In a world that increasingly asks us to move faster, the idea that what you actually need to do every now and then is stop seems counterproductive.

Constantly on our smartphones, checking emails, replying to messages, checking social media, we find ourselves good at being preoccupied. We live in a society that is so fast-paced and in a culture where our “work” follows us constantly as we can access emails and messages 24/7 on our hand-held devices. As a result we find ourselves in a state of “continuous partial attention” – rarely stopping, never fully present. For many of us, it is so easy to lose the art of being aware of what is around us as we are constantly lost in what is ahead of us.

This fast-paced world and its ever-changing technology also raises the concern that our youth are growing up with too many conveniences and instant gratification.

Our students today are navigating life and relationships in a world primarily composed of red and green - stop and go - with no time for yellow, the “pause”. In a fast-paced society that expects immediate feedback and gratification, the challenge for our young people to “pause” and think before acting becomes understandably difficult.

Fifteen years ago, before the advent of social media, the “pause” allowed students to rethink their actions and tear up a hate-filled note they wrote to a peer the night before. The “pause” often prevented the negative consequences that accompany intense emotions. Now, without the “pause”, students type a hate-filled text and press send. A text cannot be torn up, and the ramifications are often immediate. The “pause” has been hijacked by social media and texting.

I believe that knowing when to engage is just as important as knowing when to disengage. Every now and then it pays to pause and reflect. Unfortunately, many young people have not been taught how to do this.

One of the first steps to making a good decision is to “pause” and think calmly about our options. Unfortunately, when we are upset, worried, frustrated or angry, our brains are responding emotionally, not rationally … this means our young people will respond emotionally … not rationally.

Of course the first way to teach children self-control is to model it. Children of any age are watching and learning from adults all the time, so thinking calmly, self-awareness and regulating our own emotions and behaviours is important. We can only encourage and develop effective self-control skills in our children if we are demonstrating the same skills. Teaching our children to express their feelings, listening to them, being non-judgmental and respecting their feelings also increases their skills in self-control. The word ‘PAUSE’ can also be a verbal reminder that they need to calm their body so that they can make a better choice.

Regardless of how old we are, learning effective ways to manage anger and other low moods is beneficial to everyone. We must always remember that it’s important to model the behaviour we want from our children.

Scott James

Week 2 is behind us, and the holidays are a distant memory. It has been impressive to witness this cohort find their feet so quickly, and social learning theory has been prominent in the WSA each and every evening.

On Monday the year group took part in the Your Choicez program, and the buy-in was fantastic. The interactive format delivered presentations about a contemporary view of masculinity, the implications of pornography on young men and the wider society, as well as healthy sexual practices. There were numerous chances for the boys to come together to participate in some discussion, and they need to be praised for their maturity and engagement.

On Tuesday the boys took part in one of three academic counsel sessions led by Old Boys (pictured below), whereby boys from the 2020 cohort shared their tips to success in specific subjects. This student perspective is extremely valuable, and the boys have had the freedom to choose three subjects that they feel would benefit from this additional information. Tuesday and Wednesday in Week 3 will see the boys participate in their final sessions.

We were fortunate to come together as a year group for our first Year Meeting of 2021 on Thursday, with a number of key messages communicated to the boys. The central message delivered by some of the key members of the Stage 6 team, Ms Goddard and Mr Nunan, was the notion of achieving at your personal best, through the high expectations of the WSA and the collective support networks of the social learning theory. Mr Stubbs-Mills and Mr White were explicit in communicating that our students aren’t defined by a mark or an ATAR, and that we all need to be driven by our own personal stories and strive for our personal best holistically, and not just in an academic sense. Whilst academics is a key element, completing Year 12 as a well-rounded, socially aware young man is paramount. Each and every student has their own unique story and varying aspirations and goals. Through the quest to maintain a healthy body and mind in order to pursue one's best, will positively impact wellbeing and outcomes, which can only collectively benefit the year group as a whole. If we focus on flourishing and creating a positive and supportive culture in the year group, it won’t be surprising if great results follow. A big thank you to Mr Kantek, who stopped in to speak to the group about English in 2021, and the importance of knowing the prescribed text. The boys have plenty of people in their corner, all wanting to provide the tools to allow our boys to reach their full potential.

