Week 6 of 8 is now behind us, and the finish line is now firmly in sight. Many boys in our year group are very much in the throes of their first Year 12 Assessment tasks at the moment, which has been evidenced through an increased work ethic across the cohort. The WSA and the Boarding Houses have been flush with collaborative groups of young men working together and demonstrating social learning theory that would make Mr Weeding proud. It is wonderful to see. 

The focus of our Mentor Program is centred around the notion of academic stress. These sessions explore how to best identify and then challenge stressful situations or events through becoming aware of negative thoughts and feelings. Through unpacking the 'Thought-Challenging Process' we look to combat negative thoughts and feelings and then make realistic and accurate judgements about the event so that we can consider the most appropriate and positive way forward. The motivation and drive with regard to this period is personal and unique to each and every student and we as a Year 12 team encourage each young man in the cohort to aim to achieve to his personal best.

Our Year Meeting this week was an exceptional one, with Max Carter (OKG14) speaking to the boys about his involvement in an organisation called ‘Mobilise’, which is aimed at humanising homelessness. They have monthly outreaches on the streets as well as training and advocacy work aimed at educating young people and destigmatising the issue of homelessness. The message was well received by the boys, and it was great to hear a number of them keen to get involved when they turn 18. 

On the topic of wellbeing and mental health, Mr Schofield took time to speak to Year 12 about what to do when our mate says that he is not ‘ok’. The presentation focused on the warning signs, tips on how to be open-minded and be an active listener, as well as how to best encourage action that will positively impact the person who is struggling. The boys are well supported by the phenomenal Wellbeing Centre, and it was a great talk.

On a personal note, this week’s Year Meeting was a huge highlight for myself and my family. The Year 12 cohort, led by ever-enthusiastic Tartan Army Leaders, performed a rousing chant in honour of the arrival of my son Bowie. It was a really special moment and we are extremely fortunate to be surrounded by a community as supportive as this one. 

Be sure to have a fantastic weekend and remember to contact your son’s teachers, mentors or Team Leaders if you have any questions or concerns about your son’s progress at any point. 

Adam Shaw

This term we have started marking off some 'final' or 'last time' milestones at Knox. One of those 'final' times is to ask for your generous support of donations of Christmas foods and gifts for those in need - this being our last Christmas together at Knox. Thank you for the wonderful donations already sent in. Another 'final' event I am very much looking forward to attending with the Co2021 boarding students is their final Boarders' Christmas Prayer Reflection Service and Banquet.

As mentioned last week, please have your son start to take home any unnecessary items from his locker. All lockers will be thoroughly cleaned over the holiday break. Any items left behind will be disposed of.

A reminder that next Tuesday is the 'Ride with Richter Cap Day'. Students may wear casual clothes and will be asked for a gold coin donation on arrival to school. Boys may want to bring extra money for the fun activities that will be happening on the day. Most importantly - wear your cap!

It is hard to believe we only have nine days of school term left, culminating with Presentation Day on Thursday 3 December. Should you know that your son will be absent during the last week or days of term, we will require a Leave form completed and returned as soon as possible.

Presentation Day

Year 12 Presentation Day runs from 11am to 12pm. Students are expected to arrive at school on time as usual. Year 12 students may leave once presentations have concluded.

Debra Barnard

With the Class of 2020 having their Valedictory Dinner last Tuesday evening, it was a reminder of how quickly the Year 12 experience flies by. It is so important that the Class of 2021 takes advantage of every opportunity on offer to grow and develop holistically by engaging with all of the opportunities on offer. The wellbeing of our young men will always be the top priority and we are well aware that one can only perform when the whole person is balanced, calm, fulfilled and purposeful.

We had the great privilege of having former SUO and Vice Captain of the School, Max Carter (OKG14), come and speak to the cohort about the organisation he works for, Mobilise. This charity aims to humanise homelessness through monthly outreaches on the streets together with training and advocacy work aimed at educating younger people and destigmatising the issue of homelessness. We will be building this relationship with Mobilise throughout 2021 with a program for Year 12 and the opportunity for our students, once they turn 18, to go and volunteer with the group. This is an incredible chance to effect positive change and to grow both a broader, more worldly perspective and to go and make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate people. More details will come in the following months.

It has been fantastic to see so many of the Class of 2021 engage with the opt-in Student Leadership Program and also taking on the advice given at the Retreat in Week 1 of putting forward initiatives for action. Continuing to utilise strengths, engage areas of passion and creating a feeling of purpose and connection will enable our boys to flourish and to set them up for happiness and success post Knox. Please encourage your son to come and see me to talk about these ideas and initiatives further should they want to.

