will be released alongside the academic reports. We have a provided a link to an overview presented by our Headmaster Scott James along with our Deputy Headmasters Karen Yager and Phil O’Regan. Click here for the video ‘Realising Potential – The evolution of your Son’s report'.

Andrew Weeding and Greg Nunan

Please download the PDF document here for all the information for students to continue to be involved in these important and beneficial programs.

For any questions or concerns regarding the co-curricular program offered in Term 2, please feel free to contact me via email.

Chuck Ardron

Friday 5 June 

• School day replaces pupil free day

Monday 8 June 

• Queen's Birthday Public Holiday

Friday 26 June 

• Term 2 concludes

A reminder for everyone to check a revised training schedule for Weeks 6 to 9 on the School app. There have been some changes to the current schedule as buses become available at 5.30pm.  

Whilst there will be no Saturday sport or competition through to end of Term 2, we have taken the opportunity to run a speed and fitness session at Gillespie each Saturday from 8am. This session holds many opportunities to possibly gain some speed, build fitness, enjoy a healthy start to the weekend, dusting of the 'cobwebs' and put your name in front of Knox Athletic selectors for Term 3 selection. A great opportunity so please encourage your boy(s) to come along and enjoy a good workout. Everyone is welcome.

For all inquiries please email Matt Fowler. 

Would you believe…Knox Flix 2020 registrations are now open!

This year we have two versions of one theme, and two versions of one competition. The theme is either 'I Believe!' or 'Would you believe…'

Tell us a tall tale, or a deep truth. Similarly this year for the first time you have the option of submitting a narrated story board, or a film.

All film entries will need to be accompanied with an outline of how you worked within the isolation rules as they existed at various times of filming.

Please read the attached information and register here.

TEAMS Your team can comprise any number and combination of students, from any year group.

LENGTH Film : 2 – 4.5 Minutes Narrated Story Board : 1 – 3.5 minutes.

CRITERIA All entries must be wholly original work and produced specifically for the 2020 Knox Flix competition. The majority of your entry must be student originated content. All entries must clearly relate to the theme – 'I believe!' or 'Would you believe?'. The entry specifications require a frame rate of 25 frames per second in 16:9 PAL format.

COPYRIGHT Your film should not include copyright music or material (i.e. the latest song or film clip). If your entry does include copyright material, your entry cannot be shown outside the school or online for legal reasons. Royalty free music is preferred and can be sourced online.

TOOLS You may use whatever equipment and software you are able to access. The library has video cameras and tripods available for you to borrow, but if you have a mobile phone camera and know how to use iMovie on your MacBook to edit, you’re ready to roll. However, please make sure you film in landscape not portrait if you are using an iPhone!

SOCIAL ISOLATION. This year all aspects of social isolation rules must be observed. As such, please submit a written outline of the measures you have employed in order to meet the legal requirements associated with COVID-19. This should include filming dates where the rules have changed over time.

ACTOR CONSENT All actors appearing in your entry must sign the consent form giving permission to be filmed and shown on film in public. Forms must be handed in with your entry.

APPROPRIATENESS Entries must be appropriate in content: violence and the use of vulgarity or explicit themes are not accepted. Should you have doubts here, please seek advice. Teams with entries deemed inappropriate may be given the opportunity to alter their entry before being disqualified from the competition.

KEY DATES Entries due Monday 3 August, Week 3 Term 3 at 9am. This year the winning entries will be shared during an online assembly.

JUDGING Knox Staff, in communication with industry professionals, will convene an on-line panel through which all prizes will be awarded. Judging will be based on how well you use your chosen aspect, the story/plot and quality of overall production (film/sound/lighting/effects etc.).

PRIZES Best Film 1st $450, 2nd $150. Best Narrated storyboard $350, Best Cinematography $150, Best Story/Writer $150, Best Actor $150. These prizes will be awarded in the form of JB Hi-Fi Gift Cards split between members of the winning team.

REGISTRATION Pre-production registrations are due by the last day of Term 2. Please complete the registration form.

QUESTIONS Please direct all questions, whether technical or competition related to Mr Fisher.

CONCLUSION You have to be in it to win it. The scope of this project cos as unlimited as your imagination and creativity. Have fun with it!

Warren Fisher

ATLAS HUMANOID TEAM LIVE Q&A

What: The Atlas Humanoid Team at Boston Dynamics have agreed to a live Question and Answer (Q&A) video chat with 20 students about their work. Selection of students is based on three criteria; a question you would ask the Atlas Humanoid team about their work, your involvement in co-curricular and further interests and subject involvement.

You will need to register here to be part of this unique opportunity.

When: Wednesday 24 June at 7.30am

Where: WSA Lecture Theatre

Contact: Melinda Valent

Click here for further information on Boston Dynamics.

The Community Portfolio aims to connect the three campuses of Knox; Knox Senior, Knox Prep and WPS. This week during mentor, the Community portfolio had students from both Years 11 and Year 12 spend some time writing cards to students in Year 5 and Year 6.

The cards contained short messages with a positive aura to welcome back the prep students to school. Together, over 350 handwritten cards were written and will be received by the Years 5 and 6 students next week. Stay tuned for the reaction photos and possibly, some cards back!

Camden Watt
Executive Prefect of Community