Wow, you have arrived.

Welcome students and parents to the Senior School. Introduction Week is now behind us and already the boys are engaging in a whole range of in-class and out of class activities. It has been so wonderful to have the opportunity to personally meet and greet so many boys and some parents throughout this week. As mentioned at the Parent meet the Mentor evening, the following links will give you access to all the key topic points which were raised during the evening by our guest speakers and by your son’s Mentor. 

1. Meet the Mentor Presentation 

2. Parent Mentor Evening

I strongly encourage all parents who are able to give some of their time to volunteer as a school helper in some capacity throughout this year to do so. For canteen volunteering there is reference contact within this newsletter but for any other volunteer positions please contact Community Relations and Events Manager, Megan Bailey  Volunteering not only assists the school and therefore the boys but it is also a great way for parents to network together around school based activities.

The year ahead offers our boys many challenges, opportunities and probably life-altering experiences. As a team I am confident the Knox staff and Year 7 parents and guardians are ready to work together in support of the boys as they begin their journey through the Senior School. 

Wayne Inwood

Welcome to our first newsletter of 2020!

Throughout the year, you will find that this is an excellent resource for keeping up to date with events around the school, guest speakers at Year Meetings and messages that concern the 2025 cohort.

The class of 2025 have had a cracking start to their first week at Senior School with many making a great first impression. Several teachers have passed on their appreciation for the way in which the boys are presenting themselves and interacting with their teachers. Although this has been a busy start to the term, the boys have already shown great perseverance and will no doubt settle in quickly.

Ensuring that shirts are tucked in and socks are always pulled up, or arriving to class on time with the required materials may seem trivial to the boys but it is important that we continue to uphold this high standard as these are small steps that will help determine the young men they become.

It was a pleasure to meet some of you on Thursday night and I hope that you found the time spent with your son’s Mentor valuable. The Mentor plays an integral part of your son’s journey at Knox. It is important that there is a positive relationship between yourself, your son and his Mentor as they will be your first port of call for your son’s wellbeing. This six year relationship will no doubt form much of your son’s experiences as they guide the students through their senior schooling. I know my team of Mentors are very much looking forward to getting to know your boys and I am already aware of some good rapport developing amongst the groups.

Throughout the next few weeks, we will continue to acquaint the cohort with the culture of our school and in no time, the boys will feel at home here. I am excited to be on this journey with them and look forward to seeing them thrive.

Clare Yuan

My name is Rebecca Mitchelson and I am excited to be starting as Student Administration Officer (SAO) for Year 7.

The warmest of welcomes to the young men and their families starting their journey this week in the Class of 2025. I am thoroughly looking forward to working with each of you and assisting the boys throughout the day at school.  Starting the journey into Senior School can be a very overwhelming experience for the students and sometimes the parents too. Please don't hesitate to contact me with any queries you may have regarding your son, whether it be leave, illness or otherwise. I may not know the answer straight away, but I will endeavor to find out and get back to you as soon as possible.

There have been a few boys having trouble locating their classrooms and their locker keys this week. These boys have found their way to my office where I have assisted them with directions, or a spare locker key. This has been a great opportunity for me to meet and start to get to know the boys. Please encourage your son to come to me if they need help or are running late for any reason. 

The boys entered through the gates on Tuesday with big smiles on their faces, excited for the day and times ahead. Orientation Week has been very busy for the boys and they can be extremely proud of themselves coping like they have. As we come to the end of a jam-packed week they are still smiling which is great to see and a sure sign they are settling in well. 

I look forward to what the coming months and years will bring. 

Rebecca Mitchelson, Tel: 9119 0885

2020 All Schools individual triathlon will be held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith on Wednesday 26 February. Boys will get the bus out to the Regatta Centre from Knox and we will also look after the transport of your bicycle.

Race distances are as follows:

Juniors 12, 13, 14 years         400 m SWIM  10 Km CYCLE  3 Km RUN

Intermediates 15, 16 years    600 m SWIM  15 Km CYCLE  4 Km RUN

Seniors 17, 18, 19 years         750 m SWIM  20 Km CYCLE  5 Km RUN

The cost of $30 per person will be added to school fees. 