Have a fantastic weekend of sport and rest. Please be sure to contact your son’s teachers, mentors or Team Leaders at any point if you have questions or concerns about your son’s progress.

Adam Shaw

This week I have made a comprehensive list in the Upcoming Events below for you to 'save the date' for anything you may be interested in.

Please click here to see the Evening Studies roster and staffing for Semester 1. This is also available on the Year 12 page of the portal. For your convenience I have linked the Assessment Schedule for this term and a reminder that the Assessment Booklet can be accessed by clicking the link found in the newsletter header above as well as on the Year 12 page on the portal.

Last Sunday SWE (Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Years 8-12) boys were in for a full day Rehearsal Workshop to rehearse their new repertoire with specialised tutor sectionals and mock concert performances and we would like to make a note of their tremendous efforts. With 64 outstanding musicians in attendance, we could not have asked for a better start to the year. Just listen here to how great it all sounded. What a magnificent start towards our Nationals Performance - congratulations boys!

Study period Leave
Students will be notified once Study Period leave is approved and will commence next week. Please note if your son has a study period in P6 followed by a second study period in P7, the expectation is your son remains at school for the P6 study period but may leave early (once approval is granted) at the start of P7. Alternately, if your son has a study period in P1 the expectation is he will be here, on time, ready to be in class at the start of P2. Please note there are NO study periods for Friday morning as the Sports Assembly (currently postponed due to COVID-19) is scheduled to take place in P1. Any student with a study period in P2 (9am) must attend their study period at school. Please note that should we see a regular pattern of arriving late to P2 classes the privilege will be revoked.

Enjoy the weekend!

Debra Barnard

It has been a fantastic start to 2021 for our incredible Year 12 cohort. Our young men are setting a great example for the Year 11 group that has now joined them in the WSA and have hit the ground running with their classes and other commitments.

It will be integral for each individual to continue to take advantage of every opportunity and support on offer through the next three terms. Holistic development, balance, health, a service-oriented approach to leadership and engagement with the pursuit of purpose and meaning remain the priorities and will help the collective to flourish moving forward. If the wellbeing of our young men is strong, personal bests and success will inevitably follow.

The Incursion on Monday with Your Choicez, on Masculinity, Sex and Pornography, was outstanding and was very well received by the year group. The conversations and reflections that came about as a consequence of the relevant and engaging presentations will equip the cohort with more knowledge and understanding to make good and informed choices in these important areas of their lives in the future.

The Senior Academy will be providing another Money Confidence Workshop on Wednesday 10 March from 6.30pm-8.30pm. This program was very popular last year and provides our young men with many of the everyday financial literacy skills that they will require when they leave Knox. Registration details will follow in the next week.

Further, we will be running a follow up workshop with the Team from Mobilise on Tuesday of Week 5 for those boys interested in a fantastic service and volunteer opportunity. I would strongly encourage the year group to engage here as they stand to really grow as socially aware citizens if they do so.

Once again, we are very much looking forward to supporting your sons through their final year of school and are committed to ensuring that they leave Knox with a deep seeded understanding of who they are and of what they can contribute as fulfilled young men of integrity and compassion.

Sam White

Co-Curricular Opportunities at Knox
Knox Grammar School’s commitment to providing its students with a holistic education is seen through its Co-Curricular program, providing ample opportunities, in a variety of areas that cater to students' interests, whilst developing their resilience, character, creativity, sportsmanship and understanding.

For an overview of the Co-Curricular opportunities offered at Knox, click here.
For a copy of the Weekly Training Schedule 2021, click here.

Chuck Ardron

I hope everyone has had a great week and enjoying being back into the routines of afternoon training and Saturday sport. Weather played its part on Saturday, unfortunately, which resulted in a number of disappointed Year 7 boys wanting to get a taste of their first experience in the Black and Blue.

Some highlights from the last seven days include:
• A record number of students attended the Years 8-12 Swim trials. Boys who have progressed to our Knox Finals will be advised.
• Nicholas Bigeni, Adam Van Horen and Leo Phijidvijan selected to represent CAS at the CIS Tennis trials.
• Luke Hedley selected to represent CAS U16 Cricket team and trial for CIS selection.
• Dom Goddard and Charlie Anderson selected for CAS Open Cricket team and trial for CIS selection.

