YEAR 7 WEEK 4 TERM 1 2021

Year 7 Week 4 Term 1 2021

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Pursuing personal best by setting high expectations
There is no doubt that effective teachers promote excellence in student achievement by setting aspiring goals and enabling young people to achieve their personal best. Effective teachers also understand the difference between high expectations and high pressure, and can encourage and support their students in achieving individual learning excellence without overloading them with pressure.

It is important to understand that there is a difference between high expectations and high pressure. High expectations is helping a young person reach their potential ... to be their best; high pressure is expecting a young person to be the best.

Undoubtedly, it is a fine line. It’s obviously important to have expectations, because if you have no expectations then people don’t strive for things. High expectations can have a significant impact on a young person’s attitude and self-worth, as well as a likely increase in their motivation levels and self-confidence.

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COVID-19 Protocols
As you will be aware, the School has established a set of strict protocols to help us manage and stop the spread of COVID-19. We ask that all parents please carefully read these protocols – please see below. Importantly, please do not send your child to School if they are unwell. If you have any questions, please contact your Student Administration Officer. We greatly appreciate your support of the School and our collective efforts to control COVID-19.

COVID-19 Entry Policy 2021
COVID-19 Student Attendance Guideline for Parents 2021

Phil O’Regan


I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.
Nelson Mandela

There is a great deal of wisdom in the words of former South African President, Nelson Mandela. An inspiring figure, ‘Madiba’ (as he was affectionately known), overcame significant adversity and rose to be one of the most revered figures of the 20th Century.

While it may be not as significant as Mr Mandela’s experience, the upcoming Year 7 Camp will be full of challenges. Be it the high ropes course, riding a mountain bike, cooking their own food, or just missing the creature comforts of home like a comfortable bed, each boy will be asked to move beyond his comfort zone.

Discussions surrounding these challenges have been the focus of our Year Meeting and Mentor lessons over the last fortnight. We have been exploring many examples of ways which the boys can not only challenge themselves but support those in their year and mentor group to overcome. This weekend, I encourage you to have conversations with your son that motivate him to be vulnerable and courageous in overcoming obstacles - be they big or small.

Away from camp preparations, on Thursday we had our first whole of school assembly for the year and, in fact, the first since March 2020, prior to the pandemic. We heard inspiring messages from the Headmaster and School Captain regarding their hopes and vision for our school in 2021. Additionally, the focus of the Assembly was also to highlight the rich multicultural life of our student body and the rich contributions they make to our school, with boys speaking to us in Japanese and Farsi, as well as Gamilaraay from our Indigenous students.

It was particularly inspiring to hear from one of our boarders, who in the last 12 months has overcome remote learning from overseas in Hong Kong and the associated time differences, as well as returning to Australia to continue his HSC and being away from home and family for numerous months - to name just two. What a fine example to our Year 7 boys of courage!

Remember that you can keep up to date with the events of Camp week through TripCast at the following link here. Also, final reminder that the boys will need a nut-free morning tea and packed lunch for the first day of camp on Monday.

Ms Raymond and myself cannot wait to see your sons bright and early on Monday morning, ready to tackle a week of excitement and adventure.

Tim Felton

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An exciting week ahead for Year 7 as they attend their first camp together. Please remember to send your son to school on Monday with a nut free morning tea and packed lunch for the day. All of your son's belongings need to be clearly labelled with his name to hopefully ensure they get back home (if lost!). Should you wish to follow the camp, please click on this link and join the Tripcast created.

If your son is unable to attend his sport commitment, either training or Saturday, could you please complete the Sports Absence Form which is on the Knox app for each sport. This way, the KSAA staff have an accurate record of attendance.

By now your son should have received his Vaccination form. Please complete the form and ask your son to return it to me ASAP we require them back by Thursday 4 March at the latest. Please take the time to carefully read the important information from NSW Health regarding the vaccinations offered to Year 7.

Have a great weekend.

Robin Cherry

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Assessment tasks
The Year 7 assessment task planner for Term 1 is available here. Please note that assessment dates are subject to change; official due dates for all tasks will be noted on the assessment notification which will be posted on Student Café. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure he has read and understood the notification.

Illness/Misadventure Appeals (IMA)
As the boys begin their first assessment tasks of the year, please note that if illness or misadventure prevents your son from attending or submitting an assessment task, an Illness/Misadventure Appeal (IMA) application together with relevant documentation (such as a medical certificate or an explanatory note from the parent/guardian) must be submitted to Mrs Cherry (Y7 SAO) within 48 hours of the assessment task date, where possible, to avoid any task penalty. Please refer to the Assessment Policies and Procedures booklet available on the portal for more in-depth explanations.

Leave from school
A leave form needs to be submitted to Mrs Cherry if your son will be absent for three 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 two 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.

Year 7 Parent/Student/Teacher Evening
Meetings will be held online via Zoom on Monday 8 March from 3.30pm-9.30pm. Details of how to make an appointment to speak with your son’s teachers will be emailed to you in the next week.

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.

Janelle Charlton

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Now that the boys have settled into the term, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the Director of Student Development, Stage 4. My role in the Junior Academy is to work with boys outside of the classroom to engage in our community as well as their social/emotional development as they progress from primary school into the Senior School. My aim is to help students find their area to thrive by helping them find meaning and accomplishment in their areas of interest, whether it be on the sporting field, in music or in the workshop. We want to celebrate and encourage our diverse community that is Knox Grammar School.

As part of this development, we are lucky to have such diverse opportunities for the boys to grow and develop through programs such as leadership, outdoor education, extra-curricular, house events, development of the Total Fitness Mentor Program and student mentoring. If you would like to know more about our extra-curricular clubs please contact the Year 7 SAO Robin Cherry, your son’s mentor or me.

