Micro-credentials validate learning, no matter where or when it occurs and are awarded based on submitted evidence of an action or achievement. This allows students to work at their own pace and place, and rewards all students, such as those who might not find success in academics. They validate the passion, knowledge, skills and interests that students already have, and encourage them to be agents of change and committed citizens who are altruistic and have the courage to move beyond their comfort zone. Students are looking for non-traditional ways to demonstrate what they have learned and done. This approach is placing our students at the centre of their educational journey and empowering them to own their learning.

Furthermore, employers and universities are now asking students to provide more than just an ATAR. As an official Knox certification, students will be able to validate what they have achieved and demonstrated beyond the curriculum. The micro-credentials will be recorded at the end of each semester on their reports. This ensures that Knox is not just espousing Total Fitness but enabling it to become a reality for every student. Our holistic model of education provides an ethical and moral base, and imbues students with confidence in their capacity to collaborate, work in teams and to creatively adapt to life’s exigencies.

The implementation of the Knox Certificate of Global Competency has been possible because of the support and actions of our student, parent and teacher teams. Furthermore, the Knox IT Team have developed the simple yet brilliant system for recording the credentials. The KCGC will be launched in Week 6 and is available to all boys 7-12. Margie Raymond will be coordinating the program.

As our Deputy Chairman of the School Council, David Caspari, said during our Parent Breakfast Seminar, “We can create a story for each and every boy and a unique story.” You may access a recording of the Parent Breakfast Seminar here.

Scott James

Mrs Gomez provided the boys with some very valuable information in regards to job clusters and employment opportunities for the boys' post-Knox journey. She also started to unpack the exciting prospect of University Early Entry Programs. This portion of the session definitely piqued many of the boys' interest and there will be further information provided in reference to this during our Week 6 Year Meeting.

The target of supporting and empowering Knox students in becoming well-rounded and socially aware young men has been front and centre throughout our last two School Assemblies. Key to this development is making informed decisions regarding one's behaviour, and also to have the courage and conviction to speak up if the decisions and behaviours of those around us are not meeting our School values. Whether this means having the maturity to open yourself to the cultural diversity of your surroundings, or demonstrating a healthy and contemporary representation of masculinity, our boys need to rise to the task of embodying and enacting the School’s values on a daily basis. Dom, Tom and Seb along with Ms Deb Wallace were instrumental in delivering this message during our National Women’s Week Assembly.

We would like to celebrate the achievements of two of our very own leading the way in their respective Football codes. In the latest instalment of the World Game, Cooper 'Messi' Stormonth was wreaking havoc during a NSW CIS Cup fixture netting a hat trick in a very impressive 5-0 victory over Redlands. Whilst the School sports many fine Rugby players, one relatively recent addition to Knox in Tom Morrison, is congratulated with his appointment as Captain of the 2020/21 NSWRU Youth Boys 7s team.

The Stage 6 Team is here to support, guide and empower your son to achieve his personal best and for this to be successful an open line of communication is crucial. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your son’s mentor in the first instance. Whether you are a first time reader or an enthusiastic regular, Mr Shaw and I wish you a safe and fun-filled weekend and bid you a fond farewell until next week.

James Stubbs-Mills

The Co2021 have settled well into their approved study leave with late arrivals and early departures, however, there have been a few incidents of students not scanning in on arrival or signing out on departure. This is important so we know where your son is at all times. Study leave cannot start until a form is completed, returned to me, and put forward and approved by Mr Nunan (Head of Senior Academy). Once approved your son will receive an email but until then the expectation is your son will attend all study periods under supervision on campus. Forms are available in the WSA office.

This morning, the Friday Sports Assembly resumed. While attendance to this assembly is optional for senior students, please note all students are expected to have scanned in and be in class on time ready for P2 (9am).

Following on from last week, a reminder that medical certificates are required for absences of three days or more or if absent the day prior to an assessment task. Medical certificates must include details of the illness as certificates with 'unfit for school' will not be deemed an acceptable reason.

We have reached the half way mark of Term 1 with lots to look forward to in the second half of the term. Please ensure that your address book is updated with my email should you need to contact me.

Debra Barnard

We ran the follow up workshop with Mobilise on Tuesday and it was a great experience for all those that opted to attend. The Mobilise Team, including former Vice Captain and SUO, Max Carter (OKG14), spoke to our young men about making a difference in the lives of homeless people, informing them about contributing factors and how to engage in a meaningful conversation. We will be looking to grow this relationship and to build more opportunities to work with, and learn from, this exceptional organisation.

Several Year 12 students; Justin Scott, Baxter Wilson, Cameron Austin-Clarke, Daniel Wartho and Declan Ravenhall, have been working with several staff members and other students to establish a Student Wellbeing Group for Years 7-12. The first meeting of this group was held on Thursday of last week with many students from younger year groups in attendance. The aim of this group is to meet to discuss wellbeing at Knox and in the wider community. The group will work to action wellbeing and mental health initiatives, work on soft skills and look to get other interested students involved.

