Issuu

THE

Thistle KNOX GRAMMAR SCHOOL MAGAZINE

ISSUE 02 DEC

Languages Tour

Year 6 Musical

Spotlight on Sport

An action-packed tour for Year 11 German students

‘Shrek the Musical Jr.’ was a sold-out success

An inside look at our Tennis and Volleyball programs

Contents

ISSUE 02 DECEMBER

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 2023-24 School Captain, Zoltan Reed (front left) with Year 10 student, Adem Gungor (front right) outside the William McIlrath War Memorial Chapel.

KNOX SOCIAL MEDIA facebook.com/knoxgrammar instagram.com/knoxgrammar linkedin.com/school/knox-grammar-school vimeo.com/knoxgrammarschool

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This edition of The Thistle 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.

CONTRIBUTIONS The deadline for the June 2024 edition of The Thistle is 2 April 2024. OKGA contributions to okga@knox.nsw.edu.au. General contributions to publications@knox.nsw.edu.au.

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

FROM THE HEADMASTER

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Nurturing the unique talents of all Knox students.

The Valedictory Ceremony was held on 18 September to farewell and celebrate the Class of 2023.

14 KNOX GRAMMAR PREPARATORY SCHOOL The comedic timing of the Year 6 Musical cast ‘Shrek the Musical Jr.’ had audiences in stitches of laughter.

18 WAHROONGA PREPARATORY SCHOOL Lots of characters and costumes were on display at the Book Week Parade and Reading Picnic.

PIPES AND DRUMS

SPOTLIGHT ON SPORT

KNOX BOARDING

Well done to the Pipes and Drums team, who brought home a swag of medals and trophies from their tour of the UK and Belgium alongside the Cadet Drill Team.

A focus on the Tennis and Volleyball programs at Knox.

The Senior House Boarders’ Banquet was a special event to farewell our Year 12 Boarders.

33 LANGUAGES TOUR A fantastic opportunity for Year 11 boys to practise their language skills.

34 OLD KNOX GRAMMARIANS Events and news of the Old Boys.

FROM THE HEADMASTER

A COMMITMENT

to lifelong learning

We will continue to support and empower our students to channel their accomplishments into meaningful contributions to the world.

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The Thistle, as feaured on our School crest, is a potent symbol, not just a decoration. It is a representation of our School and a tradition that is closely linked to Knox’s historic roots.

MR SCOTT JAMES Headmaster of Knox Grammar School

The thistle is a plant with sharp thorns that protect its flower, reminding us that strength often lies hidden beneath the surface. This symbol is also a powerful reminder of the courage, resilience, and unwavering determination that lies within our young people. These attributes are reflected in our students’ achievements across a range of areas: academic to sports, arts, co-curricular, community service and beyond. The range of their achievements is as diverse as it is inspiring, showcasing their dedication and immense potential. In a period marked by rapid advancements in technology and an ever-evolving global landscape, our students’ achievements underscore the importance of adaptability and a commitment to lifelong learning. These accomplishments are not the end but rather a stepping stone in their continuous journey of selfimprovement and growth. Our students’ endeavours serve as a testament to the quality of the education provided by Knox. It is a validation of the dedication and expertise of our staff, the

effectiveness of our programs, and the supportive environment that encourages students to excel and step outside their comfort zone. Success reflects the collaborative effort that exists within the community, as well as our partnership with parents. Supporting your child in their educational journey is no small undertaking and may come with a few bumps. Apart from their talent, our students have always shown themselves to be young people with generous hearts who are authentic in their dealings with others. Such qualities stem from home, and I would like to thank you for your unshakable confidence and faith in our ethos, values, and sense of purpose. Furthermore, the diversity of student accomplishments reminds us of the vast potential that resides within our young people. Knox has nurtured individuals with diverse talents, interests, and aspirations. These accomplishments are a testament to the fact that every student has something unique to offer, and it is our duty as a school to cultivate and celebrate these talents.

From academic achievement to creative expressions that stir our emotions, to athletic prowess that exemplifies an extraordinary level of excellence, and countless hours of volunteering and fundraising, students regularly demonstrate that determination and compassion knows no bounds. While we celebrate our students’ achievements throughout this edition of The Thistle, we must also recognise that with success comes responsibility. Our students, equipped with their accomplishments, have a role to play in shaping the future. They have the potential to make a positive impact on society, to contribute to the betterment of their communities, and to address the pressing challenges of our time. As we prepare for our centenary, we will continue to support and empower our students to channel their accomplishments into meaningful contributions to the world. These accomplishments are not the end but rather a stepping stone in their continuous journey of self-improvement and growth.

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Around THE GROUNDS

YEAR 1 EXCURSION Year 1 Wahroonga Prep students encountered ‘Creatures of the Ice Age’ as part of a special exhibit at Sydney Zoo.

Grandparents’ Day Thank you to all who joined us for the Wahroonga Prep Grandparents’ Day service at St John’s and the lovely morning tea.

PREFECTS 2023-24 Introducing the 2023-24 Senior School Prefect Leadership Team for our centenary year led by School Captain Zoltan Reed and Vice Captains Heath Turner and Henry Shepherd.

Celebration of Learning Years 4 and 6 boys enjoyed taking their families through the fantastic Celebration of Learning events held at Knox Prep.

Community Prefects Senior students who are part of the Community Prefect Portfolio have been regular visitors to the Knox Prep and Wahroonga Prep campuses this year to build on student connections. This student-led initiative has been popular with the Prep children who look forward to the play and conversations they have with the older boys.

RIDE WITH RICHTER This annual fundraiser is held to support Alex ‘AJ’ Richter (OKG20) who is living with a spinal injury following a mountain biking accident. This year, Knox Prep and the Senior School are raising funds and awareness for AJ and SpinalCure Australia.

BOARDERS’ CHAPEL AND ANNUAL DINNER It was a lovely occasion for boarding families to gather and catch up with friends at the Boarders’ Chapel and Annual Dinner event held on 15 September.

Knox and Abbotsleigh connect In August, 250 Years 7-9 Knox and Abbotsleigh students gathered to enjoy an afternoon of collaboration, fun and fundraising. Students worked with OzHarvest, an Australian non-profit organisation, and they enjoyed learning more about the organisation while sampling the cuisine from their food truck.

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Australian Champion Congratulations to Oliver Radford (Y5) who won gold in Springboard, Platform and Knockout at the School Sport Australia Diving Championships. Ollie also placed 3rd in the 13/14 years Synchro.

IPSHA ATHLETICS Well done to all the Prep boys who represented Knox and contested the IPSHA Athletics Carnival. Congratulations to Jesse Alexander (Y4), Anik Nanayakkara (Y3) and Timothy Zhu (Y5) who progressed to the CIS Athletics Carnival.

IPSHA Gymnastics Congratulations to Bowen Gozdzialski (Y6) who represented Knox Prep at the IPSHA Gymnastic Competition in November and achieved personal best scores across a range of apparatus.

TENNIS Well done to Year 2 students Antonio Alberti, Edward Bian, Charles Dias, Matthew Lee, Moses Li, Benjamin Pickford, George Zhou and Xavier Zhu, who represented Knox at the Todd Woodbridge Tennis Cup. They played against boys in Years 3 and 4 and demonstrated terrific skills and sportsmanship throughout the event.

Snow Sports Despite the challenging conditions at Perisher, the Snow Sports Team excelled at the Northern NSW and QLD Interschools Championships in July. Across Moguls, Alpine Giant Slalom and Snowboard Cross, 56 students ran a successful campaign to finish with two gold, 13 silver and eight bronze medals. Continuing their form all season, a special mention must go to the Knox Prep boys. At the Snow Australia NSW/ACT/QLD State Interschools Snow Sports Championships held in August, they took out 3rd place in the overall primary school competition – a brilliant result.

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CRACKING THE CODE Congratulations to Year 9 students Summer Chen, Nathan Yu and Nathan Zhou. As team ‘Molten Ice’, they took on teams of older students from across Australia to win the UNSW ProgComp Grand Final.

