A warm welcome back to all the boys and families to Term 4. We are in for an exciting term with many activities or events happening as we prepare the boys to take the step into the Middle Academy in 2021. Carly and I have been very impressed with the way the boys have returned and the enthusiasm and energy which is present amongst the cohort. It is really a privilege to be able to watch these boys grow and mature across all areas of Knox life.

This Friday afternoon our Year 8's have their first Cadet Parade on Knox 1 which will conclude around 5pm. I would like to remind all families that boys are required to parade next Friday afternoon in full cadet uniform (DPCU). Boys should wear this uniform for the duration of the day at school before their parade at 3.20pm. For those who have not purchased their uniform, this can be done through the Knox Uniform Shop so that the boys are ready to go. It is also important to note that if boys are unable to attend the weekly Cadet Parade, they must apply for Cadet Leave through the Cadet Orderly Room. This form can be accessed on the Cadet page under Co-Curricular on the Knox app.

Whilst this term is traditionally one of the shortest in the academic year, it is definitely one of the most action-packed with the boys involved in a host of academic challenges including Yearly Examinations, assessment tasks and (fingers crossed) six full rounds of summer sport versus our CAS rivals. This all kicks off this weekend against Cranbrook and we wish all boys every success in these trial matches. I also encourage parents to double check the COVID-19 Sport Procedures for each individual CAS school via the Knox app before setting off this weekend. You may also refer to the article from Mr Haywood for this weekend's round of sport.

On behalf of the Junior Academy team, I would like to wish all boys and families a very successful term and please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Julien Manuel

Welcome back to Term 4 and the last term of Year 8. I certainly hope you all enjoyed the holidays but as the boys have told me, they went too fast! We have an extremely busy and exciting final term in the Junior Academy.

A reminder to the boys that they have obligations in relation to the way they wear their school uniforms:

• Shirts should fit and be tucked into their shorts and top buttons to be done up at all times
• Boys must wear ties and ensure that it covers the top button
• Socks must be pulled up
• Blazers and boaters are to be worn to and from school

The boys will have an opportunity to show their leadership, teamwork and self-discipline skills with their introduction to the Cadet Unit this afternoon. I know they are going to make themselves, their parents and the school very proud.

Finally, I would like to welcome our four new students and their families to the 2024 cohort: Lucas Karatsiolis, Leo Lu, Steven Wang and Chris Yibo. I hope you enjoy all that Knox has to offer and I look forward to getting to know you all over the coming weeks.

Renee Willson

Assessment Tasks and Yearly Examinations

Welcome back to Term 4. This term will be very busy with assessment tasks and examinations. The Yearly Examinations will take place from Wednesday 11 to Wednesday 18 November. The boys have been sent the Assessment Planner for Term 4 which I suggest you print and place in a prominent location at home. Over the next few weeks during Year Meetings, Mentor time and in the classroom, we will lead the boys through strategies around how to prepare for the exam block and study techniques. We recommend that your son also completes study in the JAPAC Lounge after school on at least one afternoon each week in order to take advantage of the support available there.

Upcoming assessment tasks

Dates subject to change – check assessment task notifications for final dates and further details

NOTE: PAT tests (Progressive Achievement tests) in Maths, Reading and Writing will be administered in designated lessons Thurs 19 Nov - Fri 27 November

Janelle Charlton

The Junior Academy Team will be interviewing Dr Andrew Campbell about his research and experience on the developmental changes in boys, including how to align emotional changes with parenting styles and to navigate technology use in teens. This presentation will be recorded and made available to you via the portal on Friday 30 October. We invite you to pose a question to Dr Campbell and if you wish to do so, please click on this link here. The most frequently asked questions will be answered by either Dr Campbell or someone from the Junior Academy Team.

Please take a moment to read Dr Campbell’s bio below. We look forward to sharing this important presentation with you soon.

