We are now past the halfway point of Term 1, and there are no signs of things slowing down. Things have been running smoothly amongst the cohort, and there is an air of focus and self-assuredness leading into a busy few weeks of academia. The WSA is being used in increasing numbers, and Mr Nunan saw fit to remind our year group about the importance of utilising the Old Boys and staff members on duty during these afternoon/evening sessions, asking for advice around planning and organisation as well as help with course content. Mr Weeding again revisited the Quadrant System of prioritising tasks, and elaborated on times within a typical evening that may lend itself to working within the zones of Quality and Necessity. 

For many boys in the Class of 2021, this week has seen them get their first taste of Stage 6 Assessment Tasks in the form of both Modern and Ancient History, as well as SLR. These tasks increase in prevalence throughout the next three weeks in particular, and so the aforementioned information from Mr Nunan and Mr Weeding is of increasing importance.

Next week will see our swimmers representing the School at the CAS Swimming and Diving Championships, one of the biggest sporting events on the calendar. James Constable (School Vice Captain) addressed the Year 11 cohort, encouraging everyone to make their way out to join the support and war cries of the Tartan Army. I am looking forward to seeing a substantial number of our boys getting behind their peers and the team to take out the title once again.

Groups of boys were notified this week about their involvement in both the Year 11 Formal Committee, and the Kuringgai Mental Health Youth Forum. They are to be congratulated and we have confidence that they will do a stellar job in these areas.

Once again, 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 contact your son’s mentor to seek direction.

Adam Shaw

It is imperative that the School has your correct details so we are able to contact you at all times. Please log onto the Parent Portal and check that your phone and address details are correct and update if necessary. If you experience any difficulties logging onto the Parent Portal, please contact our helpdesk on (02) 9473 9706 or email.

My congratulations to band 'Scapegoat' consisting of Oli Gordon (guitar), Bill Parker (keyboard), Finn Carolan (drums), Nick Grattan (guitar), Asha Nayer (guitar) and Zach Zibaee (Y12 vocals) for their performance in the heats of the Battle of the Bands this week. The finals will take place in Week 2 of Term 2. From all accounts the boys 'rocked' it out of the park!

I would like to make special mention of Euan Liney who participated in the Starlight Superswim again this year. Though sporting an injury Euan still managed to swim an incredible 63.5 kms in the pool and raise a total of $1544! WOW- that is awe inspiring.

I am pleased to advise the term dates for 2021 are now available on the Knox website. I would ask you ensure you take into consideration these dates with relation to the Class of 2021 being in their final year at Knox.

School photos are ready to order from next Friday 13 February. To download your son's portrait and year photo, please login to the Melba Studios website, select School Orders and enter password KNOX. You will require your son’s student ID number which is located on his student ID card. This is privacy protected so only you can view your son’s portrait. Your son’s high resolution image will be sent to you via Wetransfer, and you can also order additional discounted printed copies. Your school account will be charged $20 for the student ID card and the electronic year photo and portrait for your record of his time at school. 

I would like to congratulate Mitch Smith who has been selected on the NSW U18 Metro Basketball Team. Mitch will play in the National championships to be held in Ballarat in April.

I look forward to seeing as many students as possible at the CAS competition next Thursday night as we support the Knox teams for the second last time.

Debra Barnard Tel: 9119 0883

All presentations will be held in the WSA Lecture Theatre with lunch from 12.50pm to 1.30pm. Years 11 and 12 students welcome.

Term 1:
• Wednesday 11 March – Lattitude Global Volunteering – Gap Year Programs
• Tuesday 24 March – Engineers Australia

 Term 2:
• Monday 4 May – UTS Bachelor of Accounting Co-op Scholarship (presented by Knox Old Boys currently in the program)
• Tuesday 26 May – Bond University
• Thursday 28 May – James Cook University (Medicine and Dentistry)

Linda Gomez

CAS Swim and Dive Championships Supporter Approval. Please find attached a letter regarding students who wish to support the CAS Swim and Dive teams at the CAS Championships on Thursday 12 March. If you would like you son/s to attend please go to the Parent Lounge, select the event, confirm his medical details and click on the accept button. Please click here for directions if required. This event is always one of the best on the CAS calendar and the School looks forward to another exciting evening in 2020. 

Martin Haywood

Tuesday 10 March 

• World's Greatest Shave. KCC Auditorium. Please sponsor someone and donate generously.

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 

• Gotcha4life fun run

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

Saturday 28 March 

• Earth Hour 2020

Thursday 2 to Thursday 9 April 

• AFX Cadet camp

Saturday 4 to Wednesday 8 April 

• Years 11 and 12 Senior Academy Leadership camp

Thursday 9 April

• Term 1 concludes

Friday 10 April

• Good Friday

$5 Donation Flash Sale

The next flash sale will be the week commencing Monday 16 March for one week only. This will include most second hand uniform items that have been donated by parents or have been in second hand for over two years.

If you have any items of uniform you would like to donate please ensure they are clean and in good condition. Please drop items off to the Uniform Shop at 10 Borambil Street from Thursday 12 March. Due to hygiene reasons we cannot accept socks, bags or hats.

All proceeds of items sold will be donated to the Rural Relief Program nominated by Mrs Helen Clarke. This program offers financial assistance to families that live in rural communities that have been impacted by drought and bush fires. 

Thank you in advance. 

Julie Blackburn

For the past 12 years the Knox community has been supporting Wesley Mission each Easter with gifts of Easter Eggs and Pots of Noodles for Sydney’s homeless. This small gesture for those who are struggling and isolated brings a lot of joy and appreciation. Please bring your donations along to the WSA Management office.

The following students have been cast in the performances of 'The Importance of Being Earnest'. The play runs from Thursday 19 to Saturday 21 March. 

This year’s Young Curators program coordinated by 3:33 Art Projects, has kicked off with students from Years 8 and 11 involved. The students will be taking part in a series of events that prepares them for organising an exhibition here at Knox later in the year. They will be working alongside Reg Mombassa to curate an exhibition of his work. Students were introduced to Reg’s work by visiting his recent exhibition at Clayton Utz law firm last Tuesday.

The Year 11 students involved are Jack Sheppard, Michael Li and Michael Xenofontos.

Tim Owers