As you would appreciate, we are continually updating and considering our practices in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. We take into account both the NSW Government guidelines and NSW Health orders, to ensure our practices support the wellbeing of our students and staff across all Knox campuses.

Our students and staff have responded exceptionally well to our updated practices in regard to entry onto campus health screening measures, hygiene and distancing practices and ongoing education on behaviours in support of the wellbeing of our immediate and wider community.

Following recent updated guidelines in regard to schools we now request that if your son has been absent due to a flu-like illness, or develops flu-like symptoms whilst at school, he should not to return to school until he has a negative COVID-19 test and is symptom free. The School also requires a copy of your son’s negative COVID-19 test result prior to returning to campus.

Phil O'Regan

RUOK? Day is a day dedicated to inspiring and empowering everyone to meaningfully connect with people around them by asking the simple question, “are you ok?”. In Australia this year RUOK? Day is on Thursday 10 September. The purpose of this day is to highlight the ever present need for everyone to take the time and effort to look after your mental health. Sam Clarke (OKG15) and a RUOK? ambassador will address the boys on this topic during Week 8B School Assembly next Thursday. To further promote this event, we are inviting boys and staff to wear a silly tie and/or socks for the day. During lunchtime on Thursday the Middle Academy staff and the Wellbeing Centre staff will be leading the boys in a range of fun-based activities. We also invite the boys to donate on arrival at school a gold coin with all proceeds going to this worthwhile cause. 

Elizabeth Ruff

The Knox Grammar School motto, Virile Agitur, translates from Latin as 'the manly thing is being done'. As you will know, this term Year 9 have embarked on a campaign to address the implications of taking this phrase at face value and are speaking to the women in our lives and in our community in order to discover a modern interpretation of masculinity and what respect looks like to the women in our lives.

The culmination of this was that on Tuesday of this week, the 20 Mentor Reps – one from each Mentor Group – met to collate all the responses each student has gathered during the term, through their conversations and interviews.

Our purpose was to develop a statement of intent, and we are proud to have finalised this process, with our VIRILE AGITUR MAN CREED. There was much brainstorming, discussion, rigorous debate, collaboration, sharing of ideas and empathetic listening as we shaped our creed into a document which represents everything we have heard. We are currently in the 'design and production' phase, where our very own Year 9 boys will work to give our statement some design and presentation flare as well as a video production of the creed. It has been a very exciting process and it’s so pleasing to see where we are at as we reach the pointy end of our campaign.

We also had the privilege of having a guest speaker, Dr Ellie Freedman, with us at our Year Meeting on Monday. Dr Freedman is the Medical Director of the North Sydney Sexual Assault Service at Royal North Shore Hospital and the Medical Forensic Staff Specialist at the NSW Education Centre against Violence. She also has very close ties to Knox as her son is in Year 9 too. She reached out to us in support of this Respecting Women conversation we have been having, but also to remind us that this conversation we are having is not just some theoretical, arm’s length kind of activity but that it’s an issue for real women, right under our noses here on the North Shore. She spoke really powerfully about how valuable it is for all members of society (even 15-year-old young men!) to be having these conversations and how we can change the way women are treated in society so that we do not see women having to use Dr Freedman’s service when things have become so bad. It was a sobering, yet uplifting and motivational moment which gave colour and impetus to the boys, highlighting how important this discussion really is.

Craig Milligan

Last Saturday, I finally dusted my runners and started doing my walks as I am participating in the Ride with Richter fitness challenge. I have set myself a goal to complete around 20kms minimum weekly and look forward to achieving and/or exceeding this goal. If you would still like to join the challenge, you can find further information here on ways you and your family can get involved to help support the beautiful Richter family and get fit along the way. 

Cadets

The Cadet continuation/discharge forms are being released today via Edsmart. Please have the discussion with your son regarding continuing the yearly commitment or to finish your child's journey in Cadets. The form is to be completed by Friday 11 September. 

