The Thistle – 2023 Headmaster's Review

THE Thistle

HEADMASTER’S REVIEW

23

HSC High Achievers

Knox ranked 11th in the Sydney Morning Herald Top 150 Schools Report

Academic Highlights

Knox was the top performing fully comprehensive boys’ school in NSW

2023

REVIEW

Prep School Campuses

Helping guide young children to become the best version of themselves

Established in 1924, Knox Grammar School offers an innovative approach to education within a caring environment. Knox, a leading Australian day and boarding school, aims to develop children into young people of faith, wisdom, integrity, compassion and courage. Knox is a Uniting Church School and operates three campuses: Knox Preparatory (K-6 boys), Wahroonga Preparatory (Pre-K to Year 6 girls and boys), and Knox Senior School (Years 7-12 day boys and boarders).

ON THE FRONT COVER

2023 School Captain Angus Wines presented the Vote of Thanks to the School at the Year 12 Valedictory Ceremony.

KNOX SOCIAL MEDIA

facebook.com/knoxgrammar

instagram.com/knoxgrammar

linkedin.com/school/knox-grammar-school vimeo.com/knoxgrammarschool

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This edition of The Thistle Headmaster’s 2023 Review was prepared by Eileen Aroyan, Publications Manager, Knox Grammar School.

Proofreading by Lucy Walker and Amy Lees. Design by Danielle Fairhurst. Photography by Nick Stewart, Knox staff, Tech Crew, students and parents.

PRINT

The Thistle Headmaster’s 2023 Review is printed by SKS Printing (www.sksprinting.com.au) on ISO accredited Neo Matt. Neo Matt is manufactured using wood fibre from sustainable forests and made from elemental chlorine-free bleached pulp.

GET IN TOUCH

Knox Grammar School PO Box 5008

Wahroonga NSW 2076 AUSTRALIA

Telephone (02) 9487 0122

ABN: 54 645 113 104

CRICOS Provider Code: 00399E www.knox.nsw.edu.au

04

FROM THE HEADMASTER

Our youth’s sense of citizenship is a testament to their commitment to building a world that stands on the pillars of empathy, responsibility, and compassion

06

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

Congratulations to the Class of 2023 for ranking Knox 11th in the state

22 PREPARATORY SCHOOLS

The tools we use to understand individual needs have made truly personalised learning possible

26 BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

The School’s commitment to providing students with a holistic education is seen through our broad range of co-curricular offerings

13 CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS

Using cutting edge technologies across the curriculum has enhanced student learning

CREATING WELL-ROUNDED

individuals poised for success

Character development is a cornerstone of a Knox education

As we reflect on the past year, we are reminded of the countless hours of dedication, the determination, and the pursuit of quality that has brought us to this moment. Young men have not only excelled in their academic pursuits, but have also displayed exceptional talent and skill in a myriad of fields, be it in the arts, sports, co-curricular, community service, or leadership.

When our great school was founded in 1924, it was at a time when feelings of optimism were strong in people’s vision of the future. Our founding Headmaster, Neil MacNeil, often spoke and wrote about a theme which endures to this day and which I believe has provided the solid foundation of a distinctively Knox approach – optimism.

It is said that the true test of a young man’s character is how he acts when no one is looking, for in those moments, his character reveals its authentic self, untainted by external influences or expectations.

In essence, our youth’s sense of citizenship is a testament to their commitment to building a world that stands on the pillars of empathy, responsibility, and compassion. This gives me a strong sense of optimism.

A commitment to integrity and a strong ethical foundation is one of our most important priorities here at Knox and

educating students about how to become a good man informs every aspect of the day. Boys learn that there are clear expectations to do what is right. They also learn that there are many paths to becoming a good man.

As an all-boys Uniting Church school, we view Christian faith as of infinite importance as we support the spiritual growth of each student through the Uniting Church faith. Young men explore their values and establish a foundation for making responsible decisions. They explore their own definitions of self, who they are and who they want to become. They learn to forge healthy relationships and they step out of their comfort zone to explore their full potential.

My colleagues are passionate about encouraging young men to grow at their own pace. They celebrate a young man’s unique characteristics and strengths, and they take seriously their responsibility to foster and nurture boys to become the good men they are meant to be. The commitment of my colleagues to the growth and wellbeing of young men is significant.

To manage the scale and complexity of Knox, robust governance is both vital and central to ensuring the School meets its statutory obligations. As we approach the end of the 2023 academic year, I would like to recognise and thank the School Council.

Members of Council have an unwavering attention to care. They care about education, they care about Knox being the best it can be as a place of learning, and they care about the next generation and the future of the community.

The Council’s dedication to our School’s mission to be an exemplary Uniting Church School and the wellbeing of our students has been instrumental in shaping the educational experience at Knox. Their guidance and support has played a vital role in shaping the School’s five-year Strategic Direction.

Character development is a cornerstone of a Knox education, and the influence of parents in this regard cannot be overstated. Parents instil moral and ethical values, shaping their sons into responsible, compassionate, and principled young men. The character nurtured at home complements the guidance and mentorship provided by our School, to create well-rounded individuals poised for success.

Each day, students are preparing for their roles in a globally connected world, and the collaborative efforts of staff, School Council, the Uniting Church and parents all play integral roles in shaping their readiness for the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.

As we prepare to close another school year, planning for centenary celebrations continues. 2024 will be an opportunity for all of us to reflect on our history, celebrate our achievements, and set our sights on a future filled with even greater promise.

Scott James, Headmaster

MR SCOTT JAMES

Headmaster of Knox Grammar School

Extracts from the Headmaster’s Address at Years 7-11 Presentation Day

99.95

85%

93

The

56

Students

Students

157

Students

Students

TOP ATAR OF 99.95

Jacob Johnstone

NSW EDUCATION STANDARDS AUTHORITY

TOP ACHIEVERS LIST (TOP 20 IN NSW)

Nineteen boys (including two accelerated students) were placed on the NSW Education Standards Authority’s (NESA) Top Achievers List for achieving one of the highest places in an HSC course.

Ancient History

Jacob Johnstone – 6th

Business Studies

Cheuk (Brian) Lau – 7th

Drama

Blake Roder – 2nd

English EAL/D

Jiahe (Frank) Fan – 4th

Zhihui (Bill) Lu – 9th

Economics

Joel Jacobson – 7th

Jacob Johnstone – 2nd

Hugh Latimer – 1st

Cheuk (Brian) Lau – 6th

English Extension 1

Jacob Johnstone – 1st

Japanese Beginners

Thomas Simpson – 2nd

Legal Studies

Hanwei Chong – 11th

Matthew Clayton – 7th

Jacob Johnstone – 1st

Brendan Milobara – 16th

Keshav Shankar – 6th

Angus Wines – 2nd

Mathematics Advanced

Zachary Ni (Year 11) – 6th

Mathematics Extension 2

Jinyao (Daniel) Zhang (Year 11) – 4th

Mathematics Standard 2

Kai Lugg – 18th

Hugo Walters – 19th

Personal Development, Health and Physical Education

Jayden Yiu – 12th

Yuze (Andy) Zhang – 20th

Visual Arts

Jacob Johnstone – 7th

ALL-ROUNDER HONOUR LIST (ACHIEVING 90 OR HIGHER IN BEST 10 UNITS)

Fifty-six boys were placed on the NSW Education Standards Authority’s (NESA) All-round Achievers Merit List for achieving 90 or higher in their best ten units.

James Bradford

Aaron Chen

Malachi Chen

Mo (Max) Chen

Hanwei Chong

Matthew Clayton

Edward Deane

Campbell Deng

Jasper Derwent

Jiahe (Frank) Fan

Ethan Florio-Yen

Jude Glendining

Christopher Goh

Yiming Guo

Justin Han

Jacob Johnstone

Wang (Jason) Kay

Alex Kidston

Ching (Ethan) Lam

Hugh Latimer

Cheuk (Brian) Lau

Jeongkeun (Jake) Lee

Jiahua (Thomas) Leng

James Li

Kaichen (Luke) Lu

Zhihui (Bill) Lu

Veer Mehta

Conor Milliken

Brendan Milobara

Beau Morrison

Quang (Peter) Nguyen

Nathaniel Ooi

Daniel Park

Blake Roder

Daniel Rose

Sachin Sen Gupta

Keshav Shankar

Daniel Sherlock

Renjie (Ross) Shi

Thomas Simpson

Ayan Towhid

Louis Tsui

Adam Uttley

Oliver Verheul

Jack Wallis

Connor Watkins

Sean Williams

Angus Wines

Eric Yang

Jayden Yiu

Mark Yun

Wilson Zhang

Yuze (Andy) Zhang

Victor Zhao

Roy Zhou

Zekai (Ody) Zhou

University Entry CLASS OF 2023

Interest in combined degrees continued at Knox with the Class of 2023 following this trend of recent years.

Students recognise the value in combining their interests and passion into their qualification with a focus on expanding their skillset. Courses in engineering and the business sector have again been popular with science also a strong choice for further study and career progression. A new area for students is exploring the university pathway through diplomas and undergraduate certificates offered by university colleges, as well as interest in studying overseas.

Based on the UAC offers, the four Sydneybased universities are still the preferred places for study in 2023 with University of NSW the most popular choice for this cohort, followed by the University of Sydney.

