It seems like only moments ago the class of 2020 were entering the senior academy and beginning their senior studies. The dedication and maturity shown throughout Year 11 has created a solid foundation from which to continue to develop their skills, knowledge and collaboration as a year group as they prepare for their final year of schooling.

This week the boys proudly received their Year 12 ties and with this, the understanding that they now carry the responsibility of setting the culture of the School.

Similarly, on Wednesday, the 2020 Prefects were inducted into their roles and each made a promise that they would faithfully execute their office and uphold the values of the School to the benefit of the whole school community. They will set the tone for the year group and therefore the School, and are excited to be given the opportunity to build upon the already exceptional culture of Knox Grammar School.

As we enter this final stage of schooling, it would be remiss of me not to mention the anguish the Richter family are facing at the moment after Alex’s terrible accident in the holidays. The impact of his accident has been widely felt across our School community and at St Lucy’s where he used to volunteer in the art room every Wednesday. We will be doing what we can to support him and his family. There are many people praying for Alex and his family and we ask that you would keep them close to your hearts during this very difficult time. We will be assisting where we can and will in due course be asking for some parent support.

The Class of 2020 have had some difficult and confronting times over the past few months. We think of all those suffering at this time, particularly the Richter family and Alex’s close friends, and pray that they will be comforted and surrounded by loving family and friends.

Jesus says: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11: 28-30

Beth Goddard

Welcome to Year 12, Term 1. When I look around and see all the new ties it becomes very real for me, I believe we have a very exciting time ahead! I was privileged to attend the Student Leadership Chapel Service on Wednesday morning and the school assembly today where the boys recited the Oath to Mr James, family, staff and the School. I have included a few photos in the photo gallery. 

As the cohort are now the Leaders of the School we ask that they all wear their uniform with pride. Please ensure your son has black polished shoes, his hair cut to Knox standard, his shirt is tucked in and socks pulled up at all times. The younger boys look up to Year 12  as role models and often take note of their appearance.

I would like to congratulate Will Bondy, Jack Delaney and Calum Pincott who were chosen to be the 2020 War Cry Captains.

Over the term break Alex DeLaine, Angus Dickey, Hugo Howell, Max Jolley, Owen Lees, Luke McCready, Harry Taylor and Jiaming (Kevin) Yang had an amazing time on the Kokoda Tour. Photos are in the gallery below.

Computer Club takes place every Wednesday afternoon from 3.30pm – 5.30pm. Although they are currently working in the new innovations building, they are just about to move to the new iHub - old Music block (which will occur on 30 October).  Their focus for the term will be the Grok Code Quest competition which starts 28 October, 2019. All boys 7-12 are welcome to attend.

Lachlan Gee, Ian Tay, Richard Xue and Daniel Zahedi will be attending the Future Problem Solving Nationals Competition this weekend in Brisbane. I would like to wish the boys good luck and safe travels.

Academic Colours was delayed for reasons beyond students control, as a result some Year 12 students missed out on the opportunity of submitting their blazer for Academic Colours embroidery.On this occasion these students only will be able to submit their blazers for Academic Colours at the end of Term 4 along with the Year 7 to 10 award list. The blazers will need to be dropped off after Presentation Day in the Lawson Centre at the conclusion of the ceremony. It is imperative the student speaks to Mrs Blackburn in the Lawson Centre during the last week of Term 4 to complete the relevant paperwork.

On Wednesday this week the Year 12 Valedictory BBQ commenced and it was a great success. Every Wednesday the boys will be able to buy their lunch from the BBQ using either Cash or EFTPOS. All money raised will go towards the Valedictory Dinner next year. I would like to thank all the volunteers that have offered to help make this a huge success.

As many boys now have the driver licence and are driving to school could you please complete the Student Drivers' Form and ask your son to return it to me. Parking around the School is very limited. Please remind your son to be aware of our neighbours and that being late to school because they couldn't find a park is not a valid reason.

Robin Cherry  Tel: 9119 0884

Over the last two days the Class of 2020 have watched the Class of 2019 gather in Seniors’ Hall before moving to the Great Hall for their HSC English examinations. The boys emerged from each exam with a degree of confidence but focused knowing they had to turn their attention to their next examination.

The Class of 2019 have been outstanding role models. They embraced the opportunities on offer throughout their final year and, based on their exit survey, thoroughly enjoyed their time at Knox.  The Class of 2020 have worked closely with the outgoing boys and are more than ready to take over the leadership responsibilities of the School.

We speak to the boys often about Social Learning Cognitive Theory. Proposed by Albert Bandura in 1977, this theory of learning posits that observation and modelling have a significant influence on how people can acquire new information, values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviours.   As Bandura pointed out (Bandura, 1977, p.22) "Learning would be exceedingly laborious, not to mention hazardous, if people had to rely solely on the effects of their own actions to inform them what to do," and "fortunately, most human behaviour is learned observationally through modelling: from observing others one forms an idea of how new behaviours are performed, and on later occasions this coded information serves as a guide for action."

