That doesn’t mean, however, that the big things didn’t happen this past week – they absolutely did, and it is important to acknowledge them. Our string and orchestra ensembles competed in the Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival last weekend and all ensembles were awarded GOLD! Congratulations to our Junior String Ensemble, our Concert Strings and our Prep Symphony Orchestra for their commitment to excellence and for their outstanding achievements last weekend. For the first time, we have completely swept the pool in terms of this competition, with all bands and all string ensembles winning gold – a truly amazing feat!

Other outstanding achievements this week:

-          We had a number of boys who were awarded prizes in the STANSW Young Scientist Awards last weekend. Mr Fabian will write about these boys in a separate article

-          Cameron Bogle (1st) and Charlie Stammers (2nd) awarded places in the Novice March section of the Knox Highland Gathering – congratulations!

-          Leon Li in Year 6, who performed admirably at the PSSA Golf Championships and has qualified to represent NSW at the School Sports Australia Championships in Queensland in November

So, another big week at Prep! Thank you to our parents – everything our boys achieve is not only a result of their commitment and talent, but also yours, for they have to get where they need to be, in the right gear, with the right equipment, and that’s no mean feat!

Worldwide, there is glaring evidence that overzealous parents’ quests for success - and unbending insistence on perfection - wreak havoc on a child’s happiness, mental and physical health, and overall well-being. Over time, a child will walk away from the parent who demands that task after task be completed without mistake.

The overwhelmingly negative effects of unrealistic pressure on children illuminate the growing problem of sacrificing a child’s wellbeing in the name of academic performance. There are skills necessary for fostering productive members of society other than adhering to rigorous academic standards. Healthy wellbeing contributes to better productivity and intra-personal skills which will enable your son to contribute meaningfully and happily to society.

Dates for the Diary

12 Sept            1E + 1G Assembly

13 Sept            K-2 Mini World Cup Rugby

19 Sept            1K + 1D Assembly

20 Sept            K-2 Chapel Service

                        Yr 2 Cupcake Stall

                        K-2 Sport Day

Wk 10              K-2 Swimming

• "Make robot arms to pull it out”

• "Dig a hole, put a seesaw down, then put 100kg on the end to get it out”

• "Tie a rope around the top of the turnip and to a tree. Then I’d chop the tree down away from the turnip to sling-shot the turnip out of the ground”.

• "The jet is flying. It has a rope and an arrow and can catch the turnip. As the jet goes forward, the turnip is pulled out”.

This has led us to closely wonder about the many objects and activities in our everyday lives that use push and pull. We are curious to find out more!

When asked about why they enjoy using Seesaw, the boys responded with the following answers:

• I enjoy using Seesaw because I can speak to my parents about what I found easy and what I found hard

• I love it when my parents are really proud of my work and comment

• I like reflecting on my work

• I like looking at things I did a long time ago and remembering how much fun the year has been

• I like that our teacher takes photos of our learning

• I like that we choose what goes on our Seesaw

• I get to show what I know

The Year 1 teachers would like to thank the parents for providing feedback and being so involved in the process of using Seesaw. The app has assisted us in developing stronger relationships between our School and the parent community while providing opportunities for student agency.

We are well underway this term with our Tinkering Towards Tomorrow unit. If you have pictures of any old toys from your childhood could you please send them in so that we can discuss the purpose, energy and forces involved in using these toys.

The K-2 Mini World Cup will be held this Friday afternoon. The boys have been practising really hard with their rugby skills and we can’t wait to see them compete in their house colours representing various countries.

Last Friday all Year Three students explored an area of the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park as part of our current Knoxigations unit of inquiry, ‘Rivers Sustain Life’. Both students and staff were treated to a spectacular day of sunshine as the boys learnt about the importance of local river systems, the role that they play within specific ecosystems and the impact that our everyday actions can have on protecting rivers for future generations to enjoy.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank each of the Year Three classes and parents for their continued support in providing meals this term for our community service initiative, ‘The Dish’. As I am sure you can appreciate, these have been very warmly received by those members of our community who are in considerable need.

Dates for the diary
• Friday 27 September – Term 3 concludes
If you have any queries with upcoming events, please do not hesitate to contact your son’s classroom teacher or Mr Glenn Stephenson.

The Year 3 team hopes you have another enjoyable week.

We encourage all the boys to make sure they get a good night’s sleep and eat a healthy breakfast.

NSW CIS Athletics Championships

Good luck to Owen Dixon, Lukas Dunn and James Lynch who will be competing at the NSW CIS Athletics Championships this Thursday! We look forward to hearing all about it.