The Class of 2023 actively took part in applying for early entry as many universities offered direct entry into courses during early offer rounds. A total of 36% of reported offers received by students were via various early entry programs including Schools Recommendation Scheme (SRS) and direct early entry programs (e.g. University of Technology Sydney, Macquarie University’s Leaders and Achievers and the Western Sydney University’s HSC True Rewards). It is important to note that Australian National University direct offers and early entry schemes from Charles Sturt University, University of Wollongong, University of New England and Australian Catholic Uuniversity are not shown in this data. Overall, it is interesting to observe the increase in the number of offers given to students directly from universities, with students applying for and securing early course offers.

Multiple course offerings from universities was also the focus for the Class of 2023. A total of 44% of students received multiple offers across the various UAC offer rounds, including SRS, highlighting the mindset of choice when considering their career paths.

Overall, 95% of students from the Class of 2023 received an offer from UAC. The importance of higher education as a path to future success is reflected in this cohort.

TERTIARY COURSES 2023

33

21

12

UNIVERSITIES 2023

07 Australian Catholic University

08 Australian National University*

05 Fee-paying colleges (ACPE, ICMS, SAE, Torrens)

01 La Trobe University

106 Macquarie University

24 NSW Regional (Charles Sturt University, Griffith University, University of Newcastle, University of Wollongong, University of New England)

05 University of Canberra

02 University of Notre Dame

168 University of NSW

139 University of Sydney

94 University of Technology Sydney

08 Western Sydney University

567 UAC offers from these institutions

567 UAC offers in these disciplines

Reflections

MEMBERS OF THE CLASS OF 2023 SHARE HOW KNOX HAS INSPIRED THEIR SCHOOLING JOURNEYS

ISAAC STALLAN

“Isaac is a confident public speaker and has represented clubs and the prefect body in speaking at Year Meetings, whole of School Assemblies and Chapel Services. This is supported by his constant commitment to his portfolio and helping to run aspects of the portfolio and speaking engagements,” said Mr Hayden Smith (mentor).

As well as leading a team within his portfolio, Isaac credits his involvement in co-curricular activities at Knox for further shaping his personal growth. His passion for music led to his involvement in the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and other junior bands. This experience left him with a better understanding of himself, he said, as well

as introduced him to many lifelong friends. He also credits Mr Alec Openshaw as a pivotal figure whose support and mentoring encouraged his academic and personal pursuits at Knox.

“Knox has afforded me invaluable opportunities to cultivate my role as Prefect for the Faith and Spirituality portfolio,” said Isaac. “The guidance and mentorship of teachers such as Rev Rose, Rev Sam, and Mr Will Feather have also played a significant role in my development,” he added.

Following the HSC, Isaac intends to study Law at university. He hopes through his studies of higher education, to find a connection between law and entrepreneurship.

YUK SING (ACHILLE) FONG

Achille credits Knox for providing opportunities that have helped him to continue and develop his passion for music. He says that the annual Battle of the Bands was an event that he always looked forward to, along with the performance opportunities at Gala Day, Year Meetings and Assemblies. Boarding at Knox also allowed Achille the opportunity to perform in front of the community, which has further cemented his love of music.

Online learning was an interesting time for all, and Achille appreciated the constant contact that his team leaders and mentors maintained with him. As he was learning from overseas, he also appreciated the connection from the boarding community staff.

There are several staff members who he acknowledged for encouraging him with his pursuits at Knox. Mr Rob Ewan inspired his musical journey, while Mr Andrew Futcher and Mr Ivan Moore assisted him in academically in the Boarding House. He also credits Ms Aoife Heverin for supporting him as a mentor.

“Achille was a most capable and confident student, demonstrating a motivated approach to his learning and commitment to excellence. These qualities resulted in the achievement of awards in Contemporary Music Studies, as well as a ConneXions Award for his contribution and commitment to boarding,” said Ms Caroline Haselden (mentor).

Achille is looking to pursue a career in music after university as nothing gives him more happiness than performing on stage.

ALEXANDER KOSHY

Alex says his passion for volunteer work and Social Justice was due to the frequent opportunities at Knox to get involved with the wider community. Since Year 7, he has worked solidly to demonstrate proactive engagement across a range of Social Justice activities. He was awarded the position of Social Justice Prefect for 2022/23 where he enjoyed organising meetings for KEST (Knox Environmental Sustainability Team) and Social Justice initiatives.

Alex says that his proudest moment was raising close to $4,700 for the Leukaemia Foundation as part of the World’s Greatest Shave event.

As a Boarder, Alex felt a strong connection to his peers as well as staff. He always felt that he had someone to talk to at any time and after finishing his six-year journey at Knox with his fellow friends, there is an unbreakable bond that has formed. Highlights from his time at Knox include cherished times spent in the Boarding House – rallying around Rugby games, chatting with friends just before lights out, laughing with staff and the banter. Alex also credits Boarding staff including Mr Adam Shaw, Ms Judith McGhie, Mr Andrew Futcher and Mr Ivan Moore for encouraging him, giving advice and providing support regarding school.

“Alex participated in the Knox Grammar School Army Cadet Unit from 2019-2023, where he first joined as a recruit in Delta company. He was promoted to CPL, Warrant Officer Class Two and eventually CUO (Cadet Under Officer) where he was made the unit Quartermaster. In a Unit

Knox, particularly Boarding, has helped me to develop into the person I longed to become.

Alexander Koshy, Class of 2023

comprised of 1,300 members, Alex could always be relied upon to fulfil his duties and serve with flexibility and tenacity. He worked well within this team environment, rising to the many challenges presented to him. Notably, his leadership of the Quartermaster’s platoon during the 10-day AFX Camp in Lithgow was recognised by the prestigious award for the ‘Best Senior Platoon 2023’,” said Mr Paul Fiander (mentor).

“Knox, particularly Boarding, has helped me to develop into the person I longed to become,” said Alex.

While at university, he aims to be involved in a Rotary Club or similar organisation to continue his passion for volunteer work.

YI CHU (ETHAN) HUANG

An advocate for student engagement, Ethan credits his involvement in the MacPherson Mates program, as well as the Student-Led Wellbeing Conference and Global Leadership Summit, for allowing him opportunities to step out of his comfort zone and lead. Participating and being able to contribute positively as a Prefect for the Co-Curricular Portfolio, he says, has undoubtedly taught him a variety of skills in communication and mentoring. His involvement in Pipes and Drums also provided a complete immersion into Knox’s Scottish heritage and over the past six years, Ethan enjoyed domestic tours, performances and competitions. His other co-curricular activities extended to the Cadet Unit and Knox Academy of Performing Arts. Ethan particularly enjoyed playing the French horn as part of an ensemble.

Ethan acknowledged his KAI Mentor, Ms Samantha Lynch, for actively supporting this wide involvement across the School. He said that she encouraged him to act courageously, think critically and live resiliently. He recalled his fondest memory at Knox was the fourth day of the Cadet Annual Field Exercise this year. During that day, they hiked for six hours in the rain to mobilise to a new location. Morale was low and exhaustion crept up upon everyone. An unexpected visitor in Rev Sam then led them to sing ‘Ten Thousand Reasons’ with his guitar, and Ethan saw sombreness slowly transformed into smiles on everyone’s faces. He says that it was in that moment that they experienced the healing power of singing and embraced immense hope in adversity. “Ethan is an outstanding young man. He is an organised, talented and motivated student who supports his natural talents with a determination and passion to always give his best. He has a genuine, friendly nature that allows him to easily relate to others,” said Mr Paul Fiander (mentor).

Ethan hopes to study Law at university combined with studies in International Relations or Finance. He looking forward to maintaining a connection with the School through the OKGA.

SAMUEL STONE

Boarding at Knox has offered Sam an education that he wouldn’t have been able to access in his home town, he said, as the closest high school is over 100km away. He credits the close-knit community of Boarding for allowing him to develop lifelong friendships and support that encourages the boys to grow to their full potential. He believes that the access to the tutors each night helped him to perform to his academic best.

“Boarding has also allowed me to be able to try a myriad of sports throughout my time at school. I was able to build a connection to day boys and Boarders through sport. Boarding has been a big part of my life for the past six years and has helped shape me into the person I am today,” said Sam.

When he was a younger student, Sam highlighted the MacPherson Mates program as being extremely helpful to have an older student help him to navigate the School. In turn, when it was his time to apply, he wanted to also help assist younger boys connect with each other, as well as with their mentor and teachers.

Due to his passion for photography and videography, Sam got involved in the Tech Crew to further his knowledge and improve his expertise. He particularly enjoyed working behind the scenes to help produce livestream events. Sam also enjoyed his Cadets experience and credits this co-curricular opportunity for helping improve his communication and teamwork skills.

Sam highlights his Boarding experience as his fondest memories of the School, as well as playing Touch Football on Knox 1 and sitting with his mates in the Senior Academy.

“Sam is a diligent and conscientious young individual with a friendly disposition, displaying remarkable potential for his upcoming endeavours. His organisational skills and motivation drive him to consistently strive for his best,” said Mr Paul Fiander (mentor).

Sam plans to travel after the HSC for his gap year before looking to attend university to study Mechanical Engineering.

I feel that regardless of what I choose to do after Knox, I am well equipped to navigate the complexities of the world.

Hugo Walters, Class of 2023

HUGO WALTERS

Hugo credits the plethora of opportunities that were offered to him since Year 7 that have allowed for his continual growth in critical thinking as a leader. He said that he was privileged to be the Chairman in Years 7 and 8, as well as Head Prefect Wellbeing. By becoming good friends with his peers, he believes they have collectively developed empathy for common struggles and triumphs. This has led to a better understanding of the wellbeing of young men. Likewise, the Student-Led Wellbeing Conference provided plenty of interactions with a wide range of students. This event, he said, broadened his horizons beyond the scope of Knox as he truly appreciated the importance of a strong wellbeing network in high schools.