If you have any questions, would like to enter or would like to participate in the Triathlon training sessions we run here at school, please contact Mr Hart.

Tuesday 4 February

Individual photos

Friday 14 February

Knox at Home

Thursday 27 February

Doing da Vinci day

Monday 2 March

Battle of the Bands - Heats

Tuesday 3 March 

Year 7 Vaccinations

Monday 23 - Friday 27 March

Year 7 Camp

Thursday 9 April

Term 1 concludes

Tuesday 28 April

Term 2 commences

To plan ahead for the year, please refer to the 2020 Term Dates on the Knox website here.

Term 1 concludes on Thursday 9 April 2020.

Following is an introduction to the Oratory Programs offered as an extra-curricular activity for students at Knox across Years 7-12.

Debating

Debating is the largest oratory program run at Knox, with over 150+ students enrolled each year across Years 7-12. It is a fantastic opportunity to learn both public speaking skills, as well as skills in persuasion and rhetoric.

What is a classic week in debating?

1)      Training. Training is the cornerstone of our debating program, and it is run once a week for each year group. Knox Oratory recommends training to all boys who wish to be involved in debating, as it is where they will develop their foundation skills, and learn how to improve week-by-week. Our coaching staff at Knox  is world-class, with all of our coaches having competed at the Australian Intervarsity Debating Championships, and many having come away as Australian and/or World Champions. Indeed Knox Oratory are lucky to have the 2019 World Champion and a 2020 World Grand-Finalist working at Knox as senior coaches. The times for training are listed on the Knox Debating Board (see below).

2)      Knox Debating Cup (KDC). The KDC is the School’s internal friendly debating tournament, and it is run from 6pm-8pm on Wednesday evenings. Boys are able to join teams with their friends, experience competitive debating in a low-stakes, friendly environment, and receive feedback from their coaches after debates. Boys of all skill levels are welcome. Boys who are just starting out in debating get the opportunity to develop their competitive debating skills, and experienced debaters get to compete for the various prizes to be won at the end of each term. Knox Oratory recommends the KDC to all students who wish to practice competitive debating.

3)      Friday Evening Debating. On Fridays in Terms 1, 2 and 3, Knox participates in a variety of interschools debating competitions, including ISDA, FED and CAS. Boys who are experienced in competitive debating will have the opportunity to trial for these teams, and those selected will represent Knox at these tournaments.

Sounds great, where can I find more information? 

1)      The Knox Debating Board. This is the place where Knox Oratory indicates whether each of these programs are on week-to-week, as well as the draw, team lists and results for the Friday Evening Debating competitions. Bookmark this! 

2)      Knox App. Knox Oratory recommends both parents and students download the Knox App and turn on notifications for ‘Debating’. There is also a page with information on our various Oratory programs if you want to learn more about any of our offerings. 

3)      Emails. If you sign up for any of our debating programs, you will be added to a mailing list to receive emails. If you have not been receiving emails after signing up for any of our programs (you should get an email at least once per week), please let us know and we will add you to the list. 

How do I sign-up? 

Each term, boys must register for each our of programs, even if they have done so in previous terms. Here are the links for Term 1, 2020. Parents, please discuss these forms with your sons before completing them.

1)      Training 

2)      Knox Debating Cup

3)      Friday Evening Debating: Boys should speak to their coaches during training sessions.

What else do I need to know?

1)      Attendance. If boys register for one of our programs, they will be added to a roll and expected to attend week-by-week. If for any reason a student is unable to attend a session, we ask that parents please complete an absentee form so we know not to worry.

Mooting and Mock Trial

Mock Trial is a form of organised argument that aims to emulate the drama and tension of a courtroom trial. Participants are either the Prosecution or the Defence, and fill a variety of roles including Barrister, Solicitor and Witness. All trials are based on extremely detailed summaries of cases provided by the Law Council of NSW. Speakers are rewarded for quick thinking, deep knowledge of the law, and aptitude as a public speaker.

