The young men in the Middle Academy have started the 2020 academic year in fine fashion. It is a very exciting time as we prepare to take occupancy of the new Middle Academy building. Yesterday our Year 9 and 10 students had the opportunity to walk through the building for the first time. There was much excitement and chatter as the boys got their first look at the spaces they will be able to occupy as of next week. From Monday, Middle Academy students will be able to use the lower level before and after school (8am - 5pm) for independent and collaborative work. The learning spaces on both levels will be used by classes during the day and have been designed to support our focus on the global competencies of collaboration, communication, critical thinking, creativity, character and citizenship. Many of the features, particularly those relating to sustainability, were inspired by student voice and we thank those students who participated in the design think tanks last year and helped to create this amazing space for the young men of the Middle Academy.

This morning Mr James spoke to students about how it is a privilege for them to use these spaces to socialise with their friends during recess and lunch and the importance of taking ownership in a positive and proactive manner to ensure the integrity of these spaces is preserved.

The canteen facility in the Middle Academy building will be operational from Wednesday. Until this time Year 10 students can purchase food at the Boater Café and Year 9 students can purchase food in the JAPAC canteen.

I look forward to working with the young men of the Middle Academy this year and encourage each and every one of them to strive to achieve his personal best in 2020.

Elizabeth Ruff

Welcome back to the school year and all the best for 2020! It is not often that one starts a New Year with a feeling of “heaviness”, but this year has that feeling to it. The events of the holidays, impacting our school community have been quite sombre in nature – the passing of the Hollander family in the White Island Volcano tragedy (Matthew was in our cohort in Mr Glenn Walker’s Mentor Group), the bush fires across the country affecting our boarders, as well as the most recent coronavirus situation. These things all have the potential to knock us down and make us question why these things happen when they do.

Whilst I may not be able to provide you with the reasons for why these difficult events happen, I am able to provide a way of getting through trying times, and that is: community. The Knox community is a strong and close-knit unit and I have been so privileged to be a part of this community as we have faced these challenges together.

Please indulge me for a minute whilst I delve into the intricacies of the front-row of a rugby scrum, but the image I have in my mind is of each one of us putting our shoulder under the arm of your mate, like the prop to the hooker, giving him the support he needs. The force you are able to produce is that much stronger when you are bound together as a unit.

So whilst the events of the past few weeks have impacted us significantly, I would like to encourage each one of us to 'scrum' together, tackle this year head on and give it our absolute best crack, all the while knowing that we have a mate by our side, helping us along.  

Craig Milligan

It has been a delight to watch the students arrive back to school after their summer break and settle into their new locker area as well as check the progress of all the building works.  On Thursday afternoon we all had the opportunity to take a tour of the new Middle Academy and what a fantastic space the boys will have the opportunity to use as of next week. It is great to see that despite the loss of their friend it seems the boys bonded over the holidays and tried to have a lovely time whilst remembering Matt. He will never be forgotten nor will his bright smile.  

 Absence Notification 

As we have now moved to the Middle Academy I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that the absence notification remains the same as the Junior Academy as can be seen below: 

• For all absence relating to sickness, early departures or late arrivals, an Absentee Form is to be submitted on Parent Lounge to notify the School of your child's absence. Should you encounter any issues with sending the notification through Parent Lounge, please send me an email.
• All absences of three consecutive school days or more, require a medical certificate to be provided when your son returns to school. Please email a copy of the medical certificate to me and the original is to be brought to the SAO office by your son. 
• All non-medical absences of three days or more, require a completed Leave Application form to be submitted no less than a minimum of two weeks prior to the leave taking place. 

Lost Property

Please take the time this weekend, if you haven't already done so,  to label all of your son's belongings with his full name e.g John Vaness, so as to ensure that lost items are returned to the rightful owner. If your son has lost an item on the school premises please ask him to speak to me as soon as possible. If I receive any items with a student's name on it I will be emailing the student and parents to ask for the item to be collected from me.

School Photos 

All students are to wear their full summer school uniform with their blazer on Wednesday 5 February to have their photos taken. If your son is absent on the day they will be able to have it done on Thursday 13 February. 

Sports Training 2020

Please note the following information to assist with a smooth transition into 2020.

• Period 7 Sports - This year, Year 9 students will be participating in Period 7 Sports on Tuesdays .
• Week 2 - Full training resumes.