Hugo acknowledges School Psychologist and Assistant Head of School Psychology Mrs Melinda Price for encouraging him to make the best of the opportunities presented to him. He said that her unwavering dedication and enthusiasm for the Wellbeing Portfolio Leadership Team was what motivated him to work hard and achieve some amazing results with his fellow peers.

“Hugo’s role in orchestrating the 2023 Student-Led Wellbeing Conference involved him leading a team of prefects and 50 student leaders to research, plan, rehearse and enact one of the largest student-led events in Australia. Hugo not only organised activities for more than 200 students from dozens of schools, but also hosted the day on the microphone, showing his aptitude for public speaking,” said Mr Thomas Zagami (mentor).

His fondest memories of his time at Knox were the big CAS (Associated Schools of NSW) sporting fixtures to cheer on Knox as part of the Tartan Army – from the electric atmosphere at the Rugby and Basketball, to being part of the war cries wearing face paint as they supported the Black and Blue.

“I feel that regardless of what I choose to do after Knox, I am well equipped to navigate the complexities of the world. I hope to have some life experiences as I continue my studies,” said Hugo.

Curriculum HIGHLIGHTS

SENIOR SCHOOL

AGRICULTURE

Studying Agriculture in Stages 5 and 6 complements a variety of subjects including Science, Geography and Business Studies. Many students enjoy the hands-on nature of the course and the ability to put into practice what they learn. While some have farming experience, it was interesting to note that the majority of students who sat the HSC Agriculture course in 2023 were from a non-farming background.

A key feature of the Agriculture course is that it allows boys to further develop and understand the processes and opportunities for innovation. This is particularly important for those who are keen to contribute to efficient agriculture production in the future.

Technology is an important part of Agriculture and Year 12 students were fortunate to visit a robotic dairy on the NSW South Coast as part of their Farm Product Study. The students saw firsthand the implication of introducing robots to a dairy farm, leading to increased yield and quality

through less stressed cows. This innovation also offers farmers the ability to choose their own milking times and provides superior hygiene regimes. Other benefits are the instantaneous results of milk sampling and alerts to the manager while milking is in process. Students learnt about the growing need for more specialised Agricultural experts, as milking and other traditional tasks look to be outsourced to technology.

Agriculture students further explored topics on the science of food and fibre production, how knowledge can be applied to improve production to meet the needs of a growing population and how to ensure sustainability. The Knox Ag plot provides an excellent venue for students to apply what they have learnt through exercises, such as managing the flock of sheet and producing bountiful vegetable crops.

A highlight of the year was the Stage 5 group whose harvest used various forms of Hydroponic and Aquaponic systems that were designed and built by the students.

The many opportunities in Agriculture to be hands-on and to problem solve can be widely extended to careers beyond the boys’ time at Knox.

Students enjoy the ability to put into practice what they learn.

MATHEMATICS

Excellent competition results formed part of the Mathematics department highlights in 2023. The UNSW Mathematics Competition held in June saw 59 students contest this challenging and creative problem-solving event. Congratulations to the Senior Division awardees of Ethan Lam (Year 12 – Distinction), Jingni Liao (Year 11 – 3rd Place), Jason Miao (Year 11 – High Distinction), Edward Chen (Year 12 – Credit) and Jinyao Zhang (Year 11 – Credit). We also congratulate the Junior Division awardees of Bright Hu (Year 8), Ryan Wu (Year 8) and Nathan Zhou (Year 9) who all received Distinctions.

Jingni Liao and Jason Miao competed in the Australian Mathematical Olympiad Committee (AMOC) Senior Paper held in August. We congratulate both students who won Silver medals. As a result of this, they were then invited to the AMOC School of Excellence held at Newman College, University of Melbourne at the end of the year. From here, students are selected to be part of the Australian team to compete at the International Mathematical Olympiad to be held in Bath, the UK in July 2024.

This year, students also enjoyed the opportunity to participate in open-ended Mathematics Group Projects. Year 7 boys worked on Tourism involving Time Differences and Currency Exchanges, Year 8 boys worked on Aboriginal Art and Geometry, and Year 9 boys worked on Linear Regression Analysis in Human Anatomical Metrics.

This year teachers have been using tablet computers to reinforce learning and assist students who may be learning remotely.

Using the latest refined electronic pencils, teachers demonstrated written and graphical mathematical learning activities with the use of data projectors, allowing students to refer back to classwork with great ease.

The learning of Mathematics is fundamental to many exciting career paths. Knox is proud to provide a rigorous program and opportunities for further study through the NESA syllabus.

ENGLISH

In our second year of strategic improvement initiatives in HSC Standard English, the course continues to garner high levels of participation, engagement, and interest for a range of students. The course was buoyed by excellent internal assessment results which bodes well for further success in the HSC English Standard Examinations.

This year, Assistant Head of English Mrs Lavinia Duff proactively introduced new set texts, which afforded students new opportunities to study different books as part of the Year 11 English Extension course. The students were highly engaged with the study and developed their capacity to make connections and manipulate abstract ideas, focusing on how texts, culture and values manifest through time.

Composing analytical essay responses in English provides students with the opportunity to evaluate complex texts, unpack questions and to formulate a cohesive line of argument. This involves the highest level of Bloom’s Taxonomy,

a theoretical framework for learning, with students experimenting with evaluation, analysis, and explanation to create their own critical ideas.

To further enhance subject material in Year 9 English, Mr Alex Harris transported students to the city of Verona via the Knox iHub. Students were able to move through the townscape using the Virtual Reality and 360 degree technology, allowing for a deeper understanding of antiquity, Renaissance, and medieval periods as part of their study of William Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’.

It is through the study of literature that students can solidify, interrogate, and shape their own moral compass. For instance, studying William Shakespeare’s plays helps students to understand the dualities of human nature and reflect on their own lived experiences as part of a universal or transcendent human experience. This process enhances students’ appreciation of Shakespeare’s humanist philosophical reasoning and therefore, by evaluating a considered view of human potential and vice, allows each individual student to forge his own pathway beyond school with wisdom and courage.

GEOGRAPHY

One of the key roles of Geography is to inspire and invigorate students’ understanding and appreciation of the world around them – both the natural world and human environment. This is executed through work in the classrooms, fieldwork, participation in national competitions such as the Australian Geography Competition, and an incursion program.

One of the year’s highlights was Knox’s outstanding success in the 2023 Australian Geography Competition. More than 70,000 Years 7-12 students from over 700 schools participated. We congratulate Year 12 student, Luyi Jiang, who achieved first place in Australia. Collectively, Knox placed third which is an outstanding result.

At the end of the year the current Stage 6 program will be retired and a new Geography program introduced in 2024. Next year will introduce a new curriculum for Year 11 and in 2025 for Year 12. This is a great opportunity for staff to collaborate and create new and exciting programs and content for Knox students, as well as

collaborate with colleagues from other schools to further develop and enhance our excellent and engaging program.

The Geography fieldwork program continues to be a key feature of the Years 7-12 curriculum, with students participating in a myriad of activities. Some of these included a study an ecosystem at risk at Stockton Dunes at Anna Bay, coastal management at Cronulla, liveability at Sydney Olympic Park, urban renewal at Barangaroo, Warragamba Dam, and alpine studies at Kosciuszko National Park. The experiences, both on the field and in the classroom, challenge students to look at their world through a geographer’s lens to discern patterns, look for explanations of phenomena, and to look for direct and indirect implications. Boys look for viable, real-world solutions to the numerous ecological, environmental and social concerns and are encouraged to forge their own path beyond the gates of Knox. It is exciting to inspire the boys through the teachings of Geography.

Boys look for viable, real-world solutions.

DRAMA

Drama students continue to break boundaries and build on their skills and we are exceptionally proud of their achievements throughout 2023. A total of 16 students were nominated for inclusion in the NESA OnSTAGE Showcase for exemplary group performances, as well as eight students nominated for their individual performance. These nominations are an acknowledgement of the deep understanding of subject matter and are a testament to the creativity of the students.

Live Theatre excursions and incursions in Physical Theatre and Group Devised Performance allowed students to see groundbreaking performances around Sydney. Watching actors first-hand offered students insights that they could apply to their own major works. Technology is also driving Drama forward as students worked with multimedia to inform their devised work and audience impact.

The foundation of Drama is based around collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. Across design, performance and written reflection, students have continued to lead interdisciplinary projects with TAS Graphics and Music departments this year. Year 9 boys worked with Graphics Technology

students to perform for Film, while Year 11 and HSC students collaborated with the Music students to perform for critical feedback. Year 9 students also devised and built a Theatre in Education performance for Kindergarten Knox Prep students. Other performance opportunities included Year 10 Drama students performing for various assemblies and Year 11 students appearing in information videos to assist in Knox staff professional development initiatives.

Drama students featured in two plays this year to full houses and rave reviews. The Junior Play ‘Dogg’s Hamlet’ was directed by Mrs Amy Perry and the Senior Play ‘One Man, Two Guvnors’ was directed by Ms Sarah Fernando. Senior students continued to build on their skills, both on stage and backstage, in the Senior Musical ‘Catch Me If You Can’ that was directed by Ms Tanya Mitford.

Across Drama and Theatre, pathway initiatives for students who are considering a career in the Performing Arts have been supported through audition preparation, CV and showreel skills. Ultimately, the Drama course builds confidence, leadership and public speaking skills that may be applied across any profession that the boys choose.

The foundation of Drama is based around collaboration, creativity and critical thinking.