ROCK AND ROLL MUSICIANS Congratulations to ‘The Thistles’; the Year 6 Rock Band took out the Knox Prep Battle of the Bands competition, which saw all of K-6 treated to a Music Concert extravaganza.

Year 7 Robotics Well done to the Year 7 Robotics Team who reached the semi-finals in their first tournament at the VEX Robotics Competition, held at James Ruse Agricultural High School on 24 September.

YEAR 12 GRADUATE Congratulations to Dylan Farr (Y12) who received his Certificate of Graduation from the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation.

AUSTRALIAN GEOGRAPHY COMPETITION Congratulations to Luyi Jiang (Y12) who placed first in the country in Year 12 for this prestigious event. Knox placed 3rd amongst 700 other competing schools.

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AROUND THE GROUNDS

WALLABIES TRAIN ON KNOX 1 It was a welcome return for Wallabies lock Nick Frost (OKG17) who brought his national rugby teammates to train on Knox 1 in August.

CAS TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS The CAS Track and Field Championships saw a huge Tartan Army gather in support of our athletes. Well done to the Knox Track and Field team that featured more than 50 boys performing at CAS for the first time. Highlights included Lachlan Herbet (Y11) taking out the sprints treble in the Opens winning the 100, 200 and 400m. Davin Yap (Y7) jumped an astonishing 5.60m in Long Jump and 1.72m in High Jump in the 14 Years events. Archie Hetherington (Y7) broke the 13 years 800m record. Congratulations to the Knox team on their valiant second place finish.

Indigenous Round of Sport The Indigenous Round of Sport was celebrated with a special logo that was placed on the 1sts team uniforms for Rugby, Football, AFL, Tennis and Volleyball. As part of a new tradition for the Indigenous round of sport, Malakye Enasio (Y12) received clap sticks from the opposing team, Barker College, as Will Goddard (Y12) looked on. Thank you to Wiradjuri man, Kyle Freeman, who made the mulga wood clap sticks.

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PASSING-OUT PARADE

Year 6 Colour Run It was a joyous celebration for Year 6 Knox Prep boys who took to Ireland Field for the Colour Run ahead of their graduation.

NSW STATE VEX ROBOTICS In early November, Knox hosted this event which attracted more than 500 competitors who were up for a challenge! Congratulations to the three Knox teams that qualified for the Nationals event to be held in Adelaide.

A fitting finale to their cadet year as we acknowledged and farewelled the Year 12 members of the Knox Cadet Unit and Pipes and Drums at the Cadet Chapel and Passing-Out Parade.

SENIOR HOUSE BOARDERS’ BANQUET The Senior House Boarders’ Banquet was full of heartfelt speeches and the sharing of memories of the brotherhood they’ve formed as Year 12 Boarders.

Remembrance Day The Remembrance Day Commemoration and OKGA Honouring Service was held on Knox 1 on 10 November. Thank you to Percy Speed (bugler) and Lochlan Stevenson (piper) who formed part of this meaningful service that recognised the Old Boys and servicemen who made the ultimate sacrifice – Lest We Forget.

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Good luck to the Class of 2023 It was a very busy end of Term 3 as we farewelled Year 12 students across a variety of events and activities to celebrate their time at Knox. These included: Back to the Prep, Farewell to the School Assembly, House Carnival Day, Final Year Meeting and Chapel Service, Parent Breakfast, and the Year 12 Valedictory Ceremony and Dinner. Our very best wishes to the Class of 2023.

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KNOX PREPARATORY SCHOOL

Stories FROM KNOX PREP KINDERGARTEN Mrs Nely Daher, Kindergarten Team Leader Celebrating the 100th day of school in Kindergarten is a momentous occasion that holds great significance in a child’s educational journey. This milestone marks the halfway point of the academic year, providing an opportunity for our young learners to reflect on their growth and accomplishments since the beginning of their school adventure. Our theme for 2023 was ‘When I Grow Up’ and it saw the boys dress up in the attire of their ideal dream profession. What a glorious sight it was to see bakers and chefs, policemen and firefighters, explorers and scientists – and let’s not forget our budding rock stars and football players! The celebrations entailed a variety of engaging activities centred around the number 100, encouraging students to count, create, and explore mathematical concepts in fun and interactive ways. All students participated in representing 100 by bringing in a collection of 100 items. There were collections of leaves, corn kernels, LEGO pieces, pasta spirals and even 100 pieces of candy! Beyond the academic focus, this celebration fosters a sense of achievement and pride in young learners, boosting their self-esteem and enthusiasm for learning. What could boost enthusiasm more than decorating your own cupcake? The highlight of our day was the icing,

decorating and the consumption of 100 cupcakes. This made for a highly active and fast paced remainder of the day. The 100th day of school celebration reinforces the importance of regular attendance and commitment to the education of our littlest boys, setting a positive tone of anticipation for the remainder of the school year. Ultimately, the 100th day celebration in Kindergarten not only serves as a joyful and memorable experience but is also pivotal in laying the foundation for a successful and fulfilling first year of school.

YEAR 1 Mrs Julie Stowe, Year 1 Team Leader As part of their exploration into the Global Changemakers domain of Knoxigations, Year 1 boys have embraced the opportunity to contribute to the Social Justice initiative, Light Up Vanuatu. Throughout the experience, the boys have been enthusiastic about preserving the natural beauty of Vanuatu and caring for its people. It has been wonderful to watch the boys realise their capacity to affect change, even on a global scale. Through their investigations, boys have learnt of the disparity between Vanuatu’s breathtaking scenery and the daily challenges faced by its people; in particular, the limited access to electricity. With the support of the Knox community, the boys have spearheaded a transformative initiative to provide light and nurture hope for a brighter future. The Light Up Vanuatu project stands as a beacon of hope, emphasising the potency of community, dedication and service. Year 1 boys have been busy raising awareness, harnessing their ability to advocate for the less privileged.

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They contributed by providing solar lights, together with promotional fundraising posters. The assembled light kits and accompanying heartfelt letters aimed to foster self-reliance and empowerment. It has been a project that perfectly illustrated a united community pursuing a shared goal. Reflecting on their impact, the boys realised the project wasn’t just about illuminating homes and schools. They wanted to illuminate hearts and minds. We commend the boys for their leadership, compassion and altruism. This experience has influenced the boys by shaping their character and perspective. We are certain that this opportunity has instilled in the boys a lifelong dedication to pursuing equity and global change.

YEAR 2

YEAR 3

Miss Nadine Smith, Year 2 Team Leader

Miss Sarah Beaumont-Jones Year 3 Team Leader

As the sun began to set and evening set in, a group of Year 2 fathers and their sons gathered at the Knox gate for a memorable Father’s Day adventure – an overnight sleepout. For many of our young boys, this was their first foray into the world of outdoor education and it was a magical experience that left an indelible mark on both fathers and sons alike.

Year 3 students embarked on a journey that would etch lasting memories in their hearts. Their very first overnight camp at Point Wolstoncroft was nothing short of an exhilarating adventure. The boys enjoyed the great outdoors, stepped outside of their comfort zones and forged beautiful friendships. They certainly discovered the joys of life without technology around!

For the Year 2 boys, this Father’s Day Sleepout was an adventure like no other. As they arrived at school with their sleeping bags, tents and wide-eyed excitement, it was evident that this was a night of firsts for many of them. For some, it was their first time setting up a tent. For others, it was their first time sleeping under the open sky. Yeldham Field was transformed, complete with tents and an array of outdoor activities. The evening kicked off with games of chess, bowling, giant Jenga and a very serious father versus son soccer match. As evening turned into night, fathers and sons sat side-by-side, sharing quiet moments, conversations and a meal. It was a real opportunity to connect. The night concluded with a movie, popcorn and choc tops before retiring to tents for the night. As the sun rose and weary-eyed campers emerged from their tents, everyone enjoyed their bacon and egg rolls before packing up their tents and sleeping bags. It was clear that this event provided everyone with memories of a special night of bonding, learning and sharing. Thank you to all who were involved in this activity that no doubt built on the special relationships between fathers and sons. I am sure that the night of laughter and memories will always be treasured by all.