The School is extremely proud of student Euan Liney (Y12). Euan is fundraising again this year as part of the Starlight Foundation’s Super Swim Challenge. Euan has set a goal of swimming 100km and raising $500. Already, Euan has swum 672 laps of the School Pool and is one determined young man. Some more details may be found here.

Regarding sport this weekend and how it will look with COVID-19 restrictions, please note the details below. Any late variations will be sent via the Knox app.

Process for Sports fixtures – Saturday 6 February
1. Check the team list to see your son’s team – see the Knox app (download instructions)
2. Check the sports draw to see where and when your son’s team is playing – check the Knox app
3. Is he playing at a Knox Grammar School venue? If yes:

• 2 spectator parents/guardians per player at our outdoor venues
• 1 spectator parent guardian per player at our indoor venues
• Service NSW QR code registration will be in place across all facilities at entry points, with standard health checks and questions.
• Players in all teams should turn up ready to play – no change rooms will be available.
• Canteens will be closed. Players should bring their own labelled water bottles and snacks if required.
• Players should leave immediately after completion of their fixture.
• Teams due to play in Great Hall, MacNeil and Lawson court will need to wait on Boulevard until they may enter the facility. This will depend on finish time of previous fixture.
• Water Polo players will need to wait in JAPAC rec area for clearance to enter the pool area.
• Standard 1.5m social distancing for all spectators.

4. Is your son playing away? Which school is he playing against?

Barker College
• Indoor venues - 2 spectator parent/guardians per player
• Outdoor venues - 2 spectator parent/guardians per player

Cranbrook School
• Indoor venues - 1 spectator parent/guardians per player
• Outdoor venues - 2 spectator parent/guardians per player

Trinity Grammar School
• Indoor venues - 1 spectator parent/guardians per player
• Outdoor venues - 2 spectator parent/guardians per player

Shore School
• Indoor venues - 2 spectator parent/guardians per player
• Outdoor venues - 2 spectator parent/guardians per player

Scots College
• Indoor venues - 1 spectator parent/guardians per player
• Outdoor venues - 2 spectator parent/guardians per player

St Ignatius College (Riverview)
• Indoor venues – 1 spectator parent/guardians per player
• Outdoor venues - 2 spectator parent/guardians per player

St Joseph's College
• Indoor venues - 1 spectator parent/guardians per player
• Outdoor venues - 2 spectator parent/guardians per player

Please ensure you follow social distancing guidelines at all times and leave immediately after your son’s game. As always, any sports cancellations due to wet weather will be announced via the Knox app (make sure you have subscribed to alerts for your son’s summer sport).

If you have any questions, please email Sport.

Thank you and best wishes to all our students this weekend. Go the Black and Blue!

Martin Haywood

Maggie Dent - From Boys to Men webinar series
Maggie Dent is a well-known Australian parenting author and educator who has a particular interest in the early years, adolescence and resilience. She has also been called the ‘boy champion’, with her most recent book 'From Boys to Men: Guiding our teen boys to grow into happy, healthy men' being published last year.

In the coming weeks Maggie is presenting three webinars based on this latest book which would be helpful for anyone with boys aged 12-25 years old:
• 25 February – Teen boy communication that really works
• March – 'Unsticking' an unmotivated teen boy
• 22 April – Helping teen boys manage anger and failure

(NB. If you can’t watch at the specified time, replays are available at any time after). For more information and to book, click here.

When: Wednesday 24 February 2021, 7.45am-8.15am
Where: Online seminar, register at www.knox.nsw.edu.au/GC-seminar
Who: All Senior School parents

With the launch of a new Knox Certificate of Global Competency for Senior School students in 2021, Knox parents are warmly invited to an online seminar. Speakers will include Margie Raymond (Coordinator of the Knox Certificate of Global Competency), Karen Yager (Deputy Headmaster of Student and Teacher Excellence K-12), Elizabeth Ruff (Head of Middle Academy), David Caspari (Deputy Chairman of School Council), students and parents. The seminar will cover topics including why global competency is important and how the Knox Certificate of Global Competency will be delivered for students.