• Settlement planner
• BioDome Scientist
• Exercise Physiologist
• Transport Engineer
• Habitat Architect 

The boys attended Master classes and then got together with their group to present their ideas. Each member of the group needed to listen to what the peer roles needed, in order to build a successful colony.  With this only being a one day task, we were so impressed with what the boys produced at the end of the day.

Compassion In Action

This week we have completed more of our Compassion In Action project at school. Our Year 5 boys are presently embarking on their Global Changemakers Knoxigations unit, which has been created on the basis of the Compassion in Action initiative that has been done in past years. The big difference this year, is that all of the work has been done at school and the boys have worked together to come to a deep understanding of what compassion is and how it can be acted upon. The aim of the project is to provide a hands-on insight into how we can show compassion in practical ways. The boys have been given two options to support – Week Without Words or The Children’s Hospital and Westmead. We look forward to sharing the link to the footage with you. 

This Thursday, the boys will be heading up to the Senior School for their first Year 7 Orientation Day. We encourage the boys to put their best foot forward and to go out of their way to welcome some of the new boys who are entering the Knox school gates for the first time. The Year 6 Staff will be present on Thursday morning to help the boys settle in at the Great Hall.  

The boys are most excited about the upcoming Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day next Thursday. We have busily prepared special items that the boys will be sharing on the day. Just a reminder that the boys will meet their Grandparent/Special friend at 10:00am and they will begin the day with a tour of the School and their classroom. Guests will then head to the Auditorium for a special assembly with a variety of performances from the boys. We will conclude with morning tea on Ireland Field provided by the School. This should be a very exciting day! Just a reminder that all boys are required to wear their full school uniform not their sports uniform on this day. 

Lastly was our esteemed Prep Orchestra. This is always a tricky section as many primary schools only have separate String and Band programs as it is very difficult to have these two instrumental groups playing together when they usually both perform in entirely different keys. We are very proud to have an Orchestra in the Prep school and yesterday they captured the ‘orchestral sound’ perfectly in their performance and also justifiably achieved a GOLD award for their captivating performance. 

We are all very proud of our clever String and Orchestral players and just how far they have come and improved their standard of playing over the years. Looking forward to hearing everything they will continue to achieve in the future.

Ms Lindsay Irik, Director of Strings (K-12)

Prep Dubbo Tour Showcase and Information Evening

On Thursday 19 September from 6.00pm -7.00pm we will be holding a concert and information evening for all parents and boys who are attending the Dubbo tour. This will be held in the Prep Auditorium. At this concert we will have both the Performance Ensemble and the Concert Strings perform part of their tour repertoire. After the concert I will hand out the final itinerary and 'What to Pack' booklets for students and they will also receive their tour shirt! The tour shirt is the Year 7 PDHPE shirt that boys will wear in Year 7 (we decided to use this for the tour as well to save parents money). If your son already has one of these (due to having an older brother) please email Miss Morris ASAP and I will organise for your son to not be billed for the tour shirt. ALL boys will be required to wear this shirt for the duration of the tour and are expected to be at the concert on Thursday 19 September.

K-2 Winners

Equal First:   Luca Pica, Harrison Luu and Austen An - BrightBin

BrightBin uses a micro:bit with ultrasonic and light sensors to automatically illuminate recycling bins at night. The device tells people what should go in each bin and when it is approaching full capacity.

Oscar Fairhurst, Bowen Gozdzialski and Christian Strumendo - R.C.B.O.C. (River Cleaner, Bowen, Oscar, Christian)

The R.C.B.O.C uses a Sphero, Lego EV3 robot and custom-built conveyor belt to collect floating rubbish from polluted waterways. The device can be controlled by an iPad which allows the user to steer the R.C.B.O.C in the direction of rubbish.

3-4 Winners

Equal First: Oliver Schlosser and Jackson Macdonald - WaterBot

A device that works by using a soil moisture sensor attached to a robot which is programmed using a micro:bit. This invention will help farmers who are in desperate need of water by finding areas of moist soil on a farm.

Mitchell Whiley and Kingston Rahme - RobotHead

A handheld device that works by using a gesture sensor to detect a blind person’s hand movements. The device can provide audio feedback of certain measurements like the time, date and distance from object.

Highly Commended: Brendan Li - HandyAndy

A device that can pick up and grip objects to assist people with arthritis or other hand injuries. Handy Andy uses a Lego EV3 robot and a remote control to open and close a custom-built claw.