Excitement rippled through the air as the boys arrived at school, their faces lit with anticipation. For many, it was their first time spending a night away from home. Courage, however, was their constant companion, as they eagerly took on the challenges of ‘camp life’. The two days away were filled with a variety of activities that pushed their boundaries and expanded their horizons. Kayaking on Lake Macquarie had the boys exploring the water and fostering teamwork which was evident in the laughter and splashes that echoed across the lake. Damper cooking became an instant favourite, as the boys tried their hands at preparing the perfect campfire treat. It was wonderful to watch and guide them as they folded dough and cooked it over an open flame, relishing in the taste of their own creations. Orienteering challenged their problem-solving skills and sense of direction, as they explored the camp’s lush surroundings. Archery, on the other hand, showcased their focus and precision, with triumphant bullseyes celebrated as major achievements. It was the bonds of friendship that shone the brightest throughout the camp. The boys connected with each other through the delights of the great outdoors. They shared stories around the dining table, whispered secrets in their bunks, and supported one another during moments of uncertainty. One student beautifully captured the essence of the experience. “This is the best night ever! I never knew how much fun I could have without technology,” he said. We are sure that the boys have created unforgettable memories.

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YEAR 4 Ms Nicola Molloy, Year 4 Team Leader The boys in Year 4 are engaged learners who are deepening their understanding of the world around them all the time. Through our Knoxigations units this year, they have explored important events in Australia’s history, learned new geographical concepts and skills, as well as used technology meaningfully to enhance and share their learning. The boys have developed their understanding of the big ideas in each of the Knoxigations units and of concepts such as perspective, power, innovation and responsibility. In our third Knoxigations domain, Sustainable Solutions, the boys furthered their understanding of sustainability from ‘being green’ to providing for the needs of people into the future. Through our guided inquiry and case study, they learned about some of the ways that different urban and suburban areas have been innovative in their planning to ensure that the needs of the people living in their communities are met now and in the future. In the lead up to their independent inquiry, the boys learned about the Census and spent time analysing the information about Wahroonga. They embarked on a field trip around Wahroonga Village to make observations and collect data about the services and facilities that are already in place for the community. Armed with their data, they investigated ways that they could make Wahroonga a more sustainable suburb into the future. They then adopted the role of a town planner in their independent inquiry and focused on an aspect of Wahroonga they wished to redesign. Some of these included additional day care centres, a library, a larger supermarket, more aged care facilities, as well as improved parking facilities and wider footpaths in the village. The rich nature of this task enabled the boys to create a wide range of innovative and practical designs, showing their understanding of the needs of the community.

YEAR 5 Mr Dylan Nexhip, Year 5 Team Leader Students from Knox Prep embarked on a journey to Philadelphia to participate in the prestigious 2023 International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Conference. Representing Year 5, the team consisted of Ash Ananda, Zechariah Bose, Alan Zhu, Albert Xiong, and Henry Zheng. Their role at the conference was to lead a thought-provoking DeepDive Creation Lab centered on the theme of ‘Inquiry-Based Mathematics with a Focus on Innovative Solutions’. During this session, these talented boys effectively instructed a diverse audience comprising educators, school administrators, and district superintendents on the intricate art of interpreting and analysing authentic census data, with the ultimate goal of improving urban environments and fostering more liveable cities. Their dedication and preparation in the lead-up to the event, spanning content mastery, design thinking proficiency, logical reasoning acumen, and polished public speaking skills, shone brightly in their presentation. In addition to imparting impactful learning to others, these students themselves gained invaluable lifelong skills through this transformative experience. Following are some reflections from the boys.

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“The Year 5 ISTE Team presented to around 80-90 educators. It was an emotional journey in which I learned many life lessons. Some of these include: public speaking and how to interact with professionals in the field. The experience was enjoyable but also very nerve-racking as the topic that we presented on was difficult to explain to an American audience because their Census is different and isn’t as detailed as ours. While there were some challenges, the whole experience was delightful and it was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. I feel very fortunate to have presented at ISTE.” Zac Bose “My time at ISTE was an enriching experience. One part of ISTE is the Expo Hall, featuring more than 300 different technology companies. Some of these included VEX Robotics, Microsoft, Google for Education, Minecraft Education and Sora. My personal favourite company was the Forward Education team. They sold robotics kits that educate people about climate action. I was so amazed by the sheer wonder of the many companies that were on the cutting edge of technology and the creative ways they presented them. Overall, I feel very fortunate to have been able to speak to some of the global leading innovators of technology at ISTE.” Alan Zhu

KNOX PREPARATORY SCHOOL

YEAR 6 Mr Jared Rastall, Year 6 Team Leader ‘Nothing is more expensive than a missed opportunity’ goes the adage and in Year 6, there is no shortage of opportunities. In fact, one of the goals of our year has been to create moments that build lasting memories for our boys. Moments that allow them to both celebrate and showcase their seven years of primary schooling all the while serving others through kindness and empathy. The Term 3 Year 6 Musical was one such opportunity. ‘Shrek The Musical Jr.’ featured a talented cast of 34 budding actors alongside an ensemble of 140 Year 6 students. This event celebrated the remarkable qualities that define our boys: their boundless creativity, unwavering passion, remarkable spirit of collaboration and an innate sense of joy and fun. There’s no buzz quite like backstage or in the green room! In fact, there’s magic in all aspects of the musical production. This can often be followed by a lull, a common experience when something the boys have invested so much time and effort into comes to an end. For many, it may seem like their last venture into such creative pursuits, though their enthusiasm and skill hopefully hint at future possibilities. The term commenced with choreography rehearsals for the entire grade at the Wenkart Theatre. Witnessing all 174 students fully engrossed in the process right from the start was truly inspiring, and our foremost objective was to sustain that incredible momentum. Led by a dedicated team of teachers, the boys continued in Music lessons perfecting their choreography and vocal skills. They successfully delivered performances with great professionalism, leaving lasting memories and great pride from both their families and teachers. The musical is one of many memories that our Prep boys will carry with them to the Senior School and beyond. Shared experiences built around student effort, achievement and community make school such a fun and welcoming place to be.

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WAHROONGA PREPARATORY SCHOOL

CONNECTING THROUGH

Community events MRS JULIE WISEMAN Head of Wahroonga Preparatory School

MISS ALISON OLMSTEAD MRS BRIDGET VARDY Wahroonga Prep Teachers

There has been much to celebrate at Wahroonga Preparatory School in Semester 2. A particular focus has been on fostering and celebrating our valuable community, as we continue to connect and build on relationships. It has been a wonderful time to deepen the spirit of togetherness between our families. Three stand-out events at Wahroonga Prep have been the Book Week Parade, the Father’s Day Breakfast Barbecue that was hosted by our dedicated staff, and Busking for Changes. Wahroonga Prep participated in a joyous celebration of books and reading at our Book Week Parade and Reading Picnic held at Wahroonga Park in August. Throughout the day, children and staff celebrated stories and authors. There was a myriad of creative and colourful costumes on show to inspire and spark the children’s imaginations. Congratulations to all of our students, families and staff who designed some amazing character costumes. It was wonderful to share this community event with so many parents and visitors, and to witness the joy of reading on the children’s faces as staff shared stories with them. The Father’s Day BBQ morning commenced very early, with staff firing up the barbecues and popping up the tents to ensure that there was plenty of food on hand

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for the children and their fathers. It was a very special morning that was full of laughter, plenty of sausages to eat and lots of different sporting activities for everyone to take part in. This event was especially designed to build on the meaningful connections between fathers and father figures, with their children. Following on from the busy morning celebrations, a lovely Chapel Service was delivered by the Chaplaincy Team. Some of the accompanying highlight pieces included the Early Stage One Choir singing Daddy’s Homecoming, the Stage Three Choir performing A Dad Can Be a Kid’s Best Friend and the String Ensemble concluding the ceremony with a lively piece. There is a real sense of community at Wahroonga Prep. In support of the work of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, a new fundraising activity called ‘Busking for Change’ was engaged with across the year groups. The concept was simple; perform a song and raise money for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Each grade picked a song which held meaning to them.

