Building works on the new locker building are progressing well and we expect to be moving the lockers to the new space at the end of next week. Should work continue along the predicted timeline then, in preparation for the move, students will be required to completely empty their lockers on Thursday 7 November. Instead of attending School Assembly during Period 5 on Thursday, students will have this time allocated to cleaning out and packing up their locker. All their books and equipment will need to be packed in their bags and taken home on Thursday. We ask that students only bring essential items with them to school on Friday 8 November.

On Friday, their school bags can be stored in lockers until the end of lunch. For this day only, students will carry their bags to Period 6 as well as Period 7 Sport. We recommend that students attach their lock to the strap of their school bag on Friday, so they do not forget to bring it to school with them on Monday.

Lockers will be moved into the new building over the weekend and students will have full access to their locker again from Monday morning 11 November. There will be signage and staff on hand to ensure that students are able to quickly locate their locker in the new facility. Mentors and Team Leaders will be advising students in due course of their new locker number. Should your son be absent on Thursday, staff will be placing all contents of the locker in a bag which will be labelled with his locker number. The bags will be locked in a secure room and he will be able to collect his possessions upon his return to school.

14 members of staff will have offices in the new building, namely: Team Leaders, Assistant Team Leaders, Student Administrative Officers as well as Student Management Officers. From 11 November onwards, if you are coming to school to drop off items for your son or to submit forms, you will need to go to the new locker building (opposite the Great Hall) rather than Room 19.

We thank you for your patience and understanding at this time as we endeavour to make this transition process as smooth as possible.

 Craig Milligan

Daily life at Knox continues to push ahead at a furious pace this term as both Academic Staff and boys begin their preparations for the upcoming Yearly Examinations in Week 6. Walking around the campus, I have been encouraged by the sight of boys engaging themselves fully in the classroom revision programs as well as working together in student-led study groups in the JAPAC lounge after school. The staff of the Junior Academy have been reminding the boys that they should view their first formal Examination Week as a learning experience and try new ways of revising their notes. We have also been reminding the boys of the need to ensure that they maintain a balanced lifestyle over the next few weeks and ensure that they continue to get plenty of quality sleep and exercise as well as maintain good levels of hydration.

During this week’s Year Meeting, we were also fortunate to have the Knox Senior Theatre Sports team come and perform some impromptu scenes for the boys to view. For many boys, this was the first time they had seen Theatre Sports in action and we are hope that this will spur them on to join the Junior Theatre Sports Team, which recently placed first in their latest competition at Cranbrook earlier this term. If your son is excited and interested in joining Theatre Sports, please contact Miss Anderson in the Drama Department for more details.

On the topic of Drama, the Senior School Musical, 'Oliver!', is due to kick off next week and we wish all boys involved (both on and back stage as well as those in the orchestra) all the best for these performances. If you are interested in attending one of these performances tickets are available at www.knox.nsw.edu.au/oliver

I would also like to remind all Year 7 boys that they have the opportunity to represent their Houses in the Junior Cricket Competition which will kick off Monday Week 4. These games will be held during the lunch break and will give the boys a great opportunity to make new connections with boys in their House.

As always, please feel to contact Carly or I if you have any questions or concerns regarding your son’s progress this year.

Julien Manuel

The term is rapidly progressing and the boys are working hard in preparation for their end of year assessments.

On Thursday, the boys enjoyed their first Halloween celebration at Knox. Room 19 took on a totally different ambience with spiderwebs, broomsticks, cloaks, creaking doors and witches hats. The SAOs disguised themselves in fancy dress, decorated Room 19 and arranged all sorts of delicious lollies around the office, setting the scene for what turned out to be a thoroughly enjoyable day with the boys during recess and lunch. According to a number of them, this celebration was one of the many highlights they have experienced this year. I hope all the boys enjoyed the treats.

Thank you for the donations received so far for the Christmas Food Drive. Please keep sending non-perishable items that you would have on your  Christmas table to Room 19. Here are a few suggestions if you are stuck for ideas: Christmas puddings, bon bons, tinned ham, minced pies, shortbread biscuits, long life cream and custards. Thank you in advance for making the time to find something exceptional to donate to a family in need to make their Christmas special.