Congratulations to all boys involved!

1on1 Sessions 

Every Wednesday from 3:30pm-6pm, boys have the opportunity to book into 1 on 1 debating training sessions with our expert coaches. This is a fantastic opportunity for boys to get personalised coaching, during which they can get support with the particular areas of debating and public speaking that they are struggling with. Bookings can be made here.

Legacy Badge Day – This Friday 6 September
Congratulations to the year 10 boys who so courageously and enthusiastically sold badges in Wahroonga last Friday. Well done, gentlemen! The boys collected almost $700 as they interacted in the local shops and with local train travellers on the day.   Thank you to  Year 10 students Shiv Suresh, Dylan Zhang; Brian Cheng; Rudy Harricks; Lachie Reeve; Jack Craig; Will Feather; Tom Osborne; Matt Taylor; Seb Henriksen; Felix Hann and Nick Shannon.

RUOK? Day - Thursday 12 September
Wrist bands and cupcakes will be sold tomorrow to support and remind us to ask RUOK? PLEASE REMIND YOUR BOYS TO BEING SOME CASH TO SUPPORT THE DAY.
Cupcakes $3
RUOK Wrist Bands $3
This important day is a poignant reminder to all of us to check in with each other and check if others are OK.  It is the national day of action dedicated to reminding everyone that every day is the day to ask, “Are you ok?” and support those struggling with life's ups and downs. This year we want everyone to: Trust the Signs Trust your gut and Ask R U OK?  Read more here.

Stop the Traffik
The Social Justice Club is promoting this activity and challenges us all to make ethical purchases in tea, coffee, chocolate, seafood and clothing to ensure that the supply chain of products does not support or include modern slavery. There are a lot of posters created by the Social Justice Club, around the School highlighting the realities of the devastating exploitation of modern slavery. Please support this initiative.

The Justice Conference - Years 9-11
The Justice Conference is on the 15-16 November in Melbourne. The boys have the opportunity to immerse themselves in big world issues such as poverty, human trafficking; Aboriginal reconciliation issues, the ethics of Aid funding, impact of gender inequality in the developing world etc. Expressions of interest are to be made here.

Social Justice Clubs
The Social Justice Club meets each Friday at lunch time in room KCC101 and nearby classrooms. The Club is both social and proactive for all boys who want to serve others and make a difference. There are opportunities to participate in outback and overseas Immersions as well as many school and community based activities.

National Recycling Week
Over the past two years we have developed a student led recycling and sustainability program. The boys are passionate about furthering their fellow students’ commitment to this program. We are working towards a week of recycling events for National Recycling Week. Speak to your son about the importance of recycling and being mindful of reducing individual waste. We will be adding to the committee, so please encourage your son to contact me to join the KGS Recycling Committee.

Just Parents - working for Social Justice
Thank you to those parents that have registered their interest. We aim to have the roles as hands-on and interactive as we further embed the Knox Social Justice program across the whole community. If you would like to join, please contact Helen Clarke.

To qualify, upfront full year payments must be made for a minimum of one year and the payments must be made by 31 October in the year before your payment program begins. Payments will only be accepted by direct funds transfer or cheque (credit card or Bpay payments are not permitted for this program).

Details of the Fees in Advance Program can be found here on the Knox website. Alternatively, you might like to discuss this in confidence with Betty Fowler from the School’s Accounts Department on 9487 0442.

Battle of Britain Service

On Sunday 8 September, a small band represented Knox Pipes and Drums at the Battle of Britain Service at The Garrison Church in The Rocks. This is an annual event for the Pipe Band.

This service is held every year and marks the remarkable victory, and loss of life, by pilots and aircrew during the Battle of Britain in 1940 and is an occasion to give thanks for their service and sacrifice.

The Battle of Britain was the first major campaign to be fought entirely in the skies.  The conflict brought together a truly multinational force comprising 574 British, 139 Poles, 98 New Zealanders, 86 Canadians, 84 Czechoslovakians, 29 Belgians, 21 Australians, 20 South Africans, 13 French, 10 Irish plus others from the USA, Jamaica, Palestine and Southern Rhodesia.

The boys piped the banners into the service and played Highland Cathedral during the service.

2019 Legacy Day at Chatswood Mall

On Friday 6 September, the Pipes and Drums Highland Band were invited by the Chatswood Division of Legacy to play at Chatswood Mall in support of Legacy Week.  Legacy Week is Australia’s iconic fundraising campaign which began in 1942, more commonly known as Badge Day.  Legacy Week is a national appeal held annually to fundraise for the families of our incapacitated and deceased Veterans.

