Pursuing personal best by setting high expectations
There is no doubt that effective teachers promote excellence in student achievement by setting aspiring goals and enabling young people to achieve their personal best. Effective teachers also understand the difference between high expectations and high pressure, and can encourage and support their students in achieving individual learning excellence without overloading them with pressure.

It is important to understand that there is a difference between high expectations and high pressure. High expectations is helping a young person reach their potential ... to be their best; high pressure is expecting a young person to be the best.

Undoubtedly, it is a fine line. It’s obviously important to have expectations, because if you have no expectations then people don’t strive for things. High expectations can have a significant impact on a young person’s attitude and self-worth, as well as a likely increase in their motivation levels and self-confidence.

COVID-19 Protocols
As you will be aware, the School has established a set of strict protocols to help us manage and stop the spread of COVID-19. We ask that all parents please carefully read these protocols – please see below. Importantly, please do not send your child to School if they are unwell. If you have any questions, please contact your Student Administration Officer. We greatly appreciate your support of the School and our collective efforts to control COVID-19.

COVID-19 Entry Policy 2021
COVID-19 Student Attendance Guideline for Parents 2021

Phil O’Regan

Last week, the boys received copies of their assessment schedules for the year. They should be preparing well in advance for each task, giving each assessment their best effort. In Week 6 the assessments kick off with Mathematics, followed by a busy Weeks 7 and 8. The boys have ample time now to set themselves up for success, minimising stress in balancing their academic studies and the AFX Camp. Should you have any concerns about the camp, then please contact Bri Cormio and she will be able to assist you.

This week at Year Meeting Mr Manuel spoke to the boys about being curious, not judgemental. Ask your classmates questions, get to know who they are and learn their story. Questions like, ‘What do you hope never changes,’ ‘What do you rate 10/10,’ ‘What skill would you most like to master.’ These types of questions can take you in all sorts of directions. This is a fun activity that we will encourage our Mentors to do with their class and pair them up with boys they are not in their close friendship circle. They will probably find that they have lots in common with boys that are outside their friendship group.

The Middle Academy is a time of personal development, as well as their educational journey over the next two years. Right before us, the boys are beginning to grow as young men and whilst we know there may be some challenges ahead. It is also a time for them to find their passions, be courageous and to set the tone for the younger students in the Senior School. The 20 Mentor Groups elected their Mentor Representative for 2021 this week and we are excited to work closely with these students in leading activities and initiatives for the Year 9s.

Expectations surrounding uniform, behaviour and best efforts remain high, so we ask that you work in partnership with us, ensuring your son arrives to school on time, in correct uniform and with all his equipment needed for the day. If you have any concerns, questions, or help with the pastoral needs of your son, then please contact your son’s Mentor, or one of the Team Leaders.

Carly Robinson

Year 9 has made an excellent start to 2021. The boys have kicked off where they left off at the end of last year and have hit the ground running with their academics, sport and extra-curricular activities.

On behalf of the whole cohort, I would like to congratulate Matthew Herman and Ryan Ford on their selection into the New South Wales Water Polo Academy '07 squad and Kevin Yoon, Youssef Kamil and Diesel Cox in the '06 Squad. Well done boys.

Please be reminded that the Student Administration Office is a central communication point within the School for students and parents. Please ensure your son is well organised and that appointments and arrangements for after school are finalised before leaving for school each day; and that lunches, homework and assignments, sports bags and musical instruments are already packed.

Cadet Camp
Further information regarding the ordering of items for the Cadet Camp may be found here.

Year 9 SAO email
I would just like to remind you that should you wish to contact me, please email me on the Year 9 SAO email address year9sao@knox.nsw.edu.au

Again, congratulations to all of Year 9 for making such a strong start to the year and I wish the boys all the best for their sporting fixtures this weekend.

Go the Black and Blue! Have a great weekend everyone.

Renee Willson



 

As the term begins to gain momentum, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the Director of Student Development, Stage 5. My role in the Middle Academy is to work with boys outside of the classroom to engage in our community as they continue to develop into global citizens. Through outdoor education, service learning, exchanges, development of the Total Fitness Mentor Program and student mentoring, I hope to be able to ensure all boys get the most out of their time in the Middle Academy.

