I’m writing to advise you of an incident which occurred earlier this week and ask you to please speak to your son about the importance of staying safe when travelling to and from school.

We were notified one of our Senior School students was approached one afternoon by a man in a car and this incident was reported to Police. We will be reminding the boys in their mentor or year meetings about safe behaviours when travelling to and from school.

When discussing these matters with boys, we reference the NSW Police Keeping Me Safe information kit. Below is a section relating to before and after school travel.

When you are out or walking on the street:
• If you can use a phone call 000 and say you are scared
• Don’t let anyone see if you have money or a purse, keep them in your pocket or bag
• If a friend is frightened or hurt get them help from an adult right away
• Know where safe places are - Doctors surgeries, schools, churches, shops etc

In Cars:
• Never get in a car with someone else unless your parents have told you to or is in the way you usually get home from school - a car pool
• Don’t talk to people who pull over to the side of the road in cars
• Remember many drivers can’t see people who are small, especially out the back of the car

On the train:
• Always travel in the guard’s compartment identified by a blue light if it is late in the day
• Travel in groups of friends if you can

Walking:
• Stick to major routes and roads and don’t take short cuts
• Use footpaths that are well lit and not closed in by bushes or obstacles
• Stay in groups of people
• Don’t talk to people you don’t know and go straight home or to wherever you are going
• Don’t take short cuts especially around rail tracks etc or when other people tell you to especially if you don’t know the way
• If you are frightened find a shop, school, church or ‘professional’ place like a doctors and tell them you are frightened and ask them to call the police, or if you see a police station go there

Phil O'Regan

The boys have returned to school this week, and right back into the swing of things. There have been a few changes to their usual routine to ensure their health and safety and they have adapted extremely well and should be proud of their efforts. It is such a pleasure to see the boys on campus, engaging with their teachers and the lesson content face-to-face. It has been lovely to see the boys make connections with their peers after some time apart, and whilst some may find this more challenging than others, it is important to remember that they are still at an early stage in their senior schooling and under our collective guidance will in time thrive. 

Mentors will be spending time in the next few weeks having conversations with your sons about goals they can aim for, during the rest of Semester 1. In my early days as a teacher at Knox, I had a Mentor Group of my own and therefore boys who I needed to coach on how to set appropriate goals. At the time, I had a student who was able to determine his own goals. He spoke to his subject teachers, collected feedback and made changes to his study routine. Other boys in my Mentor Group needed much more explicit instruction. I asked them to reflect on their achievements, the subjects they were happy with, the subjects they needed to apply more effort and diligence in, etc. These will be the type of conversations the Year 7 Mentors will be engaging in with boys in their care over the next few weeks.

During Mentor sessions throughout the term, we will be winding our clocks back and helping the boys with some rudimentary organisation skills. We know that the boys need constant reminders on staying organised in regards to note taking in class, recording homework in diaries, and even ensuring their laptop desktops are tidy. These habits are not only worthwhile now, but will continue to assist them as they progress through the academies.

Clare Yuan

Term 1 Reports

Following our parent information sessions held last week, we have collated a list of responses to Frequently Asked Questions. Should you have any subject specific questions regarding your son’s report or progress, please contact the relevant teacher via email.

Return to campus

Now that most boys have returned to campus, one of the areas that Mentors will focus on for the remainder of this term is guiding the boys to develop the organisational skills they need to flourish in their academic studies. This will include consideration of strategies to manage both digital work and paper work. Teachers will also be working to support their students who may have found it challenging to navigate the demands of online learning. I encourage all boys to attend an After School Academic Support Session on Zoom to gain extra assistance.

Upcoming Assessment Tasks

 Janelle Charlton

Please download the PDF document here for all the information for students to continue to be involved in these important and beneficial programs.

For any questions or concerns regarding the co-curricular program offered in Term 2, please feel free to contact me via email.

Chuck Ardron

Monday 8 June

Queen's Birthday - Public Holiday

Friday 26 June

Term 2 concludes 

Please find below the menu for the Canteen for Week 6. 

A reminder for everyone to check a revised training schedule for Weeks 6 to 9 on the School app. There have been some changes to the current schedule as buses become available at 5.30pm.   

Whilst there will be no Saturday sport or competition through to end of Term 2, we have taken the opportunity to run a speed and fitness session at Gillespie each Saturday from 8am. This session holds many opportunities to possibly gain some speed, build fitness, enjoy a healthy start to the weekend, dusting of the 'cobwebs' and put your name in front of Knox Athletic selectors for Term 3 selection. A great opportunity so please encourage your boy(s) to come along and enjoy a good workout. Eeveryone is welcome. Enquiries should be directed to fowlerm@knox.nsw.edu.au

Martin Haywood

BOSTON DYNAMICS
ATLAS HUMANOID TEAM LIVE Q&A

What: The Atlas Humanoid Team at Boston Dynamics have agreed to have a live Question and Answer (Q&A) video chat with 20 students about their work. Selection of students is based on three criteria; a question you would ask the Atlas Humanoid team about their work, your involvement in co-curricular and further interests and subject involvement.

You will need to register your interest on this link to be part of this unique opportunity.

When: Wednesday 24 June, 7.30am

Where: WSA Lecture Theatre

Contact: Melinda Valent valentm@knox.nsw.edu.au

Further information on Boston Dynamics: https://www.bostondynamics.com/atlas

Would you believe…

Knox Flix 2020 registrations are now open!

This year we have two versions of one theme, and two versions of one competition.

The theme is either

'I Believe!' or 'Would you believe…'

Tell us a tall tale, or a deep truth.

Similarly this year for the first time you have the option of submitting a narrated story board, or a film.

All film entries will need to be accompanied with an outline of how you worked within the isolation rules as they existed at various times of filming.

Please read the attached information and register here.