Last year we introduced the Student Values and Learner Protocols agreement to students. Our intent was to give words to the values, behaviours and characteristics which contribute so effectively to establishing and fostering our positive school environment. A team of students and teachers from across the Senior School reviewed contemporary research and practice in education, that positively influences our learning and social environment. The team feels the selected traits will set a positive standard for meaningful and respectful communication, relationships and engagement between members of the Knox community.

In the coming weeks your son will bring a copy of the agreement home, which includes the attached (Classroom Learner Protocols and School Values) to discuss with you and sign. We believe through a shared understanding and commitment to these values, behaviours and traits, our students will benefit individually and contribute positively to the climate and culture of both the classroom and playground.

Each of your son’s teachers will observe and evaluate his demonstration of the protocols, with progress in each standard for each subject, which will be shared with you on a termly basis. Further details will be provided towards the end of Term 1.

Mentors will oversee progression in the standards, and through reflective conversations with your son, consider areas of strength and opportunities for further development.  

Phil O’Regan 

This week the students of the Middle Academy started to occupy their new home which is to be known as the Academy of Global Competency. It was wonderful to see the boys interacting with each other in this fabulous new facility before and after school as well as during recess and lunch. With our new building, we have been provided with facilities to foster innovation, creativity and communication. Students have been reminded that as they use technology, discuss ideas and create, they also need to remember the importance of our school values and ensure they act with integrity and compassion and are respectful and supportive of all members of our community.

At our Academy assembly yesterday Karen Yager, our Deputy Headmaster for Student and Teacher Excellence K – 12, spoke to students about the global competencies of collaboration, communication, critical thinking, creativity, character and citizenship and why they will be an area of focus for students in the Middle Academy.

Due to a special function on Monday 10 February, the area will only be available to students until 4pm. From Tuesday 11 February, students will be able to occupy the lower level of the Academy building before school from 7.45am and after school until 5.15pm every afternoon except for Fridays. From next week Maths tutorials will be run on Wednesday afternoons and there will be English support available on Monday afternoons. Students are encouraged to make use of the spaces to work collaboratively with their friends and seek the assistance of the staff who will be supervising. Unfortunately there was a delay in the opening of the canteen; however, we do anticipate it will be operational next week. 

Elizabeth Ruff 

After a warm welcome back last week, a reprieve from the heat and humidity has helped to ease the transition back to school as we come to the end of our second week. Past Headmaster John Weeks used to remind boys that there is no period of warm up or wind-down at the ends of the terms; whilst we are here there is a job to do and, thus, it must be done.

It has been fantastic to see boys return energised, cheerful and motivated, and all seem to have settled in nicely. The feedback coming in from boys’ new teachers has been overwhelmingly positive and so I congratulate them for diving into their new classes with conviction, especially their electives.

I spoke with the boys at Year Meeting on Monday about embracing the exciting opportunity presented by their new elective classes by making sure that they are organised from the get-go, and by making sure that they are establishing strong working relationships and communicating freely with their new teachers. As Mr Milligan referenced in his address, a new year is a chance for fresh starts from both students’ and teachers’ perspectives, and I look forward to watching boys respond to this opportunity as they enjoy the challenges, along with the privileges, of having graduated to the Middle Academy.

Just as the boys have returned from holidays physically transformed, standing close to a foot taller or speaking nearly an octave deeper, so too has the physical space they inhabit within the school transformed. On Monday the boys moved into the brand-new Academy of Global Competency, an indoor recreational and study space that Year 9 share with Year 10. The space is incredible, and the boys are so privileged to have such a beautiful environment of their own, in which they will collectively shape the culture of the year group and, in turn, our larger school community. We know the boys will make us proud with how they look after this new space, and with how they care for and look out for one another as they progress through Year 9.

Alec Openshaw

The highlight of this week for students was that they got to enjoy their new Middle Academy facility during their break times and also before and after school. For further information about the opening and close times, please see refer to the Head of Academy's message. As we've had a few changes to the school grounds lately, I thought you may find it helpful to have an updated map of the Senior School, which includes the new Academy of Global Competency (AoGC) and the Innovation and Design Centre (formerly known as the Drama Theatre).

Updating Contact Details and Medical Records

As we begin the school year it is important to ensure that we have all accurate contact details for parents and/or guardians in case of emergencies. We also need to ensure we have all the accurate medical details for your son. Please take the time this weekend to review your contact details (address, email address, contact phone numbers) and your son's medical details in Parent Lounge and if they have changed then, follow the instructions below to update:

• To update your address details choose 'Update Address Details' from the Parent Details drop-down. Choose 'Update Address' from the top right of the screen.  Update your details and then select 'Submit Changes'.

• To update your son’s medical details choose 'Medical Details' from the 'Student Details' drop-down menu and you are able to either 'Update' or add 'New' depending on which section you are updating.

Should you encounter any problems please contact the IT Helpdesk.

Lost Property

May I please ask you to encourage your son/s to name their air-pods with their full names e.g John Smith. This will allow us to reunite the air-pods with the rightful owner.

Uniform Shop Trading Hours

Monday - Friday : 12.30pm to 5.30pm

Saturday (Term 1 and 4 only): 9am - 12noon 

For further information, please visit the Knox website or feel free to contact Mrs Julie Blackburn on (02) 9487 0191.

School Photos 

For those students who were absent on Tuesday this week, please note that a catch up photo session is scheduled for Thursday 13 February. Students are to wear their full summer school uniform with their blazer on to have their photos taken. 

Doing da Vinci Decathlon 2020

Just a reminder that the registration for the competition closes on Thursday 13 February at 4pm. Students would have already received an email from Mrs Bieman 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. 

