At Year Meeting this week we discussed three important areas for focus: 1. Punctuality 2. Organisation and 3. Uniform. Whilst the boys have been doing a fabulous job of settling into the swing of things at Knox, it is important that we hold our students to a high standard. These seemingly punitive protocols that are in place for these focus areas are what we use to guide our young men, developing them from teenagers to young adults who positively contribute to society. This quote by American philosopher William James captures this notion perfectly: “Could the young but realize how soon they will become mere walking bundles of habits, they would give more heed to their conduct while in the plastic state.” Although our students are only a few weeks into their senior schooling, the habits they begin to make now will determine how they conduct themselves for years to come. Arriving to class on time and being prepared for lessons with the correct materials are markers of a good student. At Knox, we have classroom protocols which include: lining up outside the classroom door, standing while being greeted by your classroom teacher and only taking a seat when invited. This positive attitude will no doubt have an impact on their academic readiness. Presenting themselves properly in the school uniform (shirt tucked in, top button done up and socks pulled up) also reflect their attitude. Addressing these basics will ensure a smooth journey ahead and begin to cement their place in our Knox community.

In Mentor over the coming sessions, the boys will continue to develop their social fitness by participating in activities based on building relationships. There will be opportunities to work collaboratively with one another and strengthen relationships within the Mentor Group. Our Mentor team have been doing outstanding work with your sons this term and will continue to be a vital part in shaping the young man he will become. 

Clare Yuan

This week the boys received their vaccination envelopes. The vaccination forms need to be filled in and returned to me as soon as possible. The first round of vaccinations are scheduled for Tuesday 3 March 2020. If your son has not received a form yet please ask him to speak with me or his mentor to obtain the form. 

We are getting closer to Year 7 Camp which is in Week 9. A parent information night is being held in the Wenkart Theatre from 6.30pm-7.30pm on Monday 24 February.

Art Classes:

There are a number of Co-Curricular art options available to the students. Click here for more information.  To sign up for any of the Co-Curricular Art Classes please click here for further instructions.

Rebecca Mitchelson, Tel: 9119 0885

Learner Protocols, the Knox APA, and Academic Reports – Request for participation in Focus Groups

I have been honoured to work alongside many of our School's inspiring leaders and thought leaders as we consider how best to communicate your son’s achievement in our termly reports. A literature review was conducted and the team has been inspired by the Chicago Consortium’s Learner Protocols, which outlined some of the most meaningful contributors to students achieving their academic personal best. You may be familiar with the Learner Protocols as we have started using them in our pastoral care programs and as contracts with students at the commencement of 2020 – we are looking to enhance our academic reports and APA to pivot from these contemporary research findings.

If you are interested in participating in a focus group Tuesday 18 February from 7.30am to 8.15am regarding the Learner Protocols, the Knox APA and our Academic Reports, please email me at plaskettj@knox.nsw.edu.au and indicate if you have any dietary requirements.

On behalf of the team, I am very excited to consult our parent community to help co-construct reports that are increasingly useful and are underpinned by our Total Fitness and Education for the Future models.

Projects wanted for Year 10 Service Learning Project:

The Middle Academy is launching an ambitious project to refresh our Service Learning Program in 2020. We aim to engage all Year 10 students with local and national community organisations in order for the boys to fill these organisations’ needs. This will involve staff and students working directly with the organisations to identify areas of need and design and deliver products, services or initiatives for the organisations.

In order to ensure an effective program for both the students and the organisations, Knox is encouraging all community members with connections to community organisations, Rotary clubs, non-for-profit organisations and special interest groups to reach out to us with the hope we will be able to fill a need for the organisations.

Some examples of potential projects might include:

·        Design and deliver a new awareness campaign

·        Webpage design and publication

·        Developing a fundraising initiative

·        Creation of a community mural to replace graffiti

·        Providing IT support of senior citizens

We are encouraging community organisations from all walks of like to reach out to Knox. An information evening for all potential organisations will be held on Wednesday 26 February from 6.30pm – 7.30pm.

If you have a connection to an organisation you think may be able to benefit from our project, please reach out to Tom Waterhouse,  or RSVP for your organisations here .

All boys have been sent an email with a link to an electronic form to enable them to select their winter sport choice. The email is from forms@edsmart.com.  If the email has not been received please contact the Sports office. All forms are due to be submitted by Friday 21 February.

Any boy that missed Knox Swim trials on Saturday 1 February has one last chance to qualify on Monday 17 February from 7am in Knox pool.

Year 7 House Athletics Day is being held on Thursday 20 February. Boys are to come to school in house attire and will have some fun after lunch on Knox 1.

Friday 14 February

Knox at Home

Thursday 20 February

Year 7 House Athletics Day

Monday 24 February 

Year 7 Camp Information Evening

Thursday 27 February

Doing da Vinci day

Monday 2 March

Battle of the Bands - Heats

Tuesday 3 March 

Year 7 Vaccinations

Tuesday 3 March 

Knox Annual International Women's Day Breakfast

Monday 23 - Friday 27 March

Year 7 Camp

Thursday 9 April

Term 1 concludes

Tuesday 28 April

Term 2 commences

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

The Knox Annual International Women’s Day Breakfast.  Tuesday 3 March in the Great Hall Foyer 7am-8.15am.

Our Guest Speaker will be Sallianne McClelland who is the Development Director Women's Community Shelters and founder of ‘Mobilising for Mogo’

This is a parent and son event!

$20pp.

Go to the Knox Payment Portal and click on ‘other activities’ and scroll down to the International Women’s Day Breakfast.

A Year 7 cultural experience. Please click on the link below for more information. Contact Ms Helen Clarke for more information.

Red Earth Cape York Opportunity - Year 7

Explore the  Indigenous Homelands of Cape York  Peninsula, Far North Queensland.