This week, we had our first two mentor representatives chair the Year Meeting. Cameron Dempsey and Balfour Andrew did a brilliant job and have set the standard high. Well done, boys!

As Yearly Examinations are on the horizon, the Year 12 Academic Prefects spoke with the boys about examination preparation and study skills. Ms Yuan and I echo the messages they delivered around the importance of setting a study plan and beginning this process early to avoid any last minute stress. Mrs Charlton has sent each of the boys the Assessment planner for Term 4 and we strongly encourage the boys to make use of this, along with the examination schedule which is on the Portal and the link is in Mrs Charlton's newsletter communication.

Another announcement that was made during our Year Meeting which has created much excitement amongst the year group was House Connections Days in Week 3. Given the boys missed out on camp this year, these connection days are a chance for them to connect with students in their house group and participate in some fun activities together. Boys are to arrive at school in their PE shorts, house shirt and joggers on Thursday and Friday in Week 3 and be ready to dive into the festivities. 

It has been great to see the boys focus on getting the ‘small things’ right this term. Whilst some still need reminding, things such as punctuality to lessons, uniform standards and locker room etiquette have improved this term which has been good to see.

Lenore Kennedy

The boys have quickly settled back into the daily routine here at school. A reminder regarding morning temperature checks and ID scanning. This is continuing this term, and it is imperative that all students have their temperatures taken upon arrival and are scanned in with their ID cards. The campus remains closed to parents due to COVID-19 restrictions. Please contact me or reception if you have any queries about this. If your son is absent from School or will be arriving late/leaving early, please let me know of the details regarding this via Parent Lounge or send an email prior to 9am on that day, to allow me to promptly reconcile the absences each day.

Christmas Hampers
This term is when the Knox community generously supports families that find Christmas particularly difficult. For the last 13 years, we have supplied Christmas Hampers for struggling families through the Uniting Church Family projects. Our focus this year is on the Wesley Mission and Parramatta Mission. Both organisations aim to support families with basic food supplies and Christmas fare (Christmas cakes, puddings, custard, serviettes, tins of ham, bonbons, biscuits etc. as well as staple goods such as long-life milk, cereals, pasta, sauces etc.) Your support with this initiative will be most appreciated. Please send in your donations to me.

Christmas gifts for children to the value of $10 (or more if you wish)
This has been a long-term project at Knox to support children from STARTTS who receive no gifts without our support. The social workers continually reinforce what a positive difference our donations make to these children and their parents. Again, please send in your donations to me. Thank you.

Stay dry and warm this weekend! 

Bec Mitchelson Ph: 9119 0885

Yearly Examination

The Yearly Examination schedule has now been published. This week, Y12 Academic Prefect James Sung spoke to the boys about how to prepare for the Yearly Examinations. Over the next few weeks Mentors and teachers will continue to guide the boys through various study techniques. Please encourage your son to also consider attending JAPAC Lounge after school where he can take advantage of the teacher and peer support available there.

Upcoming assessment tasks

Please note that the Visual Arts Task 4 has been moved to Week 4. Boys have been notified and the Term 4 assessment planner has been updated.

Janelle Charlton 

Just a friendly reminder from the Junior Academy Team regarding the upcoming interview with Dr Andrew Campbell. Dr Campbell will speak on his research and experience with the developmental changes in boys, including how to align emotional changes with parenting styles and to navigate technology use in teens. This presentation will be recorded and made available to you via the portal on Friday 30 October. We invite you to pose a question to Dr Campbell. Please click on this link here if you wish to do so. The most frequently asked questions will be answered by either Dr Campbell or someone from the Junior Academy Team.

If you missed the bio on Dr Campbell from last week, please take a moment to view it below.

Dr Andrew Campbell

Biographical details

Dr Andrew Campbell is the Chair of the Cyberpsychology Research Group in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at The University of Sydney. He has been researching and teaching in the area of e-Mental Health, Cyberpsychology and Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health for more than 15 years. Andrew obtained his PhD in psychology in 2003 and was the first psychologist in Australia to research and publish about the use of the Internet for social fearfulness/anxiety self-help. He works with industry, not for profits and Government on how to improve health and wellbeing using technology. He is often approached to speak in the media on the topic of communication technology and its impact on health and wellbeing (e.g. video game addiction, mobile phone use, youth culture and technology). Andrew has conducted research notably in the area of online therapies for depression and anxiety, AD/HD treatment using bio-feedback videogames and social networking for managing young people's mental health. He has a wealth of professional and practical knowledge to share with parents and educators of young boys as they grow into young men.

