As a way of example, the service learning program encourages young men to work within the wider community to assist others. Many of the programs are conducted with neighbouring girls' schools, giving boys the opportunity to interact in a respectful and supportive way. I continually see young men stepping up and taking on leadership roles, often heading community service programs or serving as mentors to younger students. Service learning programs, combined with the experiences of performing in the orchestra, playing on the Football team, attending worship or performing in a musical, affords lessons in faith, wisdom, integrity, compassion and courage.

Above all else, Knox Total Fitness is a relationship-based education model that not only enhances the learning process, but it also contributes to a boy’s growing sense of belonging and connection to his school. This connection of “brotherhood” extends to a broader community called the OKGA (Old Knox Grammarians' Association) – alumni who stand ready to positively support our young men now and in the future.

Scott James

The boys were presented with some key information this week in their Year Meeting pertaining to the upcoming Student-Led Conferences, Global Competencies and a number of key study tips from the members of the Class of 2020. The Student-Led Conferences this Monday will provide the boys with the opportunity to truly reflect on and take ownership of their learning and share in a rich and meaningful dialog with their teachers and parents via Zoom. It is important that these conversations generate ongoing discussions on the homefront as we are all part of your son’s HSC journey and we all play an active role in this process.

Dhruv brilliantly presented the new Global Competencies initiative to the year group and this wonderful opportunity for recognition for endeavours that reach well beyond the classroom sparked the attention of many of the boys throughout the year group. This new initiative recognising and providing official credit in the form of micro credentials really is a positive move in regards to celebrating the diverse range of activities and programs that so many of our boys are involved in. As the exams continue to roll through it is important to ensure that a balanced and structured approach is maintained. Many of the boys have been given the opportunity to engage with a number of relaxation and mindfulness activities within their Mentors Groups to provide them with a number of very practical strategies to assist in managing and alleviating stress during this academically demanding time of the term. Further to this, a video produced by a number of the Graduating Class of 2020 provided the boys with some excellent study tips and some crucial words of encouragement that is an invaluable resource coming from a student perspective.

With two important camps on the horizon, in the Cadet AFX Camp and the Senior Academy Expedition respectively, it is worth reiterating the expectations for those students not involved. For those boys not attending, school will be running as per usual, and boys will be expected to attend classes. It will be a great opportunity to consolidate knowledge gained in the first semester of Year 12, and to ask questions of their teacher. Any student wishing to leave early will be required to submit a leave request and seek approval.

As we move into the weekend, this busy week still has a number of very exciting fixtures that are yet to play out. We would like to wish the Water Polo teams all the best in their head to head war on water with Scots and then, of course, all the best must go to the boys that have been selected to face off against the young ladies of PLC in what has been dubbed the most anticipated Netball game of 2021.

Finally, from the Stage 6 Team, we wish you a wonderful weekend and please, feel free to contact your son’s Mentor or any member of the team if you have any questions.

James Stubbs-Mills

Last Friday, some of the Co2021 were involved in the Knox Prep and Wahroonga Prep 'Ride with Richter' fundraiser day. The event was a huge success and enjoyed by all. K-2 participated in scooter races while Years 3-6 completed a mountain bike obstacle all while the Knox Prep band played. Alex Richter (OKG20) was present to see all the action and enthusiasm of the students and spoke to Years 3-6 on reframing setbacks, mindset resilience and the importance of family, friends and the community. The Year 12 students involved were Jack Hildebrand, Rafael Casas, Hamish Chan, Nic Rogers, Sam Druce, Bill Parker and Rudy Harricks. What a great event and well done to all involved!

A reminder the Year 12 photos are now available to order. To download your son's portrait and year photo, please click here and select: school orders. The password is: KNOX (case sensitive). You will need your son's student ID number. Your school account will be charged $20 for his student ID card, the high-res electronic year photo and portrait for your record of his time at school.

Jeremiah Glezos and Elliot Bowen have donated their prized .308 target rifle to the School. As Knox's collection of aging target rifles has become well-worn and well used over the years, Elliot and Jerry decided that they would leave their legacy on the target shooting team by donating a new 'Millennium' rifle for use in future shooting competitions, and hope the rifle will serve the team well after they have left Knox - possibly encouraging others to take on Shooting as their chosen sport.

Congratulations to Grant McAsey on attaining his Private Pilot license last week. This means Grant can now fly private passengers anywhere in Australia. Well done, Grant!

Tuesday evening I attended the first live concert performance in over year - the first of four in the 'Knox in Concert' series. It was such a delight to speak with parents and hear the Symphonic Wind Ensemble play four different musical pieces- my favourite being the piece ' This is My Fathers World'. I am looking forward to the next performances scheduled for Term 2. A full list of musicians is available here in the program, featuring our very own Hamish Chan on the cover!

