Assembly this week was all about celebrating the Class of 2020. Throughout this unprecedented time, Year 12 have shown incredible optimism, resilience and mateship at a time when their response could have been quite different.  Mr James reflected on a statement one of the Year 12 boys made on the first day back at school this term, 'this is not permanent, it is temporary, we’ll be right!' That sums up the optimism that has pervaded the Senior Centre throughout this term. For assembly, the boys put together a showcase of Year 12 initiatives, music performances, interviews and uplifting speeches from our leaders Nick, Luke, James and Omar. Congratulations to all the boys involved in this celebration and well done to Will Harpur and Kevin Fan for their brilliant performances.

The boys were reminded this week in Year Meeting about maintaining perspective as they journey through the ups and downs of doing assessments and receiving results which may be below expectation. It is not the results themselves that cause distress, rather the interpretation of those results. Catastrophising over results is not helpful, instead the boys need to have realistic thinking. Instead of focussing on rank and what final marks may or may not be, boys need to remind themselves of the realities that they are in a strong performing school with good academic systems and a strong cohort.

Year 12 have been encouraged to reframe setbacks for more helpful thinking. If the boys continue to study the same way, engage with feedback the same way or interact with their peers and teachers in the same way without seeing the progress, they need to seek for assistance. It might be just a small adjustment to what they are already doing that will allow them to progress at a faster rate.

In saying that, the feedback we are receiving from all the Year 12 teachers continues to be very encouraging and the impression from most boys is that although it is sometimes a hard slog, they are coping well and starting to realise that they haven’t got too long left at school. If the assembly this week is anything to go by, we are going to have a lot to celebrate during their final term at school.

Have a lovely weekend. 

Beth Goddard

What a wonderful day we had last Friday when Alex ‘AJ’ Richter came to school for a visit. Alex and his parents visited during lunch to say hi and Alex then decided to stay for the rest of the day, Alex attended P5 Ms Gouveia - Biology and P6 Mrs Gupta - English and everyone was thrilled. The warmth, excitement and pure joy we all shared was very special. We look forward to seeing a lot more of Alex very soon. Mr Weeding took a great video of the visit - please click here to view.  If you would like to follow Alex’s journey click on this link #ridewithrichter.

The Law Society of NSW have been running a Young Lawyers Program. This program is for students who are interested in the law and advocacy. There was 15 boys from Knox who participated in lectures and tests on areas such as Introduction to law, Law Reform and Policy Making in Australia, Advocacy for everyone and Ethics in the Courtroom. The boys participated via Zoom and submitted their test responses after each lecture. Congratulations to Blair Davidson who placed 13th overall.

Commencing Monday 15 June we have a few changes noted below:

• Boys will have unrestricted locker access throughout the day. This means that the expectation is that every student will once again wear their boater to and from school and put their Knox bag/s in their locker during the day.
• Knox is implementing a new temperature scanning system with facial recognition. Year 12 will now enter the Seniors' Hall through Borambil gates then turn left into the hallway leading into the WSA office area. They will travel through the new facial recognition and thermal sensor system. Year 12 will then proceed into the Seniors' Hall where they will have their ID cards scanned. With any new technology we ask the boys to be patient with the new process and they may need to allow extra time to be scanned in.
• Evening Studies in the Seniors' Hall will return to opening hours of 3.30pm-9pm and boys are able to order dinner via the Boater Cafe. Please ensure you have placed your order by the end of lunchtime in the Boater Cafe. Evening studies run Monday to Thursday.

I am pleased to share the new video of the Centenary Mural at the Senior School.

Have a great weekend.

Robin Cherry 9119 0884

The boys continue to impress us with the way they are engaging with their assessment tasks and navigating the many ups and downs that come with the HSC journey. They have experienced some extremely challenging events over the past four months with the restrictions imposed by COVID-19. Despite the setbacks, we have reinforced to our boys the importance of maintaining our push towards the HSC with a growth mindset that ensures they 'embrace the unexpected'.  By doing this they will certainly gain a huge advantage over those who may use the setbacks as an excuse for under performance.

In Year Meeting this week we provided the boys with advice on planning their break. As we have said in earlier terms, all term breaks should be considered a ‘study break’ which involves a good balance of study time and personal time. To help achieve this we have provided a template that will be available in Mentor Group next Monday and on the portal. We reinforced the importance of ongoing and consistent revision and study, formulated around a study plan. We also reinforced the need to have a good balance and to keep exercising and maintaining a healthy diet and sleep regime. We also mentioned that Seniors’ Hall will be open over the three-week period from 8am–4 pm.

It was with great pleasure that we were able to let the boys know this week that from next Monday 15 June, Seniors' Hall will be open until 9pm from Monday to Thursday during Weeks 8 and 9 and dinner will be available. Boys will need to register for dinner by lunchtime each day. We will also be able to provide access to Old Boy Coaches which is a resource the boys have missed over the past few months. The coaches will also be available throughout the Study break from 10am–2pm, so this is a good opportunity for the boys to develop their planner over the final two weeks of term, engage with their teachers, find out what they should be doing and ensure they allow for some contact with the coaches over the study break.