Andrea Wiffen

Dr Andrew Campbell is the Chair of the Cyberpsychology Research Group in the Faculty of Medicine and Health at The University of Sydney. He has been researching and teaching in the area of e-Mental Health, Cyberpsychology and Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health for more than 15 years. Andrew obtained his PhD in psychology in 2003 and was the first psychologist in Australia to research and publish about the use of the Internet for social fearfulness/anxiety self-help. He works with industry, not for profits and Government on how to improve health and wellbeing using technology. He is often approached to speak in the media on the topic of communication technology and its impact on health and wellbeing (e.g. video game addiction, mobile phone use, youth culture and technology). Andrew has conducted research notably in the area of online therapies for depression and anxiety, AD/HD treatment using bio-feedback videogames and social networking for managing young people's mental health. He has a wealth of professional and practical knowledge to share with parents and educators of young boys as they grow into young men.

Saturday 17 October

Summer Sport Round vs Cranbrook

Thursday 22 October

Co-curricular Art Clubs commence 

Monday 9 - Sunday 15 November

National Recycling week

Wednesday 11 November

OKGA Remembrance Service

Thursday 3 December

Term 4 concludes 

A few important announcements were made over the break by the NSW Government and then followed up by the Associated Schools of NSW (CAS) regarding Term 4 and sport. I can confirm the following for sport this Saturday.

Each school will have a different policy with regards to the number of spectators, so it will be important to carefully read the information below.

Process for Sports fixtures – Saturday 17 October
1. Check the team list to see your son’s team - see the Knox app (download instructions)
2. Check the sports draw to see where and when your son’s team is playing - check the Knox app
3. Is he playing at a Knox Grammar School venue? If yes:

• Two spectator parents/guardians per player at our outdoor venues.
• One spectator parent/guardian per player at our indoor venues.
• QR code registration will be in place across all facilities at entry points, with standard health checks and questions.
• Players in all teams should turn up ready to play - no change rooms will be available.
• Canteens will be closed. Players should bring their own labelled water bottles and snacks if required.
• Players should leave immediately after completion of their fixture.
• Teams due to play in Great Hall and Lawson or on MacNeil courts will need to wait on Boulevard until they may enter the facility. This will depend on finish time of previous fixture.
• Water Polo players will also need to wait in JAPAC rec area for clearance to enter the pool area.
• Standard 1.5m social distancing for all spectators.

4. Is your son playing away? Which School is he playing against?

Cranbrook School
• Two spectator parents/guardians per player for all outdoor sports.
• One spectator parent/guardian per player for all indoor sports.
• Cranbrook COVID-19 Sports Protocols

Please ensure you follow social distancing guidelines at all times and leave immediately after your son’s game. As always, any sports cancellations due to wet weather will be announced via the Knox app (make sure you have subscribed to alerts for your son’s summer sport).

If you have any questions, please email Sport here.

Thank you and best wishes to all our students this weekend.

Martin Haywood, Head of Knox Sports and Aquatic Academy

For many years the School has offered a ‘fees in advance’ program to enable increased flexibility of such payments. The program is attractive for many reasons, enabling parents to make lump sum payments for years ahead which attract discounts to the scheduled fees. To qualify, upfront full year payments must be made for a minimum of one year and the payments must be made by 13 November in the year before your payment program begins. Payments will only be accepted by direct funds transfer or cheque (credit card or BPAY payments are not permitted for this program).

Details of the Fees in Advance Program can be found here on the Knox website. Alternatively, you might like to discuss this in confidence with Betty Fowler from the School’s Accounts Department on 9487 0442.

McKenzie Library News

Welcome back to a new term. New releases and additions to the library include the following:

'The World’s Worst Parents' by David Walliams.

'Where I End and You Begin' by Preston Norton.

'Neighborhood Girls' by Jessie Ann Foley.

'To Sleep in a Sea of Stars' by Christopher Paolini.

'Midnight Sun' by Stephanie Meyer.

Book Club

A kindly reminder, Book Club is held in the senior study area of the library every Thursday at Lunchtime. All are welcome.

Enjoy your reading.

Curious Creatures, Wild Minds photo competition

Task: Create a digital photograph using the theme 'Curious Creatures, Wild Minds!' Your work may be a format that can be shared via photo; 3d sculpture, model, diorama, water colour, pencil, oils, pastels, paint, JPEG or Powerpoint slide. You will need to scan/photograph and email your graphic to library@knox.nsw.edu.au as a JPEG. 

By entering this competition, entrants accept the Terms & Conditions stated here:

1. All entries must be your own work and clearly show your name, age and year group (if relevant) on the back of your work. 