Have a great weekend!

Sam White

The First Tennis team continue to push for top spot with a huge win at Trinity (7-1) whilst our 1st XI Cricketers also had a great win by five wickets at Trinity keeping them with a slight glimmer of hope for the CAS Championship.

The First Water Polo team remain undefeated with a huge win at King's (18-9) whilst our Volleyballers remain in 2nd place after a tough loss to the unbeaten Trinity.

Congratulations to three boys from Knox selected in to the NSWCIS Water Polo squad following trials hosted at Knox on Monday. Well done to Aiden O’Neill (Y11), Lucas Banfield (Y11) and Harrison Miller (Y11) - a great reward for a wonderful season.

Well done also to Ellis Merrett (Y11) who contested the NSW State 29er Championships last weekend. Competing in a huge fleet of 40 boats across 16 races, he came 2nd overall and first in Juniors (under-17) for the second year in a row.

NSW All Schools Triathlon
Calling all non-Cadet boys who are interested in giving this Olympic sport a try in 2021 - there is no team event this year, so to participate, you will need to be ready to do all three Triathlon legs yourself.

The 2021 All Schools Individual Triathlon will be held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith on Tuesday 30 March. This event is during the 2021 Knox Cadet AFX, thus we are interested in hearing from boys not in Cadets. Boys will travel by bus to the Regatta Centre from Knox.

Race distances are as follows:
• Juniors 12, 13, 14 years - 400m SWIM, 10km CYCLE, 3km RUN
• Intermediates 15, 16 years - 600m SWIM, 15km CYCLE, 4km RUN
• Seniors 17, 18, 19 years - 750m SWIM, 20km CYCLE, 5km RUN

The cost of $40pp will be added to School Fees with all registrations to be completed by Friday 12 March. Boys not in the Knox Swimming Program must do a compulsory 400m swim test at lunchtime on Wednesday 10 March.

If you have any questions, would like to enter or would like to participate in any triathlon training sessions we run here at school, please email Ainsley Hart.

NSW CIS Cup Round 1
Knox vs Redlands, 5-0.
Goalscorers: Cooper Stormonth (Y12) 3 goals, Caellum Cummings (Y11) 1 goal, James Plumley (Y11) 1 goal.



Knox came out firing in the first half with Copper Stormonth netting a hattrick in our first official game of 2021. Caellum Cummings and a 'top corner' shot from James Plumley rounded up a great performance by the boys. In Round 2, our opponent will be either be Emmanuel Anglican College or Lindisfarne, who still have to play their first round match. A great start to the season from our Cup squad and we are looking forward to Round 2 as we continue our preparation for the CAS season.

PEAK news
Continuing with our focus on the Academic Fitness module for the PEAK (Pathways for Elite Athletes at Knox) program, Knox hosted an Elite Athlete Program (EAP) mini-expo for a number of tertiary Institutions last Friday. Each year, over $3.9 million is made available to student-athletes through Universities’ EAPs through financial support and scholarships.

Benefits that students can receive through EAPs can include: Financial assistance/scholarships, ATAR support, individualised study schedules (and earlier access to subject choices), alternative access to the delivery of courses (including online and in blocks), individual or small group tutoring, Professional support services, elite sport infrastructure, access to training facilities and study grants.

These offerings are not just available for PEAK students, with many universities offering support to students who excel in sport, leadership, music or performance. For more information and contact details, please email PEAK.

Next few weeks
To help everyone understand what is happening across sport over the coming weeks as we transition from the summer season into winter trials, please note the following:
• This fortnight (Weeks 5 and 6) will be the final two weeks of summer sport. Its important to finish this commitment with regular attendance at training and Saturday sport.
• All sports choices for winter should now be complete. If your son has yet to choose his winter sport please email Sport ASAP.
• We move straight into winter sport from Week 7 through to end of Term 1 including midweek training, trials and an 'induction' for many sports.
• It is important to click on your son’s winter sport choice on the Knox app to get more detail on his new training schedule and details of the last few Saturdays in Term 1.
• Also coming up in the next few weeks is the CAS Swimming & Diving Championships. We are limited in the number of spectators we can take to Homebush so the boys will be asked to register their interest in Week 6. Unfortunately, we cannot take a full year group as in the past but I do know we will have great support behind this amazing team.

Process for Sports fixtures – Saturday 27 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?

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

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

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

Barker College
• Indoor venues - 2 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

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. 

Martin Haywood

They are now available in the Uniform Shop only to purchase if the student requires new trousers. Please note that it is not compulsory to do so if they have existing trousers that still fit. If you require them to be lined, we require three-four weeks' notice as they will be made as a special order. The cost is $35 per pair.



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