Please click here to access the weekly planner to help you schedule in study time each week in the lead-up to exams. Regarding what you need to study, ask your teachers, and look at the Yearly Examinations notifications that are posted on Student Café.

The final weekend of the Rugby World Cup is here. As I shared with the boys during the week, ‘my’ team is out of the final. It was the perfect opportunity to speak to the boys about losing. As players and spectators, you have to accept defeat gracefully, shake hands with your opponents and congratulate them.  So with all that in mind, enjoy the rugby and may the best team win!

Happy weekend to you all.

Renee Willson Tel: 91190886

Friday 8 November

• Vaccinations. HPV Dose 2

Thursday 14 to Friday 22 November

• Yearly Examinations 

Friday 15 November

• Knox Christmas Markets. Great Hall. 4pm - 8pm

Thursday 5 December

• Knox Presentation Day. Term 4 Concludes

The Knox Christmas Markets are being held on Friday 15 November from 4pm - 8pm in the Great Hall.

Once again, Pudding Lane are kindly donating 40% of all pre-orders to the Knox Parents’ Association (KPA), so if you would like to pre-order a Christmas pudding or cake, please see attached “pudding flyer” for details. Pre-orders need to be placed by Friday 8 November.

Please click here to place your order.

Each year the Knox community supports those in need in the lead up to Christmas. We ask the Knox community to donate food for families who will struggle to provide for their families at Christmas.

Donations can be handed in to Room 19 or Mrs Clarke’s office (Room 15)

Suggested items:

Pasta & pasta sauce

Breakfast cereals (no nuts)

Long-life milk

Tinned ham and/or turkey

Long-life custard and/or canned cream

Christmas pudding/fruit cake and/or mince pies

Tinned tuna/salmon

Tea/Coffee/milo/hot chocolate/nesquik

Canned fruit

Cordial

Savoury snacks (no nuts)

Table trimmings (such as lollies, chocolate or Christmas bonbons)

In early December we will arrange to take all of the donations into Wesley Mission in the City for distribution to these struggling families.

Raising boys in a digital world
An evening with Dr Kristy Goodwin

When: Wednesday 20 November 2019, 6pm-8pm
Where: Wenkart Theatre, Junior Academy and Performing Arts Centre, Senior School
Who: Knox Prep, Wahroonga Prep and Knox Senior School parents of students in Years 5-9

Dr Goodwin will provide practical and effective strategies to ensure your son’s online safety and healthy technology habits.

Please RSVP by 15 November here. For more information, email Amanda Pooley.

Parent seminar - Raising Boys in a Digital World flyer

When: Thursday 7 November 2019, 3.30pm - 5pm

Where: Room R33, Reid Building

Contact: For more information, please contact Ms Valent or Ms Douglas

Do you love to game? Do you like the challenge of creating something from scratch?

Then this Maker Workshop is for you!

All boys are invited to attend the first Cadet Tech Maker Workshop on Thursday 7 November.

In this workshop, you will have the opportunity to build your very own retro snake game using an Arduino,

joystick and electronic breadboard.

The workshop will cost $24.95, and this covers the cost of all the equipment we will be using to build the game.

For students to enrol in the course, your parent/guardian must pay via the Knox Payment Portal. You will find

the Maker Workshop in the Quick Links - Other Activities section.

This event is supported by Cadet Tech.

The first Pop Up Library in the JAPAC last Friday was a great success!  The boys had an amazing selection of popular books to choose from, and were able to borrow and then eat their lunch with a good book to read. The Pop Up Library will be in the JAPAC lounge every Friday week B, see you then!

Don’t throw out good school shoes!
We have restarted the shoe collection to help needy children in The Philippines this term. Please have a look at home to see if you have any shoes that are still in good condition that you can donate. These can be school shoes, sports shoes (runners/football boots), sandals or crocs, both for boys and girls. These shoes really make a difference to many poor children and importantly, allow them to attend school. Andrew O’Brien (Year 9) and Mrs Helen Clarke are coordinating this initative. Please drop off your donations to Room 19 or Mrs Clarke in Room 15.