Pursuing personal best by setting high expectations
There is no doubt that effective teachers promote excellence in student achievement by setting aspiring goals and enabling young people to achieve their personal best. Effective teachers also understand the difference between high expectations and high pressure, and can encourage and support their students in achieving individual learning excellence without overloading them with pressure.

It is important to understand that there is a difference between high expectations and high pressure. High expectations is helping a young person reach their potential ... to be their best; high pressure is expecting a young person to be the best.

Undoubtedly, it is a fine line. It’s obviously important to have expectations, because if you have no expectations then people don’t strive for things. High expectations can have a significant impact on a young person’s attitude and self-worth, as well as a likely increase in their motivation levels and self-confidence.

COVID-19 Protocols
As you will be aware, the School has established a set of strict protocols to help us manage and stop the spread of COVID-19. We ask that all parents please carefully read these protocols – please see below. Importantly, please do not send your child to School if they are unwell. If you have any questions, please contact your Student Administration Officer. We greatly appreciate your support of the School and our collective efforts to control COVID-19.

COVID-19 Entry Policy 2021
COVID-19 Student Attendance Guideline for Parents 2021

Phil O’Regan

Week 4 was a fruitful one for Year 12, and the Stage 6 team was able to see the cohort at their very best. With a number of assessment tasks within reach, it was a timely start to our official Mentor Program for Term 1, with a focus on stress, relaxation and relaxation techniques. This part of the program dovetails beautifully onto the messages delivered during the incursion at the start of their Year 12 journey. There are a number of increasingly practical sessions on the horizon, and the boys are encouraged to remain open-minded and ready to engage.

It was a moment of pride for the Year 12 Mentors on Thursday, with a huge presence from the Class of 2021 at the Social Justice and Cultural Inclusion Assembly. Our prestigious leaders, Mr James and Dom Goddard, spoke inspiritingly about the acceptance and celebration of the individual stories that make up the greater collective of the Black and Blue. Barbod Beheshti and Angus Matthews were part of an extraordinary acknowledgement of country, welcoming the School in their languages of Farsi and Japanese respectively. Tom Johnston and Nick Tanna spoke about the Social Justice opportunities at the School, and brought a lot of enthusiasm to this space. Year 12 Boarder Alex Goh spoke about his time abroad during 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions, and his educational journey leading up to him re-joining our year group at the beginning of 2021. His was a story of grit and agility, and his teachers have had high praise for the way he engaged with his studies and peers throughout the ordeal.

Lachie Orth and Samuel Druce took part in the Lions Youth of the Year Program, and did our year group extremely proud. It was a very worthwhile experience for those involved, and took them well outside their comfort zone in answering a number of unseen questions in front of a crowd.

Finally, congratulations to all the boys involved in the Music performances on Tuesday evening. The quality of music was world class, and even to this untrained ear, it is obvious that we have an abundance of amazing talent across a number of instruments.

Good luck to all Knox boys in their sporting fixtures this weekend, and please don’t hesitate to contact your son’s Mentor, or Team Leaders, should you have any questions or concerns regarding your son.

James Stubbs-Mills

This week has been such a varied week and so enjoyable - starting with photo gallery following of the Year 12 Boarders camp last weekend. Please see the photo gallery following. The boys all had a great time even though the weather was a bit grey one day.

On Tuesday afternoon Year 12 students held a music recital. Each and every student, from singers to flutists, pianists, drummers, saxophone players, guitarists and more, were all so incredible, my words cannot do their performances justice. I look forward to enjoying every opportunity to hear them perform over the remainder of this year.

On Wednesday our remaining overseas student in Hong Kong, Jeremy Lee, was wished a very Happy Birthday. We hope that Jeremy will be able to join the Co2021 to complete his HSC and return to Knox boarding community at some stage this year. The same day I received a photo (below) from Bernard and Linus Lo, boarding twins who relocated to England last year, proudly wearing their jerseys I sent to them last month.

On Thursday I was pleased to attend the next round of the Berowra Lions Club Youth of the Year Program with one of the nominees Sam Druce. Congratulations to Sam, Lachie Orth and Charlie Herdman on being participants of the Lions Club the Youth of the Year 2021 Program.

Xavier Knight and James Sung should be acknowledged for their participation in the National Science Youth Forum 2021 sponsored by Wahroonga Rotary. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a large proportion of the competition has been done via Zoom, however the boys have performed and participated incredibly. Well done, gents!

This week parents and students have received an email from Mr Sam White regarding the upcoming Senior Academy Expedition being offered to non-cadet students in both Years 11 and 12. The Expedition will take place from Saturday 27 to Wednesday 31 March. This is the first time this camp has been offered to senior students. As per the email please email Mr Tom Waterhouse for any enquiries.

Finally, students will receive their new ID cards during Mentor session early next week.

Debra Barnard

We thought it timely that we remind all parents about our Illness Misadventure Application (IMA) process.

When illness or misadventure prevents a student from submitting or attending to sit an assessment task or examination, he must follow the procedures below:

1. The parent and student must notify the Student Administration Officer of circumstances prior to, or on the day the task is due, or to be sat.
2. The SAO will send a soft copy of the IMA form to the parent or the student can pick up a form from the WSA office. The IMA must be completed within 48 hours (excluding weekends) of the task date.
3. The student is required to provide evidence to support his absence or non-submission. This evidence includes:

• If a boarder is ill or a day boy is taken ill at school on the day of a task or hand in, he requires a note from the school clinic and must attend an independent and qualified medical practitioner on day of task to fill out the IMA form.
• If a day boy is taken ill at home on day of task or submission date, he must see an independent and qualified doctor on the day of the task.

