As you would appreciate, we are continually updating and considering our practices in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. We take into account both the NSW Government guidelines and NSW Health orders, to ensure our practices support the wellbeing of our students and staff across all Knox campuses.

Our students and staff have responded exceptionally well to our updated practices in regard to entry onto campus health screening measures, hygiene and distancing practices and ongoing education on behaviours in support of the wellbeing of our immediate and wider community.

Following recent updated guidelines in regard to schools we now request that if your son has been absent due to a flu-like illness, or develops flu-like symptoms whilst at school, he should not to return to school until he has a negative COVID-19 test and is symptom free. The School also requires a copy of your son’s negative COVID-19 test result prior to returning to campus.

Phil O'Regan

As Year 12 finished their trials this week, our Year 11 cohort assumed their position in the Great Hall and embarked on their Yearly Exam journey; their final academic challenge before moving into Year 12. I am not exaggerating when I say that their entry and behaviour throughout the first English Exam was sensational, prompting Mr Weeding to say it was the best start he had seen. These boys know when to stand up and be exemplary, and showed it again this week. The rest of the week has run smoothly, with boys following protocols regarding exams, and using the McKenzie Library at other times to continue their preparation. Monday sees our boys sit their Mathematics exams, and so it will be another big morning in terms of logistics and getting everyone into the Hall. Boys are reminded to ensure that they are at school by 8.30am at the latest, moving to the WSA Level 3 Courtyard, before moving into the Seniors' Hall at staff direction. From there, we will move to the Great Hall by seating rows. 

The boys’ mentors sent an email during the week, and the common message was that of focusing on wellbeing in addition to academics, and ensuring that time is taken for self-care and proactive strategies including talking with support people, good nutrition, and regular exercise. In keeping with this final point, please be aware that a number of summer sports are currently operating with weekly training, and that boys aligned to these sports have a responsibility to attend. 

Mr Stubbs-Mills and I are wishing the boys and their families all the best for the weekend, and for their second week of exams. As always, please be sure to contact your son’s teachers, mentors or Team Leaders if you have any questions or concerns about your son’s progress.

Adam Shaw

Monday, saw Year 11 very well represented in the McKenzie Library for pre exam study. Tuesday, we hit the ground running with almost the entire cohort attending the English exam at 9am. From all accounts the boys were extremely well organised, courteous and prepared. The remainder of the week has seen students coming in for exams, study, or both. With Week 1 of the exams complete, I encourage the boys to enjoy some of their weekend incorporating time to relax and rest, as well as study, in preparedness for the second week of exams.

During the week I had the privilege of watching a few of the Drama Practical performances. In a word - WOW! 

On Monday Year 11 have the Maths exam. With Year 12 back to normal classes and continued scanning in the Seniors' Hall, we ask you arrive on campus from 8.20am onward, where possible. If you arrive earlier, you will need to scan in and wait up in the Year 11 space in the Courtyard. Year 12 are due to move to classes at 8.20am and at this time, Year 11 will be directed down from the Courtyard to the Seniors' Hall prior to being moved across to the Great Hall for the exam that starts at 9am.

A gentle reminder that with information regularly being conveyed to parents, can you please ensure you have updated your contact information on the parent portal.

I invite you to click here to watch the KNOXFLIX 2020 winning entry, 'Boat 900'. Congratulations to Ethan Ang, Ben Chubb and Shiv Suresh who won Best Film and Best Story. Ethan won Best Actor and Best Cinematography was awarded to Shiv Suresh and Ben Chubb.

Year 12 Book and Resource List

Year 12 2021 (HSC) booklists are now available and can be completed online via the Campion website. Please place your order by Friday 18 September. When ordering online you will need to use the Access Code: WTXQ . Please click here to access the booklist. The parcels will be delivered the week ending 9 October 2020. More details available below.

I invite you to enjoy the following article I came across this week by Madisyn Taylor and thought I would share it with you as it seemed very poignant in our current time. It also struck a chord as it felt related to our wonderful community of students, staff and families. 

