Paul Dillon, the Director and founder of Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia (DARTA) will be presenting to the Class of 2023 on Monday 23 November. Paul has been working in the area of drug education for more than 25 years. During this period, he has worked with many school communities across Australia to ensure they have access to good quality information and best practice in drug education.

The session, 'Young people, alcohol and risk taking: Looking after your mates', focuses primarily on alcohol. This talk attempts to debunk some of the myths in this area, particularly around how to look after friends. Aimed at helping to ensure young people make healthier choices, accurate, up-to-date and credible information is provided, including the latest prevalence rates of alcohol and other drug use by secondary school students, with a focus on ‘positive norms’, i.e., how many young people choose not to drink alcohol or use other drugs. Basic life skills will also be discussed around alcohol-related emergencies, including knowing when to call an ambulance.

Parents will have the opportunity to hear Paul talk on the evening of Monday 23 November. The session will be live streamed, and run for one hour with the opportunity ask questions afterwards. Paul will address the topic, 'Parents, sons, parties, alcohol and other drugs: What's happening now and what can we expect in a post COVID world?' This online presentation will look at the latest data on alcohol and other drug (AOD) use of Australian secondary school students and discuss the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on teens and socialising and what effect the pandemic lockdown may have had on teen AOD use. There are huge challenges ahead for parents as they acknowledge the importance of their sons' socialising but, at the same time, ensure their safety by having age-appropriate rules and boundaries in place as restrictions are gradually rolled back. To assist parents through this difficult time, some simple tips around alcohol, parties and gatherings will be provided to help ensure their child's safety now and post-COVID-19.

Information about how to view this online session will be communicated closer to the date.

Elizabeth Ruff

Term 4 will be one whirlwind of a term – and it is racing by already. It was only on Monday that I told Year 9 boys we were 12.5% through Term 4 and now, as you read this, we are almost a quarter of the way through. I raised this with the boys to reinforce the fact that every minute counts, and every day is another precious opportunity to make good choices and get the most out of Knox, whether that is through positive relationships with friends and teachers, academic success, or enrichment through involvement in co-curricular activities.

The Yearly Examinations are almost upon us and boys should be in the planning phase which means boys must get organised, stay on top of their class work and begin to prepare for final assessments in all subjects. I encourage parents to have conversations with boys and direct them to seek help from their Mentor or subject teachers if they need help with organisation, subject-specific content, or even if they are not sure what they should be working on at home.

It was great to have a live performance from Year 9 rock band 'Pure Blue' in Year Meeting on Monday. Featuring Ethan Rigele on Bass Guitar, Sam Grellman on Drums, Henry McArdle on Vocals and Hugo Pike on Guitar, the band performed rousing renditions of 'Up in the Air' and 'Sugar, We’re Going Down'. It was also an opportunity for some of our newly elected leaders to address the group: Cameron Cheung represented his Faith and Spirituality portfolio to spruik CRU meetings, and our new Year 12 leaders visited to generate some excitement about Tartan Army, inviting Year 9 to contribute to our strong sense of school spirit at sporting fixtures. We also had visitors from Year 10 who have forwarded a link through, which boys can register interest in participating in the STEAM expo. I encourage boys to continue looking for ways to involve themselves beyond the classroom, in all our school has to offer.

We have also encouraged boys to submit a photo of themselves completing Good Hours as a celebration of the enormous effort the boys have put into our socially conscious Virile Agitur Man campaign this year. Please help your son to find or take a photo of himself using his great strength, under control, for the good of others in his family or community.

Alec Openshaw

At assembly this week the students who have been selected as part of the 1sts teams were announced and congratulations to the students below from our cohort who were selected:

Beau Morrison - Basketball 1sts

Luke Allen - Golf Captain

James Kosinar - Karate Captain

Louis Tsui - Squash 1sts

Leo Phijidvijan - Tennis 1sts

Well done boys and good luck for those of you playing this weekend.

Collection of boots & shoes

We are still accepting donations of Football and Rugby boots to support a community in the outback who have no access to any sporting equipment. Donations may be dropped to my office or to Mrs Clarke’s Office (Room 15). Any clean Football socks would also be appreciated. Thank you for all the donations we have received so far.

For a number of years, the Knox community have donated school shoes and sport trainers to the British School Manila that supports many poor children who live on the edge of the city. Without shoes, they cannot attend school. The donated shoes can be school shoes, sport trainers, sandals and/or Crocs, for boys and girls. Donated shoes must be polished and clean with the shoelaces tied together, where applicable. Please drop these off to my office or to Mrs Clarke (Room 15).

Finally, I would like to congratulate Luke Berlee who received his Duke of Ed, Bronze Award at the Year Meeting this week. Well done on such an amazing achievement.

Crystel Hodgson, Tel: 9119 0881

The 2020 Yearly Examination Schedule has now been finalised and uploaded to the portal; should you have any specific questions about a task please contact the classroom teacher and/or relevant Head of Department. 

As your son prepares to do his personal best in the upcoming Yearly Examinations, it becomes inherently important that he commits himself with diligence and sustained effort in the coming weeks - mentors are available to support your son with creating a study timetable.

I will be providing all Middle Academy students with a list of available after school supports that they may choose to engage in; moreover, you may receive an email from your son that highlights his academic goals, levels of confidence by subject, and his general preparedness in direct response to our Years 9 and 10 Skills of Accomplishment program.

