The term continues to race by with the hustle and bustle of exams, Pipes and Drums, Future Problem Solving, training sessions and, of course, the core business of our institution, classroom learning. 

This week the Class of 2021 received an inspiring and informative address from Mr O'Regan, Mr White, and members of the current Prefect Executive outlining the expectations and selection process for the Senior Leadership Portfolios. This year group has a very solid foundation of current and potential leaders among them and we encourage you to start a rich discussion with your son in regards to exploring the leadership opportunities that lay ahead for him as we progress ever closer to crossing over into Year 12. The basis of character was central to the message delivered on Thursday and it is in times of uncertainty and change when one’s true character is tested; and it has been pleasing to witness many of our boys pass this test with flying colours. Please access this link to view the presentation. 

It would appear that we have some very talented and aspiring young legal minds amidst the group with a number of boys participating in The Law Society’s Young Lawyers Program. The boys participated in lectures and tests on areas such as Introduction to Law, Law Reform and Policy Making in Australia, Advocacy for Everyone and Ethics in the Courtroom. A huge congratulations must go to the following boys who have attained a mark in the Top 20 of the Competition - Jeremy Huang 4th, Nick Shannon 5th, Campbell Wilson 6th, Daniel Heazlewood-Lee 11th, Anton Pan-Cassin 14th and James Sung 20th. 

Finally, to the committed readership 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

Seems we are hurtling towards the end of Term 2. What another incredibly busy week we have had!

Commencing Monday 15 June we have a few changes listed below:
• Knox is implementing a new temperature scanning system with facial recognition. Year 11 will now enter via Borambil gates and turn left into the hallway that leads to the WSA office area through the new facial recognition system. Students must have their ID card scanned. As they proceed down the hallway the ID scanning station will be located at the end of the corridor near the entrance to the Boater Cafe at bottom of the staircase. This means students, once they have their ID scanned, can proceed up the stairs to the Courtyard area or classrooms. As with any new technology we ask the boys be patient with the new process and understand they may need to allow extra time to be scanned in.
• Boys will have unrestricted locker access throughout the day. This means that the expectation is that every student will once again wear their boater to and from school and put their Knox bag/s in their locker during the day.

I am pleased to share a new video about the Centenary Mural at the Senior School. Congratulations to our Archivist Julie Mason for leading this project.

Audition Call for Knox Grammar School's Production of Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast'.
Performance dates are 29, 30 and 31 October 2020. Booked auditions will take place on the following dates:
AUDITIONS: Tuesday 16 June, from 3.30pm - 7.30pm or Wednesday 17 June, 4.30pm - 6pm.
CALL BACKS: Monday 22 June from 5pm and  Wednesday 24 June 24 from 4pm.
The time scheduled for auditions will be fifteen minutes with six students per sessions. Please click here to book an audition time and for more information.

On Thursday this week the Year 12 2021 Jersey order form was sent to parents (via a unique Edsmart email sent to parents). The form needs to be submitted by the end of Week 2 Term 3 which gives you plenty of time to discuss the 'nickname' chosen. Please ensure this follows the guidelines.

Debra Barnard

It is with great pleasure that we are able to announce that from next Monday 15 June, Seniors' Hall will be open until 9pm from Monday to Thursday during Weeks 8 and 9 and dinner will be available. We will also be able to provide access to Old Boy Coaches which is a resource the boys have missed over the past few months. Please register for dinner by signing the sheet located in the Boater cafe by the end of lunchtime.

Next week in Year Meeting we will speak to the boys about the upcoming Study Break. We will reinforce the importance of ongoing and consistent revision and study, formulated around a study plan. The boys will receive a study planner during mentor to use over the break. Seniors' Hall will be open over the three week break from 8pm-4pm. The coaches will also be available throughout the Study Break from 10am-2pm, so this is a good opportunity for the boys to develop their planner over the final two weeks of term, engage with their teachers, find out what they should be doing and ensure they allow for some contact with the coaches over the study break. We will also promote the need to have a good balance and to keep exercising and maintaining a healthy diet and sleep regime.

Andrew Weeding & 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

Monday 15 June 

• Student Stress Management for Years 11 and 12 - Session 1. 3.30pm - 4.30pm. WSA Lecture Theatre

Wednesday 17 June 

• UTS Bachelor of IT Co-op Program. 3.30pm. Online webinar.

Monday 22 June 

• Student Stress Management for Years 11 and 12 - Session 2. 3.30pm - 4.30pm. WSA Lecture Theatre

Friday 26 June 

• Term 2 concludes 

Monday 20 July 

• Term 3 commences (previously a staff only day) 

Due to the postponement of the Mock Trial competition, over the last six weeks, The Law Society of NSW have been running a Young Lawyers Program. The Law Society’s Young Lawyers Program is for students who are interested in the law and advocacy and 15 boys from Knox participated in lectures and tests on areas such as Introduction to law, Law Reform and Policy Making in Australia, Advocacy for everyone and Ethics in the Courtroom. 

