This week’s Year Meeting focused on the areas of Hygiene and Decision Making. The boys have been encouraged to ensure they look after their own hygiene by taking the time to wash their hands properly and limit physical interactions with other students. While this is obviously in relation to a worldwide health issue, hygiene is a particularly important value that teenage boys often need reminding of. I have encouraged the boys to ensure they are showering daily and using deodorant as required so the boys and their peers can be comfortable around each other when at school. Now is also the perfect time to get a haircut as we head into the second half of Term 1. With the weather getting gradually colder, the boys should remember their blazers are to be worn on top of the school jumpers when travelling to and from school. 

We also spent time discussing the importance of making good decisions. Throughout their time with us, the boys will face some challenging situations where they have the opportunity to make choices. These choices all have consequences. These consequences have the potential to be positive or negative. While it can be difficult to make the most appropriate choice every time at this young age, the more we mentor the boys to weigh up their options, the more likely they will be to make a better choice. I have encouraged each boy to give himself some space when faced with a decision. Take a second to consider what the resulting consequence could be and evaluate whether or not this is the best decision for him to make. The time they give themselves here is vital as their actions ultimately represent their values and morals. While there are many articles written about how to make a good decision, all with multiple steps, we believe the most important and most beneficial step the boys can take is to give themselves the time and space to make a good decision. I ask that you continue this conversation with your son at home as the choices he makes will increasingly carry more weight as he progresses in life.

Finally, it was great to see numerous Year 7 boys representing the School at CAS Swimming and Diving. The CAS assembly that took place on Thursday afternoon was full of excitement as we sent the boys off to do us proud. Well done to those boys for getting involved in a passion of theirs. We look forward to seeing each boy find his passion  through the many and varied opportunities available at Knox.

Clare Yuan

Bec Mitchelson, Tel: 9119 0885

Assessments and private Music lessons

A reminder that it is the student’s responsibility to reschedule any private music lessons that clash with scheduled assessment task dates. If a student misses an assessment task due to attendance at a private Music lesson, a 10% penalty may be applied.

Academic Help in the JAPAC Lounge after school

There are many help options provided by the School to assist the boys to meet their academic goals. The JAPAC Lounge is a great place to visit after school, where students are able to work collaboratively. Social Learning Theory, theorised by Albert Bandura, posits that people learn from one another, via observation, imitation, and modelling. The theory has often been called a bridge between behaviourist and cognitive learning theories because it encompasses attention, memory, and motivation.  In short, boys learn best by collaborating and learning best practice skills from one another. What a great idea to stay back, get homework done and then relax when you get home!

In the JAPAC Lounge, there is a supervisor in attendance every day until 5.15pm. Boys are also able to gain assistance with homework and assessment tasks or study on the following days:

Mondays:         

Maths help from current Year 10 students (Term 2)

Tuesdays:          

Study Hub - Maths or general help as well as study guidance from Mrs Coetzee. This term we also have a recent former student available for general help.

Wednesdays:    

English or general help from Ms Dawes. This term we also have a recent former student available for general help.

Thursdays:

Maths help from current Year 10 students (Term 1 – Weeks 7/8/9 only)

Fridays:

General academic help from Mr Inwood.

Please click here for a comprehensive listing of academic and curricular clubs available for students.

Doing da Vinci Day

In Week 5, our boys took park in the Doing da Vinci Day in the Great Hall. The boys were engaged in a series of tasks that demanded critical and creative thinking, problem-finding and problem-solving, collaboration and communication. All students who participated should be congratulated for their efforts and courage. Results for the 2020 event are as follows:

As you were informed yesterday by the school, Year 7 Camp has been postponed until later in the year.

The new dates will be advertised once a suitable time has been confirmed by the provider. Student classes will continue as normal that week. The school will keep students, parents and staff informed should and if alterations to normal routine is required.

I would like to apologise for the cancellation and any disappointment this may cause. Unfortunately, the current situation is beyond our control but we intend to ensure we provide the outdoor education experience for your son at a later date. Thank you for the support you have provided to the school and the program during this time.

Andrea Wiffen

Our current Prefect Executive group and Prefect body have put a strong emphasis on mental health awareness and literacy. They established ‘Mateship, Service and Culture’ as their three focus areas for 2020 and have set about providing initiatives to promote these ideals.

To that end, we have been working with Gotcha4Life and Head Above Water to create a unique and meaningful Knox community event. The Knox Head Above Water 12 Hour Swimathon/Challenge, based on the original 24 hour version of Head Above Water that now runs annually at Collaroy, will take place on Sunday 29 march between 6am and 6pm in the Knox Aquatic Centre. We are hoping to raise awareness and some money for these wonderful organisations whilst proactively promoting our own Total Fitness model.