Andrew Weeding and Greg Nunan 

Please download the PDF document here for all the information for students to continue to be involved in these important and beneficial programs.

For any questions or concerns regarding the co-curricular program offered in Term 2, please feel free to contact me via email.

Chuck Ardron

UAC update
2021 courses and start dates will be added progressively into the UAC application process. UAC advises students that if the course they want to study is not listed or does not have a 2021 start date, they can choose another course to complete their application and log back into their application at a later date to change their course preferences. All courses will be available for selection from 1 August.

UAC Guides 2020-21: students have commenced collecting a copy of the guide from their mentors. After the guides were printed by UAC, NESA announced changes to the commencement of HSC exams. This change affected the closing dates for December Round 2 as well as the date offers are released for this round.  Some of UAC key dates have changed as follows:

• ATARs released – 9am Friday 18 December
• Deadline for changing preferences for December Round 2 – midnight Saturday 19 December
• December Round 2 offers released – 7.30am Wednesday 23 December

No other dates in 2020 have changed and offers for Schools Recommendation Schemes (SRS) will still be released on 12 November.

This 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) – close 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 will be available for selection after 1 August – Natural Disasters and Financial Hardship due to impact of COVID-19. Please contact 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.

Macquarie University – Leaders and Achievers Early Entry Program: This is an early entry scheme for all courses (except Co-op) at Macquarie University. Applications are based on extra-curricular activities and Year 11 results.

Applications are now open and close on Monday 31st August 2020

There are three offer rounds for Macquarie Leaders and Achievers. To be considered for an offer round, students should ensure they submit their application well in advance of the closing date and ensure they have listed their courses (up to five) in order of preference.

Upcoming Career Events
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.

Useful links and resources
• University Open Day
• JobJump is a comprehensive careers website for all Knox students, parents and teachers to access up to date career and course information.

To register, go to JobJump and use 'knox' as the one-off school password.

Reminders 
A reminder that upcoming career 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.

Linda Gomez

Monday 15 June 

• Student Stress Management - Session 1. 3.30pm - 4.30pm. WSA Lecture Theatre.

Monday 22 June 

• Student Stress Management - Session 2. 3.30pm - 4.30pm. WSA Lecture Theatre

Friday 26 June 

• Term 2 concludes 

Monday 20 July

• Term 3 Commences 

ATLAS HUMANOID TEAM LIVE Q&A

What: The Atlas Humanoid Team at Boston Dynamics have agreed to a live Question and Answer (Q&A) video chat with 20 students about their work. Selection of students is based on three criteria; a question you would ask the Atlas Humanoid team about their work, your involvement in co-curricular and further interests and subject involvement.

You will need to register here to be part of this unique opportunity.

When: Wednesday 24 June at 7.30am

Where: WSA Lecture Theatre

Contact: Melinda Valent

Click here for further information on Boston Dynamics.

Years 10, 11 and 12 students are welcome to join a live webinar to hear about the UTS Bachelor of IT Co-op Program.

Presented by three of our Old Boys from the Class of 2019, students will hear about the Co-op program, hints and tips on how to apply as well as their own experience in the program. Details are below:

Date: Wednesday 17 June

Time: 3.30pm

Locations: online - click on this link to join the webinar.

In line with Knox’s ongoing desire to support research in the field of anxiety and depression in young people, parents have an opportunity to participate in a survey from Macquarie University. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jennie Hudson.

A reminder for boys wishing to come and join us on Saturday morning for some fun and fitness - 8am til 9.30am at Gillespie Fields. Everyone welcome.

If you are interested in more exciting news from the Sports Academy, please visit the Knox Remote Learning Hub here.

Martin Haywood

Year 12 Music 1 students have been working with their teachers on their individual performance pieces ahead of the HSC Music Performance Exams next term. Each student is required to perform one core performance and up to three additional elective performances, either solo or with an accompanist

The Big Band had their first rehearsal with Mr Brice who commented, 'it was absolutely fantastic and the downbeat was a credit to all!' 

Enjoy this recording of 'Slipstream' - well done, all!

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I’m pleased to advise that the CAS Heads have made the decision to recommence the CAS winter sports fixtures from Term 3.

Saturday 18 July (last weekend of school holidays)
Fixtures against Trinity for 1sts and 2nds Teams only

Saturday 25 July
Fixtures for all year groups

Saturday 1 August
Fixtures for all year groups

Saturday 8 August
Fixtures for all year groups

Saturday 15 August
Fixtures for all year groups (last week for Years 11-12)

Saturday 22 August
Fixtures for Years 7-10 only (last week)

The winter sport season will be followed by the Track and Field season as usual. Information regarding attendance of spectators will be confirmed closer to Term 3, subject to government guidelines.

While we understand some students may be away, a holiday training and trial plan will be released for students next week (Week 8) through the School app.

The planning of return to play for the CAS teams provides another wonderful step forward. However, it is imperative to note that while this is an exciting and much anticipated step, the return to contact training and full competition needs to continue to be approached in a safe and carefully staged manner. All sports progression and implementation will be done in adherence with the NSW Public Health legislation, Community Sport COVID-19 Safety Plan and Return to Play Framework.

Scott James