TECHNOLOGY AND APPLIED STUDIES

The Technology and Applied Studies (TAS) department experienced several highlights this year. ProgComp is one of the most highly competitive computer programming competitions in Australia. Congratulations to the following Year 9 Computer Science course students who won the 2023 ProgComp Grand Finals at UNSW: Nathan Yu, Juntao (Nathan) Zhou, and Zhijie (Summer) Chen. Within our workshop-based courses, a number of innovative Major Projects in both Design and Technology, and Industrial Technology Metal and Timber courses, were nominated for the prestigious Shape Exhibition.

Students across the Years 7 and 8 Technology programs were engaged with real-world problems across the areas of Agriculture, Food, Timber, Metal, Engineering and Digital Technologies. Using a design process, students worked through systematic stages of problem definition, research, ideation, and prototyping as they explored innovative solutions. The integration of technology not only utilises practical workshop tools, but also fosters digital

literacy, preparing students for a technologydriven future.

Providing such a broad opportunity within the areas of both Design and Technology requires ongoing exposure to new and emerging technologies. This year, TAS acquired its first CNC Plasma Cutter, which is highly precise and accurate in cutting metal. In addition to increasing the range of materials that can be used, the technology allows for complex shapes and intricate designs. Students who used computer-aided drawing software were provided with direct access to industry standard designs and quality.

The TAS department is positioning students to be prepared for an unknown future – a future where many of the jobs are yet to come into existence. Providing both computational and design thinking skills will be useful for students who are seeking careers across Digital Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, Design, Metal and Timber Technologies.

HISTORY

Excellent HSC results across Ancient History and History Extension saw the History department maintain their commitment to academic excellence, holistic education and the fostering of global citizenship.

One of the hallmarks of the History department is the breadth of curriculum. Beyond the traditional areas of Modern Australian, American and European history, as well as the classic studies of Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, the department have ventured into more eclectic territories. The inclusion of topics such as the Ottoman Turks, Ancient and Modern China and Japan, Modern Terrorism, and case studies in African History, including Rwanda and ‘blood diamonds’ in Sierra Leone, has enriched the students’ perspectives and broadened their understanding of historical events.

The History department is committed to instilling values beyond academic knowledge. Staff actively work towards eliminating prejudice by incorporating lessons on empathy and understanding. An example of this included an in-depth exploration of the Holocaust in Year 10, complemented by a visit to the Jewish Museum. The incorporation of Aboriginal perspectives as part of the Changing Rights and Freedoms unit in Year 9, is another instance of how students are encouraged to engage with and support reconciliation with Indigenous Australians.

Fostering an inclusive understanding of history is at the forefront of the department. In 2024, we look forward to an organised trip to Germany and Greece with students keen to delve into the historical and cultural treasures of these regions. Shaping informed and intelligent citizens of the world is part of the department’s passion as we continue to build and learn from history to connect students to the global community.

LANGUAGES AND CULTURES

It was a year of growth in the Languages and Cultures department with new courses and opportunities for students to learn and be inspired by a language.

In October, an immersion trip to Germany saw students visit Gymnasium Paulinum, further strengthening the connection between our schools. Students stayed with host families, attended classes and experienced life in Germany. Visits to Berlin and Munich in the second half of the trip enabled students to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the country’s history and culture, as well as continue to use the language authentically. Language students will visit New Caledonia and China in 2024 as part of our immersion program.

This year was also the first time Knox entered teams in the Australian Computational and Linguistics Olympiad. Students worked in teams of four and used critical thinking and problem-solving abilities to analyse language and solve problems related to real-life languages. Congratulations to the teams in the Junior (Years 7-10) and Senior (Years 11-12) divisions who were awarded a Gold level certificate, narrowly missing out on qualifying for the national round. We look forward to more teams entering the 2024 competition.

Chinese in Context is a NESA course for students who have a background in the language and this year was the first time that the course was offered in Stage 6. Classes in Years 9 to Year 11 allowed students who have Chinese heritage to further develop skills in their heritage language and in doing so, deepened connections with family and community.

Coupled with this, the lively and enthusiastic Chinese Debating club doubled in numbers this year. The boys were heard passionately exchanging views on a Wednesday afternoon and their year was highlighted with a top eight finish in the NSW High School Chinese Debating League. The year in Chinese culminated with a performance showcase where students recited poetry and sung on stage in Chinese to an audience of peers and family.

Assisted by an OKGA student who has already forged his journey with language beyond school, Stage 5 Japanese engaged online with students in Ibaraki, using video conferencing tools. Students met twice with a new partner school and communicated in both English and Japanese to deepen each other’s understanding of life in Japan and conversely, Australia. We look forward to this connection continuing next year.

As the psycholinguist Frank Smith said, “One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.”

VISUAL ARTS

Visual Arts offers students a unique insight into the role that creative visual ideas play in the development of society. Teaching and Learning in this area values creativity, collaboration and critical thinking, as well as encourages students to deconstruct the contemporary world around them.

A 2023 highlight was the Knox/Abbotsleigh Print Club, a collaborative partnership between the two schools for Visual Arts students who had a shared interest in printmaking. During the year, students learned how to create a zinc plate etching by using soft-ground techniques. Students then partnered with peers to make a print. The highly successful prints were exhibited at the Grace Cossington-Smith Gallery in Term 3. Practising artist, Mr Gary Shinfield, was also invited as a guest to share his knowledge and expertise.

The calibre of work by Year 12 students was outstanding as witnessed by the number of those pre-selected and nominated for ARTEXPRESS. Congratulations to Hugo Walters for his selection in the 2023 Showcase.

This year, the Visual Arts department continued to refine the Theory Assessment

Tasks for Stages 4 and 5 students in order to prepare them for the demands of the Stage 6 course. These tasks gave boys the opportunity to autonomously develop their own artmaking tasks and engage in critical and historical writing activities. The boys engaged in structured theory exercises embedding key Visual Arts metalanguage into their responses. Boys were also encouraged to explore their creativity when considering how to present their critical investigations into the agencies of the artworld.

In Stage 6, the Visual Arts Department collaborated with Head of Academic Writing and Reading, Ms Jillian Anderson, to develop a common and consistent approach to critical thinking across diverse discipline areas. Students participated in workshops and collaborative approaches to writing that developed their creative and critical thinking skills when deconstructing and analysing artworks. In the process of developing competence and academic knowledge of the field of Visual Arts, students are being prepared to be global thinkers emphasising depth rather than breadth of learning. Academic mastery in the field of Visual Arts enables 21st century skills to flourish.

PDHPE

A lot of fun and learning has occurred in the PDHPE classes this year. Year 9 Hip-Hop Dance and Year 8 Pop Dance lessons have been extremely popular with students. The department has also considered how the syllabus can be taught to enhance the boys’ critical thinking. For example, in the practical environment teachers not only assessed movement, but contemplated how and why boys move. This has led to the students having a deeper understanding of the concept of movement, as well as an analysis of the success criteria. Teachers have applied a more hands-on approach to the curriculum to allow for individual students to better apply their problem solving and leadership skills to tasks.

An evaluation of the internal personal development courses based on interest and expertise were also reflected on by the department. This was to better serve the needs of the students and has proven instrumental in the improvement of the PDHPE policies and procedures moving forward.

Boys are encouraged to be global citizens through the PDHPE curriculum. The content covered in the Personal Development and Health syllabus aims to inspire the leaders of the future. Through the Physical Activity and Sports Studies (PASS) program, boys are exposed to sports of interest and are encouraged to consider potential sporting career pathways.

Technology further enhanced PDHPE material. The PDHPE portal page has been an excellent resource for students in Stages 4 and 5 to access extra support for their classroom tasks. The use of Huddle and Onform has allowed PASS students to analyse their own skills and movements. For Stage 6 boys, students have been provided with extensive and individualised feedback using Excel spreadsheets. It has been beneficial for staff and students alike to use speed gates to assess and measure performance, force plates to measure reaction time, as well as smart soccer balls and tennis racquets to analyse force, direction, velocity and trajectory.

SCIENCE

There was plenty of hands-on learning and investigations across the Science classrooms this year. For the first time, Year 8 Science students enjoyed an excursion to the Field of Mars Reserve where they did a comparison of two different ecological sites to research abiotic and biotic factors. Students in Stages 4 and 5 completed research projects while Year 10 students investigated aeronautical conundrums.

iSTEM students were offered an extracurricular opportunity to enter the 2023 BioTech Challenge. Several students from across different classes worked with teachers and an assigned university mentor to pitch a solution to a biomedical problem. Congratulations to the Knox team who were selected in the top 25 teams across the east coast of Australia to present their solution to a panel of judges, the NSW Chief Scientist and other finalists at the University of Sydney – a phenomenal achievement.

A variety of technology has been utilised to enhance learning. In the classroom, students enjoyed using equipment such as digital motion sensors and temperature probes while those who studied robotics and mechatronics enjoyed creating a virtual escape room. The continued use and development of Google sites were also handy to present resources and lessons.

Science provides students with real-life experiences that are relevant to their everyday lives. In Stage 4, students learn the foundation skills needed for those who wish to pursue a career in science. They also contemplate ethical considerations such as the placement of mining plants in society. In Stage 5, a global view is taught with the role of Science in developing new materials and how this applies to specific industries. Within the Code of Life program, for example, students discuss the advantages and disadvantages of biotechnology, including social and ethical considerations.

In Stage 6, Science Extension allows a better mastery of the Scientific Investigation process before students enter tertiary level education. It is wonderful to note the number of boys who choose to undergo a University degree that involves science.