FRENCH – THE MAGIC OF FAIRYTALES MS SHENAIYA DAY Wahroonga Prep Teacher

MS SAMANTHA LYNCH French Language Teacher Year 10 French students together with Wahroonga Prep Years 5 and 6 children participated in a collaborative workshop to enhance their French language skills. During the workshop, each focus group consisted of a Director (Y10), a Script Writer (Y6) and an Illustrator (Y5). The projects were led by Year 10 students who composed their own fairytales in French and shared these with the Wahroonga Prep children.

The children then performed their song to the entire school. The performances culminated in a finale song by Josh Pyke and Justine Clarke entitled, Words Make the World Go Around, which was performed by every student. It was a wonderful moment for our small campus, as we also well and truly exceeded our fundraising goals in support of this charity. Thank you to all members of the Wahroonga Prep community for another great year.

Students then worked together to develop a deeper understanding of the fairytales by creating basic dialogues and illustrating each story. The workshop culminated in sharing ideas across the eight groups. There was a high level of student engagement and everyone involved benefited from this authentic experience in developing their language skills. It was an opportunity for all our French learners to speak, interact, understand and create texts whilst being challenged and engaging in deep learning.

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LIFE AT KNOX

Pipes and Drums and the Cadet Unit Drill Team

TOUR THE UK AND BELGIUM

ZOLTAN REED Year 11 student

ADEM GUNGOR Year 10 student

ARJUN VISHNU Year 10 student

The Cadet Unit Drill Team set forth on an extraordinary international drill team tour, uniting the group through camaraderie and shared experiences. The journey took us through Scotland, England and Belgium and the cadets were full of gratitude towards the staff who orchestrated such a remarkable experience. In Scotland, we took part in various activities including spending time with the Dollar Academy Cadets. We presented performances at both Stirling Castle and Pitlochry Highland Night. The remarkable performance at Stirling Castle left a sizeable audience in awe amidst the Queen Anne Gardens. The tour then led us to Edinburgh, where we enjoyed leisurely activities such as ghost tours and a visit to the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming. Our time in Hawkshead, England was marked by thrilling high ropes activities that strengthened our teamwork, alongside drill training and team building exercises. Ypres, Belgium held a special place on our tour, as we delved into the history of the soldiers who fought in WWI. Our participation in the daily wreath laying ceremony at Menin Gate held particular significance and a poignant moment arose when three of our team members had the privilege of laying a wreath on behalf of our team. The guided tour of the battlefields and Commonwealth cemeteries brought history to life. Upon returning to England, we had the honour of performing at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, bringing joy to war veterans. Our sightseeing in London encompassed visits to amazing locations. A wonderful

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cruise on the River Thames provided stunning views of some of London’s most iconic landmarks. The ultimate experience was undoubtedly the invitation to Buckingham Palace, where we witnessed the 1st Battalion London Guards receive their new set of colours in the presence of the newly appointed Duke of Edinburgh. The tour drew to a close with a palpable sense of unity and gratitude amongst the team. The bonds we formed are cherished by everyone. Thank you to our accompanying staff – Mr McKeith, Mr Moss, Ms Cormio and Ms Osborne, who ensured our journey was nothing short of memorable. It was a unique and treasured experience.

Pipes and Drums Over the course of the June and July holidays, the Pipes and Drums made up of Years 9, 10, and 11 boys embarked on a three-week journey to the UK and Belgium. On 20 June, budding with excitement we flew to Aberdeen, Scotland and immediately got stuck into rehearsing for the European Pipe Band Championships in Aberdeen. The event was amazing with more than 5,000 spectators from around Scotland and Europe. Both the Competition 1 and 2 bands did the School proud. We then set off to Lendrick Muir where we met the Cadet Unit Drill Team. We enjoyed games with each other, as well as workshops that were hosted by some of the world’s best bagpipers and drummers, learning acute pieces of wisdom for our band.

Band Championship. Our Competition 1 band drummers won their drumming division which was a huge accomplishment for all involved. On 3 July, we journeyed to mainland Europe and spent three days in Belgium. We learnt about WWI and the effects it had on the city of Ypres. Other highlights included performing at the Last Post Service at Menin Gate, as well as paying our respects to unnamed Commonwealth soldiers. We then returned to England and Mr and Mrs James joined us for our Royal Hospital Chelsea performance. After this performance, we sat down and spoke with several retired British Military members who shared some life lessons

and knowledge. We also enjoyed connecting with the broader community at the OKGA Knox and Ravenswood London Gathering. On our final day, the Pipes and Drums competed at the Corby Highland Gathering where we collected a raft of medals and trophies, as well as enjoyed the games and carnival atmosphere. This tour will be remembered for the friendships formed and memories made. We are so grateful to everyone who organised and supported this amazing opportunity. On behalf of the Pipes and Drums, we especially thank our accompanying staff members – Mr Hart, Mrs McGhie, Mr Fleming, Mr Suresh and Ms Bailey.

Performing at the monumental Stirling Castle was a scenic and breathtaking experience for us all, one that will be remembered for years to come. We then travelled to the National Wallace Monument where we learned more about Scottish history and even saw a statue of John Knox. On 1 July, we travelled to England and competed in the Annan Riding of the Marches Pipe THE THISTLE 23 – ISSUE 02 DEC

LIFE AT KNOX

CERTIFICATE OF

Global Competency

MS MARGIE RAYMOND Certificate of Global Competency Coordinator

The Certificate of Global Competency is now in its third year and an increasing number of Years 7-11 students are taking up the skills and challenges that the program offers. Across various domains and disciplines such as agency and entrepreneurship, altruism and advocacy, responsible and active citizenship, and deep learning and agility, students are actively participating to earn badges. The certificate advisory board unveiled our new ‘Heroes of the Certificate’, which acknowledged active participants and inspired the boys to challenge themselves further. In 2023, the certificate program continues to expand, affording students the chance to gain recognition, rewards,

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and face new challenges that extend beyond their academic pursuits within the classroom. Students from Years 8-10 who had achieved Bronze and Silver levels, recently enjoyed an extraordinary immersion experience at consulting firm, KPMG. The day included engaging talks with key partners of the firm, an insightful tour of their offices, and a thrilling opportunity to present a pitch to a panel of partners from diverse areas within KPMG, such as Data and Security, Education and Workplace, Compliance and Safety, and Finance. The boys’ pitch revolved around a sustainability-focused video game aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Students were grouped into

MIDDLE ACADEMY GLOBAL CHALLENGE MS VICKY COWELL Head of Middle Academy

This year, Year 10 students have been participating in the inaugural Middle Academy Global Challenge. The program aims to provide an authentic learning experience that will develop 21st century skill sets through problem-solving, entrepreneurial spirit, collaboration and communication. The Global Challenge program is a project-based learning experience that will leverage authentic partnerships with industry professionals through the lens of design thinking. Students explore global challenges that are of interest to them or that they have faced within their own community and lives. Aligning this to their interests, they are challenged to think deeply about a problem that exists within their world and the global domain, and look to develop a solution to this problem.

teams and tasked with delivering their presentation in a manner akin to KPMG professionals. Following the presentations, the group were met with challenging, real-world questions that demanded quick thinking and adaptability. This invaluable experience provided the students with a deep understanding of the inner workings of the business and consulting realms, as well as offered valuable preparation for potential future careers. Boys are encouraged to participate in the Certificate of Global Competency and join with fellow students who are enjoying their foray into the heart of the corporate world!

During Term 3, to deepen their understanding of these global challenges, students heard from industry professionals about the some of the difficulties facing certain sectors. These were structured around eight domains closely linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. In Term 4, through a process of discovery, they then chose an industry and domain that was of most interest to them. The students were coached and mentored to find a problem they wanted to understand more about, and then attempted to solve these. The Global Challenge domains for 2023 were: • Environmental sustainability • Renewable energy • Future of Work • Technology and innovation • Physical and Mental Health and Wellbeing • Reducing Inequality and Poverty • Indigenous communities

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LIFE LIFE AT AT KNOX KNOX

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SPOTLIGHT ON SPORT

KNOX SPORT

Tennis Program MRS FIONA NGUYEN Director of Sport

Back-to-back CAS Premiers for summer 2022-23 and winter 2023

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Tennis is a rapidly growing sport at Knox, with just over 800 enrolments as a sport choice in 2023 between Senior School and Knox Prep. In contrast, there was a squad of just 20 Prep boys according to the 1981 Grammarian!

against St Ignatius’ College saw Knox win 16 of the 18 rubbers. All of these opportunities have seen the boys test their skills against new opponents, as well as band together to support their teammates from across all year groups.

