All boys in the Junior Academy have adapted well to the new routines that have been instituted since we have resumed face-to-face lessons. It is pleasing to see the boys are heading straight to the health screening location as soon as they arrive at school.

With the new recommendations from the State Government and Health authorities, from Monday students will have unrestricted access to their lockers. As such, all students will be expected to use their lockers and bags should not be carried during the day. Boaters will once again be worn by students as they travel to and from school. Boaters can then be stored in lockers during the day. Students who have the COVID-19 app on their phone may keep the phone in their pocket; however, if they use their phone during the day it will be confiscated in line with our mobile phone policy.

A reminder that students are expected to wear full school uniform to school each day unless they are attending before school sports training. Students who are attending sports training are expected to have their Boater and Blazer with them. Students who have PDHPE or PASS practical lessons in period 1 should wear full school uniform to school and change into their PE uniform after they have been through the health screening process.

While we are beginning to see a relaxation of some processes, we will still continue to run daily health screening checks. From Monday this will include students having their temperature taken by a fixed temperature scanner located in the walkway between the Great Hall and Lawson Centre. All students in Years 7 to 10 will need to proceed through the health screening checks upon arrival at school. This will need to be done prior to students visiting their lockers.

I am pleased to report that from Monday we will once again be able to open the Junior Academy Lounge on Level 3 of the Junior Academy and Performing Arts Centre (JAPAC) before school from 7.45am and the after school. In the afternoon supervision and some academic support will be provided Monday through to and including Friday afternoons between 3.15pm and 5.00pm. In the Knoxonian this week, the Headmaster described how the combination of curriculum and non-classroom activities are both essential ingredients in an education of substance to assist students in finding a purpose. As I have mentioned before, within the Junior Academy we view student progress through the three lenses of connection, relationships, and identity. Many years ago when the construction of the JAPAC was at the initial planning stage, there was much debate about whether to link the Middle Academy or the Junior Academy to Performing Arts. In my opinion, the right decision was made to combine the Junior Academy students with Performing Arts. As boys move from primary school to middle senior school they will invariably be questioning more and more just who they are and what they want to stand for. These years are critical in a boy’s character and identity development. Such development is greatly enhanced by encouraging engagement in activities that promote personal voice, confidence, creativity, collaboration, empathy and integrity.

There is overwhelming evidence supporting the positive influence that a student’s participation in Performing Arts has on personal growth, and even academic progress. Whether it is as a member of one the many musical programs on offer at the school, auditioning for a part in a school play or musical, through joining Debating, Public Speaking or engaging in Theatre Sports, boys will have a medium for expressing and knowing themselves. As schools and communities are able to move to back to some level of normality in the area of Performing Arts I believe we should, at every opportunity, encourage our boys’ involvement in some aspect of Performing Arts. I direct your attention to this link promoting students within the Junior Academy to involve themselves in Theatre Sports.  In viewing the short video, you can’t help but be impressed by the energy, voice, collaboration, agility in thinking, and creativity that such an activity clearly promotes. To me what really stands out is the social interaction and fun students are having in this activity while they refine and develop key personal skills.

Wayne Inwood

I trust that all families enjoyed the long weekend, an extra day to rest or enjoy some down time and, for many families, the first opportunity to travel beyond Sydney since the school resumed back in January.

Slowly as a School, we are progressing along the path back from the pandemic, albeit with an emerging understanding that things will not be the same from now on. As we have been adjusting into the daily rhythm of face-to-face learning, we have also been reinforcing and emphasising the personal development messages from this term and last term. I encourage all boys to get involved in a new activity which they may not have tried before.

This week our assembly focused on National Reconciliation Week. This is obviously a key week in our country’s calendar as it provides an opportunity to reflect on the importance of all Australians seeking to move towards a more just, equitable and reconciled country. Our Indigenous students lead us in a memorable “Acknowledgement of Country”  as well as highlighting the Senior School’s new Centenary Mural which was unveiled by the Headmaster earlier this term.

I want to recognise the following students for their amazing Visual Arts assessment tasks which was shared with the wider School Community via the Facebook page. Congratulations to James Stevens, Jordan Sims, Lucas Jorgensen, Vann Robens, Darcy Welsh and Abraham Raz. Well done boys!

Julien Manuel

The boys certainly have settled back into their face-to-face learning. Their return to the regular school routine and a focus on 'business as usual' is clear to see. It is wonderful to hear the sounds of the CO2024 echoing throughout the school grounds again!

Operation Gratitude
• Two of the key values of Knox Grammar School is compassion and courage
• We are developing a project to thank COVID-19 front line workers and send postcards to those isolated in local Aged Care facilities
• There will be a series of committee of 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 leadership and organisation skills

Please contact Helen Clarke if your son wishes to participate.

Growing Traditional Native Bush Food A Knox Garden - Student Volunteers wanted
We have been allocated an area near the Borambil Gates to develop a Traditional Bush Food Garden.  We will be working in conjunction with Ian Fawbert, the Head of Agriculture and with the support and the guidance of boarder parent, Luke Farr who has extensive knowledge from his elders about traditional native bush foods which sustained Aboriginal people in this harsh continent for 65,000 years.

• A roster will be developed
• Guidance from the Agriculture department
• Instructions given of use of tools and the project
• Working with schools in Walgett, Hawaii, Liberia and Kenya - all via Zoom and One Planet Education

Please speak to your son about this Community Service ask your son if he is interested in joining the Bush Food Group. The produce will also be shared with the local community. Contact Helen Clarke.