Mooting is a simulation of the appeal process. The facts of the case have already been determined, but one party is appealing to have the original decision overturned in their favour. There are only three team members: Senior Counsel, Junior Counsel and Solicitor. The team prepares intensely for the trial, which is held in Term 2 at Bond University on the Gold Coast.

New in 2020: Mooting is open to all students across Years 7-12. Registration will open later in the year, so stay tuned.

Further detail on these programs can be found in the Oratory Handbook, available on the Knox Debating Board by clicking 'View Handbook'.

Looking forward to a fantastic year in debating and public speaking!

Dan Schofield

Coordinator of Oratory Programs

The Senior School Tuckshops have a number of vacant spots which we are desperate to fill. If you are a new parent or an existing parent, helping out in the tuckshop is very rewarding experience and a great way to meet and socialise with new friends.  

To volunteer, please click on the following links:

Term 1:                https://signup.com/go/TDxCBuJ  

Term 2:                https://signup.com/go/nsosvqa  

Term 3:                https://signup.com/go/NNEATps

Term 4:                https://signup.com/go/OYyUGPj

If you have any questions about volunteering in the tuckshops, please contact Caron Suleyman, Tuckshop Convenor at tuckshop@knox.nsw.edu.au

We all are acutely aware of the impact of the drought and the bushfires over the holiday period.

We would like your support for one of the communities, MOGO. Local organisations have mobilised early in the year and have a Facebook page ‘Mobilising for Mogo’ Importantly the initiative is registered with authorities and data was collected on Mogo families and other community members and a specific list of essential donations was established.  Too many communities received donations which were not needed nor suitable at this stage of the relief effort and hence a list of specific needs was established.

Please see below and bring items to Room 15 (Helen Clarke’s office) or as per the link.

·        Back to school needs – exercise books etc.

·        Tools of trade – many people lost tools which limits how much they can clean up, repair or even work!  NO ELECTRICAL tools please!

·        Gift cards that can be used for petrol (Caltex) food, (IGA)

·        No clothing please!

·        Register here and see the list of specific needs- choose the one you most wish to donate 📌Link:https://signup.com/go/meLEsaM

There will be another list out in a couple of weeks as the next specific shipment is organised.

Each term, Knox holds a Handwriting Course designed to help improve the speed, accuracy and neatness of students’ handwriting, reducing tension and fatigue when writing for long periods of time. In 2020 the classes will be held by Ms Lisa Norton, an occupational therapist, who specialises in the development of skills necessary for handwriting and the remediation of handwriting difficulties.

We are now filling places for our Term 1, 2020 course.

Our course will run on either a Tuesday or Wednesday (or both mornings), starting at 7.30am, once minimum numbers are confirmed.

A minimum of seven students, and a maximum of ten, ensures individual attention. The course costs $300 for seven sessions of 45 minutes. The Introductory 7 week course includes a tub of theraputty, that is designed to improve hand muscle strength and fine motor skills. Availability of places is dependent upon a first come first served basis. All students who miss out on a place in Term 1 will be placed on the waiting list for Term 2, 2020.

Should you be interested in pursuing this option for your son, please contact Rebecca Papageorgiou in the Learning Enhancement Department.

The McKenzie Pop-up Library will be appearing in the JAPAC this term!  Every second Friday (week B) lunchtime, the pop-up library will appear in the JAPAC lounge, so that any boys who haven’t had the chance to visit the McKenzie Library during the week will still have the opportunity to borrow and return books.

We will have a great selection of popular books, graphic novels and magazines from the McKenzie Library for boys to choose from.  Library staff will be there to help them find the perfect book.

Boys, don’t forget to bring your frequent borrower’s card – for every 20 books borrowed, you will get a library certificate, and go in the draw to win a $20 book voucher!

Pop by and eat your lunch with a good book to read.  See you there!