Knox earned the title of back-to-back CAS Premiers for the summer 2022-23 and winter 2023 seasons, showing the depth of Knox Tennis across all year groups. Our boys trained hard, played well and most importantly, demonstrated sportsmanship in their fixtures. It is inspiring for the junior players at Knox to see our 1st and 2nd teams in action and they enjoy the support their peers give them.

As there is no inter-school winter tennis competition in Prep, boys were able to opt in to the Prep Tennis Winter Championships which was undertaken in the final three weeks of winter sport. A total of 72 boys entered the doubles competition which was played as a round robin, followed by a knockout draw in the final week. Yellow, Green and Orange Ball divisions were played and we congratulate Year 3 who had the highest participation rate.

During term, up to 44 Prep boys entered the NSTA Primary School Challenge events. They gained valuable doubles competition experience against other schools and enjoyed pizza for dinner on the night – a popular treat! Excitingly, Knox Prep qualified for the Masters Primary School Challenge in November. This year, we have organised new events including the inaugural Headmaster’s Cup that featured staff versus students. The staff, led by Headmaster Mr James, held the trophy high following their victory! Boys have also participated in mixed doubles evenings where we hosted Loreto Normanhurst and Abbotsleigh which provided plenty of games and social opportunities. Finally, a pre-season fixture

For the second consecutive year, Knox Prep has partnered with Pymble Ladies’ College to take part in the Todd Woodbridge Cup. Mixed teams enter and play against other primary schools with mini nets at Red Ball level. Our teams, comprising each time of Year 2 boys, performed exceptionally well considering most of the opposing teams were in Years 4-6! Playing mixed doubles was a wonderful experience for our boys and it was great to see them having the confidence to communicate with others. It has been a jam-packed year across the Knox Tennis program. Thank you to the outgoing summer

KNOX VOLLEYBALL PROGRAM Mr Beau McClintock, Director of Sport Since 2021, Volleyball at Knox has had a rapid influx, and we now have approximately 250 students playing the sport during the winter season. During the summer season, Volleyball has recently opted to have a select program to alleviate pressure on facilities and enhance student development. The staff and students are delighted about including three volleyball courts in the Great Hall, allowing further program expansion during the winter season. Knox continues to enter a range of teams into the NSW Volleyball Schools Cup. Last year, boys participated in the Australian Volleyball Schools Cup on the Gold Coast for the first time. This prestigious tournament invites teams from all over Australia and New Zealand. The Knox 1sts team went through the tournament undefeated and were crowned champions of the Year 11 Division 3. This opportunity created memories for all involved and catapulted the students’ skills development and tactical knowledge.

2022-23 and winter 2023 Tennis Captains, Leo Phijidvijan, Christopher Goh and Jack Wallis. They were not only part of the premiership winning teams, but did a wonderful job to create a cohesive and positive team culture. Their leadership has set the standard for years to come. As tennis continues to grow in popularity, strength and depth, so does our coaching team. We have welcomed new, highly experienced coaches who have made positive and energetic contributions to the program. We look forward to seeing what Knox Tennis can achieve in the upcoming Centenary year.

The 1sts Volleyball team continued on their winning ways by completing the CAS summer and winter premiership double in 2023. Knox has previously won the summer season twice, and it is the first time we have won the winter season since the sport was introduced in 1985. This group of students have etched their names into the history books and left a legacy that will live on for generations within the Knox Volleyball community. Along with the 1st team’s success this year, there were some excellent individual achievements in the NSW Schools Volleyball representative pathways. These include: Kazuyuki Fuse (CIS), Niall Yeowell (CIS), Joshua Lee (CAS), William Li (CAS and NSW All Schools), and Sebastian Morandi Galindo (CAS, NSW All Schools and Australian Merit team). All are tremendous achievements and these boys deserve recognition for their hard work and determination. Due to the exponential growth of Volleyball over recent years, a clear path was created for students to return to Knox as coaching staff after graduation. Knox Volleyball currently employs several Knox Old Boys including Head Coach Alec Walker (OKG09), Gino Zhuang (OKG18), Deon Tajalli (OKG20), Flynn Wood (OKG21), Christian Smith (OKG21), William Twyman (OKG22), Harrison Ribeira (OKG22) and Ian Palmer (OKG22). In addition, the Knox Volleyball program was fortunate to welcome the calibre of NSW Phoenix players Fraser Garrett, Sean Bosschieter and Kiefer Sinclair to our coaching staff this year. The three staff members won the U23 National Championship this year and have been influential in sharing their experiences and knowledge with our boys. It has been amazing to see the enjoyment Volleyball brings to our students and we are excited about the future of this exhilarating sport.

A HOME AT SCHOOL

SECOND SEMESTER

Highlights STAGE 4 Mr Allan Glassie, Head of Stage 4 Boarding It has been an honour to work with families to develop the boys’ various routines and schedules, as we support them in our homely environment that is Gilmore House. The Boarders spend quite a lengthy amount of time here at the School and it has been a celebration of perseverance this second semester. The junior Boarders have exhibited this spirit as they balance their academic, extra curricular and personal tasks. The pastoral care of the boys remains paramount, as we work with them daily, getting to know them personally and working towards their Knox Total Fitness. It is thanks in large part to our brilliant personnel, who are entrusted to continually develop a safe, collaborative and personalised space for all the boys as they persevere to finish the end of the academic school year well. The Cultural Teams and the Boarder Brother Mentoring program continues to support the boys. We have welcomed several new students this semester and we applaud the boys for the warm and inviting environment that has increased and influenced further positive peer relationships. The unrelenting wheel of academics rolled on throughout the semester with French

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crepe making, diorama building, and number crunching homework, just a few examples of what the boys prepared ahead of their multiple assessment tasks. As daunting as it could have been, witnessing our juniors working on their homework, like a Rube Goldberg machine, was entertaining and productive. Likewise, the co-curricular opportunities that they partook in, such as Debating, Robotics and iHub Club, kept their passions in balance with the academic pursuits. Finishing off the year as Cadets was a wonderful experience and our Boarders thoroughly enjoyed the experience with many aiming to continue in the Unit. Thank you to the Year 10 mentors and staff who assisted the Year 8 Boarders with their gear in readiness of their first training session.

There is a real sense of community in Gilmore House which was on display this semester through a number of initiatives and group activities. They were exemplary while visiting off-site local shopping centres, cinema viewings, beach outings, and restaurants. This all culminated with the NSW Boarders’ Picnic that was held in the Royal Botanic Gardens in the city with several boarding schools in attendance. Thank you to departing Stage 4 Boarding Prefect, Dylan Farr (Y12), for your genuine care and support for each member of our cohort. We wish you the very best in your future endeavours outside our Knox gates. Finally, thank you to the many Boarding staff who take the utmost care of our young Boarders.

STAGE 6 Mr James Norman, Head of Stage 6 Boarding Members of Stage 6 staff have been so impressed with the boys’ ability to pivot, reflect, gain momentum and show courage throughout this semester. As all parents and boys know, the end of year is certainly a busy time for Stage 6 Boarders. For Year 11, it is their final term and as they near the end of their time in Gillespie Heritage House, we look forward to continuing to support them through the journey of their final year. From the beginning of term, there were a multitude of final assessment tasks for both year groups, as the course work for each subject wrapped up ahead of the exams. I was pleased for the Year 12 boys in the Trials who found good rhythm and were great role models for the Year 11 cohort, who started their exams straight after the Class of 2023. Results from both year groups have been positive. There were a number of fantastic events this semester. A highlight for many was the Boarders’ Senior Social which saw 450 boys from across Years 10, 11 and 12 socialising with Boarders from 12 girls’ boarding schools. It was a really fun night filled with music, dancing, games, meeting new people, and catching up with friends.