Doing da Vinci Decathlon 2020

This year the competition for Years 7-10 will take place on Thursday 27 February in the Great Hall. Mrs Sherry-Ann Bieman has sent an email to all students regarding information on how to register in the competition. Students are required to plan their team of eight students prior to registering online individually. Registration for the competition closes on Thursday 13 February at 4pm. If you have any questions please contact Mrs Bieman via email or on 9487 0481.

Student Administration Officer new location

As our cohort have now moved to the Middle Academy, please note that I have now relocated to the Middle Academy Student Administration Office which is at the entrance of the Years 7-10 locker facility.

Finally I would like to welcome our 30 new students and their parents who have joined the 2023 cohort this year. We hope that you all enjoy your time at Knox.

Crystel Hodgson, Tel: 9119 0881

Stage 5 Elective change process

Knox is proud to offer a diverse range of elective subjects for our Stage 5 students, including three brand new electives introduced for 2020 onward. If your son is considering undertaking a different elective, please encourage him to visit myself in the new Middle Academy office for a personalised conversation about the elective options and current availability. Once the decision has been made to change from one elective into another, a Stage 5 Elective Change form must be completed – this form requires a parent/carer signature and the signatures from the Heads of Department for both the current and future electives. Completed forms with the three required signatures can be given to our Year 9 SAO, Mrs Hodgson, or to the Academy Administrative Assistant, Ms Melodia. I will then approve, sign, and process the applications, as appropriate.

Access to our Week 1-2 teaching and learning programs whilst on approved leave

We thank you for your ongoing support and understanding as we navigate student absences in Weeks 1-2; Knox is committed to ensuring students feel connected to the school and the academic programs whilst on approved leave. If your son is on approved leave, he should have received emails from Heads of Department and/or classroom teachers with personalised instructions about how to access the learning materials – this includes home learning and in-class tasks that must be completed. Please check the spam folder of your son’s school email first then contact your son’s classroom teacher at your earliest convenience if your son has not received an email correspondence. Feel free to contact me on Monday if your son is still awaiting instructions on how to access the teaching and learning programs.

Jake Plaskett

Wednesday 5 February

Individual photos

Thursday 13 February

Catch-up photos

Friday 14 February

Knox at Home 2020

Thursday 27 February

Doing da Vinci day

Thursday 2 April - Thursday 9 April

AFX camp

Thursday 9 April

Term 1 concludes

Friday 10 April

Good Friday

Sunday 12 April

Easter

Monday 27 April

Term 2 commences 

The Senior School Tuckshops have a number of vacant spots which we are desperate to fill. If you are a new parent or an existing parent, helping out in the tuckshop is very rewarding experience and a great way to meet and socialise with new friends.  

To volunteer, please click on the following links:

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3

Term 4

If you have any questions about volunteering in the tuckshops, please contact Caron Suleyman, Tuckshop Convenor at tuckshop@knox.nsw.edu.au

At the end of Term 1, students will be going on Cadet Camp. The Uniform Shop has some items available for purchase for Camp. Please complete this order form and email or hand it in at The Uniform Shop by Friday 28 February.

The orders will be available for collection from the Uniform Shop at the end of February. If an order is not placed, we cannot guarantee we will have all items in stock.

Alternatively, all items will be available to order from Flexischools and collection for these items will be as per the dates given on the order.

Julie Blackburn 

Following is an introduction to the Oratory Programs offered as an extra-curricular activity for students at Knox across Years 7-12.

Debating

Debating is the largest oratory program run at Knox, with over 150+ students enrolled each year across Years 7-12. It is a fantastic opportunity to learn both public speaking skills, as well as skills in persuasion and rhetoric.

What is a classic week in debating?

1)      Training

Training is the cornerstone of our debating program, and it is run once a week for each year group. Knox Oratory recommends training to all boys who wish to be involved in debating, as it is where they will develop their foundation skills, and learn how to improve week-by-week. Our coaching staff at Knox  is world-class, with all of our coaches having competed at the Australian Intervarsity Debating Championships, and many having come away as Australian and/or World Champions. Indeed Knox Oratory are lucky to have the 2019 World Champion and a 2020 World Grand-Finalist working at Knox as senior coaches. The times for training are listed on the Knox Debating Board (see below).

