Headmaster's Column
I feel very fortunate to be part of this community. Having a sense of belonging provides an awareness of feeling connected to others. In a school setting, 'belonging' gives students feelings of security, identity and community, which, in turn, supports their academic, physical, spiritual and social development.
Belonging is a fundamental human need, yet one in four students around the world do not feel connected to their school, and unfortunately the numbers are steadily rising. The impact of this can be huge – not just on a student’s academic achievements, but on their overall wellbeing as adolescents and later as adults.
With the rates of mental illness, disconnection, social isolation and loneliness among young people rising, fostering a sense of belonging at school may help provide a critical solution to a complex social problem. Research shows feeling like you belong at school is linked to higher levels of student emotional and physical wellbeing and better academic performance and achievement.
Team Leaders
At Year Meetings, we recognise boys to encourage prosocial behaviour with the hope that this assists in developing the culture of the cohort. This week, we celebrated boys who tried their best in academic lessons, boys who have proactively looked after our shared spaces, boys who have raised money for the World’s Greatest Shave and boys who have demonstrated courage by performing on stage for the musical. Each of these boys should be so proud of the work they have done, especially as these boys are clearly working hard to demonstrate their understanding of the School’s values. We want to encourage all boys in our cohort to strive to fulfill our core values as this will ensure they grow into the best versions of themselves at the end of their journey with us. Our adherence to these values is what makes our Knox boys a Knox man once they leave school.
Student Administration Officer
The end of term is upon us, and this will be the final newsletter instalment for Term 1. Following are a few reminders to take us to the holiday break.
Save the date! The Year 8 Parent Morning Tea has been scheduled for Thursday 27 May from 8.45am-10.15am. Please stick this in your calendar. Invites will be sent out close to the date.
A reminder that when the boys return for Term 2, they are expected to be in full winter uniform. Please contact the Knox Uniform Shop to arrange a fitting, if need be.
Director of Studies Junior Academy
Term 1 Report
Your son’s Term 1 report and the accompanying ‘Realising Potential’ document will be made available for you to access on the portal by the middle of next week. The report will provide information regarding your son’s approach to his learning in every subject – his mindset, behaviour, perseverance and social skills. These Learner Protocols are reported by four colours; blue for exceptional and consistent, green for being at the expected standard, yellow for working towards standard and red for well below standard. We encourage you to engage in a conversation with your son about how he might improve his mindset, behaviours, perseverance and social skills into the future. Note that the blue indicators are quite rare and require students to demonstrate the protocol consistently and exceptionally. If your son is achieving green, he is performing well. Yellow indicates that your son needs to demonstrate this protocol more consistently.
Sports News
Head of Knox Sports and Aquatic Academy
OKGA Awards
Last week, a number of students were presented to the School as winners of the OKGA Summer Sports awards. The awards are recognition of effort, spirit, sportsmanship and commitment throughout the summer season – and simply not necessarily about the best player or the 'superstar' of the team. All boys are to be congratulated on such an important honour and I hope they will lead the way as we head into the winter season.
Snow Sports
Snow Sport Regional Interschools nominations are now open. The competition registration form and all other Snow Sports Information is accessible via the Knox app. Ensure that you are subscribed to Snow Sports. Regional Interschools run from 28 June to 2 July with students able represent Knox through the Interschools Competition Pathway.
Upcoming Assessments
The final assessments for the term, in Week 10 are for Music and Religion & Ethics.
Year 8 Assessment Grid Term 1
Upcoming Events
Term 1 concludes
Thursday 1 April
Good Friday
Friday 2 April
Easter Monday
Monday 5 April
Term 2 commences
Tuesday 20 April
Anzac Ceremony
Sunday 2 May
Year 8 Parent Morning Tea
Thursday 27 May
Text for the Week
You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.
Psalm 16:1
Drama and Theatre
Beauty and The Beast
'Beauty and the Beast' was miraculously presented on 18, 19 and 20 March in the magnificent Wenkart Theatre after being first scheduled for performance in October 2020.
This production has been universally acclaimed with many calling 'Beauty and the Beast' the best production they have witnessed on a Knox stage. The production was distinguished by witty and also poignant acting, beautifully crafted orchestral and vocal music, fabulous dance numbers, spectacular production elements and, above all, a cast of performers unified in their expert performance skills and passion for performance.