Please Note:
Both sides of the IMA form must be completed and signed. It is advised that the doctor (p2) shows clearly the date of the task or a date range that includes the due date of the task. They must also include a statement regarding the illness/misadventure and possible impact on performance. Unfit for school is not an acceptable reason.

• If a student is absent the day before sitting a task or submitting a task (this include the Friday prior to a Monday task), a medical certificate must be provided to cover the date of the task or the period being applied for by the student with a detailed explanation by the doctor. Unfit for school is not an acceptable reason.

Thank you for following this process. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further clarification. Enjoy your weekend.

Gregory Nunan and Beth Goddard

Careers in Medicine (online seminar in conjunction with the OKGA)
When: Monday 22 February 2021, commencing at 6pm
Where: Online via Zoom (a link will be sent to you after registration)
Who: Years 10, 11 and 12 students and their parents
Registration: By 12noon, Monday 22 February at https://knoxgrammar.com/mce
Contact: Linda Gomez, Director of Career Education & Development

Students and parents will hear from the following speakers working in the field of medicine: Dr Marco Raftopulos (OKG02, Dan Schofield (OKG15) and Thomas Lee (OKG18). For more information, click here for the flyer.

Upcoming Event - save the date
• Knox Careers Night – Tuesday 25 May 2021, Great Hall, from 5.30pm to 8pm

Linda Gomez

As we continue to battle mother nature and all it throws at us in Term 1, I cannot help but feel for the boys wanting to get out and run around wearing the Black & Blue – particularly those playing outdoor sports such as Cricket and Tennis. Please understand we are doing as much as we can with our opposition schools to get our boys a fixture, whilst also weighing up the inconvenience of travel when there is no chance of action. Please stay tuned into the Knox app and we will continue to keep families up to date with any changes to the fixtures.

Last week our First and Second Basketball teams played their last home game for the season which included a Friday night experience in the Great Hall against St Aloysius’ College. It was a great event and was well supported by our Tartan Army who are just busting to open their lungs out and start singing. Fingers crossed we can let them loose at the upcoming CAS Swimming and Diving Championships. First and Second Tennis teams also enjoyed a Friday night match and continue to press for the CAS Championship. They are currently in second place and closing in on a Championship.

Unfortunately our Surf Life Saving squad did not get a chance to compete in the Schools Carnival hosted by Knox at Whale Beach on Saturday due to weather. There was much disappointment but they will remain positive and hope for a big finish at the Shore carnival next week.

Well done to all students who were selected to swim in the Knox Swimming Championships this week. Just to be selected into finals is an amazing achievement, given we are the #1 Schoolboy Swim Team in Australia. It was a great night and there were again some incredible performances including nine new Knox Swim records, a number of boys achieving times that qualify for National titles and numerous personal bests . All of their hard work is paying off! The look on the boys' faces as they look back at the clock is a real thrill for coaching staff. The boys now eagerly await news of Knox selections to go and try and defend the CXAS Championship in March. Well done, boys - good luck for the next few weeks.

Winter sport choices
All families were sent an email last week from the Sports Department asking boys to choose their Winter sport for the upcoming season. Please help us and help your son choose carefully and ASAP. We have to start nominating teams into competitions, book fields and organise coaches. Cut off is Friday 19 February. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email Sport.

Parenting Help
A reminder that each year group in the Senior School is connected to one of our school psychologists who is available to you for support and advice. While no one knows your sons better than you; we have the advantage of experience. Over the years our psychologists have seen many students who are often working through similar issues and so are well placed to offer support and guidance to both teachers and parents on a range of topics. As a parent you may like to take advantage of this by making an appointment with your son’s year group’s psychologist to discuss any wellbeing/parenting matters, such as:

• Detecting adolescent issues, like anxiety and depression
• Motivation and procrastination
• Promoting growth into manhood, independence and responsibility-taking
• Managing screen and technology use
• Discipline that promotes maturation and wellbeing
• Promoting identity formation
• Preparing your son for camp

We would love to help. To make an appointment (phone or in person) with your son’s year group psychologist please email or call 9119 0828.

David Schofield

Monday 22 February  

• Careers in Medicine Online Seminar. Registrations now open. Commencing 6pm

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

Thursday 11 March  

• CAS Swim and Dive Championships - SOPAC

Thursday 18 to Saturday 20 March  

• Musical - Beauty & the Beast. Details to follow soon.

Saturday 27 March  

• Earth Hour 8.30pm to 9.30pm

 Saturday 27 to Wednesday 31 March  

• Senior Academy Expedition. Saturday 27 to Wednesday 31 March

 Thursday 1 April  

• Term 1 concludes

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Colossians 4: 2

A Knox Drama and Theatre Production
Disney's Beauty and the Beast

18-20 March 2021
7pm in the Wenkart Theatre

All tickets $30. Online bookings will be available soon. Save the date!

Limited seating due to current health restrictions with masks mandatory for all audience members.

For all enquiries, please email Michael Griffiths.

In light of current restrictions, the School has decided to postpone Knox Gala Day from Term 2 to Saturday 31 July, Term 3. We are hopeful that this new date will give this much loved community event the best chance to proceed. This date will be the last game of the winter sports season and a home game against Barker College. Please save the date. If you have any questions, please email Megan Bailey.

Winter Uniform
Term 2 changes over into winter uniform. Parents are encouraged to refer to the Uniform Policy and Regulations and we strongly recommend purchasing the winter uniform in the coming weeks as we cannot guarantee all sizes will be available at the end of term.

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

Photos from Milson Island.

Geography excursion. Tambourlaine Winery and Stockten Dunes.