STAGE 5 Mr Peter Shannon, Head of Stage 5 Boarding Semester 2 continued the year apace within Stage 5 Boarding. It has been a real joy to see previously cancelled activities once again in the calendar where boys can more fully engage in excellent experiences that make boarding a very special part of a student’s growth and development. For our Year 10, clearly the highlight of the semester was their Formal in Term 3. All spruced up and looking sharp in their suits and ties, the boys collected their corsages for their dates and headed off for a fun evening of dinner and dancing. This complemented the Boarders’ Senior Social held earlier in the term. The Great Hall, decorated to look amazing, saw our Year 10 boys join Years 11 and 12 as they acquitted themselves as hosts to 12 girls’ boarding schools. It was terrific to see the enthusiasm with which the boys threw themselves into planning and attendance. It was a highlight to witness the level of maturity in which they conducted themselves. Meanwhile, it was all action for our Year 9 lads. Go-karting and paintball skirmishing was hugely exciting and gave

them plenty of opportunity to share a great experience that will be a marker of their time in Year 9. Sharing these moments helps to cement relationships and build camaraderie and in turn, bonds of friendship that will last a lifetime. With the departure of Mr Maloney at the end of Term 2, I was warmly welcomed towards the end of Term 3 as the new Head of Stage 5 Boarding. Thank you to Mr Sullivan who took stewardship of the Stage in the meantime and helped the boys through this transition. I am keen to see the boys develop strongly and to ensure that they make the most of our excellent boarding program.

Year 12 were kept busy with Major Works across Industrial Technology, Visual Arts, Design and Technology, Drama, Music, Science and Extension English on display at the Year 12 Showcase. The standard was amazing and we are extremely proud of these boys. We also saw a handful of them complete their Individual and Group Performances in Drama and once again, these were absolutely incredible. Term 3 provided a number of really significant moments for our Year 12 Boarders, and the final Boarders’ Chapel Service and Formal Dinner was one of these. This was a lovely evening. The Senior House Boarders’ Banquet and the Annual Chapel Service and Family Dinner were also outstanding evenings and extremely fitting ways to come together and celebrate the outgoing Class of 2023. We wish the Year 12 group all the best for their future endeavours. We also look forward to supporting our Year 11 Boarders as they commence their final year at Knox.

Term 4 is hallmarked by two big themes – Yearly Examinations and end of year celebrations. Evening Boarding Tutors have been on hand to work through various study and revision programs with the boys and it has been fantastic to see the boys aiming to finish the academic year having done their best. The boys have also enjoyed some great activities including summer sport, attending the movies at Hornsby, Sydney Seafood School cooking class, Twilight Concert with Pymble Ladies’ College girls at Wahroonga Park and an outing to Palm Beach.

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LIFE AT KNOX

Social Justice MRS HELEN CLARKE Head of Diversity, Justice and Stewardship Program (SS) The Social Justice (SJ) program continues to thrive. This year, the SJ Club met regularly and the boys were enthusiastic about their involvement across a number of activities and events. Thank you to the Knox community for your support in 2023 as we build on our local and wider community connections to promote awareness, advocacy and action.

LEGACY DAY It was a large group of SJ members who gathered to engage the community at Wahroonga Village Shops and the train station to sell Legacy merchandise. The boys raised more than $1,600 for Legacy and the feedback from the locals who contributed relayed of their positive experience with the students.

INDIGENOUS ROUND OF SPORT The Knox Indigenous Round was a special and exciting weekend of sport with our AFL, Football, Volleyball, Tennis and Rugby 1sts teams proudly wearing a jersey that was created by our students in conjunction with local elders. Each element represented connection to Country, as well as acknowledgement of the traditional owners of Ku-ring-gai and the lands from where our Indigenous students come from. Thank you to Uncle Den Barber who held a smoking ceremony before players were presented with their own jersey.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE The 20th Annual Service to celebrate the International Day of Peace was held on 21 September. Knox welcomed more than 150 guests including religious leaders and representatives from the Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, Armenian and Sikh communities.The address was given by past Moderator of the Uniting Church, Rev Simon Hansford. Thank you to the SJ boys who enthusiastically helped with the set up for the event, as well as welcomed guests and participated in the ceremony.

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Rotary Partnership As part of our partnership with Rotary International and the Institute for Economics and Peace, the Knox community have donated a large collection of spectacles to Zimbabwe. Through this partnership, we have linked with villages in Africa where individuals of all ages may benefit from this sight support program for communities who have no access to an optometrist.

SHOES FOR THE PHILIPPINES We continue to work with the British School in Manila who coordinate the donation of items for children living in poverty in the Philippines. The school targets communities in need and we thank the O’Brien family who have worked with us to send four shipping boxes of school shoes and polo shirts.

BREAKFAST AT ST EDMUND’S COLLEGE A Rotary breakfast function was hosted by St Edmund’s College with our some of SJ committee members in attendance. The boys enjoyed the opportunity to engage with the St Eddie’s senior students and members from the Rotary Club of Wahroonga. Principal Mr Michael Farrell then conducted a school tour and the boys learnt more about how children with a disability learn in unique and special ways. We look forward to seeing some of the students gather again at the Sony Foundation ABBOX of Fun Holiday Camp that will be held at Knox at the end of the year.

JERSEY DAY Jersey Day has been a regular event in the Senior School for the past ten years. The boys and staff proudly wore their favourite sport jersey in support of and to build awareness on the importance of organ donation.

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Visits to local Aged Care venues form part of our Social Justice Community Connections program. Groups of Years 9 and 10 boys have been regularly engaging in weekly visits to Moran Aged Care at Warrawee, Neringah Hospital and Hammond Care, Wahroonga. The boys join with residents and play music, conduct bingo games, have conversations, and assist with gardening and card writing.

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LIFE AT KNOX

The art of

IMPROVISATION

The Jazz Combo stand on stage, surrounded by drums, amps and music stands. The glare of stage lights in their eyes. The audience applaud the end of their first piece. The trumpeter picks up his instrument from his trumpet stand, goes to blow a test note … and he realises a piece of the stand is stuck in the bell. His instrument is temporarily unplayable. A sense of calm panic. He heads offstage to try and rectify the problem, leaving the audience and the rest of the band to wait. A couple of furtive glances – still nothing. The audience isn’t restless yet, but it’s only a matter of time. In an effort to fill a couple of seconds, the ensemble director starts a cheesy riff on his bass guitar. The audience chuckles. Then, without any prompting, the guitarist starts to play too, soon joined by the sax and drums. There’s nothing written down. The only verbal instruction is to confirm the key. Everything else is improvised, worked out by ear, intuited through the music itself. The piece ends as it started, with a clichéd bass line. The musicians have huge grins on their faces, and the audience are cheering enthusiastically. It’s a frivolous moment of no real consequence. But in showing what these musicians are capable of, it’s also a moment of enormous consequence. As the applause dies 32

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MR ANDREW CHESSHER Co-Curricular Music Facilitator

down, everyone remembers the circumstance – where’s the trumpeter? A few more seconds pass and on he comes, instrument resplendently operational in his hand. Another cheer. The trumpeter retakes his position, the band members check in with each other, and the count-off starts for the next tune. *** Jazz Café has been a staple of the Knox Academy of Performing Arts calendar, showcasing the talents of the School’s Jazz program. Over the years, the program has grown to seven ensembles made up of two combos and five big bands. Collectively, they have seen many successes, including an unprecedented clean sweep of every jazz event in the 2022 Sydney Eisteddfod. At its heart, jazz is about improvisation – taking the building blocks of music, twisting and turning them to create something new and individual. From their first rehearsals in the Year 7 Jazz Ensemble through to the pinnacle of the program, every boy is encouraged to improvise. Soloists are encouraged to bring a bit of themselves to the stage. Improvisation can be scary. You don’t have the notes in front of you to learn and practise and perfect. All you have are some chords and your

ears. Boys are often challenged to come up with something out of thin air. What if you make a mistake? Will it be any good? I have often thought this is why many musicians, even the greatest professionals, are so loath to take a solo. It wasn’t always this way with Bach, Beethoven and Mozart all notable improvisors. Over the last 200 years many musicians have lost the ability, and the self-confidence, to improvise. But when you learn to let go and let fly, it can be liberating. You realise that music isn’t just a fixed bunch of dots on a page. It’s transient, it’s temporal. If you make a mistake – and even the greatest improvisors make mistakes all the time – it doesn’t matter. It’s been and gone, so you move to the next idea. You can never replicate a solo, so you keep working on your craft to make the next one even better. Improvising students learn so many valuable lessons. They learn to be good listeners, to be creative and adaptable. They learn that they can simultaneously be critical and carefree of their own playing. They learn that their individual musical voice is important, valued and respected. And they learn, above all else, that music can be immense fun.

