At the beginning of each term it is appropriate for boys to set themselves some short and long term academic goals. The rich data provided in their Semester 1 report allows them to identify their SMART goals for Semester 2. As the boys have settled into Term 3 this week it has been so pleasing to observe the number of students attending the Junior Academy Lounge from 3.15pm in order to complete homework.

Some boys are just trying this out for one afternoon a week to gauge whether it assists them in reaching their academic goals. Other boys have stated that they are committing themselves to attend each weekday afternoon throughout Term 3. Social Learning Theory is well-researched and from such research the evidence clearly demonstrates that significant gains can be achieved when students collaborate in learning. It has also been demonstrated that students sitting in close proximity to one another while observing social distancing, but not necessarily collaborating, can act to motivate students into studious application. The Junior Academy Lounge each afternoon has a member of the teaching staff available to assist and guide students in the completion of their homework. 

Boys attending the Junior Academy Lounge after school last term reported completing homework faster and to a higher standard compared to when they worked from home. Many also stated that once they had remained at school to complete homework they were then able to go home and relax for the remainder of the evening. The Junior Academy Lounge is open Monday to Friday to the boys from 3.15pm until 5.15pm and it is a wonderful space, fully resourced with student library and staff on hand to supervise and support the boys in their study. I strongly encourage all parents to discuss with their son the opportunity this learning space can provide to them as they strive to reach their academic potential.

Wayne Inwood

The 2020 Transition to the Middle Academy Evening will be conducted online on Monday 3 August. The evening will commence at 5pm with a presentation from our Academy team welcoming you and your son into the Middle Academy and will be followed by an outline of the elective selection process and important details regarding Cadets. Immediately after the main presentation, you will be invited to attend short subject specific Q and A sessions (approximately 15 minutes each). The times for each of these sessions and the respective Zoom links will be shared via email to all Year 8 parents and students at the end of next week.

In anticipation of the transition to the Middle Academy Evening, video presentations for the elective subjects on offer in 2021 will be available for families from Friday 31 July onward. We ask that you spend time with your son discussing his elective interests and viewing the curated videos over the weekend. Also, a link to a Google form will be sent alongside the session times and Zoom links; we invite you to ask subject specific questions through this form prior to the evening. Our faculty teams will be collating these questions and preparing answers to your questions prior to the subject specific Zoom sessions.

Elizabeth Ruff and Jake Plaskett

On behalf of the Junior Academy Team, Ms Robinson and I would like to welcome everyone back to Term 3 at Knox! I would also like to extend a warm welcome to the three new families who joined our community at the start of term.

It has been very pleasing to see and catch up with the boys after the mid-year break. So many of them continue to amaze us with the rate at which they are growing. The young boys who started their Senior School journey with us just 18 months ago are slowly being replaced by young men who we are all very proud of. 

The resumption of school has brought back an increased sense of normality to the school day. The boys have been buzzing now that sport has begun and we would like to wish every boy all the best  in our shortened sport season. I would also like to remind parents to check the Knox portal to ensure that they are familiar with the COVID-19 policies for our opposition each week as they do vary significantly from school to school. These guidelines have been put in place to ensure your health and wellbeing as the number one priority and must be adhered to.

Ms Robinson and I also encourage all parents to remind the boys of the importance of wearing the Knox uniform with pride. Over the course of last term it became apparent that our uniform standards have slipped. However, the normal expectations have returned this term and your son is expected to be in full winter uniform including boater, clean shaven and hair tidy when he returns for Week 2.

The Junior Academy Team is looking forward to another amazing term and, as always, please do not hesitate to contact the Team Leaders or Ms Willson if you have any questions or concerns.

Go the Black and Blue! 

Julien Manuel

A very warm welcome back to Term 3! I certainly hope you have all had a relaxing and enjoyable break, it has been lovely to catch up with the boys and hear all about their adventures during the break.

There will be a series of committees with students from Stage 4 and Stage 5 and Year 11 formed to coordinate Operation Gratitude. This is an opportunity for all students to participate in the project and develop skills in leadership and organisation. Please contact Helen Clarke if your son wishes to participate as a leader of one of the groups to coordinate this activity. Boys will be referred to the Social Justice Leaders who will work with them to complete this important project. 

Food Drive
Traditionally in the winter months, we do a food drive of daily staples for Sydney families who are struggling and living in very challenging conditions. This will continue into Week 3 of Term 3. The following non-perishable donations may be handed in to the SAOs or Mrs Clarke's office: long-life milk, cereal, coffee, tea, cans of meat, vegetables, fruit and/or soup, cup of soup, dried fruit. Note: no glass items, please.

Sport

A packed Term 3 is ahead – the Knox Track and Field Championships will be on Wednesday 29 July, and on Saturday 22 August will be the Year 7-10 make up round vs Trinity. We then have three Invitationals out at SOPAC before the big night – culminating in the CAS Track and Field Championships on Thursday 17 September! 

I can confirm that the start time for the boys on Fridays will remain at 9am. Students should be at school no later than 8.45am. School buses will remain on their usual Monday to Thursday schedule on Fridays. The Year 8 locker space will not be accessible until 7.45am each day and closes at 5.30pm.

Have a great weekend everyone. 

Renee Willson

Welcome back to the resumption of most co-curricular activities at school. For information please click here or contact the staff member in charge.

Chuck Ardron

Monday 3 August

• Subject Selection Information Evening - details to follow

Tuesday 4 August

• Battle of the Bands 2020 - Song's of the 70s - JAPAC Theatre - 12.50pm

On Tuesday 4 August (Week 3) we will see our new JAPAC Theatre fired up as four exciting bands take to the stage to give the new speaker system a real test drive. Please come and support your classmates and enjoy the atmosphere - you will not be disappointed! Don’t be late as we will be kicking off at 12.55pm sharp. Student and staff attendance only.

This year’s finalists are: The Unknown (Year 8), Contagious (Year 10), Scapegoat (Year 11) and Floating Boats (Year 12).

Robert Ewan

Each term, Knox holds a Handwriting Course designed to help improve the speed, accuracy and neatness of students’ handwriting, reducing tension and fatigue when writing for long periods of time. In 2020 the classes will be held by Ms Lisa Norton, an occupational therapist, who specialises in the development of skills necessary for handwriting and the remediation of handwriting difficulties.

We are now filling places for our Term 3, 2020 course.

Our course will run on either a Tuesday or Wednesday or both mornings, starting at 7.30am, once minimum numbers are confirmed.

A minimum of seven students, and a maximum of ten, ensures individual attention. The course costs $300 for seven sessions of 45 minutes.

The Introductory seven week course includes a tub of theraputty, that is designed to improve hand muscle strength and fine motor skills. 

Availability of places is dependent upon a first come first served basis. All students who miss out on a place in Term 3 will be placed on a waiting list.

Should you be interested in pursuing this option for your son, please contact Rebecca Papageorgiou in the Learning Enhancement Department ASAP.

Computer Club is back on at a new venue!

Computer Club is back up and running and will take place in R34 (Reid Building) on Wednesday afternoon from 3.30pm-5.30pm. The club is open to any student who needs some computing help with their projects in Years 7-8 Technology, IST, or Senior Computing subjects. Students may also use the equipment in this room for any project that they are currently working on, as long as they have completed relevant safety training. Please email Mr McGowan (Software Design and Development Teacher) if you need any further information.