With more participation and excellence comes a raised expectation and I would like to remind all parents that although Knox strives for excellence, we always need to keep the best interests of each boy in the School at heart. The reason Knox has a sporting program is to ensure that our young men develop a sense of belief in themselves, experience the exhilaration of winning and the disappointment of not achieving their goals. Boys need to develop resilience in the face of adversity and be courageous enough to realise when they have dropped the ball, figuratively and literally. Sport gives them the opportunity to collaborate in a team environment and to develop an understanding of how to work meaningfully with others to further the team’s cause.

There are both positive and challenging times in the sporting environment and it is important for parents to support their sons (and other team members) at all times, no matter the circumstance. As we enter another competitive season, I encourage parents to ensure that they are there for their sons and to reaffirm and encourage our boys to be resilient, focused and determined to achieve their goals.

School sport is a wonderfully encouraging time of a young man’s life and I’m excited to partner with you as we seek to raise healthy, well-balanced, determined and resilient young men. I look forward to supporting your sons as they step out, once again, to represent the Black and Blue this season.

Scott James

A key focus and theme for our year group this year was also conveyed to the group in our meeting this week – Mateship in the village. As Team Leaders we spoke to the boys about what it means to be a ‘mate’ and how this might translate into the playground, classroom and on the sporting field. Further explored through the mentor program our goal will be to assist students in making connections with each other as well as look at strategies to develop stronger relationships with those in our ‘village’ – Year 7. We have challenged the boys to reflect upon our school values of integrity, compassion, wisdom, faith and courage. They will have many opportunities to unpack what it means to be a ‘mate’ and how we can show it, breathe it and live this throughout the year. Research shows us that when boys feel connected and relate with those in their school community, they flourish in all aspects of school life.

As Team Leaders and mentors we have been so proud of the way the boys have shown great courage and perseverance in trying new activities or pushing out of their comfort zones in the playground, classroom and around the school. We are excited about how this will translate into great things for them and look forward to another positive term of solid classroom learning, new experiences and winter sporting achievements.

We reminded all students that the JAPAC lounge is available 5 afternoons a week for private and group study. There is a skilled and experienced team of Junior staff scheduled on each afternoon to assist the boys in their work and assessments.

Good luck to all students in their first round of winter sports. We look forward to meeting many parents during the season as we travel around to the different sports across the weekend.

Margie Raymond - Team Leader 

Just a reminder that on Fridays, Year 7 are permitted to change into their PE uniform for periods 6 and 7. PE uniform is not their chosen sport uniform ie: Football, Rugby, Basketball, AFL ect. If the boys do not have PE uniform they must stay in their school uniform until P7. Please remind your son of this requirement.

I would like to wish all the boys in Pipes and Drums all the best for their first Senior School performance on ANZAC Day. I'm sure they will be amazing.

Don't forget to check below for Assessments that are due in the next few weeks. You can also check on the portal for more information.

Have a great weekend and take care.

Robin Cherry

4. Is your son playing away? Which school is he playing against?

Waverley College
• 2 spectator parents/guardians per player for all outdoor sports
• 2 spectator parent guardian per player for all indoor sports

St Joseph’s College
• 2 spectator parents/guardians per player for all outdoor sports
• 2 spectator parent guardian per player for all indoor sports

Sydney Grammar School
• 2 spectator parents/guardians per player for all outdoor sports
• 2 spectator parent guardian per player for all indoor sports
• Canteens will NOT be open.

St Pius X College
• 2 spectator parents/guardians per player for all outdoor sports
• 2 spectator parent guardian per player for all indoor sports

The Scots College
• 2 spectator parents/guardians per player for all outdoor sports
• 2 spectator parent guardian per player for all indoor sports

As always, any sports cancellations due to wet weather or late changes will be announced via the Knox app (make sure you have subscribed to alerts for your son’s summer sport).

Doctor on-site
Each Saturday throughout the winter season we are fortunate to have Doctor Jomaa here on the Senior Campus. The Doctor is available to attend to any Knox student of any age, playing any sport that may have had a serious injury from any venue – requiring assessment. Please consider coming to see our Doctor between 11am and 2pm this week as this may save a long wait at the local hospital. Dr Jomaa is also available here on campus each Monday morning from 7am for follow up or assessment of all head knocks and other serious injuries.

Holiday news
The action just did not stop over the break with so much to be proud of and I would like to share all of the special news.

Track & Field Nationals
Knox had as many as nine students qualify for the Nationals – a big number that we are very excited about. To qualify for Nationals is a huge achievement and full credit to Matt Fowler and his team of coaches. Congratulations to Sean Williams, Alex Sherlock, Archie Saunders, Chester Swaffer, Ewan Burns, Hamish Hart, James Harden, Maks Saravanja and Dylan Hall who all competed.

Knox’s first medal of the event came from Maks Saravanja in the Under 14’s High Jump. Maks cleared a height of 1.68m to take out 3rd place in the event. Congratulations on your first national medal, Maks!

