This week Year 12 heard important and timely messages from International Rugby Union referee, Angus Gardner. As a highly successful referee, he has experienced extremely high-pressure situations, such as at the 2019 World Cup and the Six Nations final. Having achieved great successes in his field as well as extreme disappointment after a poor decision made during the 2019 World Cup, he shared a few key life experiences which are also relevant to Year 12. Managing expectations, maintaining perspective, being present in each moment and knowing who your support team is, were his key messages.

He shared that during the 2019 World Cup, he experienced the debilitating nature of being consumed by expectations meaning he was unable to make clear decisions. As the boys move toward their Trial examinations, they can learn several valuable lessons from his message. Inevitably there will be many successes but also a few challenges over the next few weeks. Maintaining perspective and keeping it simple should enable the boys to continue to meet their goals in 2020 - they have already achieved remarkable things this year!  Knowing who their support team is; their parents, teachers, mentors and friends is important as they move through what can be a stressful time.

As part of NAIDOC week, the school celebrated the indigenous cultures and stories of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. The key theme for 2020 is ‘Always is and always will be’, something which Matt Stewart, Joe Harlow and Ethan Taylor reflected on. The boys spoke of the importance of totems and stewardship; something that the 1st sporting teams will foster this weekend as part of the CAS’s inaugural Indigenous Round.

Once again, the performing arts were on show this week. Off the back of the exceptional Drama performances last week, the musical recitals hit the highest standards. Wednesday lunch was a highlight as the boys were able to watch their peers on the projector and celebrate the countless hours of rehearsals and outstanding pieces. Congratulations boys!

Following Mr James’ message last week, we have been continuing to work through our planning for Year 12 farewell events later this term. I anticipate we will provide a further update next week with details including regarding event photography.

Stay dry this weekend.

Duncan Stedman

I would like to congratulate Zac Zibaee and the Year 11 band 'Scapegoat' as they won the 2020 Battle of the Bands - great job, Zac. 

On Monday night I had the privilege to watch the Music boys perform their major work in the Wenkart Theartre. What a wonderful and talented group of young men we have.

To register for the upcoming 'Ride with Richter' Fitness Challenge starting on Saturday 29 August and concluding on Sunday 20 September, click here for more details. Don't forget to buy your 'Ride with Richter' Caps and Armbands, from this Monday 10 August. Students can collect both caps and armbands from my office.

With only one more week until Trials begin, please remind your boys to eat well and get enough rest. They all have so much on at the moment and I do worry they may forget. The boys are not required to attend school on Monday 17 August and Tuesday 18 August as they are study days. A reminder for all boys, Sydney traffic is horrendous so please leave yourselves plenty of time to get to school and if driving to find an appropriate place to park. All boys will need to have their temperature check prior to every exam. 

Year 12 students will be able to submit their blazers for winter colours to be embroidered before the commencement of the Trial exams. A member of staff from the Uniform Shop will be in the WSA on 11, 12 and 13 August to confirm colours to be received from the latest list. Each student submitting a blazer must have the submission form completed and signed by a parent; the form is to be placed in the top pocket of the blazer when handed in. Any blazer received without the completed paperwork will not be embroidered. Blazers can be handed in on the last day of attendance prior to the trials and the deadline to hand them in is Friday 14 August by 5pm. The blazers will be available for collection from 12.30pm on Wednesday 2 September. If this deadline is missed, unfortunately, we will not be able to get the colours done before final exams and the next opportunity will be at the end of Term 4. 

Please lookout for the Year 12 Exit Survey for parents that was emailed this afternoon from MMG Education.

Robin Cherry 9119 0884

On Wednesday afternoon the Seniors’ Hall was abuzz with news filtering through of early entry offers from Macquarie University in the Leaders and Achievers Early Entry Scheme. We congratulate these boys and are very proud that they have an early offer. It was also reassuring to hear many of these boys reflect on their offer and use it as a motivator to continue working on their academic goals, knowing they have ’one iron in the fire’. There are more opportunities to apply for this early entry scheme and the next round of applications close on 31 August. Mrs Gomez will provide assistance to boys applying through this second round. Furthermore, we encourage all boys to keep an eye on the Careers Hub for all opportunities that are available.