LANGUAGES TOUR

to Germany MR RICHARD WINSTANLEY Assistant Head of Languages

In the September school holidays, Mr Winstanley, accompanied by Mr and Mrs Beckett, took 14 Year 11 German language students on a tour to Germany. As a result of the pandemic, the current Year 11 cohort were unable to participate in the School’s usual exchange program in Year 10 and, consequently, many of them were keen to have an in-country experience prior to starting Year 12. Paulinum Gymnasium in Münster kindly accommodated the Knox students for a week with host families. This was a valuable opportunity for the boys to practise their speaking and listening skills, experience the life of a typical German family and attend lessons at the German school. “The students all use iPads here instead of laptops,” said Pranav Maheswaran. “Students are almost always on time to class – something I’m sure our teacher would appreciate,” adds Zachary Ni.

“Throughout the week we enjoyed school and explored the town of Münster. From the exchange we made lifelong friendships and are hopeful that they visit us in Sydney,” concludes Torben Cook. In the second week of the tour, the group travelled to Munich and Berlin, where they were able to see the main cultural sights of these two famous German cities. In Munich, the group caught up with two Old Boys, Nick Browne and Mark Buddee (OKG20), who joined them for dinner and spoke about their Year 12 German experience. It was great of them to share some words of wisdom with the boys. Some highlights from the second week include: “In Munich, we created numerous memories from Oktoberfest to a stadium tour of Allianz Arena (home of FC Bayern Munich), as well as hanging around the city,” said Jayden Huang.

“We went to the Topography of Terror museum on our last full day in Germany. We then went to Potsdamer Platz and the Computer Games Museum where we got to verse each other with old classics like ‘Street Fighter’ and ‘Donkey Kong’,” said Winston Chen. With lifelong friendships made as a result of the exchange, some boys are now even talking about studying at German universities. German is one of the most widely-spoken languages in Europe, with approximately 100 million speakers across four different countries. German is not just an HSC subject, rather it is skill that be taken with you into the wider world, post-Knox. After four years of learning the language in an Australian classroom, witnessing them see the language come to life through spending time in the country was a real highlight. They truly made the most of all opportunities given to them throughout the tour.

“In Berlin, we saw some iconic sights such as the Berliner Fernsehturm tower, Reichstag building, Brandenburg Gate and the Spree River. Here, we also enjoyed another German dinner in Tiergartenquelle and some chicken schnitzel for the eighth time,” said Dillan Vardanega.

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Old Knox Grammarians’ Association Inc. Founded in 1929, The Old Knox Grammarians’ Association was created for the perpetuation of memories, maintenance of friendship, enrichment of Old Boys and support of the School. The Association is a group of over 12,000 members, all of whom share the common experience of having attended Knox. This section of The Thistle was prepared by the Old Knox Grammarians’ Association.

President’s Report 2024 marks a momentous chapter in the history of Knox as we celebrate the School’s Centenary. We have a rich history and much to be proud of.

ROB JOHNSON (OKG78) President OKGA

IMAGE ABOVE OKGA President, Rob Johnson laying the wreath at the Remembrance Day Commemoration and OKGA Honouring Service.

STAYING IN TOUCH OKGA Office Telephone: +61 2 9487 0419 Email: okga@knox.nsw.edu.au www.okga.org.au PO Box 5008 Wahroonga, NSW 2076 AUSTRALIA

SOCIAL MEDIA facebook.com/OKGAssociation twitter.com/OKGA_online instagram.com/oldknoxgrammarians linkedin.com/school/knox-grammar-school

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Opposite top right Evening with an Author: L-R Headmaster Scott James, School Captain Zoltan Reed, Rob Johnson, Scott Whitmont, John Baker Opposite bottom right Presenters of Old Boys’ ties to the graduating Class of 2023: L-R Rob Kaan (OKG92), Matt Sherlock (OKG91), Andrew Wines (OKG87), Paul Gladigau (OKG85)

In addition to our regular functions and activities, we encourage you to join us at significant events planned for 2024, a number of which have been built on the success of initiatives undertaken in 2023. Keep an eye out for the eNews to stay up to date. Key Centenary activities involving the OKGA include: The OKGA has undertaken the refurbishment and conservation of the OKGA War Memorial situated on the Memorial Lawn in memory of those Old Boys who lost their lives in the service of their country. Through research and collaboration with the Knox Heritage Centre and Museum staff we have uncovered three additional names which should be added to the Roll. In adding these names, we ensured the Memorial truly reflects and honours the history of the servicemen of the OKGA. A rededication service will be held to unveil the refurbished memorial early in first term. We are honoured to have Major General the Honourable Paul Brereton AM RFD SC as the Reviewing Officer and to give the address at our Annual Anzac Memorial Service and Parade in 2024. All Old Boys and their families are encouraged to join us in commemorating one of the most significant days on the Old Boy calendar.

The Knox Tattoo will be the signature event of the Centenary Year. Plans and rehearsals are already underway, and the School has ensured Old Boys have been included across the board. Keep an eye on the eNews for opportunities to be involved. On 2 November 2024 the OKGA and the School will host a Back to Knox Day to welcome all Old Boys back to the School. Among the activities of the day will be tours of the School taken by our students which will encompass the familiar and not so familiar learning spaces, a casual BBQ, Saturday sport to enjoy, and meeting up with friends from School. We encourage all Old Boys who are celebrating a reunion in 2024 to plan to hold their event around this date to further enrich the weekend’s activities. We intend to continue our successful BBQs at the White House preceding home games of Rugby, in particular the Centenary Rugby match vs Cranbrook on 15 June. The School will also be celebrating the other two foundation sports of Cricket against Trinity in February and the CAS Track and Field in September. All these details and much more are included on the School’s Centenary Website which was launched in Term 4 of 2023. The website is designed to showcase highlights from the first 100 years, as the School has grown from a mere 28 students to now educating more than 3,000 current students and over 20,000 former students who walked through these gates over the past 100 years. It is planned to keep this site fresh throughout the year by adding stories and recollections in text, photography, and video. As you review the site you will notice the breadth of history as we acknowledge our heritage and look forward to a Knox of the future of innovation wrapped in tradition. With stories from the Knox Heritage Centre and Museum, as well as those told by Old Boys in their own words, the journey of reconnection and celebration will continue.

While planning for the Centenary Year has been uppermost in the collective minds, we have also been hosting our regular events. A standout this year has been our Casual Country BBQ, hosted by Al (OKG86) and Tanya Miller on their beautiful property in Lucknow (Central West NSW). It was a great opportunity to get together with a wide range of Old Boys and their partners, share some yarns, reminisce, and reconnect. Thank you to our hosts, Tanya and Al and our Events Sub-Committee for making this terrific community get-together possible. Its success has encouraged us to pursue further rural and regional gatherings in the future.

Football Club (after an outstandingly successful four years in the role), Ed Colyer (OKG13) Manager of the OKGA Rangers Basketball Club, Tim Lazarus (OKG14) Captain of the Old Knoxonians’ Cricket Club, Allan Watts (OKG77) Pipe Major of the Knox Old Boys Pipe Band and, new to the fold, Jason Park (OKG18) President of the Sydney Northern Rays Water Polo Club which has recently added an OKGA team to become another of our Affiliated Clubs as of October this year. Thank you to all these men who have contributed so much to maintain Community, Connectivity and Continuity for the Old Boys.