RELIGION AND ETHICS

The Religion and Ethics department has had a wonderful year engaging students in a variety of activities that delve deeply into the role and purpose of faith in society. Through a number of excursions, students enjoyed the opportunity to visit places of worship such as the Gallipoli Mosque and Great Synagogue, fostering a genuine appreciation for the diversity of religious belief and practice in modern life.

This year saw the introduction of the Applied Critical Thinking elective for students in Years 9 and 10. This innovative course goes beyond traditional teachings by providing students with invaluable instruction in bias recognition, logical fallacies, social research, and argumentation. What sets this elective apart is its unique emphasis on cultivating skills within a framework of patience, kindness, and intellectual humility. The positive reception from the students is

Delve deeply into the role and purpose of faith in society.

evident in the growing numbers opting for this elective in the upcoming academic year – a testament to its relevance and impact.

A highlight of the department’s commitment to fostering ethical discussions and critical thinking skills is the number of students who participated in the Ethics Olympiad for the second consecutive year. This competition provided students with a platform to engage with ethical dilemmas, honing their ability to research, discuss, and present their views to a panel of judges. Congratulations to the Junior team who placed second overall. This is a commendable achievement that showcased the dedication of the students, as well as the teachers who nurtured their thoughtful and articulate arguments.

FINANCE AND LEGAL STUDIES

The Finance and Legal Studies department offers a number of elective courses including Commerce in Years 9 and 10, Economics in Years 11 and 12, Business Studies in Years 11 and 12 and Legal Studies in Years 11 and 12.

A new initiative in 2023 involved a partnership with the University of Technology Sydney, where Year 9 Commerce students participated in the UTS Start-ups Course. Students developed their entrepreneurial skills and took on a hands-on practical experience of entrepreneurship by making use of various digital tools and platforms.

This year saw the continued focus and integration of key global competencies across collaboration, communication, critical thinking, problem solving and creativity in the Commerce course. The project-based learning tasks of Market Day and the Knox Political Campaign are core examples of where students demonstrate and finesse these key global competency skills.

The department continues to explore opportunities for the integration of technology into the curriculum. Year 9 Commerce students participated in a virtual tour of the Macquarie Centre using the Knox iHub, and this provided the boys with an interactive experience on how shopping centres influence consumer decisions and behaviour.

Beyond the classroom, staff also inspire students through the following two cocurricular offerings. The Business and Finance Club aims to help develop student interest in business, finance and entrepreneurial pursuits. The club explores and develops knowledge and skills beyond the academic curriculum. This year, students have spent time researching different organisations. In addition, the group used a hypothetical investment portfolio and invited students to pitch their investment ideas.

The Economics and Global Affairs Club provided a forum to analyse and discuss contemporary global and domestic issues. Topics that have been discussed this year include economic growth, inflation, unemployment, environmental sustainability, income and wealth distribution and external stability.

MUSIC

The Knox recording studio has proved invaluable and a huge boost to the HSC Music students who use this facility to record and mix their HSC composition projects. With the assistance of Mr Bob Wheatley from Stolen Planet Productions, students had first-hand knowledge of how the recording process works. Each composition required separate recording sessions of each individual layer of sound, so extensive rehearsals and recording sessions were organised. The end products were all polished and helped to enhance the students’ written scores, which are the focal point of the marking process. Congratulations to our combined Music 1, Music 2 and Music Extension classes who achieved outstanding results including 18 nominations for performances and compositions.

A highlight for many in the Year 10 Elective Music classes was attending the Australian Music Day at MLC Burwood. It was an entertaining event where the boys enjoyed interacting with professional composers and musicians, as well as like-minded students from other schools. The boys learnt beat-boxing techniques and how to compose for specific chamber music combinations.

Exposing Music students to the work of professional musicians and recording studios allows them an opportunity to see various music careers in action. The Year 12 boys in particular, are inspired by the technical skill of the professional players who accompany their HSC performance exams. For many, they also enjoy watching the recording studio in action as it provides a real insight into various aspects of the music industry.

Our Extension Music class embarked on a new assessment style this year, wherein the students led their own HSC ensemble rehearsals. Traditionally run by the teachers, these rehearsals became part of the assessment process for the students. Each candidate was responsible for introducing himself to the professional musicians in his HSC ensemble, then explained his interpretation of the major work and ensured the rehearsal ran exactly to time. Well done to the boys who all handled it with aplomb.

KNOX PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Boys are emboldened to think about their responsibility to make the world a better place.

Mrs Sue Floro, Head of Knox Preparatory School

This year was the first year of the reimagined House system at Knox Grammar Preparatory School.

The inception of three new Houses, Armstrong, Miles and Thomson, added to the five Houses that have been in place for many years. The new House format was created to enable another opportunity for boys to belong, with vertical House activities, House lunches and House Gatherings scheduled throughout the year.

The Prep boys have embraced their new Houses with such enthusiasm.

Each House supports a charitable organisation, providing boys with an opportunity to connect with, and deepen their understanding over time, of the work that these organisations do. It is envisaged that Year 6 boys will have an opportunity to participate in an immersive experience with the organisation, wherever that is in the world. The broad aim of this initiative is for boys to develop a stronger understanding of their responsibility as global changemakers. We look forward to strengthening these connections in the years to come.

The rise of VEX Robotics began with two Knox Preparatory boys doing great things. The interest in VEX has exploded in 2023 with one of the Prep teams earning a wild card for the World Championships in Dallas, USA. Congratulations to the boys who placed ninth in the world which is an incredible feat and to do it in an arena in front of 20,000 people is an exceptional accomplishment.

Year 6 boys authored picture books this year and used an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool to represent their work. In the past, they illustrated them by drawing images themselves. Well done

to the boys who learnt the skills of prompt-craft to fine-tune the images that the AI tool created. The results were absolutely stunning.

The Prep Knoxigations framework is built upon an understanding that it is creative and critical thinking, problem solving and leadership that is necessary to solve the world’s great problems. All boys, from Kindergarten, engage in units of work that tackle the world’s big problems. Whether that be the issues facing oceans, through to designing sustainable cities, the Prep boys do so through a lens of empathetic understanding, considering the needs of those they are designing solutions for.

At Knox Preparatory, we encourage the boys to have an awareness of, and interest in, all that is happening in the world. They are emboldened to think about their responsibility to make the world a better place through inclusion and tolerance for difference. The boys are learning the ‘human skills’ of critical thinking, communication and collaboration, and are developing autonomy and independence in their learning, all of which will stand them in good stead to face the world with confidence.

WAHROONGA PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Our goal is for every student to achieve their personal best.

Mrs Julie Wiseman, Head of Wahroonga Preparatory School

Helping guide young students to become the best version of themselves and to grow into human beings who can contribute positively to future society is an essential part of daily life at Wahroonga Preparatory School.

The Wahroonga Preparatory connection with Knox started in 1926 when the school was established on St John’s Church grounds. Always a co-educational school, many sisters of Knox boys also attended Wahroonga Prep. Research tells us that young people thrive when they feel part of a community. Honouring School traditions and realising we are all part of an important Knox legacy helps students feel pride in their school. Students are taught the Knox values of faith, wisdom, compassion, integrity and courage and helping younger children to be self-regulated and to follow school expectations is just as important as teaching them literacy and numeracy.

Being part of the Knox campus, Wahroonga Preparatory also enjoy support and working with Knox Senior School. Year 12 Knox Prefects visit on-site as part of their Community portfolio and students work together on academic projects. A great example of this was the French Language project this year, with Year 10 boys participating in a collaborative workshop with Years 5 and 6 children.

This year saw the welcome addition of new playground equipment. The installation of this new equipment and the demolition of the old cubby house has provided more playground space, as well as popular climbing equipment for multiple children to use.

Sport continues to play an important role in the school curriculum. As part of PDHPE, the Dance program was revised and amplified. Students participated in intensive swimming lessons at the Knox Aquatic Centre. Wahroonga Preparatory children enjoyed a Cross Country Carnival in collaboration with Knox Prep boys. It has also been wonderful to see joy on the faces of the children as they took part in an Athletics Carnival and after school Football programs.

The children have also enjoyed attending school camp and venturing outside classrooms for numerous excursions, including learning in Wahroonga Park. Through the Kindness Curriculum, students have made new friends through their buddy classes, as well as learnt social skills and developed empathy.

Wahroonga Preparatory students have continued to achieve high standards academically. Our goal is for every student to achieve their personal best through personalised, rigorous, engaging and contemporary teaching in a Christian context. We congratulate the children who stood in front of their peers and participated in the annual public speaking competition. As a result of this experience, Wahroonga Preparatory won the 2023 Ravenswood Interschool Public Speaking Competition – an incredible accomplishment.

BEYOND the classroom

Co-Curricular

Students have achieved many successes within the co-curricular program in 2023. There is a wide breadth of choice and options available to the boys. The depth of the program is unmatched in schools and Knox continues to develop these programs further.

Students have triumphed in competitions as diverse as Ethics Olympiads, Prog Comp, Robotics, Debating, and Future Problem Solving.

The VEX Robotics teams from both Knox Preparatory and Senior School attended the World Championships in Texas for the first time which was an exciting accomplishment.

Knox Academy of Performing Arts continues to provide opportunities across the myriad of ensembles, bands, and choirs. Highlights include the Knox in Concert performance series, as well as individual performers supporting the many events that the School attends such as Anzac Day services and Remembrance Day events at aged care facilities.