Research shows that students experience less academic anxiety when their parents/carers engage in honest dialogues regarding performance expectations prior to a major assessment or examination; if you do not have specific performance expectations, a recent contemporary research project found noteworthy positive impacts on general wellbeing and higher levels of student perseverance whilst under test conditions when you tell your child, “I just want you to do your best, whatever result that is” on the day of an assessment.

I wish all of our Middle Academy students, and families, the very best as we approach the examination period and end of the academic year. 

Jake Plaskett

Monday 9 to Sunday 15 November 

National Recycling Week

Thursday 12 - Wednesday 18 November

Yearly Examinations 

Monday 23 November

Paul Dillon Talk to students and Parents

Thursday 3 December

Term 4 concludes

We would like to first give our thanks to the Cohort of 2023 for listening attentively during the STEAM presentation at Year Meeting this week. A link to the video that was shown may be found here for your enjoyment.

For those who are interested in joining the team of 2020/21, the application form may be found here. Please fill out this application electronically and send the completed form here by Tuesday 27 October.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Ryan and Justin - Knox STEAM Team Leaders 2020/21

Each school has a different policy with regards to the number of spectators, so it will be important to carefully read the information below to plan for this coming Saturday.

1. Check the team list to see your son’s team - see the Knox app (download instructions)
2. Check the sports draw to see where and when your son’s team is playing – check the Knox app
3. Is he playing at a Knox Grammar School venue? If yes:

• 2 spectator parents/guardians per player at our outdoor venues.
• 1 spectator parent/guardian per player at our indoor venues.
• QR code registration will be in place across all facilities at entry points, with standard health checks and questions.
• Players in all teams should turn up ready to play – no change rooms will be available.
• Canteens will be closed. Players should bring their own labelled water bottles and snacks if required.
• Players should leave immediately after completion of their fixture.
• Teams due to play in the Great Hall, MacNeil Court and Lawson Centre will need to wait on the Boulevard until they may enter the facility. This will depend on finish time of previous fixture.
• Water Polo players will also need to wait in JAPAC rec area for clearance to enter the pool area.
• Standard 1.5m social distancing for all spectators.

4. Is your son playing away? Which school is he playing against?

Barker College
• Players plus only one spectator for indoor sporting activities
• Players plus two spectators for outdoor sporting activities
• Barker COVID-19 Sports Protocols

Cranbrook School
• 2 spectator parents/guardians per player for all outdoor sports
• 1 spectator parent/guardian per player for all indoor sports
• Cranbrook COVID-19 Sports Protocols

Waverley College
• 2 spectator parent/guardians per player at outdoor fixtures at Queens Park
• 1 spectator parent/guardian per player at indoor fixtures and tennis or any other fixture on Waverley College campuses

Abbotsleigh School – Aquatic area
• No parent spectators allowed

Please ensure you follow social distancing guidelines at all times and leave immediately after your son’s game. As always, any sports cancellations due to wet weather will be announced via the Knox app (make sure you have subscribed to alerts for your son’s summer sport).

If you have any questions, please email the Sport Department.

Thank you and best wishes to all our students this weekend.

Martin Haywood, Head of Knox Sports and Aquatic Academy

This term is the time when the Knox community generously supports families that find Christmas particularly difficult. For the last 13 years, we have supplied Christmas Hampers for struggling families through the Uniting Church Family projects.

Our focus this year is on the Wesley Mission and Parramatta Mission. Both organisations aim to support families with basic food supplies and Christmas fare (Christmas cakes, puddings, custard, serviettes, tins of ham, bonbons, biscuits etc. as well as staple goods such as long-life milk, cereals, pasta, sauces etc.) Your support with this initiative will be most appreciated.

Christmas gifts for children to the value of $10 ( or more if you wish)
This has been a long-term project at Knox to support children from STARTTS who receive no gifts without our support. The social workers continually reinforce what a positive difference our donations make to these children and their parents.

Please send in your donations to the Year 9 and 10 SAO offices and/or Mrs Clarke's office.

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 4, 2020 course.

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

The Introductory seven week course includes a tub of theraputty, that is designed to improve hand muscle strength and fine motor skills. A minimum of seven students, and a maximum of ten, ensures individual attention. The course costs $300 for seven sessions of 45 minutes.

We will also run a five week refresher course for students who have participated in a seven week course previously. This course will cost $200.

Availability of places is dependent upon a first come first served basis. All students who miss out on a place in Term 4 will be placed on the waiting list for Term 1, 2021. 

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

This week has seen a celebration of Book Week in the Library. Many entries from students into the writing and photographic competitions will be judged soon. Announcements as to the winning entries will be posted and prizes awarded.

Some new additions to the collection which are available for immediate borrowing include;

'The Reckless Afterlife of Harriet Stoker' by Lauren James

'Small Spaces' by Katherine Arden

'Ordinary Matter' by Laura Elvery

'Ruby Tuesday' by Hayley Lawrence

'The Darkest Minds' by Alexandra Bracken

'The Lost Book of the White' by Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu

If you are looking for a place to study, remember the Library is open from 8am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and on Fridays from 8.50am to 4pm.

Enjoy your reading.

Sally Thomson

This week, students from our cohort attended their Year Meeting in the Weeks Senior Academy (WSA). They were able to enjoy some great music and were attentive to all the messages communicated.