After-School Mathematics Help Term 1

From Week 3, After-school Mathematics Help will run on the following days:

• Tuesdays
This session will run in Room MO306 with Mr Glen Charlier

• Wednesdays
This session will run from the Middle Academy Learning spaces with Ms Clare Keegan-Ward.

The After-School help session function on a drop-in basis for any length of time between 3.30pm and 5.30pm where students from all stages can ask for help with mathematics exercises and problems that they have typically been set in class.

Congratulations to Tristan Barclay who made the finals for the 2019/2020 Junior Lifesaver of the year. Well done, Tristan!

Finally, I have received a few requests from parents regarding shoes collection. We will continue to collect school shoes for the children in the poorest communities. Please drop your trainers or school shoes off to Mrs Clarke’s office in Room 15 as we will be sending shoes to Manila around mid Term 1.

Crystel Hodgson, Tel: 9119 0881

Learner Protocols, the Knox APA, and Academic Reports – Request for participation in Focus Groups

I have been honoured to work alongside many of our School's inspiring leaders and thought leaders as we consider how best to communicate your son’s achievement in our termly reports. A literature review was conducted and the team has been inspired by the Chicago Consortium’s Learner Protocols, which outlined some of the most meaningful contributors to students achieving their academic personal best. You may be familiar with the Learner Protocols as we have started using them in our pastoral care programs and as contracts with students at the commencement of 2020 – we are looking to enhance our academic reports and APA to pivot from these contemporary research findings.

If you are interested in participating in one of two focus groups regarding the Learner Protocols, the Knox APA and our Academic Reports, please email me at your earliest convenience.

Possbile dates and times will be sent to interested parents/carers with the aim of meeting sometime next week (Week 3, Monday 10 February – Friday 14 February).

On behalf of the team, I am very excited to consult our parent community to help co-construct reports that are increasingly useful and are underpinned by our Total Fitness and Education for the Future models.

Assessment Schedule and Assessment related Policies and Procedures Booklet 2020

Knox offers a rich assessment program to it students in both our Core and da Vinci programs. Please make note of the linked Assessment Schedule and Assessment related Policies and Procedures Booklet which is also accessible via the portal.

The Assessment Schedule contains the important subject specific assessment details such as the task number, due date, weighting, and a brief nature of the task.

The Assessment related Policies and Procedures includes our policies for Illness Misadventure Appeal (IMA) Applications, Leave Applications, how to handle ‘technology failures’, and what occurs when an instance of plagiarism and/or malpractice is suspected.

I will be highlighting some of these policies in coming newsletters but welcome you to ask me any questions about the contents of either document at your earliest convenience.

Jake Plaskett

Tuesday 4 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

The School provides a large range of Co-Curricular activities which may be found here. Click here to access further information on the days, times and locations of those activities.

Ceramics - Hand building 

Time: Thursday 3.30pm – 5pm 
Duration: Eight weeks 
Cost: $50

Students will be shown hand building techniques including coil building, slab and pinch pot construction. Students will experiment with different clays, glazes, stains and firing techniques. These skills will be applied to specific projects. These projects can be student selected or alternatively have been developed by the teacher.

The classes accommodate beginner to advanced skill levels and will be delivered in a happy and relaxed environment.

Photography & Digital Media

Time: Wednesday 3.30pm – 5pm 
Duration: Eight weeks 
Cost: $50

Unlock your photo skills and creative potential

Students will be shown a wide variety of digital photography techniques including Photoshop and Lightroom editing techniques, iPhone photography, filters, studio equipment, lighting, videography and much more!

Students will experiment with different camera and studio techniques. These skills will be applied to specific projects. These projects can be student selected or guided by the class teacher.

The classes accommodate beginner to advanced skill levels and will be delivered in a happy and relaxed environment.

Teachers will provide individual advice as well as group demonstrations and technical information throughout the class and all materials and equipment are provided.

Computer Club is up and running again in 2020. The club runs in the iHub every Wednesday from 3.30pm – 5.30pm and operates as a drop-in space, so no long-term commitment or sign up is required. The club has a focus on computer programming. Students can use this space to work on technology related homework or extend their knowledge on computer programming or work on software-based projects. Students are also encouraged to participate in a number of computer-related competitions throughout the year, including NCSS Challenge. 

For further information, please contact Mr David McGowan.

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

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 

Knox at Home is the first official KPA event for the year. The night is an enjoyable way to celebrate the commencement of the new school year in a relaxed and informal environment. We would recommend the night, particularly to new parents of the school, as it allows you to meet other parents in your child's year group. For further information about the event, click on the invite below.

We all are acutely aware of the impact of the drought and the bushfires over the holiday period.

We would like your support for one of the communities, MOGO. Local organisations have mobilised early in the year and have a Facebook page ‘Mobilising for Mogo.’ Importantly the initiative is registered with authorities and data was collected on Mogo families and other community members and a specific list of essential donations was established.  Too many communities received donations which were not needed nor suitable at this stage of the relief effort and hence a list of specific needs was established.

The specific needs of communities at this stage are listed below and item can be take to Ms Helen Clarke's office in Room 15 or as per this link:
• Back to school needs – exercise books etc.
• Tools of trade – many people lost tools which limits how much they can clean up, repair or even work! No electrical tools please!
• Gift cards that can be used for petrol (Caltex) food, (IGA).
• No clothing please!
• Register here and see the list of specific needs- choose the one you most wish to donate.
• There will be another list out in a couple of weeks as the next specific shipment is organised.

On Thursday, students attended their first Middle Academy Assembly where they got to learn a bit more about Mrs Karen Yager, our Deputy Headmaster of Student and Teacher Excellence K-12 and the Tartan Army.