Debra Barnard

Student Led Conference
Research shows that student agency comes about when the learner believes in self efficacy, sets goals, initiates action towards those goals and reflects on their progress and the aim of the student led conference is to model this. The student led conferences on Monday evening allow each boy to have a discussion with their teacher about their progress, goals and any difficulties they may be experiencing. Boys will also have available to them on student café the personalised reflection questions based on the Learner Protocols and Dispositions that are outlined in their report. The boys are aware that they should prepare for these interviews by reflecting on how they are progressing in each subject and what they can improve.

Should you wish to meet with a teacher but there are no appointments available through the booking system, please request contact through the booking system and the teacher will be in touch to organise an alternative arrangement.

KAI
The second round of the Knox Academic Indicator will occur during Week 2 Term 2 (week commencing 26 April). The format of this meeting will be communicated closer to the date.

Gregory Nunan and Beth Goddard

Our Mountain Biking squads also enjoyed a great season – albeit a little unusual due to COVID-19 restrictions and a shortened season. In the Juniors, Hudson Rowling finished 3rd overall after unfortunately missing the final round. The consistency of Brad Manns showed through to finish 4th overall, just in front of Christian Lane in 5th. As a result of our overall depth and growth in numbers in the Juniors, Knox were able to take out the winning school in the Juniors! In the Intermediates, Sean Williams finished 2nd overall, despite missing one out of the three rounds to in order to participate in a Triathlon event! Knox’s next best rider was Lucas Saxby, who has another year next year in the Intermediates, in 12th and Luke Marles in 14th. In the Seniors, a late charge from Will Baigent over the weekend, saw him just pip Jackson Young to win the overall Seniors Championship. Our depth of key riders in this age group, including Christian Martinez (5th overall), Finn Kane (7th overall), Jenson McIntosh (8th overall), saw Knox take out the winning school in the Seniors as well! Overall, we are proud to announce that Knox took out the overall Schools Championship, finishing on 593 points, in front of Riverview on 445 points and Barker on 291 points!

The Knox Baseball team have wrapped up 2nd place at the conclusion of the round matches after a tied game against the current 1st place team, St Pat's on the weekend. The Knox team that consists of Years 11 and 10 students, will look to continue their successful season when they play 3rd place in the first week of the finals this coming Saturday. The winner of this match will face St Pat's in the Grand Final on Saturday 20 March. All the best to our Baseballers for the upcoming finals series.

Table Tennis has just one week remaining and we remain in first position. I will confirm final placing next week but would like to wish those boys and staff the very best for this coming round.

Knox First teams - Cricket (=3rd place), Tennis (2nd place) and Volleyball (2nd place) all enjoyed much success over the summer and must be congratulated for the way the boys played and conducted themselves. The KSAA could not be happier or more proud of the efforts of all boys across all sports and we aim to bring this same attitude, spirit and sportsmanship into the winter season. Thanks also to our dedicated coaches who strive to help your boys enjoy their sport and push the boys to improve every week.

Our Knox Golf team came so close also to their first win in the School Summer Golf Competition. Just one putt/point/match separated Knox from winning – and this should spur the boys on to a huge season next summer. Bad luck boys but well done on a great season.

Congratulations
The following eight boys have been selected in the CAS Basketball season:

CAS 1sts
• Keanu Goehring (Y12)
• Matthew Pain (Y11)
• Mitch Smith (Y12)
• Liam Puncher (Y12)

CAS 2nds
• James Steel (Y11)
• Rourke Voyzey (Y12)
• Henri Day (Y11)
• Tyler Arndt (Y12)

CAS Swimming and Diving



Last night, our amazing Swim and Dive team competed in the CAS Championships at Homebush. This event is one of the real highlights in the sports calendar and our boys were sensational. Nine records were broken and numerous PBs as our coaches had the boys primed for this one big night. The swimmers were crowned CAS Champions for the fifth consecutive year (34 CAS titles in total!) whilst our brave divers came 3rd overall.



A full report will be detailed next week for all to read. Well done and congratulations on such a powerful, dominant performance. A number of swimmers are now at a level where the Tokyo Olympics is a realistic dream. Incredible!



In Diving, Knox was placed third overall, with Barker College winning the competition. The top performing Knox divers were Luke Baker (4th in the Opens) and Lara Manuel (4th in Intermediate).

Four Knox Divers have qualified for the Combined Independent Schools Championships - Brad Manns, Luke Baker, Ryan Manuel and Lukas Puhl.

Lara Manuel, a Year 4 student at Knox’s co-educational campus Wahroonga Prep, broke new ground as the first girl ever to compete for Knox Grammar.

Week 8 should see a full week of winter sport training and trials and more information can be found for each respective sport on the Knox app.

