In an ever-changing world, the focus of education is turning towards a holistic approach where schools are considering the social, physical and spiritual development of a child just as equal as the intellectual. With the many benefits associated with learning in natural environments, a key component of Knox Total Fitness is outdoor education.

Outdoor experiences engage our students in practical and active learning in natural settings beyond the school classroom. The benefits of high-quality outdoor experiences quickly become apparent when young people are given the opportunity to take part in risk-assessed, but not risk-free activities. As Roald Dahl once said, “The more risks you allow children to take, the better they learn to take care of themselves.”

The School’s outdoor program extends students out of their comfort zones, creating just enough challenge to ramp up their focus, creativity and communication skills, which in turn will help them to respond to life stress when unexpected things happen. More often than not, the experiences of camps and outdoor education are felt immediately, and have the tendency to resonate with students for years. Through outdoor education, our students develop a real sense of self, learn how to be resilient and self-reliant, while also learning how to live with others. Through spending time in nature, students have the chance to strive, relax, learn and grow, all in a less formal setting than a classroom.

Despite the range of positives that a school camp can provide, there may be some level of stress for a student in taking that leap towards the school camp experience. If this is the case, let your son talk about their worries and fears and possibly share your own experiences at camp and how you overcame your own challenges. You may also consider reaching out to our Psychology team who can help your son replace unhelpful thoughts and how to use other practical strategies to minimise their anxiety.

Camps are some of the most exciting, life-building experiences that a young person can have. If required, I encourage families to work with the School in preparing and supporting your son to de-bunk any apparent fears or worries that may be preventing him from attending camps this term and reaping the immense developmental benefits that outdoor education has to offer.

Scott James

The boys now have a full week of ‘normal lesson’ routine under their belts as well as participating in their first weekend of Saturday sport. As the boys move into the rhythm of life at the Senior School, many are coming to terms with the frequently used language of positive education at Knox. Terms such as character strengths, values, flow, grit, resilience, perseverance are not designed to fool the boys into thinking that the glass will always be half full, but rather to create a growth mindset that embraces each challenge as a learning opportunity. The mantra we seek to instil in our boys is simple, ‘give it a go and give of your best.’ At the end of each term parents will receive a School Report which attempts to quantify, by way of eight learner protocols, a boy’s effort, mindset, strengths and challenges within his academic subjects. While grade and course achievement are important I recommend that parents look to the ‘Learner Protocols’ as a means to gauge your son’s level of effort and performance. More information regarding the specific standards for each of the eight Leaner Protocols will be shared with parents just prior to the end of this term. In summary, as parents the best way you can support your son’s development is to use similar language at home, that of a growth mindset and emphasising the opportunities gained through giving of your very best.

Wayne Inwood

“If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you”

Fred Devito

This week as the boys move into their third week of the Senior school, it has been pleasing to see so many walk through the gates with greater confidence, a huge smile on their face, doffing their boaters and navigating through the school towards the locker space and Junior Academy. So too, as the boys feel the routines of their timetable, many are adjusting to finding their way, bringing all of their equipment needed for two lessons and enjoying an array of lunch offerings in the Junior Academy canteen.

An integrated and valued aspect of a Knox education and experience for our students is the comprehensive and rich Co-curricular activities program. A Knox education is one which aims to equip our young men to be forward thinking, resilient and problem solvers who are globally minded beyond the gates. The Co-curricular opportunities are a fantastic way for all of our Year 7 students to widen their circle of friends. They also guide our boys to connect with many students across all Year Groups outside their own and have the potential to ignite passion in interest areas which remain with the boys long after they leave the gates. Please take time to sit with your son and read through this link of the Co-curricular offerings.

This week in Year Meeting we continued to explore the theme of courage and challenge as the boys prepare for a fun-filled week of activities and connection on camp in Week 5. Mr Felton and I spoke to the boys about a ‘brave ladder’ and what that might look like for each of them, stepping outside their comfort zones. We outlined what unhelpful thinking styles are and looked at ways to grow our mindset, break down the challenge and take new opportunities in small steps.

Margie Raymond

Year 7 are making a huge effort to learn the layout of the School. While there are some boys who are occasionally lost, I would like to reassure them to always come and see me or ask a staff member if they need any assistance. The boys are settling in like they have always been here and it is great to hear their laughter and chatter outside my office at recess and lunch.

Congratulations to Montgomery for coming 1st overall on Friday at the Year 7 House Event. Murdoch ran a close 2nd with Gillespie and McKenzie tied for 3rd.

If your son needs to leave school early or is arriving to school late for any reason, please email me or notify me via the Knox app. The boys should always come to my office before leaving or when arriving so I can correct the roll and give them a slip. We have a duty of care to know where the boys are during the school day.