In line with Knox’s ongoing desire to support research in the field of anxiety and depression in young people, parents have an opportunity to participate in a survey from Macquarie University. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jennie Hudson.

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

Renee Willson

Next week is our final week of Term 2 Academic Support sessions running after school via Zoom. Please encourage your son to attend a session next week to take advantage of the help available to him. We will be reviewing the delivery method and scope of our support sessions and details of Term 3 offerings will be published at the start of next term.

Upcoming Assessment Tasks – Year 8 

Janelle Charlton

Please download the PDF document here for all the information for students to continue to be involved in these important and beneficial programs.

For any questions or concerns regarding the co-curricular program offered in Term 2, please feel free to contact me via email.

Chuck Ardron

Friday 26 June

• Term 2 concludes 

Monday 20 July

• Term 3 commences

2020 Applications
We would like to invite students who have competed at the state/national level to apply to join the PEAK program for the 2020 intake. We understand that COVID-19 may have impacted some state/national championships, so PEAK eligibility criteria has been extended to include the last 12 months, or the last state/national championship event that was run.

What is PEAK?
PEAK is in its second year of operation and is designed to support high-performing student-athletes who aspire to have a career in elite sport. We aim to develop healthy, resilient and capable students by supporting the holistic well being of each individual, whilst assisting them to achieve their academic and sporting potential.

The PEAK program includes:
• One on one mentoring with Knox high performance coaches, including the development of an Individual Performance Plan (IPP)
• Keynote speakers focusing on the Knox Total Fitness pillars, including:

• Academic Fitness – covering themes such as time management, goal-setting and habits for academic success
• Physical Fitness – covering effective nutritional practices for athletes, sleep for recovery and effective rehab/prehab
• Spiritual Fitness (Personal Development) – covering communication, mental preparation and leadership
• Social/Emotional Fitness – covering resilience, performing under pressure and respect and responsibility

• Small group workshops to further enhance each student-athlete’s skills and learning capabilities

Please visit the Knox website for more information about the PEAK program.

To apply, please complete the application form. Applications close Friday 26 June (last day of Term 2). Successful applicants will be notified before school resumes for Term 3. If you have any questions, please feel free to email us.

Kieran Donohue

BOSTON DYNAMICS
ATLAS HUMANOID TEAM LIVE Q&A

What: The Atlas Humanoid Team at Boston Dynamics have agreed to have a live Question and Answer (Q&A) video chat with 20 students about their work. Selection of students is based on three criteria; a question you would ask the Atlas Humanoid team about their work, your involvement in co-curricular and further interests and subject involvement.

You will need to register your interest on this link to be part of this unique opportunity.

When: Wednesday 24 June, 7.30am

Where: WSA Lecture Theatre

Contact: Melinda Valent valentm@knox.nsw.edu.au

Further information on Boston Dynamics: https://www.bostondynamics.com/atlas

Performance dates: 29, 30 and 31 October 2020. Auditions will take place via booked auditions on the following dates:

AUDITIONS: Tuesday 16 June from 3.30pm - 7.30pm or Wednesday 17 June, 4.30pm-6pm.
CALL BACKS: Monday 22 June from 5pm and Wednesday June 24 from 4pm.

The time scheduled for auditions will be 15 minutes with six students per session.

Please access the Google booking sheet here for an audition time and more information.

Would you believe…

Knox Flix 2020 registrations are now open! This year we have two versions of one theme, and two versions of one competition.

The theme is either

'I Believe!' or 'Would you believe…'

Tell us a tall tale, or a deep truth.

Similarly this year for the first time you have the option of submitting a narrated story board, or a film. 

All film entries will need to be accompanied with an outline of how you worked within the isolation rules as they existed at various times of filming.

Please read the attached information and register here. A hype reel for Knox Flix can be viewed here.

A reminder for boys wishing to come and join us on Saturday morning for some fun and fitness - 8am til 9.30am at Gillespie Fields. Everyone welcome.

If you are interested in more exciting news from the Sports Academy, please visit the Knox Remote Learning Hub here.

Martin Haywood

I’m pleased to advise that the CAS Heads have made the decision to recommence the CAS winter sports fixtures from Term 3.

Saturday 18 July (last weekend of school holidays)
Fixtures against Trinity for 1sts and 2nds Teams only

Saturday 25 July
Fixtures for all year groups

Saturday 1 August
Fixtures for all year groups

Saturday 8 August
Fixtures for all year groups

Saturday 15 August
Fixtures for all year groups (last week for Years 11-12)

Saturday 22 August
Fixtures for Years 7-10 only (last week)

The winter sport season will be followed by the Track and Field season as usual. Information regarding attendance of spectators will be confirmed closer to Term 3, subject to government guidelines.

While we understand some students may be away, a holiday training and trial plan will be released for students next week (Week 8) through the School app.

The planning of return to play for the CAS teams provides another wonderful step forward. However, it is imperative to note that while this is an exciting and much anticipated step, the return to contact training and full competition needs to continue to be approached in a safe and carefully staged manner. All sports progression and implementation will be done in adherence with the NSW Public Health legislation, Community Sport COVID-19 Safety Plan and Return to Play Framework.

Scott James