The band performed twice for 20 minutes each time.  An appreciative crowd gathered around to enjoy the performance.

2019 Knox Highland Gathering – Prep Students

On Sunday 8 September, two Prep School pipers participated in the Knox Highland Gathering Solo Contest which took place on Knox 1 – Cameron Bogle and Charlie Stammers. 

Cameron placed first in the Novice March event and Charlie Stammers placed second in the same event.

Congratulations to both pipers.  It was a very successful day.

CAS Invitational #4
We are getting towards the business end of the season with the fourth of five CAS/GPS Invitationals held over the weekend. It was great to see a number of students reconnect with the Track & Field program, with first runs for Nathan Blayney, Tony Neufeld-Nelson and Benji Allen (Y8), Cooper Stormonth, Ed Ogilvy (Y10), Ollie Evans (Y11) Nathan Taylor and Tom Constable (Y12) and the first jump for Sam Nicholl (Y11) who equalled his School record of 1.90m from the Track & Field Champs in April.

Sprints
Callum Janjis (Y7), who has been giving everything a go, did a great job in the 13 Years hurdles, running a top 2 season best for Knox in a time of 17.98s. This was closely followed by Jack Slater (Y7) in a time of 18.07s. Nathan Blayney (Y8) impressed with a season best 15.57s for the 100m hurdles.

Benji Allen and Tony Heufeld-Nelson (Y8) also returned to the track to run a blistering dead heat for the season best of 25.94s.

Michael Dibiase (Y 9) had a solid return from a hamstring niggle to run a blistering 23.43s for the 200m event. Just two 100th of a second off the Knox season best. This was closely followed by Alex Sherlock in a time of 23.96 in a very strong age group for Knox. This result was reversed in the 100m, with Alex Sherlock running 11.48 and Michael running 11.62s.

Cooper Stormonth (Y10) returned from a busy football season to run a fast 23.34 s for the 16 Years 200m. This was backed up by Daniel Lum (Y11), who continues to improve, running 23.48s in the 17 Years 200m on his return from illness. Archie Dwyer (Y10) was also blistering on the track, running 11.37s in the 100m event.

Nick Boyd (Y12) also continues to improve in his sprints, running his first ever 200m race in a time of 24.27. This was slightly bettered by School Captain, Tom Constable, who ran a 23.78s for the Opens 200m.

In his return to the track, Nathan Taylor ran an impressive 15.6s in the Opens 110m hurdles, ably supported by Morgan Singleton in a time of 19.07s.

Dylan Hall (Y7) cracked the 12 second mark in the 13 years 100m event, running a blistering 11.82s.

Nathanael Sherlock ran the second best time for a Knox runner in the 14 years 100m event, finishing in a time of 12.78s. This was followed soon after by a host of other Year 8 runners in Hugo Walters, who finished in a time of 12.78s, Tony Neufueld-Nelson in 12.84s and Beau Morrison in 12.94s.

Colin Ojah (Y11) continues to improve, running a season best of 11.21s for the 17 Years 100m.

Ollie Evans (Y12) transferred his speed on the wing from the rugby pitch into a 11.39 in the 100m Opens event, which would have seen him win the 100m division event last year!

Jumps
In the jumps, Charlie Anderson (Y9) continues to improve, with a new PB of 1.73m in the high jump.

Beau Morrison (Y8) is looking to be a real all-rounder for the Track & Field team, jumping 4.88m in the long jump.

Charlie Sherlock (Y9), returning from a wrist injury, jumped an impressive 1.7m, closely followed by relative newcomer, Josh Harty (Y9), who jumped 1.65m.

Throws
Lachie Bill (Y9) continues to impress in the throws with a PB in the discus (34.66m), javelin and shot put (12.1m) on the weekend!

John Hunter (Y12) continues to creep ever closer to the magical 50m mark (and CAS record) with a throw of 45.76m in the opens discus and 49.73m in the 17 Years. John was ably supported by James Coughlin (Y10), who also had a throw with the 1.75kg discus in the opens event, throwing a respectable 32.7m.

Sam Langridge (Y8) threw a season best in the javelin with a solid throw of 29.38m, backing this up with a season best of 12.05m in the shot put. Newcomer, Adam Hussain (Y12), also throw out a 25.54m throw with the 700g javelin in the Opens event, after plenty of practice at training.

Jack Harty (Y9) is also creeping closer to the 30m mark in the javelin, throwing 28.84m.

