During the Week 4 Year meeting I invited the boys to join me in a prayer focusing on three of the school's core values. We prayed for compassion, to always strive to be supportive and empathetic to those who are suffering through grief, loss and hardship. To support those people who are going through a difficult time by our kind and supportive actions. We prayed for wisdom, to know that a problem is only half as big when shared. The wisdom to know when to listen to those close to us about their challenges and difficulties. The wisdom to also know that it is okay to communicate to those close to us that we may be feeling vulnerable or upset. Finally we prayed for courage. The courage to know that when things do get tough we need to reach out for support and that together can overcome, in time, any challenge. We asked for the courage to speak up when we know a friend is in need of help and the wisdom to know who to call upon for help in difficult situations. I have been so impressed and proud over the past fortnight to witness many examples of boys acting out in various ways these three core values .

Wayne Inwood

As we approach the halfway point of the term, it is important to acknowledge that it's been another challenging term in an extraordinary year. 2020 has impacted us all differently but, as a group, your sons have demonstrated resilience and optimism in responding to the unpredictability and the disappointments. We as staff appreciate the support shown to us by the School community over the last six months, thank you.

The impact COVID-19 has had on school communities in Sydney this past week has seen many of the extra curricular activities such as music, sport and after school clubs now postponed or cancelled. Your sons may be experiencing heightened emotions, sometimes these emotions appear when we are not expecting it, and sometimes in otherwise very resilient young men. While it is normal to experience a range of emotions when you are a passionate participant, we encourage you to continue to check in with your sons, and to be reassured that if your son is struggling, there is support available.

If you feel your son needs some extra support, or if you notice he is not his usual self, or if he lets you know that he is doing it tough at this time, please  keep open the lines of communication in your family and with the School. Let him know that he can always talk with a family member, his Mentor, Team Leaders or with one of our School Psychologists.

This week at Year Meeting we talked to the boys about the shift to the summer sport season. The boys will begin their summer sport training sessions in Week 6 and we would like to remind the cricketers, in particular, that there are some new COVID-19 safe guidelines which they must follow in order to participate in training on Wednesday afternoons. These include:

• Boys must bring their own cricket safety equipment. The School is unable to provide equipment for use at training.
• Boys must bring their own ball to training as boys are not permitted to share balls when bowling in nets.

To help keep the boys active over the coming weeks, I also encourage the boys to get down and involve themselves in the Track and Field sessions which begin next week. Whilst we may not be able to compete as in previous years, Mr Fowler and his team have put together a fantastic program of 'mini meets' and training sessions. There will also be Saturday morning sessions at Gillespie Fields which are open to all boys starting next week.

Congratulations to Nathan Gladman on his selection in the NSW Boys B06 Water Polo team last week. This is fantastic achievement and we wish him all the best in the planned competitions.

We are beginning to work with the boys to prepare them for the daily challenges that they will face during the Middle Academy years. Elective choices have now closed but boys and parents can still modify their choices if needed by emailing Mr John Nelson. We also continue to plan for the boys to start Cadets in Term 4. More information about joining the Cadet Unit will be shared with parents over the coming weeks.

2020 and its challenges will pass, and when our young people look back and reflect on these unprecedented times, the biggest way COVID-19 has changed them as a person is through opening their eyes to the little things they are lucky to have…. no matter how small.

Julien Manuel

Students should have their Knox Student ID card with them in the morning to scan in after having their temperature checked. Sometimes they may forget their card or have it in their locker or another bag. A StoCard app for their phone can be used to create a Knox Student barcode on their phone. Click here for instructions. Note: All students are required to have an official Knox Student ID card. Please note, the Stocard app will not be accepted at the canteens.

Uniform Shop

Don't forget to order your washable, reusable face masks in French Navy made from three layer cotton with filter pocket. Sizing: standard and large, price $12.50. Please call the Uniform Shop on 9487 0191 or order via Flexischools.

Absence Notification

Finally, a reminder when lodging your son's absence in Parent Lounge please remember to include the nature of his medical condition in the comment section if you have selected Illness/Medical. Should your son be suffering from any of the symptoms of COVID-19, please follow the School's advice regarding getting tested and keep your son at home. 

Renee Willson

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 6 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

Year 8 are scheduled to begin Cadet training in full uniform with the Cadet Unit in Week 1 of Term 4. In light of the current health situation however, this is still to be confirmed but it has been decided we will go ahead and size all Year 8 students who want to purchase the uniform. This will be recorded at the Uniform Shop but no payments will be taken. For further details, please click here.

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

M.T. Anderson

'Thirsty'

Sarah Moore Fitzgerald

'A strange Kind of Brave'

Ashley Elston

'The Lying Woods'

A reminder that the library is open from 8am to 4pm for study, homework help and borrowing.

Sally Thomson

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

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

Last week, the Knox Pipes and Drums rehearsed on Knox 1 Oval. All boys are encouraged to come and learn the bagpipes or drums.

Fun fact - did you know that the band was established in 1946.