The Class of 2021 are progressing at pace towards their final assessment period for Year 11. The culmination of the academic program for the Preliminary courses across all subjects will take place over Weeks 7 and 8. 

The key focus of our Mentor sessions this term has been on developing and adapting the boys' study skills and assessment preparation. Whilst many of the group have embraced this process and have been enacting these strategies on the home front or in conjunction with the WSA evening studies facilities, it is not too late for those still finding the inspiration to take those initial steps towards engaging in structured preparation to get started in order to afford themselves every opportunity to perform at their best and finish the year strongly.

These sentiments were expanded upon by Mr Nunan at our Year Meeting this week as he took the boys through the assessment schedule and exam protocols for the coming weeks. It is imperative that the boys stay abreast of these important dates, times and processes in order to avoid any unnecessary additional stress during this exam period. Whilst academic preparation is a key component to exam success, the correct fuelling of the body and relaxing of the mind through physical exercise is also crucial. Mr Shaw provided the boys with some extremely poignant and helpful suggestions pertaining to this area in a very informative presentation.

As the dust settles on what was an unorthodox winter sports season, the Year 11 boys were instrumental across the full plethora of all the codes on offer. Congratulations to Year 11 on their participation at all levels and to the boys who are enjoying their Football silverware! The AFL, Rugby and Football players who deserve a special mention in recognition of their efforts with selection in their respective CAS Merit Squads include: AFL - Will Blackburn, Patrick Bolger, Dom Goddard, Liam Puncher and Ed Ogilvy; Rugby - Romeo Bray, Tom Morrison, Tom Goddard and Luke Tucker; Football - Cooper Stormonth; and Volleyball - James Jiang. The representative honours didn’t stop there with the following Debaters selected for CAS as the Captains of the 1sts and 3rds: Dhruv Hariharan and Sam Druce, respectively. Well done to all!

Finally, as this has been a very trying and stressful period for all involved in the year group, please feel free to contact your son’s Mentor or the Year 11 wellbeing team. With a shift from routine in regards to the amended approach to the exam period, it is important to be vigilant as we support the boys in the Class of 2021.

James Stubbs-Mills

Please ensure you take the time to read through the information from Mr Weeding and Mr Nunan regarding the upcoming exams in the section following.

We have advised the boys that the School is waiting for a delivery of calculators and we currently do not have any for sale or spare. I would encourage you take the time getting all items required this weekend in readiness for your son's first exam from Tuesday 1 September. I am aware many of the cohort will be coming in to study on Monday 31 August - a reminder students are to wear smart casual clothing. Items such as singlets and thongs are not deemed appropriate and your son will be sent home.

The Leave Form and Illness Misadventure Form can be found on the Year 11 portal page under the academic tab along with the Exam Schedule and the Examination Code of Conduct.

I cannot emphasis strongly enough the importance that all students, on arrival to campus regardless if attending for an exam or to study, must come through the Senior Academy to have their temperature taken and scan their ID. From Monday students will also receive a coloured dot to be a visible confirmation they have been through the correct sign in procedure. We also require students to sign out any time they leave campus.

Please see below the study sessions for Weeks 7 and 8 as discussed by Dom Goddard at the Year Meeting on Tuesday.

I would like to wish the young men of the Class of 2021 all the best in their exams. I have complete confidence in each and every one of you!

Finally, I would like to express my sincere thanks for the beautiful flowers delivered this week from the boys of Year 11 ... it is so appreciated.

Debra Barnard

We have been so impressed with how accommodating the boys have been in allowing Year 12 to use Seniors’ Hall. It has been a challenging year for all but the way the cohort has responded shows the resilience they possess will place them well as we move into Year 12.

On Tuesday at Year meeting we spoke to the boys about the procedures for the next two weeks over the Yearly Examination period.

The following is a summary of the areas covered in the briefing:

• The boys were introduced to Mrs Nicole Hayman and Mrs Michelle Bittle who will be the Presiding Officers during the exam period.
• We spoke to the boys about the procedures, especially in light of changes made due to COVID-19 restrictions. The routine on each exam day is summarised below.
• The importance of getting to an exam early and reading the exam timetable carefully was reinforced. We recommend that students are at school well in advance of the scheduled starting time to help guard against transport delays.
• Students are reminded about the importance of being well prepared for each exam and to have all the correct equipment, including spare calculator batteries, non-erasable black pens and no whiteout tape.
• Throughout the year we have constantly reminded the boys about the importance of exercise, good diet and getting plenty of sleep.  These habits are vital during exam periods and this message was reinforced.
• Monday is a study day.  During this study day (Monday 31 August) the boys are free to use the McKenzie Library to study. Teachers will be in their classroom at the time they normally teach on these study days for assistance. Once the exams start, teachers will not be located in their classrooms when they normally teach Year 11. If boys want to see their teacher, they are encouraged to organise a mutually convenient time.
• During the exam period, McKenzie Library will be open for individual and group study during the day. The WSA Library will be used as an exam room throughout the day so will not be available. Afternoon and Evening Study in Seniors’ Hall will operate as normal, as will the sign-up procedures for dinner. The library will be available for evening study after dinner ONLY Monday to Thursday.
• The counselling team will be on call throughout the exam period if required. Appointments can be made through Mrs Barnard.
• We reminded the boys of the importance of continually backing up their work in case of computer failure to ensure notes are not lost.