All-rounder, Benji Allen (Y9), threw out a season best 11.9m in the 14 Years shot-put.

Middle Distance
The middle distance team were out in force with 15 runners in the 1500m and 13 runners in the 800m events.

The team all ran well with six big PBs in the 1500m and 3 PBs in the 800m. It was great to see the Opens team out in force cheering on the younger age groups, then working together in their races.

One of the most impressive runs of the day came from Chester Swaffer in Year 6. As a prep student, it is quite rare to run in the CAS/GPS Invitationals, but after an impressive IPSHA campaign Chester was invited to come up for a run. Chester managed to hold his own against the older boys as the youngest competitor in the race, finishing in the top 8 in a time of 2:31.16s, backing this up later in the afternoon with a 1500m in a time of 5:03.7.

Josh Harty (Y8) running a blistering 2:19.23 in the 800m, with Dom Goddard (Y10) ran a great time in the 15 Years 800m, finishing in a time of 2:14.20. Justin Nelson (Y11) continues his transition into a sprinter/mid distance runner, completing a season best in the 16 Years 800m in a time of 2:15.62. This was backed up by Ed Ogilvy (Y10) who finished in a time of 2:17.04.

The top three times for Knox in the 17 Years 800m were all recorded on the weekend, with Mitch Westhuizen (2:01.35), Harry Taylor (2:06.35), Rich Hildebrand (2:14.54) all running fast times.

In the 1500m, Ollie Davey ran a season best 1500m in a time of 4:54.90. In the 16 Years, Sam Reeves ran a blistering 1500m in a time of 4:31.18.

Fencing
Congratulations to Ethan Low, Kaixing Yang, Dominic Lee who won Bronze medals in the Schools' Fencing League last week and to Fergus Andrew, Oscar Small, Toby Lawson, Lachlan Chaing for winning Silver medals. Great effort boys. Special awards went to Lachlan Chiang for the 2nd most victories in the u/14 epee team premiership 2019 and to our u/14 epee team for the 3rd most victories in 2019.

Congratulations to Callum Waland winning the boys under 12 NSW orienteering schools championships held in the Southern Highlands at the weekend in the Bush discipline. Ewan Shingler has also been named co-captain of the NSW Schools orienteering team that will compete at the Australian champs in the coming school holidays. Well done boys.

The NSWPSSA Golf Championships were held in Blackheath last week with the CIS Team consisting of eight boys and four girls competing in an 18 Hole Team Ambrose competition and a 36 hole Stroke competition.

Leon Li, Year 6 was part of the CIS team putting in some strong performances over the three days. Leon finished equal 8th overall from a field of 65 golfers. As a result, Leon has been selected in the State team to compete at Nationals in Queensland in November. An amazing achievement!

Last Friday saw the start of a three-week Friday afternoon Spring Challenge AFL Cup competition run by NSWACT AFL played between Barker, Knox, Grammar St Ives, Mosman Prep, Redlands and St Pius. The competition is designed to encourage boys to try AFL in a fun and safe environment. Our four teams played well for their first hit out finishing the day with mixed results.

This Friday 13 September is the K-2 Mini World Cup Rugby afternoon. Boys will be involved in a variety of rugby skills and games whilst representing their country. Burns-Australia; Ewan-Scotland; Fuller-Japan, Haslett-New Zealand and Lang-Ireland. Come along and support the boys in their fun day.

Opening ceremony at 1.30pm, games and activities from 1.40pm-2.30pm and the Closing Ceremony at 2.35pm. Special guests are Cameron Clarke and Lachlan Swinton Knox Old Boys and Australian Rugby representatives.

Learn to Row Holiday Camp for Year 6 Knox Boys
Following on from our first successful Learn to Row Holiday Camp last holidays, we are pleased to offer another Camp this October holidays:

• North Shore Rowing Club on the beautiful Lane Cove River at Longueville
• Tuesday 8 October to Friday 11 October (excluding Monday 7 October which is a public holiday)
• Start times at 7.30am or 8am, for two hours per session, except day 1 will be a double session of 4 hours
• Ideally seeking 5 to 10 boys to participate. Where there are more boys than seats, boys will ride with the coaches in the tinnies and regularly swap on-water
• In the event of extreme weather - no make-up session, unfortunately
• Cost of $250 per boy
• Boys need to be a minimum of 45kg and 160cm (no exceptions)

Please contact organiser Michael Riley or phone 0404 427265.

Registration of interest required by Monday 23 September.

Have a great week everyone. Go the Black & Blue!