Recent experiences reinforce the old adage that ‘the more things change, the more they remain the same.’ Term 2 is now in full swing and Year 12 have committed themselves to their assessment tasks and started engaging in meaningful conversations with their KAI mentors. Off the back of these meetings, the boys should reflect on what they have achieved so far and consider that there is a long way to go during the HSC journey which offers many opportunities for improvement and consolidation. I trust that the boys will set achievable goals and develop working plans as they approach their examinations later in the year.

The agility with which the boys have approached their academics will only serve them better in the future as they have been able to effectively develop many of the required skills sought by universities and employers. Naturally, there is beginning to be a lot of focus on pathways for 2021 and many have taken advantage of Ms Gomez’s excellent Career Hub presentations this week.

Yesterday during Year Meeting, Mr Weeding and Mrs Goddard highlighted the need for the boys to be compliant with the social distancing regulations, which includes no high-fives and handshakes. We are confident that common sense will prevail and that boys should also avoid crowding during peak times, particularly in the Senior Centre and outside classrooms. 

Understandably, many of the boys are craving social interactions and being inside a traditional classroom. It is only the students who can provide the energy within the school community that we have all been missing in recent weeks – we can’t wait to see you all!

Duncan Stedman

Who would have thought five years ago when we opened the Senior Centre that it would look like it does right now? As we walk around the building today, inspecting final preparations for when students return next week, it certainly doesn’t look like an environment that has Social Learning Theory as an underlying foundation. Despite the measures that we have put in place to enact distancing amongst the boys, we can assure the Stage 6 community that nothing has changed in our desire to connect the boys in their learning, even during a pandemic. We congratulate everyone; staff, boys and parents, on the resilience and agility shown since teaching went online, and we are sure this demonstrated strength of character will make us all appreciate face-to-face classroom teaching and learning even more. We are really looking forward to Monday and seeing the boys!

Boys are reminded to check their timetables in Student Café for next week. Their classes have not changed periods but may have a room change. Timetables will be uploaded this evening.

Andrew Weeding and Greg Nunan

Life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance, you must keep moving. – Albert Einstein

The past two months have been a period of stress, hardship and challenge for most people in our community. Balancing professional and personal responsibilities, staying healthy and coping with reduced social interactions with our families and friends have tested us all. That said, when looking at the medical statistics, we can all be very grateful for our broader experience of COVID-19 in Australia, when compared to the rest of the world. Additionally, the prospect of a staged return to on-site learning from next week has filled us all with a great sense of excitement and relief. Whilst not out of the woods, it is encouraging to see some light at the end of the tunnel.

For our senior students at Knox, we want to continue to support them through this time whilst also providing ongoing opportunities for growth and development. To that end, the Senior Academy Team will be offering the Money Confidence Program, run by Moneyvest Financial Education, to interested Year 11 and Year 12 students on Thursday 28 May from 6.30pm - 8.30pm. This opt-in workshop will provide skills and knowledge to our young men around everyday financial situations that they will face when they leave school. The program costs $25 per student and parents can accept the invitation to attend via the Parent Lounge.

Many staff and students have continued to work hard and creatively to provide opportunities for connection through the break and the start of this term. It has been inspiring to work with so many people who are committed to improving the situation for others and to making the most of any given situation. From the wonderful work that Mr Weeding, Mr Nunan and our Heads of Department have done to create working solutions for completing assessment tasks online, to the ongoing positive and engaging messages from our Prefects together with the recent launch of the Masterclass initiative which has been driven by our Year 11 Chairmen, Knox should be very proud of its response during this time.

We will be continuing to utilise appropriate speakers, platforms and organisations to engage our senior students and to help them develop through the Knox Total Fitness framework. Once again, please do not hesitate to contact me should you want to discuss prospective or existing wellbeing and development options in the Senior Academy.

Please take care and enjoy the weekend! We are looking forward to seeing your sons again in person very soon.

Sam White

With the staggered return to school over Weeks 3, 4 and 5 for all year groups, the co-curricular program has had to make some adjustments. Please download the PDF document here for all the information for students to continue to be involved in these exciting programs.

Year 11 and 12 students attending school next week are not required to be at school until 8.20am and therefore are encouraged to participate where possible for parts of any morning co-curricular. All other regular co-curricular programs will resume either in Term 3 or later in the year.

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 11 May, Tuesday 12 May, Wednesday 13 May

Year 12 return to campus

Thursday 14 May and Friday 15 May

Year 12 work remotely

Monday 18 May

Year 12 return to campus every day

Please note the commencement dates for Terms 3 and 4 have been brought forward slightly to add additional teaching days to help cover those which were lost at the end of Term 1.

• Term 3 start date – Monday 20 July 2020
• Term 4 start date – Monday 12 October 2020

Full term dates for 2020 and 2021 can be found here.

Winter uniform appointments
The Knox Uniform Shop is still operating on reduced operating times to assist customers that are unsure of sizing of winter uniform. The Uniform Shop will be open Saturday 9 May, 9am-12noon and then from 1pm-5pm on Monday 11 May, Wednesday 13 May, Friday 15 May. Note: we are running on a customer limited basis. Appointments are not required but we will only have two changing rooms operational so we ask parents and students to be patient as our team practise social distancing to keep our School community safe.

Whilst students continue to study online, they are permitted to wear their winter uniform if already purchased or their PDHPE/Sports uniform. When they are on campus, they are expected to wear the winter uniform.

Uniform is available to order online here if sizes are known and these orders can be collected on the dates above when we are open. Please disregard collection dates and times on the Flexischools app. Orders will not be delivered to the Prep School or Wahroonga Prep until Week 4.

Size charts are available online through the Flexischools website or the Knox app as a reference.

If orders cannot be collected during these times, orders can also be collected from Knox Reception during normal reception hours (8am-5pm weekdays). Please email the Uniform Shop to advise of your request.

From Monday 18 May, the Uniform Shop will resume normal operating times from Monday to Friday, 12.30pm-5pm. Please note we are not open on Saturday mornings during Terms 2 and 3.

Julie Blackburn

Last Friday the Knox debating teams were involved in the first online debates. Debating without an audience, a present coach or even being able to communicate with your team mates were all unique aspects to this new form of competition. Fortunately, most of our teams were able to secure a historic win against the PLC teams. The experience was one that was unique, enjoyable and fun, albeit challenging at times but through a positive outlook we were able to make the most of the situation. However, I'm sure I speak on behalf of everyone when we look forward to the continuation of debating in the regular format.

William Choi

We are getting ready for the return of our senior students next week (Year 12 Monday to Wednesday) and Year 11 (Thursday and Friday). Here are some photos for you to see how we are maintaining social distancing in the office area.

We are very much looking forward to seeing all the boys back on campus.

Our beautiful new Boarders’ Terrace is now open and ready for our Boarders to enjoy when they return over the coming weeks.

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