Please register your interest by Monday 22 February. All enquiries to Margie Raymond.

Knox Certificate of Global Competency seminar flyer

Monday 15 February  

• Individual photo- Catch-up. Lunchtime only. Great Hall Foyer

Thursday 18 February  

• Geography Excursion - Stockton Dunes/ Tamburlaine Organic Wines

Friday 19 February  

• Geography Excursion - Stockton Dunes/ Tamburlaine Organic Wines

Wednesday 3 March  

• SOR Excursion - Nan Tien Temple 

Friday 5 March to Wednesday 10 March 

• Battle of the Bands Heats - Boulevard

Sunday 7 March  

• Clean Up Australia Day

Wednesday 10 March  

• Money Confidence Workshop 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Details to follow next week

Thursday 11 March  

• CAS Swim and Dive Championships - SOPAC

Monday 15 March  

• Y12 Parent Morning Tea - POSTPONED at this time

• Parent/Teacher interviews

Thursday 18  to Saturday 20 March  

• Musical - 'Beauty and the Beast'

Thursday 25 March to Thursday 1 April inclusive

• AFX camp 

Thursday 1 April 

• Term 1 concludes

Friday 2 to Monday 5 April

• Easter Weekend

Tuesday 20 April

• Term 2 commences

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again - rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
Philippians 4: 4-5

The Knox portal and our other online portals, such as Parent Lounge, can be accessed at knoxnet.knox.nsw.edu.au.

School App for K-12
The Knox Grammar School app allows you to stay informed about the School. Keep up to date on everything from Sport and Co-Curricular, to the newsletters and school calendar with instant notifications. You may install the Knox Grammar School app which is available for download from your app store. Please use the following instructions to download, install and set up the app:

KGS School app download instructions

Parent Directory
The Parent Directory is designed for parents and guardians to optionally share contact details with other parents/guardians.

Parents/Guardians may 'opt-in' the Parent Directory accessed via the Knox Parent Lounge. It is an ‘opt-in’ system and requires that you select which contact details (if any) you wish to share with other parents/guardians.

Please be advised that the Parent Directory is to be used for personal, private use only and is not to be shared with third parties. By agreeing to share contact details through the Parent Directory, parents are enabling other parents and guardians at Knox Grammar School to view their details and possibly make contact.

Parent Lounge User Guide (see page 6 of this user guide on how to update the Parent Directory)

If you have any issues logging into Parent Lounge please contact the Knox Helpdesk.

KPA Name Badges
The KPA organises name badges for parents at the start of each school year for use at the various school functions you will attend throughout your son's time at Knox. They come with the Knox crest and your name, with a simple magnet on the back for attaching. They are a much better alternative to the sticky labels that always peel off! The cost of $16 includes postage.

Orders close Friday 19 February 2021. This is the only opportunity to order name badges for 2021, so please put your order in now to avoid disappointment.

Please click here to order and pay for a name badge. Be sure to put down your name as you would like it to appear on the badge (first and last name only).

Winter Uniform
We would like to remind all parents that Term 2 changes over into winter uniform. For further information on what the uniform item changes are, please refer to the Uniform Policy and Regulations. We strongly recommend purchasing the winter uniform earlier than later and not wait until the last week of the school holidays as we cannot guarantee all sizes will be available.

Special orders
For any students who have special requirements regarding winter uniform items, it is strongly recommended that these are discussed with the Uniform Shop Staff as soon as possible. Occasionally, we have students who have allergies/sensitivity to wool and in these instances, time permitting, we can get winter trousers lined and jumpers made in a cotton/nylon blend. These special orders require some notice: four weeks for the trousers and up to eight weeks for knitwear.

Other instances include if your son is not of a standard size. For example, very tall but slim and may require extra length or he may be of a more solid frame like a Rugby player and the standard sizes may be disproportional.

Please visit the Uniform Shop during trading hours (see below) or contact via us by phone 9487 0191 or email.

Trading Hours
Monday to Friday: 12.30pm-5.30pm
Saturday (Terms 1 and 4 only): 9am-12noon

Phone (02) 9487 0191 or visit the Knox website here for more information.

