Dear Parents

I would like to provide all parents with an update on our COVID-19 Student Attendance Guideline. Please read the policy document below.

Student Attendance Guideline for Parents 

A few key points:

• If your child is unwell, please don’t send them to School.
• If your child has been in any of the reported case locations listed by NSW Health, please read and follow the guidelines from NSW Health. This list is changing daily and it is imperative you check this list regularly for the protection of our School community.
• We ask that parents take their child’s temperature each morning at home using a digital thermometer. If your child has a temperature higher than 37.5 degrees, please do not send them to School. Please follow the guidelines in the document above.

Thank you

Phil O'Regan

As another busy term is underway, it is easy to sometimes get bogged down in negativity. It is important to remember that everyone makes mistakes and the key to success is that we learn from them and continue to move forward. This week, our Boarders reflected on the following quote, 'Your perspective will either become your prison or your passport'. We encourage all our students to consider the effects of having a fixed mindset versus a growth mindset and also on what they want their journey at Knox to look like when they finish Year 12.

In Mentor this week, the students have been reviewing their Semester One reports and setting themselves some SMART goals for the semester ahead. There are many avenues for support at Knox and we encourage the boys to take responsibility for their learning by seeking help with areas they are struggling in. 

Education is a partnership between multiple stakeholders. It is crucial to the development of our young men that we work towards a common goal of raising polite, respectful and informed citizens. We understand that for many students, technology use is both a priority and a distraction in their lives. During school hours, students are not permitted on their devices during break time unless in the library catching up on school work. Recess and lunch are for socialising. This is crucial not only during school hours and it has been pleasing to hear the students’ stories of their weekends with friends and family doing various activities. It is natural that as students get older, they want for greater independence and with that comes increased responsibility. It is important that the boys understand their actions have outcomes and the benefit of taking a moment to pause and think before acting can have on the outcome.

 
Lenore Kennedy

It has been a busy week for the boys, with some of our cohort involved in Knox Track and Field Athletics at the Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre and the Australian Mathematics Competition. Congratulations to each boy involved in these activities and I hope you really enjoyed representing the School in these events. A special mention to Hunter WIKI-SULLIVAN who has been named the 12 years Age Champion and Thomas HASLAM who has been named the 13 years Age Champion.

To ensure your son has a positive start to the semester, please send him my way if he is in need of a new diary, padlock or has lost his ID card. These are some of the items that I can quickly and easily arrange replacements for. 

Please remind your son that the access button that is used to enter my office is for that use specifically. The button has not been placed there as a game for boys to press and run away. 

The Social Justice group are currently running their annual food drive for 2020. Traditionally in the winter months, we do a food drive of daily staples for Sydney families who are struggling and living in very challenging conditions. The Food Drive will continue until the end of Week 3, Term 3. The following non-perishable donations may be handed in to the SAOs or Mrs Clarke's office: long-life milk, cereal, coffee, tea, cans of meat, vegetables, fruit and/or soup, cup of soup, dried fruit. Note: no glass items, please.

Have a great weekend.

Bec Mitchelson Ph: 91190885

In Mentor meetings this fortnight the boys are working with their Mentor to review their Term 2 reports and set SMART goals for improvement. One strategy the boys should consider is attending the Junior Academy Lounge at least one afternoon per week, where a Knox teacher is in attendance who is able to guide and assist students with their homework. In addition to this, we are also offering the following specific assistance:

Tuesdays: Study Hub with Mrs Coetzee: study skills, including time management and organisation.

Wednesdays: English seminars with Ms Dawes.

Please contact the relevant organiser for further information about these offerings.

Congratulations to the following students who received an award at Year Meeting for being 'Outstanding in upholding the Knox Learner Protocols' in Term 2: Oliver Begg, Jeremy Chen, Andrew Cunningham, Christian Kim, Joshua Lee, Declan Maxwell, Saxon McDonell, Nilesh Nagarajah, James Pfeiffer, Patrick Schafer, Chester Swaffer, Ralph Tsui.

Upcoming Assessment tasks

Just a reminder that all the recent wellbeing resources produced by the Knox Psychologists can be found on the Knox Portal – Knox Wellbeing Centre – Wellbeing Blogs. Please click here to access.

Included here are information on Low Mood v. Normal Teenage Mood Swings, Managing Conflict at Home, Procrastination, Healthy Eating; and includes videos on: Internet/Devices Issues with Knox researcher in residence Dr Philp Tam, and The Optimal Parenting Webinar.

To make an appointment to speak to a Knox psychologist please contact us here.

Monday 3 August - Friday 7 August

Knox celebrating NAIDOC week   

Friday 25 September

Term 3 concludes

Information regarding summer sport choices have been emailed to all boys in Years 7-11. Choices should be carefully considered and made as soon as possible. Submissions must be made by 14 August at the latest.

If you have any questions, please contact us here.

Martin Haywood, Head of Knox Sports and Aquatic Academy

On Tuesday 4 August (Week 3) we will see our new JAPAC Theatre fired up as four exciting bands take to the stage to give the new speaker system a real test drive. Please come and support your classmates and enjoy the atmosphere - you will not be disappointed! Don’t be late as we will be kicking off at 12.55pm sharp. Student and staff attendance only.

This year’s finalists are: The Unknown (Year 8), Contagious (Year 10), Scapegoat (Year 11) and Floating Boats (Year 12).

Robert Ewan

Knox is celebrating NAIDOC Week, next week! NAIDOC Week is a celebration of Aboriginal culture and history.

In the Senior School we will be hosting three important events to celebrate this important week:

• Unveiling the Acknowledgement Plaque that uses the Guringai Language on it.
• Our NAIDOC Assembly on Thursday 6 August
• Launching the inaugural Indigenous Round for all 1sts sporting games on Saturday 8 August against Waverley. On this day the 1sts teams will wear their jerseys featuring the artwork designed by all of our Aboriginal students in conjunction with members of the local Aboriginal community.

All students will be expected to wear their summer uniform on the first day of Term 4.

Please be aware that due to social distancing measures, we only have two changing rooms available at the Uniform Shop and we are also in the process of sizing Year 8 Cadets. To avoid long waiting times, we would advise checking your son’s summer uniform now and, if you require new uniform, please order early. Alternatively if you know their new size, orders can be placed on Flexischools. Students in the Senior School are permitted to collect orders at lunchtime or after school.

Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.

Uniform Shop opening times: Monday through to Friday 12.30pm - 5pm.