2)      Knox Debating Cup (KDC)

The KDC is the School’s internal friendly debating tournament, and it is run from 6pm-8pm on Wednesday evenings. Boys are able to join teams with their friends, experience competitive debating in a low-stakes, friendly environment, and receive feedback from their coaches after debates. Boys of all skill levels are welcome. Boys who are just starting out in debating get the opportunity to develop their competitive debating skills, and experienced debaters get to compete for the various prizes to be won at the end of each term. Knox Oratory recommends the KDC to all students who wish to practice competitive debating.

3)      Friday Evening Debating 

On Fridays in Terms 1, 2 and 3, Knox participates in a variety of interschools debating competitions, including ISDA, FED and CAS. Boys who are experienced in competitive debating will have the opportunity to trial for these teams, and those selected will represent Knox at these tournaments.

Sounds great, where can I find more information? 

1)      The Knox Debating Board

This is the place where Knox Oratory indicates whether each of these programs are on week-to-week, as well as the draw, team lists and results for the Friday Evening Debating competitions. Bookmark this!

2)      Knox App

Knox Oratory recommends both parents and students download the Knox App and turn on notifications for ‘Debating’. There is also a page with information on our various Oratory programs if you want to learn more about any of our offerings. 

3)      Emails

If you sign up for any of our debating programs, you will be added to a mailing list to receive emails. If you have not been receiving emails after signing up for any of our programs (you should get an email at least once per week), please let us know and we will add you to the list. 

How do I sign-up? 

Each term, boys must register for each our of programs, even if they have done so in previous terms. Here are the links for Term 1, 2020. Parents, please discuss these forms with your sons before completing them.

1)      Training

2)      Knox Debating Cup

3)      Friday Evening Debating

Boys should speak to their coaches during training sessions.

What else do I need to know?

1)      Attendance

If boys register for one of our programs, they will be added to a roll and expected to attend week-by-week. If for any reason a student is unable to attend a session, we ask that parents please complete an absentee form so we know not to worry.

Mooting and Mock Trial

Mock Trial is a form of organised argument that aims to emulate the drama and tension of a courtroom trial. Participants are either the Prosecution or the Defence, and fill a variety of roles including Barrister, Solicitor and Witness. All trials are based on extremely detailed summaries of cases provided by the Law Council of NSW. Speakers are rewarded for quick thinking, deep knowledge of the law, and aptitude as a public speaker.

Mooting is a simulation of the appeal process. The facts of the case have already been determined, but one party is appealing to have the original decision overturned in their favour. There are only three team members: Senior Counsel, Junior Counsel and Solicitor. The team prepares intensely for the trial, which is held in Term 2 at Bond University on the Gold Coast.

New in 2020: Mooting is open to all students across Years 7-12. Registration will open later in the year, so stay tuned.

Further detail on these programs can be found in the Oratory Handbook, available on the Knox Debating Board by clicking 'View Handbook'.

Looking forward to a fantastic year in debating and public speaking!

Dan Schofield

Coordinator of Oratory Programs

Each term, Knox holds a Handwriting Course designed to help improve the speed, accuracy and neatness of students’ handwriting, reducing tension and fatigue when writing for long periods of time. In 2020 the classes will be held by Ms Lisa Norton, an occupational therapist, who specialises in the development of skills necessary for handwriting and the remediation of handwriting difficulties.

We are now filling places for our Term 1, 2020 course.

Our course will run on either a Tuesday or Wednesday (or both mornings), starting at 7.30am, once minimum numbers are confirmed.

A minimum of seven students, and a maximum of ten, ensures individual attention. The course costs $300 for seven sessions of 45 minutes. The Introductory 7 week course includes a tub of theraputty, that is designed to improve hand muscle strength and fine motor skills. Availability of places is dependent upon a first come first served basis. All students who miss out on a place in Term 1 will be placed on the waiting list for Term 2, 2020.

Should you be interested in pursuing this option for your son, please contact Rebecca Papageorgiou in the Learning Enhancement Department.

During the holidays Will Asscher, Ben Craighill, Beau Morrison, Aria Nayer, Deen Oreb, Jeremy Pan-Cassin, Riley Pincott, George Taylor and Jack Vanasek  participated in a basketball tournament against eight other schools and placed sixth. Well done boys!

A warm welcome to our new students who have started in Year 9 this week.