Year 8 students were distinguished performers in the cutlery chorus; a noble assembly that strutted the stage and gallantly defended the castle from attack. The performers were Rowan Aylward, Micah Bonwick, Nicholas Bull, Oliver Butler (9), Henry Dennis (9), James Du (9), Benjamin Harding, Alan Huang (9), Ryan Jones (9), Luke Marks, Charlie Middleton, Felix Palstra, Henry Pearce, Kailoh Ramcharan (9), Oscar Rocks (9), Marcel Rudas, Lucas San, Benjamin Shannon, Kade Stamford, Aiden Walsh, Michael Wilkinson (9), Lachlan Woodbridge and Manuka Tillekeratne.
In the Orchestra, Year 8 musician Cameron Chu played with distinction.
Michael Griffiths, Director of Drama and Theatre K-12
Community Notices
ANZAC Service and Parade
We are pleased to announce that the Knox ANZAC Service and Parade will go ahead on Sunday 2 May 2021 at 8.30am with some modifications and restrictions. All students in the Cadet Unit are expected to attend this event.
Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, we will be limiting spectators to two tickets per Year 11 and 12 Cadets, Pipes and Drums, Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Gallery Choir students only. We will continue to monitor government advice and recommendations, and should more tickets become available, we will update parents. We apologise for any disappointment this may cause and thank you for your understanding.
The service and parade will be live streamed here.
If you have any questions, please email events@knox.nsw.edu.au.
Knox Academy of Performing Arts
Woodwind Soiree #1 - Tuesday 23 March
Our first back with a live performance since 2019! Performers from across Years 7-12 included HSC, Music elective and music enthusiasts. This 60 minute event was held in the Francis Auditorium with piano accompanist, Ingrid Sakurovs.
It was a wonderful opportunity for students to share what they have been learning in their 1:1 lessons this term and what is in preparation for upcoming performance exams.
Knox Uniform Shop
Trading Hours
Monday to Friday: 12.30pm-5.30pm
Saturday (Terms 1 and 4 only): 9am-12noon
Term 1 Holiday Trading Hours
Thursday 1 April - Uniform Shop closes at 5.30pm
Friday 2 April through to Monday 5 April - Closed for Public Holiday
Tuesday 6 April - 9.30am-5pm (closed 12.30pm-1pm)
Wednesday 7 April - 9.30am-5pm (closed 12.30pm-1pm)
Thursday 15 April - 9.30am-5pm (closed 12.30pm-1pm)
Friday 16 April - 9.30am-5pm (closed 12.30pm-1pm)
Saturday 17 April - 9am-12noon
Monday 19 April - 9.30am-5pm (closed 12.30pm-1pm)
Tuesday 20 April (First day of Term 2) - 8am-5pm (closed 12.30pm-1pm)
For all enquiries, please contact via us by phone 9487 0191 or email.
You may also visit the Knox website here for more information.
Julie Blackburn, Knox Uniform Shop Manager
Professional Photo Galleries
The Photo Galleries on the Knox portal have been updated with the following event photos now available for families to view and purchase online:
• Senior Musical - 'Beauty and the Beast'
• 2021 summer sport - Knox Prep and Senior School
• CAS Swimming and Diving Championships
Please note that passwords for each gallery are case sensitive. If you have any issues logging into the Knox portal, please contact the Knox Helpdesk.
Eileen Aroyan, Publications Manager
McKenzie Library
Holiday Borrowings
A kindly reminder to borrow now for the holidays. Books or resources borrowed now will be due for return the first week of Term 2. This is your opportunity to borrow some great reading materials for the holidays!
Senior School Tuckshops - Volunteers Required
We are so excited to be able to welcome parent volunteers back on campus to assist in the Tuckshops from the start of Term 2, 2021. The return of volunteers is subject to continued stabilisation of local and state health requirements regarding COVID-19.
We greatly appreciate our volunteers and their contributions to our School community.
Helping out in the tuckshop is very rewarding experience and a great way to meet and socialise with new friends. If you are able to volunteer in one of the Senior School Tuckshops, please click on the following link here.
Week 10 Term 1 2021 Menu