The Weeks Senior Academy provides an ideal environment to embrace Bandura’s way of learning. Environment alone, however, will not necessarily ensure a positive outcome as there must be a cognitive element as well (Bandura, 1995). This includes a mindset including;

•      wanting to learn and believing learning is possible (self-efficacy)

•      expecting similar outcomes if actions are similar to what is observed (outcome expectancy)

•      paying attention to positive role modelling

•      having the cognitive capacity to process and permanently retain what has been observed

•      reproducing what has been observed

•      practising what has been observed

We know the boys will put Social Learning Cognitive Theory into action over the next twelve months. It will be a privilege to have the opportunity to share this final year journey with the boys and their inspirational Team Leaders and Mentors.

References

Bandura, A. (1977). Social Learning Theory. Prentice-Hall: Englewood Cliffs.

Bandura, A. (1995). Self-efficacy in changing societies, NY: Cambridge University Press.

Andrew Weeding & Greg Nunan 

 The 'Careers Insight Evening' will be held on Monday 28 October 2019 in the WSA Lecture Theatre and various classrooms in the WSA and Montgomery buildings.

An initiative introduced this year, this event is open to students in Years 9, 10 and Year 12 (class of 2020) and their parents. The purpose is to give students the opportunity to learn about different careers, industries and professions and to understand different careers and educational pathways. 

FORMAT

Commencing at 5.30pm in the WSA Lecture Theatre, Mr James Hunter, National Managing Partner at KPMG, will give a key note address on the global competencies valued by employers and how students can utilise their experiences and opportunities at Knox to develop diversity of skills and be successful in a constantly changing world of work. Places are limited for this one-off session, so please ensure you reserve your place (seats for student and parents) on the registration form below.

Following the key note address will be the Career Insight sessions. An event in conjunction with the OKGA, our Alumni (and some current staff) will be presenting career information and personal insights into their current profession. There will be 16 different career categories (listed below). Students are invited to select 3 career insight sessions they wish to attend during the course of the evening. Presenters from each career category will repeat their session 3 times as per the following schedule:

6.30pm -7pm

7.10pm -7.40pm

7.50pm - 8.20pm

Each session will run for approximately 30 minutes with 10 minutes in between to allow for travelling time to the next session.

CAREER CATEGORIES:

         Science & Engineering

         IT

         Law

         Cyber and International Security

         Medicine

         Allied Health

         Business, Accounting & Finance

         Business – Entrepreneurial

         Media & Communication

         Creative & Design

         Technical & Trades

         Sport Coaching

         Sports Management

         Police

         Defence Force

         Agriculture, Environment and Primary Industries 

REGISTRATION:

Please click on the registration link here to register your attendance to the key note address (limited to 150 places) and three career sessions (limited to 50 places per session).

For further information, please contact Linda Gomez.

I look forward to seeing many students and parents at this major careers event. 

LINDA GOMEZ

CAREERS ADVISOR / PSYCHOLOGIST

Sunday 20 October - Monday 21 October

• Boarding Leadership and Service  Camp

Monday 21 October

• Year 12 Subject Information Evening

  6.30pm - 7.30pm

  Seniors’ Hall 

Wednesday 23 October 

• Engineering Excursion

  Parramatta River

Monday 28 October 

• Careers Insight Evening

   5.30pm-8.20pm

   Weeks Senior Academy Lecture Theatre

Friday 15 November

• Knox Christmas Markets

   4pm - 8pm

   Great Hall

Thursday 5 December

• Knox Presentation Day. Term 4 Concludes

Students from Knox Grammar School will reprise the School's very first musical, 'Oliver', with a production of the much loved musical in the Knox Junior Academy and Performing Arts Centre from 7-9 November.

The production will be the first major show to take place in the new 750 seat Wenkart Theatre.

Performances
Thursday 7 November 2019, 7.30pm
Friday 8 November 2019, 7.30pm
Saturday 9 November 2019, 7.30pm

Venue
Wenkart Theatre, Junior Academy and Performing Arts Centre, Knox Grammar School, Wahroonga

Tickets
All tickets $35 at www.knox.nsw.edu.au/oliver

The production will feature a cast of 170 students from Years 7 to 12 from Knox Grammar School, Ravenswood School for Girls and Pymble Ladies' College, with a live orchestra and sound and lighting by a student tech crew.

All welcome to join us for these upcoming events:

• OKGA Special Event: Tomorrow Man - A Night with the Blokes - Tuesday 29 October
• OKGA 2019 Golf Day - Wednesday 30 October

OKGA 2019 Golf Day 
When: Wednesday 30 October 2019, Lunch from 12.30pm; Tee Off 1.30pm 
Where: Avondale Golf Club, Pymble 

All members of the Knox community are warmly invited to participate in the 2019 Annual OKGA Golf Day.