Julie Blackburn, Knox Uniform Shop Manager

Welcome back to Term 1! On behalf of the Oratory Team, I hope you all had a restful holiday and are excited for the term ahead. The Debating staff would like to extend a warm welcome to the Year 7 students joining us this year. In particular, those of you who we met at the recent Co-Curricular Expo.

Debating
The Debating program at Knox caters to all skill levels. We run three activities throughout the year.

Weekly training sessions will be held from 3.30pm-5.30pm in the Knox Cultural Centre (KCC) after school.

● Year 7: Monday and Thursday (students may select their preferred day), KCC102
● Year 8: Tuesday, KCC102
● Year 9: Wednesday, KCC 102
● Year 10: Thursday, KCC 102
● Opens (Senior Training): Wednesday, KCC103

In order to participate in training, students must register at the following link here.

Knox Debating Cup (KDC)
The KDC is an internal competition where students can create their own teams (or volunteer to be placed in a team) and debate with each other every Wednesday. Throughout the tournament, students’ progress is evaluated by our outstanding adjudicators and individual feedback is given every week. This term, the Knox Debating Cup is running on-site in the KCC Auditorium. The KDC will be held on Wednesdays from 6pm-8pm starting in Week 2.

ISDA and FED Friday Night Debating
Squads will be selected from each year group to represent Knox in ISDA and FED Friday Night Debating Competitions. Participation in training is mandatory for selection. Students will be trialled during training sessions in order to select the squad. We aim to maximise participation for Year 7 students, we will be entering the largest squads possible. To receive the trial policy and for more information about ISDA and FED Debating, fill out this Expression of Interest in Representative Debating here.

Knox Debating Board
The Knox Debating Board is the home of all information regarding Debating. It includes session times, all registration links, a calendar of dates, and weekly squad selections. Please visit and bookmark the Knox Debating Board for easy access throughout the year. 

Further information regarding Oratory programs including Public Speaking and Mock Trial will be announced over the coming weeks. If you have any inquiries, please feel free to email me.

Leah Mercier, Oratory Coordinator

Social Justice and Service form an important part of our Knox community ethos and we invite all parents and boys to participate and support our local, regional and international partnerships and initiatives. Parents in particular are invited to join our ‘Parents for Justice’ group. Please email me at any time  if you can help in any way.

Christmas Hampers
We were overwhelmed with the support of our Christmas Hamper Drive last year with up to 240 families assisted as a result of our community’s generosity. This year we will continue to support this initiative through food donations to help the many families in Sydney who are struggling. Your help makes an enormous difference to their lives. The staff at Parramatta Mission wrote to share their thanks with the following: “Thank you to the Knox community for your generous support in what has been one of our most challenging years to date.” 

STARRTS
The staff at STARTTS were very grateful for the generous donations of Christmas gifts received for refugee children. Thank you to our community. 2021 will be our 13th year of supporting their work.

Shoes for the Philippines
After our collection last year, the shoes arrived and were delivered to Young Focus, a non-governmental organisation that works with young children and their families to provide education and nutrition programs. They are now seeking donations of children’s shoes (up to ten years old) and good quality clothes for these young children. At present, they have a sufficient number of shoes for the older students. Please send in your donations to Mrs Clarke’s office in Room 15.

Grace’s Place
In support of Grace’s Place (a centre named after Anita Cobby’s mother for those who have been impacted by violent crime), we are assisting their call out for good quality clothes. Donations may be left with the New Leaf Shop in Macquarie Street, Parramatta.

World’s Greatest Shave
Knox is once again supporting this event with boys invited to join the Knox Students Team here to commence fundraising. Last year we raised $30k and are aiming to beat this amount in 2021. Diarise the date of Thursday 18 March at lunchtime.

The Knox Social Justice Club
The Knox Social Justice Club meets as a group each Friday at 1pm lunchtime, in the Knox Cultural Centre Auditorium. Encourage your son to come along with many opportunities for volunteering and leadership. If your son would like to join us, please ask him to email Mrs Clarke.

Helen Clarke, Head of Diversity Justice and Stewardship

The cohort are getting good use out of their jerseys as we have experienced some cooler weather lately!