The Year 7 Parent Morning Tea that was scheduled for Monday 8 March has unfortunately been postponed. I will email all parents when the new date has been confirmed.

Finally, just a reminder that all boys should wear their full School uniform everyday and change into their sports uniform when they go to class. Please remember to label all your sons' clothing and other items so that they can be returned.

Have a great weekend.

Robin Cherry

Now that the boys are settled and the term is well and truly underway, I wanted to take the time to introduce myself to parents and families. I am one of the Student Management Officers and work primarily with students in Years 7-10.

This is my third year at Knox after having spent several years with the NSW Police Force in a variety of different roles. My role as a Student Management Officer is to assist the boys and staff in a multi-faceted way. This includes supporting the boys in complying with their responsibilities and ensuring that their rights and freedoms are preserved. I am tasked with encouraging students to uphold the School's behavioural and cultural standards and provide support to all levels of staff across all three campuses.

Mr Mulray, Mr Ranyard and I are a visible presence for the boys around the Senior Campus and we are available throughout the school day to assist students and staff.

Your son's Team Leaders and I have recently outlined to students that there are now consequences in place for continual lateness to class without reasonable excuse. I encourage all students to be on time to all classes throughout the day, ensuring they have all materials for all classes. Students should not be returning to their lockers between lessons to collect items which is something that has been happening the last few weeks. If we can work on these little things then the bigger things will fall into place.

Finally, I would like to reiterate that if there is anything I can assist with please feel free to contact email or contact me via phone 9119 0816. This goes for both students and parents. I am a big believer in encouraging the boys to ask as many questions as they can. I hope that as time goes on and as the boys get to know me, I will become an approachable and trustworthy person in their schooling journey.

Dan Parker

Last Saturday, Knox hosted an Independent Schools' Mountain Biking Carnival at Terrey Hills. As many as 200 riders participated in one of the fastest growing sports at the School at the moment. Some great results and effort was put in by our team as well as the huge amount of preparation that went in to hosting such a huge carnival. Well done to all staff and participants.

Knox also hosted local friends Barker College in the majority of fixtures in the Senior School and fortunately, the weather held off for long enough to see many boys wear the Black and Blue for the first time. The spirit among both schools was great to watch. I know the boys had a great day. Congratulations to our new Year 7s who were fantastic. We are all extremely proud of the efforts and sportsmanship shown by them in Round 1.

This week, all boys and families were sent an email and link to the Winter Sport Choices for 2021. Please take some time to read and consider carefully before your son commits to a winter sport. For logistical and other reasons, we do not allow changes once the winter trial period has begun. We need all choices completed by next Friday 19 February, please.

Congratulations to all the boys selected to compete at the Knox Swim Championships next Wednesday. Just to make finals is a huge effort. The standard of Swimming is exceptional at Knox and just rises each and every year with many more records expected to go on the night.

Congratulations to Tom Morrison (Y12) who was recently selected into the NSW Rugby 7s Under 17 team – and to top off Tom’s selection, he has been asked to captain the State Team. Well done and good luck, Tom.

COVID-19 Policy
Could I remind all parents of our current COVID-19 policy regarding the number of spectators allowed on-site on a Saturday. Siblings may not come along and only one parent may watch our sports played indoors (Lawson Centre area and Great Hall area). Unfortunately, we had to remove a number of people last Saturday and it is not ideal.

Regarding sport this weekend and how it will look regarding COVID-19 restrictions, please note the details below. Any late variations will be sent via the School app.

Process for Sports fixtures – Saturday 13 February
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
• Service NSW 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 Great Hall, MacNeil and Lawson court will need to wait on Boulevard until they may enter the facility. This will depend on finish time of previous fixture.
• Water Polo players will 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?

St Aloysius' College
• Willoughby Leisure Centre - NO SPECTATORS
• Other Indoor venues - 2 spectator parent/guardians per player
• Outdoor venues - 2 spectator parent/guardians per player

Barker College
• Indoor venues - 2 spectator parent/guardians per player
• Outdoor venues - 2 spectator parent/guardians per player

Cranbrook School
• Indoor venues - 1 spectator parent/guardians per player
• Outdoor venues - 2 spectator parent/guardians per player

Trinity Grammar School
• Indoor venues - 2 spectator parent/guardians per player
• Outdoor venues - 2 spectator parent/guardians per player

St Ignatius College (Riverview)
• Indoor venues – 1 spectator parent/guardians per player
• Outdoor venues - 2 spectator parent/guardians per player

Shore Pool (fixture vs St Joseph's)
• 2 spectator parent/guardians per player

Drummoyne Pool (Newington)
• 2 spectator parent/guardians per player

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 Sport.