Andrea Wiffen 

Thursday 29 October

Yr 7 Event Day 

Friday 30 October

 Yr 7 Event Day 

Thursday 3 December 

Term 4 concludes

Each school has a different policy with regards to the number of spectators, so it will be important to carefully read the information below to plan for this coming Saturday.

1. Check the team list to see your son’s team - see the Knox app (download instructions)
2. Check the sports draw to see where and when your son’s team is playing – check the Knox app
3. Is he playing at a Knox Grammar School venue? If yes:

• 2 spectator parents/guardians per player at our outdoor venues.
• 1 spectator parent/guardian per player at our indoor venues.
• QR code registration will be in place across all facilities at entry points, with standard health checks and questions.
• Players in all teams should turn up ready to play – no change rooms will be available.
• Canteens will be closed. Players should bring their own labelled water bottles and snacks if required.
• Players should leave immediately after completion of their fixture.
• Teams due to play in the Great Hall, MacNeil Court and Lawson Centre will need to wait on the Boulevard until they may enter the facility. This will depend on finish time of previous fixture.
• Water Polo players will also need to wait in JAPAC rec area for clearance to enter the pool area.
• Standard 1.5m social distancing for all spectators.

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

Barker College
• Players plus only one spectator for indoor sporting activities
• Players plus two spectators for outdoor sporting activities
• Barker COVID-19 Sports Protocols

Cranbrook School
• 2 spectator parents/guardians per player for all outdoor sports
• 1 spectator parent/guardian per player for all indoor sports
• Cranbrook COVID-19 Sports Protocols

Waverley College
• 2 spectator parent/guardians per player at outdoor fixtures at Queens Park
• 1 spectator parent/guardian per player at indoor fixtures and tennis or any other fixture on Waverley College campuses

Abbotsleigh School – Aquatic area
• No parent spectators allowed

Please ensure you follow social distancing guidelines at all times and leave immediately after your son’s game. As always, any sports cancellations due to wet weather will be announced via the Knox app (make sure you have subscribed to alerts for your son’s summer sport).

If you have any questions, please email the Sport Department.

Thank you and best wishes to all our students this weekend.

Martin Haywood, Head of Knox Sports and Aquatic Academy

During the holidays I was in touch with a number of organisations who are seeking to support the increased needs in our wider community. These organisations reported of families impacted by loss of jobs and some who are struggling to make ends meet.

This term we will undertake the following planned three key annual events:

• School participation in National Recycling Week
• Providing Christmas food hampers for families in need
• Providing Christmas gifts for the Children who are supported by STARRTS

All donations may be dropped off to Mrs Mitchelson.

Has your son outgrown his Football or Rugby boots? We are supporting a community in the outback who have no access to any sporting equipment. They are particularly keen to receive Football or Rugby boots as most cannot play as they have no boots. Donations may be dropped to Mrs Mitchelson or to Mrs Clarke. Any clean Football socks would also be appreciated.

Helen Clarke, Head of Diversity, Justice and Stewardship

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.

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

The Introductory seven week course includes a tub of theraputty, that is designed to improve hand muscle strength and fine motor skills. A minimum of seven students, and a maximum of ten, ensures individual attention. The course costs $300 for seven sessions of 45 minutes.

We will also run a five week refresher course for students who have participated in a seven week course previously. This course will cost $200.

Availability of places is dependent upon a first come first served basis. All students who miss out on a place in Term 4 will be placed on the waiting list for Term 1, 2021.

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

This week has seen a celebration of Book Week in the Library. Many entries from students into the writing and photographic competitions will be judged soon. Announcements as to the winning entries will be posted and prizes awarded.

Some new additions to the collection which are available for immediate borrowing include;

'The Reckless Afterlife of Harriet Stoker' by Lauren James

'Small Spaces' by Katherine Arden

'Ordinary Matter' by Laura Elvery

'Ruby Tuesday' by Hayley Lawrence

'The Darkest Minds' by Alexandra Bracken

'The Lost Book of the White' by Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu

If you are looking for a place to study, remember the Library is open from 8am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and on Fridays from 8.50am to 4pm.

Enjoy your reading.

Sally Thomson