Lessons commence at 8.25am from Monday to Thursday and at 9am on Friday. Students are expected to be at their classroom and ready to engage in their lessons by this time. They should be arriving at school with adequate time to complete the health screening and temperature checking process, visit their lockers and arrive at their Period 1 classroom prior to 8.25 am (9am on Friday). Students who arrive late to lessons miss important aspects of the lesson introduction and disrupt the continuity of learning for their peers. From Monday, should a student arrive late to school without an acceptable reason, he will be issued a warning from the SAO and a record kept. On a second late arrival, without good reason, an email will be sent to their parents to notify them the late arrival. Should there be a reason that your son will be arriving late to school, please let Renee Willson know via email or the Knox app. Should a student arrive late to school for a third time in a term without a valid reason, then he will be required to attend an afterschool reflection session. Thank you in advance for your support in ensuring that learning opportunities for all our students are maximised. 

Wayne Inwood

During Year Meeting this week, Mr Inwood spoke to the cohort about our School values and how Knox boys should embody these when at school and in the community. He spoke of compassion, wisdom and courage and led us in prayer, as we reflected on the belief that our values can lead us through even the toughest of times. It is very important for the students to feel a sense of belonging within their Year Group and to know that as a group we have each other’s back through the good and the difficult times.

It was lovely to see lots of Year 8 students receive an award for most improved in their Semester 1 studies. With assessments underway for Term 3, it is time to remind students to forward plan for assessments, allocate adequate preparation time and do their absolute best, not only in assessments, but all of their academic work. I always tell the boys I teach is that the learning and effort they put into their studies is a reflection of them. They should feel proud of the work they produce in all their classes, and try to achieve their personal best at all times.

During Mentor next week, our Year 8 boys will be writing a letter of gratitude to front line workers who have put their own safety on the line during the Coronavirus pandemic. We hope the boys will express in their own words, just how grateful we are for the contribution these people are making.

As the boys start to head towards the end of the journey in the Junior Academy (which I cannot believe I am even writing!), we encourage them to make good decisions within their social circles. It is so important to connect and make friends with students who always have your best interests at heart. Rene Descartes said, 'It is just as valuable to be censured by friends as it is splendid to be praised by enemies. We desire praise from those who do not know us, but from friends we want the truth.' Choose friends who will steer you in the right direction when you may venture off track.

As always please get in touch with the Team Leaders or your son’s Mentor if we can assist in any matter related to Year 8. 

Carly Robinson

Face Masks

Our Uniform Shop will soon be stocking washable and reusable Face Masks in French Navy. They are made from three layer cotton with a filter pocket and will be available in standard or large sizes for $12.50 each. This product will be available for pre-order with expected delivery on 17 August. Please call the Uniform Shop on 9487 0191 or order via Flexischools.

Absence Notification

Thank you to all parents this week who have remembered to include the nature of the medical condition their son is suffering from in the comment section of the Absentee Notification on Parent Lounge when selecting Illness/Medical.  Should your son be suffering from any symptoms associated with COVID-19, please follow the school protocol of having your son tested. Keep your son at home until results are known and his symptoms abate.

Rev Tim invites you to read their Weeks 1-3 CRU newsletter, put together by Jimmy Wang (Year 11), which is available to view by clicking here. 

Have a great weekend everyone. 

Renee Willson

In Year Meeting this week we presented certificates for improvement in upholding the Knox Learner Protocols. The boys were recognised for their growth in the four indicators of Behaviour, Mindset, Social Skills and Perseverance in Term 2 when averaged for all subjects. Congratulations to the following boys: Henry Anderson, Dilan Baskaranathan, Aadidev Dharmaratnam, Darcy Dwyer, Samuel Elliott, Adam Han, Kieumars Jahromi, Jason Miao, Lachlan Richards, Benjamin Stafford and Zachary Williams.

Upcoming Assessment tasks

Dates subject to change if required. View published assessment task notifications for specific task details.

Janelle Charlton

For information regarding all offered co-curriculars for week 5 please click here or contact the staff member in charge. Also please note that changes may occur at short notice due to Government and Health Department requirements.

Chuck Ardron

Friday 25 September

Term 3 concludes

Some new and exciting releases are now available from the library to boost your wide reading. New titles from award winning authors include:

Karen M. McManus

'One of Us is Lying' 

'Two can Keep a Secret'

'One of Us is Next' 

Derek Landy

'Skulduggery Pleasant: Seasons of War.'  This is the thirteenth book in the SKulduggery Pleasant series.

Anh Do

'Rise of the Mythix'

'E-Boy'

David Walliams 

'Slime'

'Grandpa’s Great Escape'

Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

'Illuminae'

'Gemina'

'Obsidio'

Sally Thomson

Our Knox Food drive supporting the Ku-ring-gai Neighbourhood Centre 

Drop off location for students is the SAO offices or Mrs Clarke's Office (Room 15).

Goods which would be helpful are: longlife milk, cereals, coffee/tea, pancake mixes, dried or tinned fruit, tinned meat, spreads, laundry detergent, cordial toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo.

A reminder that our campuses are currently closed to parents.

School shoes for the Philippines
Later in the term, we will be seeking donations of school shoes. These shoes are life changing to many poor children and importantly, allow many to attend school. More information to follow.

The Knox Social Justice Club
The Club is meeting as a group again each Friday at lunchtime in the WSA Auditorium. Updates are still available in the e-Club platform. Please email Mrs Clarke for more information on how to join or volunteer.

We collect a gold coin donation at each meeting to support projects for Youth of the Streets.

Helen Clarke

In line with the current NSW Health guidelines and in order to mitigate the risks posed by COVID-19, the Uniform Shop staff have taken measures to ensure the safety of students, parents and other staff. External cleaners professionally clean all high-touch areas and surfaces every evening with a non-toxic, hospital grade disinfectant. During the day our staff spray down the changing rooms and service areas. Each room is equipped with hand sanitiser and wall-mounted hand sanitiser stations are at the entry.

Each room is limited to the number of people permitted and that is stated on the entrance to each room. Because of this, we have limited capacity in the changing rooms of only two rooms being operational and only one parent per child who is trying on uniform. As Term 4 is the changeover to summer uniform, can we please request that you take this into consideration. For the remainder of Term 3, we will also be sizing uniforms for Year 8 Cadets.

The options for purchasing uniform are as follows:

• Where possible, if you know the correct sizes to order, please order online through Flexischools.
• If you do require sizing, please make a note before coming what sizes your son is currently wearing.
• In Years 7-12, your son can come to the Uniform Shop at lunchtime. We can provide the sizes required and order online via Flexischools.

To avoid long waiting times towards the end of term, we would advise checking your son’s summer uniform now and, if you require new uniform, please order early. Orders are delivered to Knox Prep and Wahroonga Prep on Wednesday and Friday. Students in the Senior School are permitted to collect orders at lunchtime or after school. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.

Uniform Shop opening times: Monday through to Friday, 12.30-5pm.

Julie Blackburn