Competitions to be held on the day include Individual Stableford + 2 Ball Team Event, Leavers’ Trophy ‐ Aggregate Four Ball, Father and Son, Mother and Son, Longest Drive and Nearest the Pin.

2019 Golf Day Invite

Please register online here by Friday 18 October. Contact the OKGA Office on 9487 0419 if you have any questions.

OKGA Special Event: Tomorrow Man - A Night with the Blokes
When: Tuesday 29 October 2019, Free BBQ from 6.30pm; Workshop from 7pm 
Where: Senior School Gymnasium, Lawson Centre 

The Old Knox Grammarians Association (OKGA) is delighted to be hosting a special Tomorrow Man event in conjunction with Gus Worland (OKG86), and Gotcha4Life.

Come and join with fellow men of the Knox community for ‘A Night with the Blokes’ - a space for a casual and honest conversation about the current man code and what tomorrow’s man might look like.

Throughout the night, we will explore how we can look after ourselves, our mates and families better while carving out our own version of the Aussie man.

Participants will leave this workshop with a deeper level of understanding and connectedness to their fellow men.

This event is open to all male members of the Knox community together with grandfathers, fathers, sons and brothers (under 16 must be accompanied by an adult male).

2019 OKGA A Night With The Blokes Invite

Register online here by Friday 25 October. 

Contact the OKGA Office on 9487 0419 or email okga@knox.nsw.edu.au if you have any questions.

Raising boys in a digital world
An evening with Dr Kristy Goodwin

When: Wednesday 20 November 2019, 6pm-8pm
Where: Wenkart Theatre, Junior Academy and Performing Arts Centre, Senior School
Who: Knox Prep, Wahroonga Prep and Knox Senior School parents of students in Years 5-9

Dr Goodwin will provide practical and effective strategies to ensure your son’s online safety and healthy technology habits.

Please RSVP by 15 November here. For more information, email Amanda Pooley.

Parent seminar - Raising Boys in a Digital World flyer

For many years the Knox community have generously supported the STARTTS program. STARTTS is the acronym for the ‘NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors’.

The organisation provides a range of professional services to facilitate the healing process for refugees who have been exposed to torture and trauma, as well as access to health services for newly arrived refugees. The aim of the program at Knox is to provide your son with the opportunity to learn a little about the organisation and what it does, as well as to think about children of his own age who have had to cope with very real difficulties in their lives. It encourages the boys to think about demonstrating compassion in his life and how displaying that compassion is integral to our Christian compassion at Knox

The boys are asked to make a Christmas card for a child who is currently being assisted by the service. It would be wonderful if your son could provide a small Christmas gift ($10 in value) to which his card can eventually be attached.

The gifts should be handed to the SAOs by Tuesday 3 December. We intend to present the gifts to a guest speaker from STARTTS organisation that is coming to the School in the last week of term.

In previous years, the gift from our boys was often been the only gift these children received. If possible, please wrap and label the gift indicating whether it is appropriate for a boy of girl.

We appreciate your support as always and hope that the boys will learn a great deal from their participation in this program.

For more information, please contact Mrs Helen Clarke.

Each year the Knox community supports those in need in the lead up to Christmas. We ask the Knox community to donate food for families who will struggle to provide for their families at Christmas. 

Donations can be handed in to Mrs Cherry- WSA or Mrs Clarke’s office (Room 15).

Suggested items:

Pasta & pasta sauce

Breakfast cereals (no nuts)

Long-life milk

Tinned ham and/or turkey

Long-life custard and/or canned cream

Christmas pudding/fruit cake and/or mince pies

Tinned tuna/salmon

Tea/Coffee/milo/hot chocolate/nesquik

Canned fruit

Cordial

Savoury snacks (no nuts)

Table trimmings (such as lollies, chocolate or Christmas bonbons)

In early December we will arrange to take all the donations into Wesley Mission in the City for distribution to these struggling families.

Calling any budding triathletes!

For the first time ever, CIS will be introducing the CIS Teams Triathlon Championships as a qualifying event for the NSW All Schools Triathlon Championships in February 2020.This event will be held on Monday 28 October (Week 3) at Penrith International Regatta Centre. Please see attached for further information.This event is for teams only and you will need to participate in this event to qualify for the teams event at NSW All Schools. Individual competitors will still be able to register directly for the NSW All Schools event in February.

We are seeking interest from individual swimmers, cyclists and runners to form teams for the CIS event. Knox will form seeded teams of boys who we deem to have the fastest qualifying times in their age category. Additionally, Knox will form social teams of boys wanting to give the sport of triathlon a go.

Please fill out the following form to express your interest in participating in this event.

Please contact Mr Hart if you have any questions.

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