Over the last two weeks we have thoroughly enjoyed seeing the Drama and Music performances and we are impressed with the work many boys are doing with subjects involving a major work. The boys who do Languages are busily preparing for their HSC Oral Examinations which commence on Saturday 15 August and we wish them well as they put the finishing touches on their preparation. Next week in Year Meeting we will provide a full overview of procedures for the Trial exams and we will summarise this in the newsletter next week. We will also introduce the boys to Mrs Hayman and Mrs Bittle who are the Presiding Officers for the Trials and HSC. The Stage 6 Examination Code of Conduct is linked here and is also available on the portal for the boys to review prior to the meeting.

Andrew Weeding and Greg Nunan

Congratulations to those students who received an early entry offer from Macquarie University through the Leaders and Achievers Scheme. It is important that students accept their offer prior to changing course preferences by the closing date for Round 2, should they wish to receive offers in subsequent rounds. To accept the course offer, students are to follow the instructions emailed to them by Macquarie University and ensure they only update their course from 'offered' to 'accepted'. It is important that students do not go ahead and select subjects or units of study, as this starts the enrolment process and will then exclude other course offers from being made. For those students who did not apply for this scheme for Round 1 and now wish to apply for the remaining rounds, the closing date for the next round is Monday 10 August.

Many early entry schemes offered by universities will soon be closing. It is important to check the Early Entry Guide below for key dates.

UAC update:
• A reminder that early bird applications close on 30 September. Below is the link of the updated key dates for students to use instead of the dates listed on the inside cover of the UAC Guide.
• Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS) – closes on 20 September and offers are made in November. SRS is an early offer scheme using criteria other than the ATAR. It is not for all courses and not all universities participate in this scheme. Students need to complete a UAC application prior to applying for SRS.
Schools Recommendation Scheme
• Educational Access Scheme (EAS) – this scheme is available to students who have had a long term disadvantage (six months or more) which has affected their study. EAS applications close on 20 November. This requires documentary evidence to be submitted to UAC along with the application form. Students need to complete a UAC application prior to applying for EAS. Two new disadvantage codes are now available for selection – Natural Disasters and Financial Hardship (parents / guardians receiving Jobkeeper or Jobseeker). Please contact Mr Sam White for any enquiries regarding this scheme.
Educational Access Scheme
• Reminder to check individual university websites for eligibility and closing dates for bonus points under Elite Athlete and Performer (EAP) Program.
•Co-op Programs give students a great opportunity to gain work placements and internships integrated into their degree. Universities such at UTS, UNSW and Macquarie University offer Co-op programs. Students are encouraged to check each university website for eligibility and closing dates.

Upcoming Careers event - Business Industry 

The first online careers event will be held on Monday 10 August commencing at 6pm. In conjunction with the OKGA, students and parents will hear from two Knox Old Boys about their experiences in business, as well as from a current university student (also a Past Knox Student) about his chosen course and experience at university. Registrations close at 12noon on Monday, afterwhich the Zoom meeting link will be emailed to those registered for the event. 

Reminders

Information about University Open Days can be found via the UAC website

Upcoming careers events and important messages are posted on the Knox Careers Hub, including cadetship and Co-op opportunities, and Early Entry Guides. All students and parents are encouraged to register (using KNOX20 as the school code) via the Knox Portal.  

There are many university webinars and online events to assist students to learn more about courses and career paths. The webinar links are listed on the Knox Careers Hub, so I encourage students to keep checking the Careers Hub for updates.

Linda Gomez 

Monday 10 August

If you are considering studying and working in the Business industry this will be an important event to learn more about the many possibilities on offer.
When: 6pm-7pm
Where: Online via Zoom (a link will be sent to you after registration)
Who: Years 10, 11 and 12 students and their parents

Register now by clicking here or download the PDF for more information.

Tuesday 11 August

• Photos - Winter Sports, 10.10am -11.05am, Knox 1

1st  XVIII AFL 

1st & 2nd XI Football

1st & 2nd Squash

1st & 2nd XV Rugby

1st & 2nd Tennis

1st Volleyball

Rep Photos- State & National Teams

Captains of Sports (Summer & Winter)

Debating

Mock trial team

Students should wear their representative track suit or attire for ALL representative teams.

If wet weather, please meet in the Great Hall Foyer and students will be advised of new venue. Students should wear their playing uniform plus appropriate shoes for their sport and must bring Student ID.  

Monday 17 August and Tuesday 18 August

• Year 12 Study Days

Wednesday 19 August to Tuesday 1 September

• Year 12 2020 Trials

Wednesday 3 September

• Year 12 2020 Trials completed 

Sport fixtures

Make a Payment

KnoxNet - Parent Portal

Illness & Misadventure form

Student leave form

Student driver form

Vehicle driving policy form

Careers

Examination Code of Conduct