Our Total Fitness model and current emphasis on ‘Mateship’ is synonymous with the mission statement of Gotcha4Life:

"Gotcha4Life was established because we do not accept the alarming statistics surrounding suicide in Australia, with eight people taking their life every day.

We believe in the power of prevention through connection and champion the idea of proactively building mental fitness and the resilience required to deal better with the challenges that life throws at us.

We trust the concept of starting meaningful conversations by developing better social and emotional connections with mates, family and community."

Gotcha4Life is a not-for-profit Foundation raising awareness of the importance of identifying a close friend in your life, someone you can speak openly and honestly to when times are tough. We fund educational workshops and innovative training programs throughout Australia that build mental fitness in individuals and communities to activate strong, open and binding relationships.

The founder of Gotcha4Life is media personality Gus Worland (OKG86). Gus will be presenting to the School at our Assembly on Thursday next week to speak to the values and desired outcomes of Gotcha4Life together with promoting this first time Knox event. Head Above Water is an activity based fundraising group which supports Gotcha4Life as a registered charity. Its founder, Andrew Ward, established this group as a result of having to rely upon others in order to deal with some extremely challenging and unforeseen issues in his own life.

We will be asking current Knox students, their friends and families, Knox Old Boys and other CAS/local schools to register and get involved with this fun and community oriented inaugural event. With the option to register and/or donate, we hope that all members of the extended Knox community will participate and show their support.

You can register according to your swimming ability and there will be relays for those interested between 1pm and 2pm, as per the registration portal. There will be a BBQ, music and other activities running throughout the day as well, with a short post event function at 6.15pm.

Registration is $20 as an individual (you register for a half an hour time slot) and $40 per relay team of four (team captains to register and pay for their team on the registration portal). Those that register will receive a Knox Head Above Water swim-cap when they sign in on the day.

To register or donate click here and please email me should you have any questions about the event.

Sam White

$5 Donation Flash Uniform Shop SALE

The Uniform Shop will be holding a flash sale commencing 16 March for one week only. This will include most second hand uniform items that have been donated by parents or have been in 2nd hand for over two years.

If you have any items of uniform you would like to donate please ensure they are clean and in good condition. They may be dropped off to the Uniform Shop at 10 Borambil Street.

Due to hygiene reasons we cannot accept socks, bags or hats.

All proceeds of items sold will be donated to the Rural Relief Program nominated by Mrs Helen Clarke. This program offers financial assistance to families that live in rural communities that have been impacted by drought and bushfires. 

Congratulations to the Knox CAS chess team who were crowned CAS Chess Champions for the third year in a row against perennial rivals Trinity.  The friendly rivalry with Trinity has grown over the past decade and is always characterised with good sportsmanship and mutual respect between all players. This year it  went down to the wire again with Knox winning The CJS Purdy trophy by 1.5 points out of a possible out of 48.

The boys below were delighted to represent their school in the 1sts Chess Team  under the enthusiastic leadership of  Captain of Chess, Aleksy Ginovic.

Monday 16 March and Tuesday 17 March

Year 7 Zoo Excursion - CANCELLED

Monday 23 - Friday 27 March

Year 7 Camp - POSTPONED

Thursday 9 April

Term 1 concludes

Tuesday 28 April

Term 2 commences

Bushfire and Drought Relief
We are supporting those impacted by fire and our drought impacted regional neighbours via the Facebook page ‘Mobilising for Mogo’ initiative. See the list of specific items to donate here and please drop these donations to Room 15. 

The Knox Social Justice Club - all invited to participate
There are opportunities for service at community events both within the School and in the wider community and immersions to overseas and regional areas. Everyone across Years 7-12 is invited to participate and bring a friend. 

Parents for Justice (Just Parents)
If you would like to join up and offer support, please contact Mrs Clarke.

For the past 12 years the Knox community has been supporting the Wesley Mission each Easter with gifts of Easter eggs and pots of noodles for Sydney’s homeless. This small gesture for those who are struggling and isolated brings a lot of joy and appreciation.

   
Please bring your donations along to the SAOs or to Room 15 (Mrs Helen Clarke in the Social Justice Office). 

A Year 7 cultural experience. Please click on the link below for more information. Contact Ms Helen Clarke for more information.

Red Earth Cape York Opportunity - Year 7

Explore the  Indigenous Homelands of Cape York  Peninsula, Far North Queensland. 

The Year 7 Wind Band opened the 2020 bandstand Concert in amazing style! 

Thirty-five students from the Senior School, along with the Headmaster Mr James and PDHPE teacher Mr Moloney, bravely had their heads shaved this week to raise money for the World's Greatest Shave. The Knox Cultural Centre was packed with an audience of boys for the event during lunchtime, which has so far raised more than $27,000 for the Leukaemia Foundation.