The Knox Cadet Drill team won the CAS Military Skills Competition for the first time since 2014. The introduction of a Drill team saw them join the successful Pipes and Drums Tour of the UK and Belgium. Both groups look forward to performing at next year’s Knox Tattoo in celebration of the School’s centenary.

Two of the Future Problem Solving (FPS) teams qualified for the national competition that was held in Brisbane in October. These teams placed first and second and have now qualified for

the International FPS Conference to be held in Indiana, USA in June 2024.

The Senior School Musical ‘Catch Me if You Can’ and School Plays were once again excellent shows with outstanding performances from all involved. This year also saw the introduction of a Junior Music Theatre Showcase for Years 7 to 9 students.

We congratulate the Chess boys who secured another CAS Chess Championship, which makes it six years in a row! Likewise, our Oratory programs have again achieved outstanding results with the dedicated coaching staff of national champions leading the Knox boys to win the CAS Debating Trophy for the third year in a row.

The Co-Curricular Service Learning program has been an outstanding success with students in Years 9 and 10 spending one afternoon a week supporting older people. Whether it is calling out the bingo numbers, chatting, playing music or cleaning up the yards of elderly community

members, these young men of Knox have exemplified the spirit of the Knox values and we commend them.

Finally, it is through the dedication of the staff involved that ensures the success of the program and we look forward to continuing to develop all the programs further in our centenary year.

SPIRITUAL LIFE

As a Uniting Church School, Knox celebrates the Christian message of love and salvation in an inclusive and welcoming way. We believe that love of God and love of neighbour are two sides of the same coin. This includes showing kindness in words and deed to one another, as well as working for the good of our wider community and world.

Our team’s highlights this year include:

• Our faithful parents and staff who pray regularly over the year. We met together in Terms 2 and 4, to share breakfast together and to pray for our wider school. This group continues to grow in faith and friendship, and we hope more will join us in the coming years.

• Our Faith and Spirituality Prefects in Senior School planned and led Chapel in Term 2. They were able to give a message that was important to them to their peers and students in younger years. Developing leaders of integrity and wisdom with Christian values is essential for the future.

• Prep children at Wahroonga Preparatory and Knox Preparatory continued to enjoy

lunchtime CRU meetings and regular Chapel Services where they learnt about the School values, about the wisdom of God, about kindness and compassion.

• The Gallery Choir under Mr Warren Fisher’s leadership supported worship in the Chapel this year. They performed at wedding and funeral celebrations, and providing harmonious vocals at Knox’s annual Easter and Christmas choral worship services. Their contribution to the life of faith and spirituality at Knox is much appreciated and the work of the boys across the Knox Preparatory and Senior School is highly congratulated.

• Finally, our Christmas Worship Assembly was an exciting community event. We celebrated the performing talents across the School and enjoyed fun with a visit from Santa, as well as acknowledged that Jesus is the ‘reason for the season’.

We recognise that we are a school with many blessings. The Chaplaincy Team look forward to stewarding the community well to continue to bless others into the future.

Student Voice, Leadership Development and Positive Change

This year, students who were in the Student Leadership Program expressed their interest to receive training in public speaking. A Student Leadership Public Speaking Program was thus introduced with Mr Matt Cogin, a speaker and youth coach. His coaching and guidance of the boys certainly aided in their confidence to deliver impactful messages.

The annual Ride with Richter event was another success as the School community raised awareness and support of Alex Richter (OKG20), who had a devastating accident that fractured his vertebrae in his neck and spine. Since his graduation from Knox, the School has committed to raising money to support Alex through the sale of caps and a sausage sizzle lunch. This year, the School raised more than $14,500 to support Alex and SpinalCure Australia. Knox Preparatory also held their own event with scooter races and a Mountain Biking assault course. Senior School enjoyed live music from our KAPA musicians, watched a Mountain Biking display on Knox 1 and held exercise bike races for staff and students.

A Positive Relationships Group with Pymble Ladies’ College was established again this year for boys and girls to encourage new friendships while enjoying and promoting respectful relationships. The group enjoyed a quiz, movie night and an Amazing Race challenge.

The care and compassion of our students have been a hallmark of Knox. This was particularly evident in Term 4 when Year 12 boys volunteered their Friday evening to serve food and offer friendly conversations with those who attended The Dish. This Uniting Church organisation provides food and friendship in an inclusive community environment to disadvantaged people in the Hornsby area. We commend the boys who were involved.

NEXT GENERATION BOARDING

For the second year in a row, it was wonderful to welcome Boarding families on-site to our Back to the Country Day event in April. Staff and Boarders worked together as part of the festive day that included produce on offer, cultural dancing, and singing by our diverse and inclusive community. It was certainly a highlight of 2023 for many.

This year also saw the continuation of the Mentor Leadership Program between Years 7 and 10 Boarders. The program built on last year’s endeavours with the younger boys meeting on a Monday to discuss their progress, development and concerns with the older boys.

The Boarders’ Brothers Trophy events played an important role in developing culture amongst the boys. The events were organised to celebrate and foster a sense of belonging. In addition, the Cultural Immersion and Diversity Committee organised a culinary food safari of Chatswood to sample a variety of Asian cuisine to help further understanding of our Asian community. It was lovely for everyone to share in these experiences together.

House Meetings were delivered by the Heads of Stage and provided targeted, age-appropriate education to the boys. These were aimed to assist their development and we commend the Year 12 Prefects, led by Head Boarder Ethan Shepherd, who all contributed to the positive atmosphere.

It was a fitting farewell for the Year 12 Boarders at the Senior House Boarders’ Banquet held in September. The Academy of Global Competency was transformed and we were joined by special guests including the Headmaster and his wife Mr and Mrs James, Senior School Executive and Boarding House staff.

THE CADET UNIT

The Cadet Unit enjoyed a successful year with Cadets participating in yearly training and experiencing new additions to the program. In Term 2, the Year 12 cohort graduated after four years of commitment to the Unit. Their involvement and individual contributions were celebrated, witnessed by friends, families, and members of the community.

Shortly after the Passing-Out Parade, the UK Cadet Drill Team travelled to Scotland, England, and Belgium. A total of 30 Cadets from both Knox and Ravenswood were accompanied by four staff members. They participated in a range of remembrance services, performances, and activities including a drill performance in the Queen Anne Garden at Stirling Castle, field activities with the Dollar Academy Combined Cadet Force, a Highland Games street march and drill performance, a Cloth Hall drill performance in Ypres, and toured the Belgium Battlefield. Further highlights included involvement in the laying of a wreath ceremony at Menin Gate and witnessing the 1st Battalion London Guards receive their new set of colours in the presence of the newly-appointed Duke of Edinburgh. The tour was an exciting addition to the 2023 program that offered a once in a lifetime meaningful, global experience.

The Gold level - Advanced Training Award (ATA) was a new addition that offered Cadets who had completed the Silver level of this camp to progress to a more challenging field activity. ATA is now in its second year of operation and offers a more advanced level of training in the field testing navigation, signaling and first aid skills. This offering has been aligned with the Duke of Edinburgh International Award allowing participants to log either their Silver Journey or their Gold Journey. Finally, we congratulate the Cadets for winning a CAS trophy in the Military Skills competition.

Knox Prep Music

It has been a hugely successful year for our Knox Preparatory musicians. The number of boys enrolled in the program continues to grow with on average over 60 boys in every ensemble and 380 instrumental lessons per week this year.

The Prep Band and String Camps continue to be an annual event that the boys look forward to each year. This year’s Band Camp was held over a weekend at the start of Term 2. The pinnacle of the event was the concert showcase for the parents where the boys performed what they had learnt over the weekend. This year’s finale item was massive and the combined item saw all 285 boys perform together. It was truly a highlight of the year.

Our Choral Program enjoyed two main highlights in 2023 including the Celebration Sing-out in the Town Hall, and the whole school singing ‘Words Make the World Go Around’ to support the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. The whole school singing event was done in the new House system in the Prep School. It was wonderful to help increase House spirit through music!

Learning an instrument and being in an ensemble not only fosters creativity but it also involves self-discipline and improves cognitive abilities. Learning music through the Prep program is a lot of fun and we look forward to more opportunities in 2024.

CAREERS

The Knox Careers Night is a popular event that features representatives from universities, tertiary institutions, colleges and academies. Knox students, as well as invited students from local high schools, get to learn and be inspired about various degrees, courses and pathways. An exciting initiative introduced in 2023 was a series of presentations that were delivered by some of the exhibitors in the Weeks Senior Academy Lecture Theatre. Some of the topics explored included Medicine and Health, Security, Intelligence and Criminology, Engineering, Business and Careers in Defence. Due to its overwhelming success, the series of presentations will now become a permanent feature of the Knox Careers Night each year.

The Careers Insight Evening was reintroduced this year and was designed to provide students with the opportunity to learn about various industries and the world of work. Presented in partnership with the OKGA, more than 800 students from Years 9 to 12 and their parents were in attendance. Students participated in breakout sessions where they heard from Old Boys across 22 different industries. Students heard some great insights and were provided with plenty of helpful advice.

Various school-based career events are aimed to inspire students to learn about the various degrees, courses and career pathways available. These events are an important part of the process to broaden students’ understanding of careers and the world of work. An online presentation to Year 10 students and parents on preparing for subject selection was held this year, offering practical resources in career exploration and study decisions. Year 12 students also enjoyed various seminars on university applications, scholarships and early entry schemes. In conjunction with our alumni network, the online forum continues to be a well visited platform for students and parents to access. This centralised space allows for the storage of event recordings which has seen an increase in usage as students gather information from shared knowledge, experiences and personal insights from past presenters. Information sessions to connect with tertiary education providers are also available.