Have a wonderful weekend!                                                                      

Sam White           

Body confident children and teens - free webinar for parents
Historically, research in the area of body image and eating disorders has focussed primarily on females. However, a quarter to a third of those struggling with an eating disorder are believed to be male. Additionally, disordered eating behaviors are increasing faster in males than females.

The truth is that body image issues affect people of all ages, genders and across all cultures and so it is important as parents and carers to aim to establish environments that support healthy eating habits and body image.

The Butterfly Foundation is the national charity for Australians impacted by eating disorders and body image issues, and for the families, friends and communities who support them. In conjunction with the Sydney North Health Network, Butterfly are offering a free webinar for parents on this important topic, titled ‘Body Confident Children and Teens’.

With a focus on prevention, this session provides information and practical tips to help parents and carers of children and teenagers better understand and promote positive body image and healthy relationships with food and physical activity in the home.

The webinar is being offered via Zoom on Thursday 26 November at 7pm. To register, click here.

Body Confident Children and Teens flyer

Some additional helpful reading in this area can also be found at the following links:

• https://butterfly.org.au/body-image/who-does-it-affect/
• https://childmind.org/article/boys-and-eating-disorders/
• https://www.nedc.com.au/assets/Fact-Sheets/NEDC-Fact-Sheet-Eating-Disorders-in-Males.pdf

Monday 23 November 

• Paul Dillon Incursion. Parent session online 6.30pm. Register here.

Tuesday 24 November 

• Ride with Richter Cap Day

Friday 27 November 

• Boarders' Christmas Prayer Service and Banquet. 

Thursday 3 December 

• Term 4 concludes - Presentation Day

Knox Senior School Presentation Day
Senior School 7-11 Presentation Day will be held on Thursday 3 December in the Great Hall, Senior School. Senior School Presentation Day will be structured into three separate events:

• Year 11 (2020) - 11am-12pm
• Years 9-10 - 12.30pm-1.30pm
• Years 7-8 - 2pm-3pm

All Senior School students are expected to attend on Thursday 3 December. Due to COVID-19 protocols and indoor venue capacity limits, we will only be able to welcome parents of prize recipients on-site. However, the service will be live streamed. The parents of prize recipients will be sent an invitation to attend their relevant Presentation Day ceremony no later than Friday 27 November (prize recipients can only be finalised once exam marks have been collated). Parents of prize recipients will be required to pre-register to attend and register by QR on arrival. Students will be dismissed at the conclusion of their Academy Presentation Day ceremony. Knox buses will run at 1.45pm for Years 9 -11(2020) students.

Each school has a different policy with regards to the number of spectators, so it will be important to carefully read the information below.

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
• 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?

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

St Aloysius’ College
• Indoor venues – 1 spectator parent/guardian per player
• Outdoor venues - 2 spectator parent/guardian per player

Newington College
• Indoor venues – 1 spectator parent/guardian 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 the Sports and Aquatic Academy here.

Thank you and best wishes to all our students this weekend.

Martin Haywood, Head of Knox Sports and Aquatic Academy

The Wesley Mission and Parramatta Mission aim to support families with basic food supplies and Christmas fare.

• Christmas cakes and puddings
• Long life custard and milks
• Table decoration items such as bon-bons and serviettes
• Tinned ham
• Biscuits - both sweet and savoury
• Nuts
• Jelly and dessert packet mixes
• Milo
• Sweets - no chocolates please

Christmas gifts for children to the value of $10 ( or more if you wish)
This has been a long-term project at Knox to support children from STARTTS who receive no gifts without our support.

Please bring your donations to the WSA office.

The Australian Science Olympiad Exams are a set of exams that are designed to challenge high performing secondary school science students. They are held in Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science and Physics.  

This year, a total of 29 papers were sat by a variety of boys in Years 10 and 11. As a school, nine High Distinctions and eight Distinctions were achieved. Special mention goes to Ethan Ryoo. Ethan sat all four papers and was able to achieve a High Distinction each. Congratulations, Ethan! 

The next stage of the Australian Science Olympiad Competition will be an invitation extended to the top achievers in each of the domains to spend a residential week in Canberra next year competing for a place in the Australian Olympiad team.

Well done to all the boys that participated in the competition this year.

Ethan Truong