2. Entries must be emailed or direct messaged to: library@knox.nsw.edu.au by 4pm on Friday 23 October 2020. 

3. Please do not post or hand in your submission to the library. 

4. You may scan or photograph your entry to submit it. 

5. Winners will be announced on Friday 30 October 2020. Winners will be contacted about their book voucher prize.

6. Please note that all entries will be displayed at McKenzie Library and on our website for a period of three weeks from the submission date. 

7. Entering this competition gives permission to McKenzie Library to display your entry in the library during Book Week 2020.

Some ideas: There are many amazing creatures and animals on Earth. These include: striated frogfish, chameleon, dugong, lemur, vampire bat...the list goes on.

Book week 2020 'Wild!' McKenzie Library Writing Competition

Task: Write a 1000 word piece using the theme 'Wild!' Your work may be a short story, a poem, an essay or a graphic novel or comic. You will need to scan/photograph and email your story to library@knox.nsw.edu.au.

By entering this competition, entrants accept the Terms & Conditions stated below:

1. All entries must be your own work and clearly show your name, age and year group (if relevant) on the back of your work. 

2. Entries must be emailed or direct messaged to: library@knox.nsw.edu.au by 4pm Friday 23 October 2020. 

3. Please do not hand in your submission to the library.

4. You may scan or photograph your entry to submit it. 

5. Winners will be announced on Friday 30 October 2020. Winners will be contacted about their book voucher prize.

6. Please note that all entries may be displayed at McKenzie Library and on our website for a period of three weeks from the submission date. 

7. Entering this competition gives permission to McKenzie Library to display your entry in the library during Book Week 2020.

Sally Thomson

Welcome to our last term for the year!

During the holidays I was in touch with a number of organisations who are seeking to support the increased needs in our wider community. These organisations reported of families impacted by loss of jobs and some who are struggling to make ends meet.

This term we will undertake the following planned three key annual events:

• School participation in National Recycling Week
• Providing Christmas food hampers for families in need
• Providing Christmas gifts for the Children who are supported by STARRTS

All donations may be dropped off to Mrs Willson.

Seeking shoes for children in Manila 
For a number of years, the Knox community have donated school shoes and sport trainers to the British School Manila that supports many poor children who live on the edge of the city. Without shoes, they cannot attend school. The donated shoes can be school shoes, sport trainers, sandals and/or Crocs, for boys and girls. Donated shoes must be polished and clean with the shoelaces tied together, where applicable. Please drop these off to Mrs Willson or to Mrs Clarke (Room 15).

Has your son outgrown his Football or Rugby boots?
We are supporting a community in the outback who have no access to any sporting equipment. They are particularly keen to receive Football or Rugby boots as most cannot play as they have no boots. Donations may be dropped to Mrs Willson or to Mrs Clarke. Any clean Football socks would also be appreciated. 

Helen Clarke, Head of Diversity, Justice and Stewardship

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 4, 2020 course.

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

The Introductory seven week course includes a tub of theraputty, that is designed to improve hand muscle strength and fine motor skills. A minimum of seven students, and a maximum of ten, ensures individual attention. The course costs $300 for seven sessions of 45 minutes.

We will also run a five week refresher course for students who have participated in a seven week course previously. This course will cost $200.

Availability of places is dependent upon a first come first served basis. All students who miss out on a place in Term 4 will be placed on the waiting list for Term 1, 2021. 

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

Rebecca Papageorgiou

Ceramics - Hand building
Students will be shown hand building techniques including coil building, slab and pinch pot construction. Students will experiment with different clays, glazes, stains and firing techniques.

Photography & Digital Media
Students will develop a variety of exciting digital photography techniques, and explore ways of incorporating drawing, laser cutting and vector design into their photography practice.

To sign up and for more information, click here.

Tim Owers

Throughout this unit, boys have been studying Agriculture and the effect of growing; both from seed and seedlings. The boys were asked after some research what vegetable they would like to plant. After discussion, the boys picked three plants. Students were asked to research companion planting and they found out that some specific plants work best together both for propagation and keeping pests away. The original plants they chose where tomatoes, carrots and lettuce. The companion plants were basil, chives, rosemary and strawberries. 

Tara Hodgins