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

Martin Haywood

When: Wednesday 24 February 2021, 7.45am-8.15am
Where: Online seminar, register at www.knox.nsw.edu.au/GC-seminar
Who: All Senior School parents

With the launch of a new Knox Certificate of Global Competency for Senior School students in 2021, Knox parents are warmly invited to an online seminar. Speakers will include Margie Raymond (Coordinator of the Knox Certificate of Global Competency), Karen Yager (Deputy Headmaster of Student and Teacher Excellence K-12), Elizabeth Ruff (Head of Middle Academy), David Caspari (Deputy Chairman of School Council), students and parents. The seminar will cover topics including why global competency is important and how the Knox Certificate of Global Competency will be delivered for students.

Please register your interest by Monday 22 February. All enquiries to Margie Raymond.

Knox Certificate of Global Competency seminar flyer

Week 4B:

Monday 15 February 
Individual Photos (Catch-up)- Yrs 7-12

Week 5A: 

Monday 22 to Friday 26 February
Year 7 Camp

Week 6B: 

Wednesday 4 March - Great Hall

Year 7 Doing da Vinci Day 2021

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:6

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 have a few places remaining for our Term 1, 2021 course which begins next week, Week 4. 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 seven-week course includes a tub of theraputty, that is designed to improve hand muscle strength and fine motor skills.

We will also be taking an ‘Expression of Interest’ for a five-week refresher course to run the second half of Term 1 for anyone who has completed the seven-week course previously.

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, 2021.

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

Please click here for more information about the Term 1 Art Clubs
 

Knox Symphony Orchestra (KSO) Rehearsal Workshop Day 
On behalf of KAPA, we offer our collective congratulations following our brilliant Rehearsal Day on Sunday to our 2021 KSO Ensemble.

Our KSO members demonstrated commitment, tremendous enthusiasm, and high calibre musicianship throughout the entire day.

With 67 musicians in attendance, encompassing students from Years 7-12, we could have not asked for a better start to the year. Just listen to how great they all sounded by clicking on the following link: KSO.

What a magnificent start towards our Orchestral Night at the Proms Concert, Meet the Symphony Orchestra incursion and 2021 Sydney Eisteddfod performances - congratulations boys!

James Brice, Head of KAPA

KPA Name Badges - last chance to order
The KPA organises name badges for parents at the start of each school year for use at the various school functions you will attend throughout your son's time at Knox. They come with the Knox crest and your name, with a simple magnet on the back for attaching. They are a much better alternative to the sticky labels that always peel off! The cost of $16 includes postage.

Orders close Friday 19 February 2021. This is the only opportunity to order name badges for 2021, so please put your order in now to avoid disappointment.

Please click here to order and pay for a name badge. Be sure to put down your name as you would like it to appear on the badge (first and last name only).

Our informal prayer meeting for Term 1 will be held at 10am on Friday 19 March, at the home of Prue Feather. Morning Tea will be included.

There will also be an evening meeting at 8pm on Wednesday 10 March, at the home of Fiona van Horen.

Please RSVP if you plan to attend so that we comply with the gathering limits prescribed by the government’s Public Health Orders in place at the time.

A warm welcome is extended to anyone from our Knox community who would like to attend.

Any enquires to Prue Feather.

Winter Uniform
We would like to remind all parents that Term 2 changes over into winter uniform. For further information on what the uniform item changes are, please refer to the Uniform Policy and Regulations. We strongly recommend purchasing the winter uniform earlier than later and not wait until the last week of the school holidays as we cannot guarantee all sizes will be available.

Special orders
For any students who have special requirements regarding winter uniform items, it is strongly recommended that these are discussed with the Uniform Shop Staff as soon as possible. Occasionally, we have students who have allergies/sensitivity to wool and in these instances, time permitting, we can get winter trousers lined and jumpers made in a cotton/nylon blend. These special orders require some notice: four weeks for the trousers and up to eight weeks for knitwear.

Other instances include if your son is not of a standard size. For example, very tall but slim and may require extra length or he may be of a more solid frame like a Rugby player and the standard sizes may be disproportional.

Please visit the Uniform Shop during trading hours (see below) or contact via us by phone 9487 0191 or email.

Trading Hours
Monday to Friday: 12.30pm-5.30pm
Saturday (Terms 1 and 4 only): 9am-12noon

Phone (02) 9487 0191 or visit the Knox website here for more information.

Julie Blackburn, Knox Uniform Shop Manager

McKenzie Library Pop-Up Library in the JAPAC
You will find a great selection of books including fiction, graphic novels and magazines from the library.

When? Friday Lunchtimes in Week B starting from 19 February.
Why? Boys who haven’t had the chance to visit the McKenzie Library earlier in the week have the opportunity to borrow a book. You can also return your books, extend your loan, or pick up a book to look at over lunch.
Who? Everyone in Years 7 and 8 is welcome.

Remember to bring along your frequent borrow card. For every 20 books borrowed, you will receive 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.

Enjoy your reading!

Sally Thomson