The implementation of a Work Skills Program, a series of online tutorials designed for all students from Years 7 to 12 has allowed students to acquire micro-credentials towards their Certificate of Global Competency. The tutorials have also been incorporated to support the Year 9 Commerce curriculum.

A whole of Senior School approach has been developed in relation to career education. The Junior Academy focused on self-discovery of strengths and interests, designed to assist students to develop self-awareness and a positive self-image. The Middle Academy looked at preparing for work and career planning, designed to develop self-knowledge and deeper understanding of the education and training requirements in preparation for HSC subject selection, as well as exploring interests and careers. The Senior Academy explored and consolidated the students’ knowledge of the education and training requirements needed for their future career planning and awareness of their career interests, tertiary course applications and options.

LEARNING ENHANCEMENT

Throughout 2023, the Learning Enhancement team has been on a journey of collaboration, dedication, and shared vision. They worked together to pool their diverse skills, strengths and perspectives to create an environment where the potential of every student is recognised and nurtured. Whilst the core business of Learning Enhancement will always be to provide support to ensure academic success, this year has seen a shift to focus on student wellbeing and an understanding of one’s own strengths. There are times when students struggle in the mainstream classroom. They are athletes, musicians, artists, empaths, deep thinkers and innovators, and the Learning Enhancement team have spent considerable time and energy to ensure that each individual’s interests and talents are not just acknowledged, but celebrated.

This year, the Learning Enhancement department has shown commitment to offering comprehensive professional development opportunities for teachers, equipping them with the knowledge and skills required to understand the functional impact of disabilities and diversities. Empowering teachers with effective support strategies for implementation in the classroom has ensured that the diverse learning needs around Knox have been met with understanding, empathy and expertise. The professional development focus areas for 2023 have been: our students’ stories; differentiation; policy; and English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D) learners.

Great steps have been taken to develop our EAL/D offering. 2023 saw the implementation of the EAL/D School Evaluation Framework, to evaluate how well the School is working towards achieving a sustained whole school EAL/D student support strategy. Learning Enhancement has worked closely with the Enrolments team to identify and support incoming EAL/D students and to ensure that their educational needs are met from their arrival at Knox.

There are a number of initiatives under way across all areas of Learning Enhancement. We look forward to bringing these to fruition in 2024.

SOCIAL JUSTICE

We are thankful to the Knox community for their continued support of our Social Justice charities and programs. Boys have driven a number of initiatives with strong representation across all year groups. The Social Justice committee met weekly this year and planned many events that made a difference. Collectively they have displayed the Knox values of integrity, compassion and courage.

This year, we have partnered with several local aged care facilities and organisations to provide companionship, activities and gardening for the elderly in our community.

The Years 9 and 10 boys have been the champions of this program and have made a positive impact on the lives of others.

The World’s Greatest Shave continues to grow in popularity through the support of the boys and staff who together raised $87,000 this year. We acknowledge the wonderful barbers from That Barber Shop in Wahroonga for giving their time and skills to help make this event a success.

The Social Justice stall at Gala Day was another highlight with the boys showing enthusiastic support of advocacy for the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter. We raised almost $1,500 from donated goods sold on the day.

The Knox International Day of Peace was supported in partnership with Rev Dr Manas Ghosh from St John’s Wahroonga. In its 20th year, Knox hosted 150 guests from across cultures and faith traditions to gather for a peace service. More than 40 members of the Social Justice Club helped on the day to welcome and support the many visitors during the ceremony and over lunch.

Boys have driven a number of initiatives with strong representation across all year groups.

At the end of the year, Knox hosted the Sony Foundation Children’s School Holiday Camp known as ABBOX, in conjunction with Abbotsleigh. Over three days, students help to care for 20 children with special needs, with many fun activities including wheelchair basketball, laser tag, farm animals, a disco and a visit from Santa.

Finally, the Knox Indigenous Program is continuing to work on a Reconciliation Action Plan that will be launched in 2024. A Reconciliation Breakfast was held this year with a smoking ceremony and acknowledgment from Knox Cultural Mentor, Uncle Den Barber. He was joined by students and staff, along with representatives from the Australian Museum, Bush to Bowl, Northern Area Aboriginal Health, Hornsby Residents for Reconciliation, Gibberagong Cultural Centre and the PCYC.

KNOX ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS

Our vibrant Knox Academy of Performing Arts (KAPA) Instrumental, Vocal, Theatrical, Ensemble and Private Tuition Programs have celebrated an enormous year, with feats of achievement and success across the board. Once again, 2023 has brought forth a myriad of Performing Arts opportunities for absolutely everyone of all levels of experience and expertise throughout our extensive programs.

With no less than 354 performance engagements in the Senior School alone, KAPA has presented extensive opportunities for our students on internal, local, state, national and international stages attracting accolades and tremendous recognition on each occasion.

The annual Knox in Concert Showcase has transformed into a multi-concert festival over the past couple of years, spanning a collection of six feature concerts. With the expansion and inclusion of our Chamber Music Soiree in Term 4, each concert is professionally recorded, edited and produced to showcase and celebrate our magnificent KAPA performances live on stage.

On the Eisteddfod stages, KAPA experienced unparalleled success in the NSW State Band Championships with an astonishing clean sweep of U/19 (Junior) State Championship titles. All three bands entered claimed State Championships within their respective category, these being U/19 Junior A Grade (Symphonic Wind Ensemble), Junior C Grade (Concert Band) and Junior D Grade (Year 7 Wind Band). This depth of recognition has never been achieved by one school or organisation and is an absolute testament to the boys and staff.

At the 2023 Sydney Eisteddfod, five of our flagship large ensembles performed in their respective sections with outstanding podium finishes. Knox firmly retained our reputation as a leading educational institution in providing exceptional Performing Arts opportunities for our boys.

The Senior School Musical production of ‘Catch Me If You Can’ featured a strong cast of nearly 170 students, including boys on stage, backstage and in the orchestra pit, along with girls from Abbotsleigh, Loreto Normanhurst, Ravenswood School for Girls, and Pymble Ladies’ College.

To conclude an already tremendous year of performances, 52 members of the Knox Symphony Orchestra performed overseas on tour across Europe in Croatia, Slovenia and Italy. Throughout the 14-day tour, they performed seven concerts including the famous Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall as part of the Australian Embassy Christmas Celebration, and home of the Croatian Philharmonic Orchestra; the mesmerising underground Postojna Caves in Slovenia; the Santa Maria della Pietà in Venice; and Rome’s Chapel of St. Peter Chanel at Domus Australia in conjunction with the Australian Embassy.

It is a delight to provide such world-class opportunities for the 566 actively enrolled Senior School musicians. They have collectively presented a diverse and varied program that represents their amazing talents and commitment.

Prep Innovation and Technology

The core function of the Prep Innovation Team is to support continuous improvement and build capacity for innovative learning in the community at the Prep. The team supports in-class projects across every grade, and runs weekly masterclasses for students and staff, and more broadly hosts education events for the education community such as IPSHA Innovation Umbrella Group meetings. The team gets a huge amount of satisfaction from seeing the Prep Innovation Hub full of students and staff from before school through to late afternoon, exploring the possibilities and creating a fun and inquisitive community culture.

All Innovation Hub workshops have a focus on meeting the students at the correct cognitive level and then providing the opportunity to build and extend on those strong foundations. Workshops are run with 50 students at a time and once the boys have been provided with the context of the workshop they are asked to choose a zone based on their comfort level with that week’s challenge.

A highlight of the year was taking a group of talented Knox Preparatory students on an incredible journey to Philadelphia to showcase their skills in innovative learning at ISTELive 23, an annual conference organised by the International Society for Technology in Education. In total, 27 students together with nine staff and a collective group of 90+ members of the Knox community presented the following workshops to an audience comprised of educators from around the world:

• Fostering meaningful student engagement through Virtual Reality (VR).

• Inquiry-Based Mathematics with a focus on innovative solutions.

• Inspiring change, empathy and perspective in learners using innovative technology.

• Promoting empathy and personalising learning with VR, Augmented Reality and Extended Reality.

• Real-World STEM – prototyping disaster detection systems: innovative technology developing deep understanding.

Another highlight was that in our very first Robotics season, a Knox Preparatory team made the VEX World Championships in Dallas, progressing through 800 teams to be ranked 9th in the World in the Dome and playing their final match in front of 20,000 spectators in May.

In the 2023 season, the Prep VEX Teams grew exponentially in numbers, skill and knowledge with all nine Prep VEX Robotics teams qualifying for the VEX NSW State Championships in November, and a further four teams going on to compete at the Australian State Championships in Adelaide in December.

The Prep Innovation team encourages students to believe in themselves and their abilities. Students of any level or experience are welcome to access the 3D Printers, Laser Cutter, CNC machine or any of the robots or micro:bit-based kits. Students this year have extended themselves from Years 1 to 6 entering into the NSW Young ICT Explorers and Young Scientist competitions, both of which lead to pathways from high school into universitylevel competitions. Inspiring and supporting the students’ passions has made 2023 a most fulfilling year.

iHub

Incorporating state-of-the-art simulation tools like Microsoft Flight Simulator and the Kerbal Space Program, the iHub co-curricular program has taken an innovative leap in the realm of educational technology, particularly in aviation and space exploration. The curriculum is a blend of practical lessons and hands-on flight sessions. Unlike conventional classroom settings, these sessions are led by a Qantas pilot, adding a dimension of professional expertise and real-world experience to the learning process. This unique approach not only enhances the authenticity of the training but also provides students with invaluable insights from industry experts.