The highlight of the competition came from Dylan Hall. Dylan claimed a total of three medals across the competition. Dylan claimed the silver medal in the Under 15’s 100m in a time of 11.26, a bronze medal in the Long Jump with an impressive jump 6.06m and was part of the NSW 4x100m relay team that placed 2nd in a blistering time of 43.73. Incredibly Dylan also qualified for the 200m final, where he was in medal contention, but sensibly made the decision to withdraw due to soreness from such a massive program of sprinting.

Congratulations to all Knox athletes that competed at the Championships. Just qualifying alone is a huge achievement and we look forward to your continued and promising development within the sport.

Swimming Nationals
Knox had as many as 16 boys competing for the Knox Pymble Swim Club on the Gold Coast in the break and came away with many more medals. Most exciting are the boys that competed for the very first time at the top level. The results were outstanding.

Congratulations to: Henry Anderson (Y9), Tane Bidois (Y11), Jason Buddee (Y10), Joshua Collett (Y12), Nathan Gladman (Y9), Joseph Hamson (Y12), Tyler Krenkels (Y12), Justin Lee (Y11), Kai Lilienthal (Y10), Will McDonagh (Y11), Toby Peknice (Y12), Daniel Rigby (Y8), Ben Rothery (Y12), Daniel Seo (Y9), Benjamin Shen (Y12), Dylan Zhang (Y12).

Knox Pymble finished 2nd in the country and we could not be happier for the Club and all swimmers.

AFL tour to Newcastle
Our 1st XVIII AFL pre-season tour to Newcastle went extremely well. Nearly 30 boys continued their preparation for this coming CAS/GPS AFL season as well as some games back here in Sydney vs Riverview and Newington.

Over the break many team arranged trial games and training sessions. Our footballers played Scots and are well prepared for another big season whilst the Rugby teams visited St Pat's and also had a great day.

Camps
A good number of boys attended sport camps in the holidays and had a great time staying fit and healthy and continuing to pick up some tips along the way. Well done to all who attended the Volleyball, Squash, Tennis, Rugby and Football camps.

Australian Squash Junior Open
Marcus Wang (Y7) entered and won the Boys Under 13 at 2021 Australian Squash Junior Open. Marcus overcome a fellow Queenslander in a tough 45mins 5 sets in the semi final, then went on to beat a player from Hong Kong in the finals, coming back from a match point down to win the thrilling fifth set 12-10.


Great work, Marcus!

Finally, good luck to everyone for this weekend and please remember to update your Knox app and ensure you are only receiving alerts for the sport(s) your son has chosen to participate in this winter. Our alerts are extremely important and we don’t wish for them to be lost among any notifications that are not relevant to you.

I look forward to seeing our Knox supporters around the fields and courts this weekend positively supporting our boys who will be proudly wearing the Black and Blue.

Martin Haywood

What are the benefits for my child?

• Access to free emotional health screening for students in Year 7 that will identify students who may be experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, emotional distress (this information will be confidential and known only to the school and parents of identified students)
• Recommendations tailored to your child on local, evidence-based referral services, provided to the school by expert researchers and clinicians
• Increased knowledge for school mental health staff in methods of identifying and supporting students who may need help

Over the coming week, you will receive an email with more information about the study and how your child can participate. In the meantime, please feel free to contact the Research Coordinator, Dr Rebecca Kuhnert, if you have any questions or want to know more.

David Schofield

New releases include the following:

'The Boy' from the Mish by Gary Lonesborough.
'House of Secrets' series by Chris Columbus, Ned Vizzini, Chris Rylander.
'Rule of Wolves' (final book in the King of Scars series by Leigh Bardugo.
'Clear and Present Danger' by Tom Clancy.

Enjoy your reading.

Sally Thomson

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.

General Stationery
Slim Wallet Folders (display folders), Double Sided Tape (to hang pictures), Blu Tac, Blue Pens, Black Pens, Black Pencil Cases (large with letter inserts to spell student names), Copy Paper, 12 x A4 Display Folders (for resumes), Plastic Zip Up Folders (A3 and A4), Clear Plastic (thick) Document Protector Sleevs (A4), Sticky Page Tags.

Toiletries
Hand Wash, Hand Cream, Hand Lotion, Shampoo, Conditioner, Toothbrush, Toothpaste. Please note that all items can be small. No need for large bottles. (An example of size may be the shampoo and conditioner bottles from hotels).

Shoes for the Philippines
We are collecting school shoes in good condition (small sizes for children up to age 14) and clothing in small sizes. COVID-19 has had a huge impact on the communities around Manilla and the need is greater than ever. Please deliver any shoes or clothing to the SAOs.

Helen Clarke, Head of Diversity Justice and Stewardship

Siwoo Park and his Year 8 Clarinet Quartet 2 performed in the foyer of the Junior Academy and Performing Arts Centre before school in preparation for the Sydney Eisteddfod for the Chamber Music Competition. Please click here to hear 'A Whole New World' by Menken and Rice arranged by Lavender.