Procedures for students sitting exams:

• Do not come to school for an exam if you are unwell. If you need to miss a scheduled exam due to illness, ensure that Mrs Barnard is notified before 8am. Submit a completed IMA, as per the assessment policy within 48 hours of the scheduled exam date. All students who miss an exam will be supported by the Stage 6 team.
• Full school uniform must to be worn.

On arrival at school for an exam:

• Enter the WSA through the corridor with the thermal scanner. Report to Mrs Barnard for temperature verification, a well-being check and hand sanitation. All students will be issued a sticker to verify this has been done.
• Wait in the WSA Level 2 Courtyard (Not Seniors’ Hall). Do not move to the Great Hall.
• All students must be in the WSA Level 2 Courtyard at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time. Students will be escorted to the Great Hall at the appropriate time, as per exam seating arrangements to ensure there is no waiting on the boulevard or in the Lawson Centre.

Students studying in McKenzie Library (non-exam day):

• Enter the WSA through the corridor with the thermal scanner. Report to Mrs Barnard for temperature verification, a well-being check and hand sanitation. All students will be issued a sticker to verify this has been done.
• Only McKenzie Library is to be used. Other areas of the school are off limits.
• Neat casual clothing may be worn. Students not dressed appropriately will be asked to go home.
• Students are to sign out with Mrs Barnard on departure and return the allocated sticker.

On behalf of the whole School, all the very best to Year 11 for the Yearly Examinations.

Andrew Weeding and Greg Nunan

Monday 31 August

• Year 11 Study Day 

Tuesday 1 September to Monday 14 September 

• Yearly Exams. Exam timetable can also be accessed on the Portal. 

Friday 25 September 

• Term 3 Concludes

I would like to remind all Senior School boys that they are invited to take part in our Knox Track and Field Meet Series from this Saturday at Gillespie Field. Despite there being no official CAS Track and Field Season due to COVID-19, Knox is determined to push ahead with an internal Track and Field Series to support their physical and mental health.

The event will take the form of a ‘Nitro Challenge’, with boys invited to take part in a series of individual and team events, which will be a lot of fun.

Senior School boys should arrive at 10am for training (hurdles, sprints, middle distance, javelin, discus, long and high jump) followed by the Nitro Challenge from 11.30am to 1pm. Boys are also welcome to simply attend the training session at 10am, or just the Nitro event, boys are not required to attend both sessions unless they desire.

The events are taking place each Saturday until Week 8 (Saturday 29 August, Saturday 5 September, Saturday 12 September). A reminder, we are unfortunately unable to have any parent spectators on-site due to COVID-19 protocols. Please drop-off your son and return to collect him at the end of the session.

For more information, please contact Mr Matt Fowler, Head of Athletics.

Martin Haywood, Head of Knox Sports and Aquatic Academy

CAS Debating Shield Winners
I am very happy to announce that this year Knox Grammar School has won the CAS Debating Shield for winning the most debates across the competition. Knox finished on a total of 42 wins, with St Aloysius’ College coming second on 34 wins and Barker College in third on 33 wins. Well done to all our debaters! This is the second time Knox has won the Shield.

CAS Debating Trophy Winners
In a three-way tie with Barker College and St Aloysius’ College, Knox Senior A have won the CAS Debating trophy with a total of 4/5 wins. This is the fourth time we have won the CAS Debating Trophy! Congratulations to our Senior A debaters: Sam Druce, Dhruv Hariharan, Oliver Weeding, Will Choi (Captain), Will Fernandez and Allen Chen.

Ride with Richter
Ten months ago, the Knox community received the news that now Year 12 student Alex Richter had an accident on his mountain bike, resulting in a spinal injury. After 10 months of hospitalisation and rehabilitation, he was discharged and given the all-clear to return to school. The Stage 6 Team worked with Alex and his family to put a gradual return to school plan into place, which included doing the HSC over a few years. These intentions were short lived as Alex decided he wanted to be back at school full time and complete his HSC this year! Despite having missed three terms of class work, Alex is currently completing his Trial HSC exams in all subjects and is on track to meet all NESA requirements to be eligible to complete his HSC with the Class of 2020. Wow!

I am proud to commend to you a fundraising initiative that kicks off this Saturday. Register now at the Ride With Richter website which is a challenge to either ride, run, row or walk from 29 August to 20 September (Tour de France dates). The idea is to commit to a goal within one of these activities. I have heard of some lofty targets within the Stage 6 team as they endeavour to ‘Ride With Richter’. Me, I will be aiming to walk and row as part of the challenge. I encourage the entire Knox community to register for this event either as an individual or as a family.



Scott James