Collection of boots

We are supporting a community in the outback who have no access to any sporting equipment. They are particularly keen to receive Football or Rugby boots as most cannot play as they have no boots. Donations may be dropped to my office or to Mrs Clarke’s Office (Room 15). Any clean Football socks would also be appreciated.

Seeking food hampers or gift cards for groceries

We are continuing to welcome donations of non-perishable food for three families in the broader Ku-ring-gai community who need our support. Goods which would be helpful to donate include: longlife milk, cereals, coffee/tea, pancake mixes, dried or tinned fruit, tinned meat, spreads, laundry detergent, cordial toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, Vegemite. No nut items please. Donations may be left in my office or Mrs Clarke's office (Room 15).

Official opening of the lift at Warrawee Station

Yesterday, Chase Burch and Alex (AJ) Richter (Y12) joined Liberal Member for Ku-rin-gai, Mr Alister Henskens, for the official opening of the new lift at Warrawee train station.

Finally, I would like to wish all the dads, grandads and father figures in our cohort's life a very Happy Father's Day for this Sunday!

Crystel Hodgson, Tel: 9119 0881

Sunday 6 September

Father's Day

Thursday 10 September

RUOK? Day

Sunday 20 September

Ride with Richter Fitness Challenge concludes

Friday 25 September

Term 3 Concludes

These are the most popular series to read from the library. All are available for you to borrow.

'Cherub'

A series of teenage spy novels written by English author Robert Muchamore.

'Amulet'

An American graphic novel series illustrated and written by Kazu Kibuishi.

'Ranger’s Apprentice'

A series written by Australian author John Flanagan. 

'Diary of a Wimpy Kid'

A series of fiction books written by the American author and cartoonist Jeff Kinney.

'Skulduggery Pleasant' 

A series of fantasy novels written by Irish author Derek Landy.

Need a good laugh? Some movie suggestions for you to watch on Clickview.

'Shrek' Rated PG

A mean Lord exiles fairytale creatures to the swamp of a grumpy ogre, who must go on a quest and rescue a princess for the lord in order to get his land back.

'Grandpa’s Great Escape' Rated PG

Jack (Kit Connor) decides to help his Grandpa (Sir Tom Courtenay), a World War II flying ace, who now suffers from Alzheimer's disease, escape from an old folks' home run by Miss Dandy (Jennifer Saunders), who has ulterior motives.

Book club is open to all students and takes place in the Study room every lunchtime on Thursday. You are welcome to bring your lunch and share your latest read with like minded students.

The Library Committee operates on Wednesday at lunchtime in the study room and welcomes all students interested in the overall library.

Sally Thomson

I would like to remind all Senior School boys that they are invited to take part in our Knox Track and Field Meet Series from this Saturday at Gillespie Field. Despite there being no official CAS Track and Field Season due to COVID-19, Knox is determined to push ahead with an internal Track and Field Series to support their physical and mental health.

The event will take the form of a ‘Nitro Challenge’, with boys invited to take part in a series of individual and team events, which will be a lot of fun.

Senior School boys should arrive at 10am for training (hurdles, sprints, middle distance, javelin, discus, long and high jump) followed by the Nitro Challenge from 11.30am to 1pm. Boys are also welcome to simply attend the training session at 10am, or just the Nitro event, boys are not required to attend both sessions unless they desire.

The events are taking place each Saturday until Week 8 (Saturday 5 September, Saturday 12 September). A reminder, we are unfortunately unable to have any parent spectators on-site due to COVID-19 protocols. Please drop-off your son and return to collect him at the end of the session.

For more information, please contact Mr Matt Fowler, Head of Athletics.

Martin Haywood, Head of Knox Sports and Aquatic Academy

On Tuesday, our 20 mentor representatives met to brainstorm and work on the Virile Agitur Man Creed.

We were lucky to be entertained by another group of Year 9 students for a lunchtime concert this week.