Next week Year 7 boys will be engaged in Year 7 Camp. This can be a scary time for students as they need to step outside of their comfort zone. However, the benefits which come from camp include peer connections, teamwork, becoming more resilient and self-reliant - to name a few. The sense of connection and community which comes from a group after a camp is something we missed last year and it was fantastic to see the Year 8 cohort this week (after coming off a fantastic camp last week) and I look forward to the same experience next week with Year 7.

If there is anything I can assist you or your son with, please do not hesitate to email or call me on 9487 0492. I hope to be able to ensure all boys get the most out of their time in the Junior Academy.

Andrea Wiffen

Head of Knox Sports and Aquatic Academy

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As we continue to battle mother nature and all it throws at us in Term 1, I cannot help but feel for the boys wanting to get out and run around wearing the Black & Blue – particularly those playing outdoor sports such as Cricket and Tennis. Please understand we are doing as much as we can with our opposition schools to get our boys a fixture, whilst also weighing up the inconvenience of travel when there is no chance of action. Please stay tuned into the Knox app and we will continue to keep families up to date with any changes to the fixtures.

Last week our First and Second Basketball teams played their last home game for the season which included a Friday night experience in the Great Hall against St Aloysius’ College. It was a great event and was well supported by our Tartan Army who are just busting to open their lungs out and start singing. Fingers crossed we can let them loose at the upcoming CAS Swimming and Diving Championships. First and Second Tennis teams also enjoyed a Friday night match and continue to press for the CAS Championship. They are currently in second place and closing in on a Championship.

Unfortunately our Surf Life Saving squad did not get a chance to compete in the Schools Carnival hosted by Knox at Whale Beach on Saturday due to weather. There was much disappointment but they will remain positive and hope for a big finish at the Shore carnival next week.

Well done to all students who were selected to swim in the Knox Swimming Championships this week. Just to be selected into finals is an amazing achievement, given we are the #1 Schoolboy Swim Team in Australia. It was a great night and there were again some incredible performances including nine new Knox Swim records, a number of boys achieving times that qualify for National titles and numerous personal bests . All of their hard work is paying off! The look on the boys' faces as they look back at the clock is a real thrill for coaching staff. The boys now eagerly await news of Knox selections to go and try and defend the CXAS Championship in March. Well done, boys - good luck for the next few weeks.

Winter sport choices
All families were sent an email last week from the Sports Department asking boys to choose their Winter sport for the upcoming season. Please help us and help your son choose carefully and ASAP. We have to start nominating teams into competitions, book fields and organise coaches. Cut off is Friday 19 February. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email Sport.

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Parenting Help
A reminder that each year group in the Senior School is connected to one of our school psychologists who is available to you for support and advice. While no one knows your sons better than you; we have the advantage of experience. Over the years our psychologists have seen many students who are often working through similar issues and so are well placed to offer support and guidance to both teachers and parents on a range of topics. As a parent you may like to take advantage of this by making an appointment with your son’s year group’s psychologist to discuss any wellbeing/parenting matters, such as:

• Detecting adolescent issues, like anxiety and depression
• Motivation and procrastination
• Promoting growth into manhood, independence and responsibility-taking
• Managing screen and technology use
• Discipline that promotes maturation and wellbeing
• Promoting identity formation
• Preparing your son for camp

We would love to help. To make an appointment (phone or in person) with your son’s year group psychologist please email or call 9119 0828.

Laura-Kate Dassos

Certificate of Global Competency


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 5A: 

Monday 22 to Friday 26 February
Year 7 Camp

Week 6B: 

Wednesday 4 March - Great Hall

Year 7 Doing da Vinci Day 2021

 

Week 7A: 

Monday 8 March

Year 7 Parent Teacher Interviews via Zoom

Tuesday 9 March

HPV Year 7 Vaccination

JAPAC Lounge

 

 

 

 

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Colossians 4: 2

Beauty and the Beast


A Knox Drama and Theatre Production
Disney's Beauty and the Beast

18-20 March 2021
7pm in the Wenkart Theatre

All tickets $30. Online bookings will be available soon. Save the date!

Limited seating due to current health restrictions with masks mandatory for all audience members.

For all enquiries, please email Michael Griffiths.

Save the date - Knox Gala Day 2021


In light of current restrictions, the School has decided to postpone Knox Gala Day from Term 2 to Saturday 31 July, Term 3. We are hopeful that this new date will give this much loved community event the best chance to proceed. This date will be the last game of the winter sports season and a home game against Barker College. Please save the date. If you have any questions, please email Megan Bailey.

Knox Uniform Shop


Winter Uniform
Term 2 changes over into winter uniform. Parents are encouraged to refer to the Uniform Policy and Regulations and we strongly recommend purchasing the winter uniform in the coming weeks as we cannot guarantee all sizes will be available at the end of term.

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




We are enjoying seeing many students share their adventures with reading from the extensive collection available in the library. All Years 7-10 boys are welcome to join Book Club and continue their journey with literature and make new friends.

Place: the study room in McKenzie Library
Time: Lunch time
Day: Thursday

Some new additions to the collection include:



'The Good Son' - a story from the First World War, told in miniature by Pierre-Jacques Ober, Jules Ober (illustrations), Felicity Coonan (illustrations).
'You Shouldn’t Have Joined...' - a memoir by General Sir Peter Cosgrove.
'Hawk' by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet.
'The Left- Handed Booksellers of London' by Garth Nix.

Enjoy your reading!

Sally Thomson

Year Meeting


Check out this week's special guest!