COVID-19 updates
There has been further easing of some restrictions recently regarding schools and COVID-19. The School will communicate exactly how sport and entering facilities will look heading into Term 2. We will detail how many spectators may enter each facility, QR code process and any other relevant information such as food outlets and functions.

As always, if you have any queries as we transition into the new winter season, please do not hesitate to email Sport. 

Martin Haywood

Given this prevalence, there is an argument to be made that we should think of mental health issues, and needing extra help as being 'normal'. Each year, only 3-11% of the population will get the flu, yet we would comfortably say it is normal to get the flu at some point. It is not appropriate to feel ashamed or to be judged as weak if we get the flu. When we recognise that we are unwell, it is common sense to take some time to pull back on usual responsibilities, stressors and work, so that we can look after ourselves and allow others to care for us and check in on us and help get us back on our feet. Eventually we start feeling better. It is normal that we don’t stay sick – we do get through illness. Just like the flu, with the right treatment and a bit of TLC and time, the symptoms of mental ill-health ease and we get back to being well – and probably wiser, and more sensitive for the experience.

With any illness, friends and family are so important in providing support and comfort. Sometimes it is wise to consult an expert. Students can speak to a Knox Psychologist anytime during the term. Families can also seek a psychologist outside of school (see this helpful website here). A psychologist can listen and talk with students, work on appropriate strategies, and help them through difficult times.

Eliza Lindus, Provisional Psychologist

Year 12 Colours Awards
Year 12 students will be able to submit their blazers for summer colours for embroidery during the Term 1 holidays. This year, we are trialling a new method of submitting the blazer which will be as follows:

1. All students must check the list, which will be located on the outside window of the Weeks Senior Academy (WSA) Admin office by Thursday 18 March. It is suggested they take a photograph of their awards or make a note of them.
2. If a student thinks he has been missed for any sport/co-curricular, then he must speak to the relevant Director of Sport or Coach. If correct, it will be passed to Mr Chuck Ardron for approval.
3. The final list will be posted on Monday 22 March at 9am.
4. Parents must then complete this form. 
5. Please complete the form following guidelines for completion.
6. A copy of this form will be emailed to the parent who must print off, sign it and hand in with the blazer.
7. All forms will then be checked by the Uniform Shop staff against the spreadsheet.

Each student submitting a blazer must do the following:

• Insert the form in the top pocket of the blazer when handed in.
• All badges and personal possessions to be removed from the blazer pockets.
• The blazer must be clearly named with a laundry marker so it can be identified.
• For Colours from previous years that have been not added, the student must supply with evidence of the award either by sight by a Uniform Shop staff member or provide copies of the certificate.

Any blazer received without the completed paperwork will not be embroidered.

For students going on the Cadet Camp, students attending AFX Advance Party will be required to hand in blazers to Mrs Blackburn in the WSA on Monday 22 March. All other Year 12 Colour awarded students will be required to hand in their blazers by Wednesday 24 March, 5pm.

Year 12 students remaining at school will be allowed to wear their Year 12 jersey in lieu of their blazer for the remainder of Term 1.

The blazers will be available for collection from 8am on Tuesday 20 April from the Uniform Shop. If they are ready earlier, there will be a notification on the Knox app and the Uniform Shop Facebook page.

If this deadline is missed, the next opportunity to receive colours is Term 3.

Julie Blackburn, Knox Uniform Shop Manager

Tuckshop volunteers will be required to adhere to the following COVID-19 requirements:

• Do not attend if unwell, even with the mildest of symptoms
• Sign in at main reception, 2 Borambil Street, prior to meeting a Sodexo Supervisor in the Middle Academy Canteen
• Gloves, hair net and apron to be worn - provided by Sodexo
• Face mask to be worn – please bring your own
• Practise good hygiene (hand sanitisation etc.)
• Maintain a physical distance of 1.5m from other adults
• Comply with food safety requirements as instructed by Sodexo

All volunteers are also asked to please read and comply with the Knox Volunteer Code of Conduct.

If you have any questions about volunteering in the tuckshops, please contact Caron Suleyman, Senior School Tuckshop Convenor.

Second Chance Appeal
Seeking donations of good quality clothing for the Second Chance Appeal; an initiative of Parramatta Mission and the Thread Harvest. Your clothing will be recycled to support the many projects for people in need in the Parramatta areas. Please deliver any good quality clothing to Room 15 (Mrs Clarke’s Office) or the SAOs.

Easter eggs and noodle donations
Each year, we collect Easter eggs and pots of noodles for the homeless in the city. This gives them a hot meal and a little bit of care at Easter time. Please leave your donations with the SAOs or Mrs Clarke. 

Helen Clarke, Head of Diversity Justice and Stewardship