This semester, boys in the Middle Academy will be engaged in outdoor education through AFX and the Year 10 Challenge Camp, connecting with our wider community through the Service Learning program and volunteer opportunities, and our Total Fitness program in classes and Mentor.

As a passionate educator and firm believer in experiential education, I will look forward to working with all of the boys in the Middle Academy in 2021.

Tom Waterhouse

Year 9 AFX Camp Leave
Students who wish to apply for exemptions from the Cadet AFX Camp for Year 9 are required to apply for school leave using the form here. They are also required to apply for leave from cadets using the cadet leave form on the Knox App. Cadet leave will not be approved until the school leave process has been followed and school leave approved.

Chuck Ardron

As we continue to battle mother nature and all it throws at us in Term 1, I cannot help but feel for the boys wanting to get out and run around wearing the Black & Blue – particularly those playing outdoor sports such as Cricket and Tennis. Please understand we are doing as much as we can with our opposition schools to get our boys a fixture, whilst also weighing up the inconvenience of travel when there is no chance of action. Please stay tuned into the Knox app and we will continue to keep families up to date with any changes to the fixtures.

Last week our First and Second Basketball teams played their last home game for the season which included a Friday night experience in the Great Hall against St Aloysius’ College. It was a great event and was well supported by our Tartan Army who are just busting to open their lungs out and start singing. Fingers crossed we can let them loose at the upcoming CAS Swimming and Diving Championships. First and Second Tennis teams also enjoyed a Friday night match and continue to press for the CAS Championship. They are currently in second place and closing in on a Championship.

Unfortunately our Surf Life Saving squad did not get a chance to compete in the Schools Carnival hosted by Knox at Whale Beach on Saturday due to weather. There was much disappointment but they will remain positive and hope for a big finish at the Shore carnival next week.

Well done to all students who were selected to swim in the Knox Swimming Championships this week. Just to be selected into finals is an amazing achievement, given we are the #1 Schoolboy Swim Team in Australia. It was a great night and there were again some incredible performances including nine new Knox Swim records, a number of boys achieving times that qualify for National titles and numerous personal bests . All of their hard work is paying off! The look on the boys' faces as they look back at the clock is a real thrill for coaching staff. The boys now eagerly await news of Knox selections to go and try and defend the CXAS Championship in March. Well done, boys - good luck for the next few weeks.

Winter sport choices
All families were sent an email last week from the Sports Department asking boys to choose their Winter sport for the upcoming season. Please help us and help your son choose carefully and ASAP. We have to start nominating teams into competitions, book fields and organise coaches. Cut off is Friday 19 February. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email Sport.

Parenting Help
A reminder that each year group in the Senior School is connected to one of our school psychologists who is available to you for support and advice. While no one knows your sons better than you; we have the advantage of experience. Over the years our psychologists have seen many students who are often working through similar issues and so are well placed to offer support and guidance to both teachers and parents on a range of topics. As a parent you may like to take advantage of this by making an appointment with your son’s year group’s psychologist to discuss any wellbeing/parenting matters, such as:

• Detecting adolescent issues, like anxiety and depression
• Motivation and procrastination
• Promoting growth into manhood, independence and responsibility-taking
• Managing screen and technology use
• Discipline that promotes maturation and wellbeing
• Promoting identity formation
• Preparing your son for camp

We would love to help. To make an appointment (phone or in person) with your son’s year group psychologist please email or call 9119 0828.

Luke Spencer

When: Wednesday 24 February 2021, 7.45am-8.15am
Where: Online seminar, register at www.knox.nsw.edu.au/GC-seminar
Who: All Senior School parents

With the launch of a new Knox Certificate of Global Competency for Senior School students in 2021, Knox parents are warmly invited to an online seminar. Speakers will include Margie Raymond (Coordinator of the Knox Certificate of Global Competency), Karen Yager (Deputy Headmaster of Student and Teacher Excellence K-12), Elizabeth Ruff (Head of Middle Academy), David Caspari (Deputy Chairman of School Council), students and parents. The seminar will cover topics including why global competency is important and how the Knox Certificate of Global Competency will be delivered for students.

Please register your interest by Monday 22 February. All enquiries to Margie Raymond.