The Knox Flight Academy offers an immersive experience that allows students to grasp the complexities of flying in a controlled, yet realistic environment. Recently, this program celebrated a significant milestone when two of our students were the first to be awarded the Knox iHub Pilots Licence. This achievement was the result of their dedication and successful completion of all the flight lessons and theoretical components. It is hoped that these students will move into mentor roles, passing on their skills and experiences to the next generation of Knox trainees.

As part of the curriculum, students are encouraged to maintain flight logs, a practice that brings authenticity to the program and helps track their progress. Their commitment extends beyond the classroom, with many utilising their lunch breaks to refine their skills. To add an element of fun and to gauge their skill progression, the program includes landing challenges, fostering a competitive yet educational environment.

For some students, the Earth is not enough and they have ventured into the thrilling realm of space exploration. Our Knox Space Academy is an innovative program that leverages the Kerbal Space Program game, providing a unique and interactive platform for students to explore rocketry and grasp the intricate physics of space travel.

Next year, students will take their space exploration experiences to the next level using Oculus Quest 3 headsets. They will delve into Virtual Reality projects set inside the International Space Station and on Mars itself. This immersive VR experience will enhance the authenticity of the Knox Space Academy program, bringing a new dimension to their learning. As the Australian Space Industry continues to expand, our goal is to nurture and produce the first astronaut from Knox.

Knox students are now reaching for even greater heights, with aspirations to colonise Mars. Their bold vision includes building a space station orbiting the planet, which will act as a springboard for deeper ventures into the Solar System. This ambitious project not only sharpens their technical abilities, but also cultivates essential skills like critical thinking, problem solving, and teamwork.

Both of these initiatives have engaged our students’ creativity and sense of adventure. By blending theoretical understanding with practical experience, these programm equip students to tackle future challenges, fostering curiosity, teamwork and a deep enthusiasm for exploration.

K-12 LIBRARIES

Book Week holds national recognition in Australia and serves as a unifying event for children, libraries, authors, and illustrators. It splendidly underscores the significance, advantages, and sheer delight of reading across all age groups. For 2023, the Children’s Book Council of Australia embraced the theme ‘Read Grow Inspire’, emphasising the transformative nature of reading. It highlights how reading not only offers enjoyment but also contributes to personal growth, and the stimulation of ideas and aspirations.

A vast range of activities was planned at Knox Preparatory to ignite and nurture a passion for reading among the students. The annual K-6 Book Character Parade was a magnificent display of colour, life, and all things literature and the week concluded with Literary Day where the Inquiry Hub was transformed into a bookshop offering a vast selection of books for purchase. In addition, the Knox community made generous donations in support of the Aboriginal Literacy Foundation.

In the Senior School, during Book Week, students in Years 7-10 shared their positive feedback about the McKenzie Library and a number of competitions were run awarding top entries with book vouchers from Novella Books in Wahroonga.

In Term 4, the McKenzie Library welcomed a Year 6 class from Wahroonga Preparatory to continue their research into Significant Australians using the nonfiction print resources in our collection. Many boys in the class are expected to attend Knox Senior School in Year 7 so it was a great introduction to using a larger library with more resources.

Throughout the year, students across Years 7-12 continued to earn points towards their Certificate of Global Competency. They completed the libraries’ online micro-credentials covering topics related to using the libraries effectively, as well as specific skills such as referencing and using databases.

The WSA Library, with a more academic focus for our students in Years 11-12, continued to provide the most recent publications of study guides related to the subjects being studied, as well as quality fiction titles to support the study of English and for the students’ enjoyment as a break from study.

KNOX

SPORTS AND AQUATIC ACADEMY

Knox enjoyed another successful year across the court, field, track, and pool. Led by a wonderful Year 12 cohort, boys have achieved sensational results and we commend them for their support, mentorship and commitment to the School and to each other. The mighty Black and Blue continues to go from strength to strength and some of the year’s highlights include the following:

• CAS Basketball Champions for the fifth year in a row.

• CAS Swimming Champions for the seventh year in a row.

• Baseball squad won their respective Grand Final.

• CAS summer and winter Volleyball Champions.

• CAS summer and winter Tennis Champions.

• CAS AFL Champions.

• State Orienteering Champions.

• NSW Universities Squash Champions.

• Undefeated Independent Schools Table Tennis Premiers for the fourth year in a row.

We have also enjoyed an excellent season in Track and Field. Well done to the Knox athletes on their second place at CAS – one of our best results in many seasons. This was then followed up by a haul of six Gold Medals at the NSW State Championships with a team to contest the Nationals Team Challenge event in Perth.

Snow Sports had five Junior teams and two individual Senior School boys qualify for nationals this year, only to be thwarted by poor weather.

A total of 12 students in Senior School were selected to represent Australia. This is a wonderful achievement and congratulations to our sportsmen who have represented at an elite level across many sporting codes.

Knox also enjoyed a number of co-educational opportunities in 2023 including a number of Tennis fixtures with Loreto Normanhurst and Abbotsleigh, Volleyball fixtures, Touch Football and Netball games, as well as our swimmers through the squad with Pymble Ladies’ College.

Knox Preparatory boys had a stellar 2023 on the sporting fields including strong performances at IPSHA and CIS in all carnivals including Swimming, Athletics and Cross Country.

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Senior School

students were selected to represent Australia.

We also commend the incredible representation in national Diving and Football.

A highlight for many of our young athletes was the K-6 Athletics Carnival which showcased the boys competing together for the House across many events on Gillespie Field.

Many of the boys have achieved their own personal best this year. From the Friday night fixtures to their own personal highlights, the Knox Sports and Aquatic Academy are proud to have supported them through all their sporting opportunities. We look forward to our centenary year and the records to be broken!

Knox Parents’ Association

The Knox Parents’ Association’s (KPA) purpose continues to focus on opportunities to build community and connectedness amongst parents and guardians. This year we saw a return of our all our key events within the School community calendar.

We were able to run Knox at Home, the first time since 2020, with more than 800 parents gathering in the Weeks Senior Academy on a beautiful evening to enjoy some drinks and a catch up with other parents to the sounds of Pipes and Drums.

Gala Day in May was a huge success, once again blessed with beautiful weather. A large crowd, entertained with excellent rugby games and Gala Day stalls run by the generous parent and Boarding community, contributed to a financial result very close to our 2022 record. We thank Dr Danielle Horley in her final year as Gala Day Convenor, for her great support of this event.

The success of Gala Day coupled with a strong KPA balance sheet allowed for ongoing contributions to the School community in the following ways:

• We once again gifted the Year 12 leavers with cufflinks.

• Year 6 Knox Preparatory boys again received pennants and medallions from the KPA.

• We were able to return to assisting with the School’s ‘Wish List’ initiative and received a long list of requests for equipment and materials to support the boys and the School across a broad range of pursuits.

• We continued to contribute to the KPA centenary pledge as we work towards building a significant sum to celebrate the School’s centenary in 2024.

Finally, we would like to recognise the departing KPA President, Robert Kaan. Rob has served in this role for the past three years and provided outstanding support to the KPA over this time. Despite the challenges of COVID over part of this time, Rob was still able to bring the Knox community together and selflessly dedicated his time and energy to the School, without need for recognition. Rob will be a greatly missed leader and we are grateful for all his support.

The KPA is a wonderful parent body made up of dedicated parents and we thank the following 2023 KPA Committee members: Fiona Nguyen, Julia Chen, Sujinta Vishnu, Gretel Osman and Vincent Kwok. With the School celebrating its centenary in 2024, we look forward to the many events and opportunities to further build on our community and connectedness.

OLD KNOX GRAMMARIANS’ ASSOCIATION

Established in 1929, the Old Knox Grammarians’ Association Inc. (OKGA) exists to maintain connections among past students and to promote ongoing interest in the School.

After the cancellation of the Knox/OKGA Career Insights Evening in 2022 because of COVID, we were delighted to hold the rescheduled event in February this year. We welcomed 44 Old Boys back to Knox to speak about their careers across 22 different industries. With more than 800 Years 9-12 students and parents in attendance, each speaker presented to three different groups over the course of the evening, outlining their industry experience. It was terrific to expand on the number of industries and Old Boy speakers from our previous event in 2019 and we are planning an even bigger event for the Knox centenary year.

We were pleased to also connect James Bassam (OKG09) and Oli Heys (OKG18) with Knox’s Cadet Tech boys – students who are interested in learning about the rapidly expanding use of drone technology. James and Oli shared their experience of working with the Australian UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) Service and Surf Life Saving, with a small number of students then participating in the Service’s Drone Racing Day, co-hosted with UNSW to mark the launch of the new Bachelor of Aviation (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems) degree.

A new event on our calendar this year was our inaugural Evening with An Author. We welcomed John Baker (OKG68) , co-author of the bestselling book ‘Stalin’s Wine Cellar’, to speak in conversation with Scott Whitmont (OKG78). Audience members at this event, which was opened to the Knox community, including students at the School’s suggestion, heard highlights of John’s thrilling adventures. The overwhelmingly positive feedback on this event, designed to encourage reading for pleasure, has set the stage for future author events at the School.

Another standout event this year was our Casual Country BBQ, hosted by Al Miller (OKG86) on his property in Central West NSW. This event provided a great opportunity for our rural Old Boys, together with their partners, to meet others living in the region. Over a casual lunch, attendees renewed connections from their school days and heard about wines from the vineyards of Orange from experienced vigneron, Ross McDonald (OKG61).