The boys have participated via Zoom and submitting their test responses after each lecture. Congratulations to the following boys from our cohort who have attained a mark in the Top 20 of the Competition.

4th in NSW - Year 11 Jeremy Huang

5th in NSW - Year 11 Nick Shannon

6th in NSW - Year 11 Campbell Wilson

11th in NSW - Year 11 Daniel Heazlewood-Lee

14th in NSW - Year 11 Anton Pan-Cassin  

20th in NSW - Year 11 James Sung

Many thanks and congratulations to our Mock Trial coach Mr Christian Holman (OKG15) who has been running tutorials for the boys before the test and assisting them in striving to achieve the highest marks possible.

Tracey Walker

In line with Knox’s ongoing desire to support research in the field of anxiety and depression in young people, parents have an opportunity to participate in a survey from Macquarie University. If you have any questions, please feel free to email Jennie Hudson.

UTS - Bachelor of IT Co-op Information session presented by Knox Old Boys.

Years 10, 11 and 12 students are welcome to join a live webinar to hear about the UTS Bachelor of IT Co-op Program.

Presented by three of our Old Boys from the Class of 2019, students will hear about the Co-op program, hints and tips on how to apply as well as their own experience in the program. Details are below:

Date: Wednesday 17 June

Time: 3.30pm

Locations: online - click on this link to join the webinar.

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.

A reminder for boys wishing to come and join us on Saturday morning for some fun and fitness - 8am til 9.30am at Gillespie Fields. Everyone welcome.

If you are interested in more exciting news from the Sports Academy, please visit the Knox Remote Learning Hub here.

Martin Haywood

One of our cohort, Grant McAsey, is preparing to take his Aviation Licence test in a few weeks. Grant took his first solo flight last weekend and following are some photos a description of the experience in his own words.

'Completing my first solo at Bankstown Airport is my greatest achievement. Taking off from Runway 29er Left and completing a standard approach and landing all on my own was the goal. As I applied full power, that moment clicked and I realised I was on my own … no instructor, just me and the plane. As I was on the final approach I had my eyes on making a textbook landing. The nerves started to kick in. As I was 50 feet above over the runway, power set to idle, full flap selected and airspeed set to the landing speed, I landed with a smooth touchdown. A moment I will never forget.'

Grant McAsey

As Psychologists we often get asked about how much screen time is appropriate for young people. In many ways, focusing on the question of ‘how much?’ is less vital than ensuring that screen time does not replace or supersede other important areas of emotional, social and physical development. Among other things, it is important that screen time does not interfere with the need for students to have quality sleep, regular exercise, and opportunities for face-to-face interaction.

The question regarding screen time use often comes from the concern that screen time, in and of itself, is a ‘bad’ thing and should be limited – however it is important to acknowledge that digital technology is a part of modern life and brings many benefits – including opportunities for learning and socialising.

Current Australian guidelines recommend that children of high school age should spend no more than two hours per day using screens (not including time spent on technology for school learning). However, as researcher, speaker and author in the area of digital wellbeing Kristy Goodwin suggests, it is more important to consider 'what they’re doing with a screen, when they’re using screens, how they’re using screens, where they’re using screens and with whom they’re spending time online. Focusing exclusively only on how much isn’t the answer.' 

Having conversations with your teenager discussing these questions is just as important as simply imposing time limits and will help you create a schedule of screen time use that works for your family. For more information to help guide these conversations, click here. 

CommonSense Media recommends that if you're concerned about heavy media use, consider creating a schedule that works for your family. This can include weekly screen-time limits, limits on the kinds of screens kids can use, and guidelines on the types of activities they can do or programs they can watch.

If you have any specific concerns about screen time use and your son, please feel free to email the Knox Wellbeing Centre. In the coming weeks, look out for a planned interview between David Schofield, Head of the Wellbeing Team, and psychiatrist Dr Philip Tam, for more information on screen use and teenagers.

I’m pleased to advise that the CAS Heads have made the decision to recommence the CAS winter sports fixtures from Term 3.

Saturday 18 July (last weekend of school holidays)
Fixtures against Trinity for 1sts and 2nds Teams only

Saturday 25 July
Fixtures for all year groups

Saturday 1 August
Fixtures for all year groups

Saturday 8 August
Fixtures for all year groups

Saturday 15 August
Fixtures for all year groups (last week for Years 11-12)

Saturday 22 August
Fixtures for Years 7-10 only (last week)

The winter sport season will be followed by the Track and Field season as usual. Information regarding attendance of spectators will be confirmed closer to Term 3, subject to government guidelines.

While we understand some students may be away, a holiday training and trial plan will be released for students next week (Week 8) through the School app.

The planning of return to play for the CAS teams provides another wonderful step forward. However, it is imperative to note that while this is an exciting and much anticipated step, the return to contact training and full competition needs to continue to be approached in a safe and carefully staged manner. All sports progression and implementation will be done in adherence with the NSW Public Health legislation, Community Sport COVID-19 Safety Plan and Return to Play Framework.

Scott James