As a community, we have all shared Alex ‘AJ’ Richter’s journey since his accident last October which resulted in a significant spinal injury.

Part of this journey has been Alex’s desire to complete the HSC with his cohort, the Class of 2020. I am pleased to report that he is well on the way to achieving this goal. So far, he has completed all exams including PDHPE today. He has just the Engineering exam to write next week and then he is finished. Alex is a remarkable young man, this is an incredible achievement considering he has only been in class for five weeks since starting Year 12.

As a School, we would like to continue supporting Alex and his family purchase equipment that is vital for his continued rehabilitation. An initiative of the Prefect Executive is to encourage all boys to purchase a Ride With Richter cap. On Tuesday 24 November we will have Ride With Richter Day at Knox. Boys can wear their cap to school with smart casual clothes. There will also be other fundraising initiatives including a donation at the gates, a raffle and a BBQ lunch.

To facilitate the ordering of caps, if you would like your son to wear one can you please complete this order form before Friday 6 November. Caps cost $25 and this will be charged to your account. We encourage all boys to join this wonderful community connection experience.

Phil O’Regan

We have had a brilliant week at School with a range of different experiences for the boys. Senior Constable Lynda Hart has had a long relationship with the School and visited us on Monday to speak to the boys about the most common ways young people can come under notice with the police. The session was informative and framed positively to help guide the boys with their decisions, particularly when out in the public as a member of the community. The boys were very respectful when asking questions to our guest speaker and should be proud of the way they engaged with the conversation. 

The Year 7 House Connection activities over the last two days were a great way for the boys to spend some quality time with one another in their Houses and form some new friendships. They were able to compete against each other in a variety of activities from E-Sports with games such as Crash Bandicoot and FIFA to Checkers and other problem-solving challenges. It was such a delight to see the boys have some friendly banter throughout the event and work together in a small group setting to compete for their House. A common quote that is said to the boys by the staff at Knox is, “you get out what you put in” and it was certainly great to see the boys put in their best effort throughout the event. This event was perfectly timed in the term, allowing them to take a mini-brain break prior to the upcoming assessments and exams. 

As we approach the first examination block for Year 7s, I encourage all students to prepare diligently by setting time aside for study and revision. Mentors have been addressing study skills with the boys and guiding them with the best approach. If boys are not sure about the content for the assessments, they are encouraged to reach out to their subject-specific teachers for clarification. They should also use the after school help sessions in the JAPAC lounge as teachers will be on hand to provide assistance. 

Clare Yuan

It has been a wet and rainy week, but that didn't dampen the boys' spirits. I could see their excitement as they participated in the House Connection Days on Thursday and Friday. It has been great to see the boys continuing to laugh and enjoy one another's company in a non-academic setting.

A shout out to Daniel Rigby for his amazing achievements in the NSW Long Course Swimming Championships - winning five Gold Medals.

Congratulations is also in order for Liam Zhuang, Matthew Wang and Mingxi Liu who have been selected as part of the new Knox Clarinet Quartet 2. These three students have shown outstanding performance ability and commitment. Well done!

As we have for many years, we are supporting the Uniting Church Family projects program. We are now collecting donations for Christmas Hampers to support disadvantaged families each year in the community. Donations of Christmas cakes, sweets, puddings, mince pies and staple foods such as long-life milk, tea, coffee, tinned foods etc. will be gratefully received. Please give generously and ask your son to bring donations to me in the SAO office or to Mrs Clarke in Room 15.

Knox is once again supporting STARTTS this year, as we have for the last 13 years. Information about STARTTS may be found by clicking here. Donations of a small children's gift up to the value of $10 (or more if you wish) can be given to me. These are so appreciated as often these are the only gifts some children will receive at Christmas. 

 Happy Halloween!

Bec Mitchelson Ph: 9119 0885

Year 7 Term 4 Assessment Planner
Weeks 3-6



Janelle Charlton

Friday 6 November

KAPA Ensembles Photo Session

Thursday 3 December 

Term 4 concludes

The Knox Academy of Performing Arts is delighted to advise that 2020 Ensembles will occur on Friday 6 November between 7am-9am in the Wenkart Theatre. Dress for these photos will be winter uniform. Please note this will take some coordination and I thank you in advance for your assistance, understanding and accommodation. To assist with the smooth running of the morning, please arrive promptly as per the times advised in the schedule below.

