Together with Bravehearts (Knox’s child protection education and training partner) we are again inviting parents to participate in an online child protection course. Knox has been working closely with Bravehearts to co-design education and training programs for staff, students and parents over many years. The parent online course has been written to provide increased awareness and understanding of child protection issues and strategies, with the intent of promoting the safety of young people. If you would like to register for the course  please complete this online form.

In addition to the online course Bravehearts provides information and resources to parents and caregivers. These resources offer practical suggestions for: Keeping your child safe online; facts about sexual assault and exploitation; FAQs; and resources for parents to  teach their child about personal safety. To access these resources please click on this link. 

Phil O’Regan 

Our Year Meeting this week was run by the Year 8 students. Kailoh Ramcharan and Kevin Lin gave the boys lots to think about when speaking on their topic, ‘Positive Relationships.’ They spoke about being yourself and surrounding yourself with people who bring out the best in you. They reported that Year 8's have set out to have positive relationships with each other and with the new Year 7's. The Year 8 Leadership Students excelled with the mic in welcoming staff members talking to the Year 8 students. It was great for Mr Manuel and myself to watch from the sidelines and see how confident our boys were up on the stage. We look forward to seeing students engaging more with the running of Year assemblies.

On Thursday, we had a Cultural Appreciation Assembly and it was a great experience for all involved. It was fantastic to hear from lots of boys from different cultural backgrounds. I asked some of the boys in Year 8 about their own backgrounds and here are some of their responses:

Rory Pattman, 'I was born in London, moved to Hong Kong, then the States, to Singapore and then finally Australia. Out of all the places I have lived throughout my life, Australia is definitely where I call home.'

Billy Lloyd said, 'I come from Temora, NSW, it’s about a five-hour drive from Knox. I love Knox, but I also love learning about my culture. I am from the Wiradjuri Tribe and someday I would love the opportunity to learn my language.'

One of my favourite things I find about living and working in Australia, is the opportunity to meet so many people from all over the world. As the boys grow up and when the time is right, I encourage them to travel the world, meet people from different cultures, understand and appreciate different religions and beliefs, make friends with good people and be a citizen of the world. Many times, it’s not our differences that divide us, but our reluctance to celebrate those differences that can lead to a lack of understanding and empathy. Mahatma Gandhi said, 'A nation’s culture resides in the hearts and the soul of its people.' The culture of Knox is alive in all your boys, we see it every day!

As always, please get in touch with the Team Leaders or Mentors if we can help in any matter related to Year 8. 

Carly Robinson

Please be reminded that the Student Administration Office is a central communication point within the school for students and parents. Please ensure your son is well organised and that appointments and arrangements for after school are finalised before leaving for school each day; and that lunches, homework and assignments, sports bags and musical instruments are already packed.

All students will be receiving their Student ID card early next week. If your son hasn't received his ID card by Wednesday, please ask him to come and see me.

All new students, if applicable, are required to provide the Clinic with an Anaphylaxis plan. All existing students need to please ensure that plans held in the Clinic are up to date.

Please remember to refer to the Year 8 page on the School Portal for helpful information, important dates and contact information. The IT Helpdesk will assist you with your logins if you are having trouble.

School Shoes for the Philippines – found your son’s school shoes from last year are too small?

·       Knox SJ collects your son’s old school shoes for the children in the poorest communities.

·       Please drop the shoes off to Helen Clarke’s office in Room 15 in the next 4 weeks as we will be sending shoes to Manila in Term 1

Parents for Justice (Just Parents)

·       We have a group of parents who support our Social Justice Initiatives by helping out at fundraisers such as the Gala Day SJ Stall, baking for cupcake days, supporting appeals such as the aster and Christmas Appeals for the homeless; transporting students to SJ events.

·       We have an International Women’s Day and International Men’s Day Breakfast each year and all parents are welcome to bring their sons along to these events.

·       If you would like to join up and offer support please complete the form on the following link

·       If you need further information please email Helen Clarke or call on 04048396762 

Junior Theatresports

Year 8 students who are interested in Junior Theatresports are invited to register their interest via email to Ms Anderson. Rehearsals are on Tuesday afternoons in the JAPAC Drama Theatre from 3.30pm - 5.00pm.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Renee Willson, Tel: 9119 0886

Assessment Task Dates

At the front of the Assessment Policies and Procedures booklet you will find an overview of tasks due each week. A detailed assessment schedule by subject is found at the back of the booklet. Please note that assessment dates are subject to change; official due dates for all tasks will be noted on the respective assessment notification which will be sent and/or handed to students. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they have read and understood the notification.  

Leave from School

A leave form needs to be submitted if your son will be absent for 3 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 2 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.

Janelle Charlton

Thursday 27 February

Doing da Vinci day

Monday 2 March

Battle of the Bands - Heats

Tuesday 3 March 

Knox Annual International Women's Day Breakfast

Sunday 15 March

Kuringgai Chase Fun Run - click here for further details

Thursday 9 April

Term 1 concludes

Tuesday 28 April

Term 2 commences

The Science Department is organising participation in the Big Science Competition this year. An email was sent to all parents and students at the start of the week with relevant information attached. 

The Big Science Competition is mandatory for all Year 7 - 10 da Vinci Science students. Any students who are in a Yr 7 - 10 Core class and wishes to participate in this competition is required to self-nominate.

All parents must accept their son’s participation in this competition through Parent Lounge via the School Portal by Friday 31 March.

Knox Grammar School provides a large range of Co-Curricular activities.

• Co-Curricular opportunities as Knox
• Co-Curricular Art Classes
• Co-Curricular Weekly Training Schedule

Please note that the Photography and Digital Media classes have been moved to Thursday afternoons due to a scheduling conflict. The details for the two Art Classes are as follows:

Photography and Digital Media
Date and Time: Thursdays 3.30pm-5.00pm
Location: Art Building (VG02)
Cost: $50 (see link below to sign up)

Ceramics – Hand Building
Date and Time: Thursdays 3.30pm-5.00pm
Location: MK12
Cost: $50 (see link below to sign up)

To sign up for either of these, please follow the process explained here.

Clean Up Australia Day Sunday 1 March

There is an opportunity for families to clean up our environment – register with a Clean-up event on the link below. The boarders will be cleaning up at Wahroonga Park. There are many other opportunities near you. Click here for further information.

Sallianne McClelland, a local champion of the Hornsby Women’s Shelter and other community groups will be our guest at the Knox International Women’s Day Breakfast. Prep, WPS and Senior School students and parents are invited.

·       Venue The Great Hall Foyer 7am-8am

·       $20pp and a light breakfast is included

Please pay on the Knox Payment Portal. Go to the Knox Payment Portal and click on ‘other activities’ and scroll down to the International Women’s Day Breakfast.