Together with Bravehearts (Knox’s child protection education and training partner) we are again inviting parents to participate in an online child protection course. Knox has been working closely with Bravehearts to co-design education and training programs for staff, students and parents over many years. The parent online course has been written to provide increased awareness and understanding of child protection issues and strategies, with the intent of promoting the safety of young people. If you would like to register for the course  please complete this online form.

In addition to the online course Bravehearts provides information and resources to parents and caregivers. These resources offer practical suggestions for: Keeping your child safe online; facts about sexual assault and exploitation; FAQs; and resources for parents to  teach their child about personal safety. To access these resources please click on this link. 

Phil O’Regan 

With Week 4 coming to an end, it continues to be a joy putting more names to faces and getting to know the cohort. The boys are well and truly into the swing of things and becoming increasingly familiar with the structure of life at the Senior School. 

Students were issued with their combination lock this week in Mentor time. It is important that students look after this lock as it is designed to carry them through to Year 12. Mentors and Peer Support Leaders spent time on Wednesday teaching the boys how to open their new locks and we have encouraged the boys to practice opening and closing their padlocks. We have also instructed the boys not to share their combination code with other peers. 

Value and Learner Protocols were distributed this week for the boys to take home and read through with you before signing and returning them to their Mentors. We encourage you to take the time to read through this contract with your son before signing it so that everyone has an understanding of what the expected behaviour is at Knox. These protocols are used to shape conversations we have with students around making the best decision for their learning and wellbeing. 

It was pleasing to see the enthusiasm displayed at the House Athletics Event on Thursday. The boys should be proud of the way they are embracing many of the opportunities that Knox has to offer.

With Year 7 Camp on the horizon, we look forward to seeing you at the upcoming Camp Information Evening on Monday 24 February. Camp is an excellent opportunity for the boys in Year 7, Team Leaders and Mentors to further develop bonds and get to know each other outside of the classroom. While this camp may present some challenges such as being away from home and cooking and feeding themselves, it does provide an excellent opportunity for the boys to embrace essential life skills.

Clare Yuan

It has been a pleasure getting to know the boys over the last four weeks and I am beginning to recognise and remember them.  I look forward to getting to know them all as we progress through the year.

Can I ask that all items brought to school have their names clearly marked on them. If your son has lost any belongings, please ask him to come and see me as I am the keeper of the Year 7 lost and found property.  I am starting to build up a collection of lunch boxes and pencil cases in particular, so please encourage your son to come and see me.

A reminder that vaccination cards need to be returned by Friday 28 February.

Rebecca Mitchelson, Tel: 9119 0885

Year 7 Parent/Student/Teacher Night will be held in the Great Hall on Monday March 9 from 3.30-9.00pm. Details on how to make an appointment to see your son’s teachers will be emailed to you next Friday.

The purpose of holding the meetings at this stage of the year is to open early communication lines between students, parents and teachers. Please be aware that performance data will be quite limited at this early point in time. Teachers will be able to give brief feedback to you and your son about initial observations; however, the meeting will primarily be an opportunity for you and your son to share information about your son’s learning needs with his teachers. Students are expected to attend the interviews where possible, dressed in school uniform.

Assessment task dates

At the front of the Assessment Policies and Procedures booklet you will find an overview of tasks due each week. A detailed assessment schedule by subject is found at the back of the booklet. Please note that assessment dates are subject to change; official due dates for all tasks will be noted on the respective assessment notification which will be sent and/or handed to students. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they have read and understood the notification.

Leave from school

A leave form needs to be submitted if your son will be absent for 3 or more days of school OR if the leave will result in absence for any assessment task. Request for leave should be submitted to the school no less than 2 weeks prior to the start of the requested leave period.

Please note there is no automatic right to absence from school for a family holiday. Authorisation of leave may depend on the current attendance record of the student as well as the length of time requested.

This coming Monday 24 February the Year 7 Camp Briefing is taking place for students from 2.30-3.15pm, the Parent information session will be 6.30-7.30pm in the Wenkart Theatre in the JAPAC building. For the parents who ordered a backpack for their son, it can be picked up after the session briefing with Southbound. If you missed out on ordering a backpack, local stores such as Kathmandu and Anaconda have a great selection. Just look for a 65-75L pack with internal framework with no wheels.

To help with getting information in sooner please complete the Southbound Medical Form. Please take a moment to click on the link and follow the instructions. It does require your son’s Student ID number so please make sure you have that on hand to fill out the form. Your son's student ID can be found on the Parent Portal, Ms Marita Tyler has sent an email today giving parents their son's ID code.  I look forward to meeting you all on Monday evening. 

Andrea Wiffen

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 9 March

Year 7 Parent/Student/Teacher Night

Sunday 15 March

Kuring Gai Chase Fun Run

Monday 23 - Friday 27 March

Year 7 Camp

Thursday 9 April

Term 1 concludes

Tuesday 28 April

Term 2 commences

The Science Department is organising participation in the Big Science Competition this year. An email was sent to all parents and students at the start of the week with relevant information attached. 

The Big Science Competition is mandatory for all Year 7 - 10 da Vinci Science students. Any students who are in a Yr 7 - 10 Core class and wishes to participate in this competition is required to self-nominate.

All parents must accept their son’s participation in this competition through Parent Lounge via the School Portal by Friday 31 March.

Please note that the Photography and Digital Media classes have been moved to Thursday afternoons due to a scheduling conflict. The details for the two Art Classes are as follows:

Photography and Digital Media
Date and Time: Thursdays 3.30pm-5.00pm
Location: Art Building (VG02)
Cost: $50 (see link below to sign up)

Ceramics – Hand Building
Date and Time: Thursdays 3.30pm-5.00pm
Location: MK12
Cost: $50 (see link below to sign up)

To sign up for either of these, please follow the process explained here.

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 (includes a light breakfast)

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

Kuring Gai Chase Fun Run - Sunday 15 March 2020

An event open to all students who would like to show support for athletes taking part and help raise awareness for Special Olympics Australia, Sydney Upper North Shore Region. 

      A Year 7 cultural experience.

     Please click on the links below for more information. Contact Ms Helen Clarke for more information.

     Cape York - Red Earth Immersion Information

     Cape York Cultural Trip - Expression of Interest

Any Year 7 or 8 student interested in participating in Threatresports please contact Ms Bree Anderson 

Rehersals are held on Tuesday from 3.30pm in JAPAC Drama Theatre.