Ants and Bees, a Metaphor 

We can learn a lot from watching ants and bees, living in community and working for the greater good. When we see ants and bees out in the world, we often see just one, but this belies the reality of their situation. They cannot and do not survive as individuals; they survive as members of a group, and the group's survival is the implicit goal of each individual's life. Often, humans, on the other hand, strongly value individuality and often negatively associate ants and bees with a lack of independence. And yet, if we look closer at these amazing creatures, we can learn valuable lessons about how much we can achieve when we band together with others to work for a higher purpose. 

Have a wonderful weekend and a very Happy Father's Day to all the dads for Sunday.

Debra Barnard

Tuesday 1 September to Monday 14 September 

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

Week 8B

Friday 11 September 

• Cadet Cadet continuation/ discharge forms due

Tuesday 15 September 

• Normal classes resume until the end of term

Friday 18 September 

• Year 12 2021 booklist orders due

Friday 25 September 

• Term 3 Concludes

Monday 12 October 

• Term 4 Commences - first term as Year 12 

Year 12 Book and Resource List

Booklists for Year 12 (HSC) are now available and can be completed online at Campion. Please place your order by Friday 18 September for home delivery before Term 4 commences. Please note the retail store is open as usual. However, we are required to ensure we do not exceed COVID-19 related capacity restrictions and adhere so social distancing at all times. Where possible, if orders could be placed online for home delivery it would be greatly appreciated.

When ordering online you will need to use the following Access Code: WTXQ or click here to go directly to the list. All orders placed online are delivered to your home, office or any designated address. The parcels will be delivered week ending 9 October 2020.

Placing your order online by the due date is the best way to ensure students will receive all available items in time for Term 4. Wishing new HSC students all the best!

The Team at Campion Education

Year 11 students will be able to submit their blazers for Prefect and Winter Colours for embroidery during the Term 3 holidays. A member of staff from the Uniform Shop will be in the WSA meeting room (entry along the corridor) during the last week of this term during recess and lunchtime to confirm Colours received from the latest list and to complete paperwork.

The 2021 Prefects are to complete their paperwork on Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 September at recess and lunchtime. All other students to complete their paperwork on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 at recess and lunchtime.

All students must check the list, which will be located on the outside of the WSA office in the next week.
Each student submitting a blazer must do the following;

• Complete the form and ensure it is signed by a parent
• The form is to be placed in the top pocket of the blazer when handed in.
• All badges and personal possessions are to be removed from the blazer pockets.
• The blazer must be clearly named with a laundry marker so it can be identified.
• For Colours from previous years that have been not added, the student must supply the uniform with evidence of the award either by sight by a Uniform Shop staff member or copies of the certificate.

Any blazer received without the completed paperwork will not be embroidered. Blazers are to be handed in by 5.30pm on Friday 25 September.

Blazers will be available for collection from 1pm on Monday 12 October from the Uniform shop. If they are ready earlier, there will be a notification on the Knox app and the Uniform Shop Facebook page.

If this deadline is missed, the next opportunity to get them done will be during the Term 1 holidays in 2021.

Julie Blackburn

OKGA Careers event - Shaping your career: LinkedIn and recruitment strategies
When: Wednesday 16 September, 6pm-7pm
Venue: Online via Zoom
Registrations: Will open next week

Mark Truskett (OKG08) and Rhys Gill (OKG08) will speak about the do’s and don’ts of social media, as well as strategies used to stand out to recruitment professionals and employers, including using LinkedIn to showcase your skills and experience. They will offer insights into current recruitment practices, and the importance of creating a positive social footprint.

For more information, please contact Linda Gomez.

Following are some of the projects from Mr Clagnan and Mr Norman's Industrial tech classes where they used either metal or timber components to make a table. Congratulations gents - amazing work!

Below are some of the students who were asked to pose to best relate to their practical performance and character. The standard of performances were incredible and full photos will be in next week's newsletter.