Knox Certificate of Global Competency seminar flyer

Sunday 7 March

Clean up Australia Day

Thursday 18 March to Saturday 20 March

Musical Performance - 'Beauty and the Beast'

Thursday 25 March to Thursday 1 April

Cadets AFX Camp

Thursday 1 April

Term 1 concludes

Friday 2 April

Good Friday

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Colossians 4: 2

A Knox Drama and Theatre Production
Disney's Beauty and the Beast

18-20 March 2021
7pm in the Wenkart Theatre

All tickets $30. Online bookings will be available soon. Save the date!

Limited seating due to current health restrictions with masks mandatory for all audience members.

For all enquiries, please email Michael Griffiths.

In light of current restrictions, the School has decided to postpone Knox Gala Day from Term 2 to Saturday 31 July, Term 3. We are hopeful that this new date will give this much loved community event the best chance to proceed. This date will be the last game of the winter sports season and a home game against Barker College. Please save the date. If you have any questions, please email Megan Bailey.

Expressions of interest to participate in Business and Finance Club are now open. This will be a lunchtime club conducted by Year 11 students. Please send your enquiries to me and I will pass them on to Y11 student, Riki Choi.

Alternatively, students may express their interest on this Google Form.

Glenn Walker, Head of Finance and Legal

Cadet Leave Form Instructions

To access the Cadet Leaver Form in the Knox app, please go to CONTACTS> SCHOOL CONTACTS> CADETS

Winter Uniform
Term 2 changes over into winter uniform. Parents are encouraged to refer to the Uniform Policy and Regulations and we strongly recommend purchasing the winter uniform in the coming weeks as we cannot guarantee all sizes will be available at the end of term.

Special orders
For any students who have special requirements regarding winter uniform items, it is strongly recommended that these are discussed with the Uniform Shop Staff as soon as possible. Occasionally, we have students who have allergies/sensitivity to wool and in these instances, time permitting, we can get winter trousers lined and jumpers made in a cotton/nylon blend. These special orders require some notice: four weeks for the trousers and up to eight weeks for knitwear.

Other instances include if your son is not of a standard size. For example, very tall but slim and may require extra length or he may be of a more solid frame like a Rugby player and the standard sizes may be disproportional.

Please visit the Uniform Shop during trading hours (see below) or contact via us by phone 9487 0191 or email.

Trading Hours
Monday to Friday: 12.30pm-5.30pm
Saturday (Terms 1 and 4 only): 9am-12noon

Phone (02) 9487 0191 or visit the Knox website here for more information.

Julie Blackburn, Knox Uniform Shop Manager

We are enjoying seeing many students share their adventures with reading from the extensive collection available in the library. All Years 7-10 boys are welcome to join Book Club and continue their journey with literature and make new friends.

Place: the study room in McKenzie Library
Time: Lunch time
Day: Thursday

Some new additions to the collection include:



'The Good Son' - a story from the First World War, told in miniature by Pierre-Jacques Ober, Jules Ober (illustrations), Felicity Coonan (illustrations).
'You Shouldn’t Have Joined...' - a memoir by General Sir Peter Cosgrove.
'Hawk' by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet.
'The Left- Handed Booksellers of London' by Garth Nix.

Enjoy your reading!

Sally Thomson

Our Senior School students celebrated the great diversity of the Knox community with a special Social Justice and Cultural Inclusion Assembly in the Great Hall yesterday.

Indigenous of acknowledgements of country were delivered by students in Gamilaraay, Japanese and Farsi. The Headmaster addressed the boys and spoke about the importance of knowing the stories of others, their culture and background. Year 12 Boarder Alex Goh, who is from Hong Kong, shared his own story of remote learning from home and spending time in quarantine before re-joining the Knox community this year.

The Social Justice Prefects spoke about the many opportunities on offer for Knox students to make a different in the lives of others.

Year 9 PASS (Physical Activity and Sports Studies) class were examining the ways in which the skeletal system moves through ‘doing’ a range of different exercises and movements to determine which bones and joints are being utilised.

Students had to determine whether or not they were examples of: flexion, extension, adduction, abduction, plantarflexion, dorsiflexion or rotation. They then had to explain which bones where being used.

Joshua Moloney

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Year 9 Assessment Schedule and Assessment related policies

Information about Sport and KAPA

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