KAPA Ensemble members will be greeted by their Ensemble Conductors/Directors in the JAPAC Foyer, where all students will unpack ready for the photos for which will be occurring on the Wenkart Stage. All enquiries should be directed to the Ensemble Conductor/ Director in the first instance. 

On behalf of all in KAPA, we are thrilled to offer this opportunity for our dedicated KAPA students.

James Brice

McKenzie Library News

Thank you to all those students who entered into the Book Week Competitions. Some truly remarkable and colourful entries have been submitted.  Announcements of the winning entries will be posted and prizes awarded shortly.

Magazines in the Library

Some really interesting magazines which cater for a wide variety of interests are available to borrow. 'The Cricketer' was founded in 1921 and posts an exclusive interview with Steve Smith.

'New Scientist' looks at the rival claims to the best ever quantum computer.

'Cosmos' takes an in-depth look into the laboratory with the Virus Busters.

'Science Illustrated' shows how tiny creatures are amazing athletes.

In Week 8 the Library will be holding the annual magazine giveaway.

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

For many years the School has offered a ‘fees in advance’ program to enable increased flexibility of such payments. The program is attractive for many reasons, enabling parents to make lump sum payments for years ahead which attract discounts to the scheduled fees. To qualify, upfront full year payments must be made for a minimum of one year and the payments must be made by 13 November in the year before your payment program begins. Payments will only be accepted by direct funds transfer or cheque (credit card or BPAY payments are not permitted for this program).

Details of the Fees in Advance Program can be found here on the Knox website. Alternatively, you might like to discuss this in confidence with Betty Fowler from the School’s Accounts Department on 9487 0442.

2021 Applications
We would like to invite students who have competed at the state/national level to apply to join the PEAK program for the next intake. We understand that COVID-19 may have impacted some state/national championships, so PEAK eligibility criteria has been extended to include the last 12 months, or the last state/national championship event that was run.

What is PEAK?
PEAK will be going into its third year of operation and is designed to support high-performing student-athletes who aspire to have a career in elite sport. We aim to develop healthy, resilient and capable students by supporting the holistic wellbeing of each individual, whilst assisting them to achieve their academic and sporting potential.

The PEAK program includes:

• One on one mentoring with Knox high performance coaches, including the development of an Individual Performance Plan (IPP)
• Keynote speakers focusing on the Knox Total Fitness pillars, including:

  • Academic Fitness – covering themes such as time management, goal setting and habits for academic success
  • Physical Fitness – covering effective nutritional practices for athletes, sleep for recovery and effective rehab/prehab
  • Spiritual Fitness (Personal Development) – covering communication, mental preparation and leadership
  • Social/Emotional Fitness – covering resilience, performing under pressure and respect and responsibility

• Small group workshops to further enhance each student-athlete’s skills and learning capabilities.

Please see the PEAK website for more information about the program, including a copy of the prospectus.

To apply, please complete application form here. Applications will close on Thursday 3 December (last day of Term 4), with successful applicants to be notified before school resumes in 2021.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email here.

Kieran Donohue, Director of PEAK

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 school has a different policy with regards to the number of spectators, so it will be important to carefully read the information below.

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 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 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?

St Aloysius’ College
• Indoor venues – 2 spectator parent/guardians per player
• Outdoor venues - 2 spectator parent/guardians per player
• Willoughby Leisure Centre – no spectators/parents/guardians

Barker College
• Indoor venues – 1 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 – 1 spectator parent/guardians per player
• Outdoor venues - 2 spectator parent/guardians per player

Newington College
• Indoor venues – 1 spectator parent/guardians per player
• Outdoor venues - 2 spectator parent/guardians per player

Scots College (Ruth Everess Aquatic Centre, Auburn)
• Public outdoor venue - 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 the Sports and Aquatic Academy here.

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

Martin Haywood, Head of Knox Sports and Aquatic Academy

The boys had a great time during the House Connections Days.