We are also pleased to have introduced in conjunction with the School, the inaugural Evening with an Author event. We welcomed John Baker (OKG68) co-author of the bestselling book Stalin’s Wine Cellar, in conversation with Scott Whitmont (OKG78). John entertained the audience with stories from his true-life adventures which led to this terrific book I couldn’t put down. We look forward to announcing future Author Evenings throughout 2024 as part of an ongoing series to encourage the pleasure of reading.

I look forward to seeing those of you who can make it to the various activities of Knox’s Centenary Year. In the meantime, I wish everyone a safe and happy Christmas and I look forward to a wonderful 2024.

It would be remiss of me if I did not remark on the strength of our Affiliated Clubs. Congratulations must go to Oscar Alcock (OKG14) President of Knox Rugby, Dan Rahme (OKG14) Retiring President of Knox United

Notice of Annual General Meeting Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Old Knox Grammarians’ Association will be held on: Tuesday 20 February 2024 at 7pm at Knox Grammar School okga.org.au/agm24

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OKGA NEWS

Community

AND EVENTS BROTHERS IV BROTHERS BRYN ROBERTSON (OKG95) More than 320 members of the Old Boy community gathered for the 11th Brothers IV Brothers Lunch at the Blue Gum in August. It was a very moving day as we toasted the life of James Nisbett (OKG98) who sadly passed away this year.

NEW PREP SCHOOL HOUSES The School hosted members of the Miles and Thomson families for afternoon tea at Knox Prep on 7 September to mark the formation of two of the three new Prep Houses named in honour of Richard Miles OAM (OKG39) and Jim Thomson (OKG31) respectively.

Above L-R: Jamie Thomson (OKG86), Tony Thomson (OKG57), Headmaster Scott James, Henry Thomson, Phillip Thomson (OKG62), Anthony Thomson (OKG88), Brian Thomson (OKG94); Apologies: Rob Thomson (OKG58), Hamish Thomson (OKG90), Andrew Thomson (OKG87).

EVENING WITH AN AUTHOR JOHN BAKER (OKG68) Our very first Evening with an Author was a popular event with the charismatic John Baker (OKG68), the brilliant mind behind Stalin’s Wine Cellar. At this event, opened to the Knox Community, including students at the School’s suggestion, our lively interviewer Scott Whitmont (OKG78) took the audience through the highlights of John’s thrilling adventure and fascinating journey from rock and roll promoter to acclaimed wine merchant, and author. The evening delighted with special moments, including a brush with a rare 1870s bottle of Château d’Yquem, creating a buzz among the audience of Old Boys, parents, and students. The overwhelmingly positive feedback on this event, designed to encourage reading for pleasure, has set the stage for more captivating author events at the School. As we continue to foster a love of reading within the Knox Community, this event is just the beginning of a shared literary journey.

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We were treated to a special address by Juliette O’Brien who was just so well spoken, hilarious, but also on point to update everyone on Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and current programs, including where the money raised (now over $1.8 million) has gone to and the amazing contribution the community has made as one. Special guest speaker, Justin Harrison, was also on point with a brilliant career story. Renny and the Jets closed the day out with 40 classic hits played to a rowdy, jumping crowd. It was so good to see our biggest attendance for the ladies this year and long may that continue. A huge success raising a further $100K to treat, beat and defeat cancer and thanks to everyone continuing the legacy.

CASUAL COUNTRY BBQ Forty Old Boys and partners converged on Lucknow in early September for the OKGA Casual Country BBQ. Feedback from the event was extremely positive, with Michael Le Couteur (OKG61) describing it as a “first-rate occasion with a great lunch thrown in.” “Tanya and Al Miller (OKG86) were marvellous hosts, with their home being a perfect location for a Casual Country BBQ – an added bonus was the views and outlook from their front deck, which were spectacular in every direction,” said Michael. Ross McDonald (OKG61), a vigneron from Macquariedale Organic Wines, also shared his insights into wines of the Orange region after lunch.

OKGA GOLF DAY Congratulations to representatives from the Class of 2003 for retaining the Leaver’s Trophy at this year’s OKGA Golf Day at Avondale (Mat Fabian, Jeremy Trouncer, David Glasson and Lachlan McGrath). Competing in a field of 60 players, Richard Vaughan (OKG77) (pictured above with fellow ‘77 leavers L-R Iain Bownes, Dougal Cole and Jake Dowse) took out the Individual Stableford, while Peter Aked (OKG86) and Mike Way (OKG93) placed first in the two-ball competition. Also on the winners’ list: Nearest the Pin (All players): Peter Henry (OKG00); Longest Drive (All players): Will Bayliss (OKG17); Father and Son: Bill Henry (OKG64) and Peter Henry (OKG00); Under 30s: Jack Upton (OKG16). Thank you to Peak Investment Partners and Irwin Packaging for sponsoring the day, which was superbly organised by Phil Tuck (OKG77).

UK CHAPTER Mike Pritchett (OKG98) is keen to start a UK Chapter of the OKGA. If you live in the UK or surrounding regions, and are interested in connecting with other Old Boys while abroad, please email okga@knox.nsw.edu.au and we will put you in contact with Mike.

2023 KING’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS Congratulations to Professor David Hunter AC (OKG74). David was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in the 2023 Australian King’s Birthday Honours List, for eminent service to medicine as an epidemiologist, particularly in relation to disease prevention and early detection, and to the aetiology of breast, colorectal, prostate and skin cancers. Three Old Boys were also appointed as Members of the Order of Australia: Dr David Knox AM (OKG71), for significant service to the financial sector. Dr Bill Lord AM (OKG76), for significant service to paramedicine, particularly research and education. The Hon Justice Timothy John Moore AM (OKG65), for significant service to the judiciary and to the law, to the Parliament of NSW, and to industrial relations. Dr Brett O’Donnell OAM (OKG76) was recognised for service to Ophthalmology, while former member of the Knox Council (2009-15), and Past Parent, Mrs Fiona Elizabeth Balfour was also appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to corporate governance, and to the aviation sector.

Top Left Clockwise Dr David Knox AM (OKG71), Dr Bill Lord AM (OKG76), Prof David Hunter AC (OKG74), The Hon Justice Timothy Moore AM (OKG65) THE THISTLE 23 – ISSUE 02 DEC

OKGA NEWS

Leaving Year Reunions CLASS OF 1968 – 55 YEARS ROB SAUNDERS (OKG68) Our group of ’68 Leavers had a very happy reunion. A few started off at the OKGA BBQ in the lead up to the Knox versus Barker game. The rugby, a high scoring game against an old foe, was thrilling, and the convincing win by the Knox 1st XV, 51-19, made us feel very proud. The School tour was an eye opener, the facilities are amazing. We then settled down to a very convivial, informal get-together with canapés and plenty of time to catch up with each other. That was helped by the donation of a generous supply of excellent wines made by our schoolmate, Chris Pfeiffer (OKG68) from his Wahgunyah Winery. Chris was one of many who travelled from interstate, or rural NSW, to join in the camaraderie. There was a strong sense everyone thoroughly enjoyed the event.

CLASS OF 1998 – 25 YEARS LACHLAN LIAO (OKG98) There were guys at our reunion in September who we haven’t seen for many years, and others who flew in for the weekend from interstate. It was great to see many familiar faces! We also fittingly toasted two of our mates who have left us. Cheers to a good night, and we look forward to our next catch up.

THE THISTLE 23 – ISSUE 01 02 JUNE DEC

CLASS OF 1963 – 60 YEARS DAVID GRAY (OKG63) The Class of ‘63 returned to the School for their 60th Anniversary on 6 October, with 29 attendees. Some had changed minimally except for a few grey hairs, while some were harder to put a name to. Many thanks to those who were able to make it and several who travelled significant distances. Conversation was plentiful and we managed to steer clear of too much politics. There were a number of Old Boys prevented from making an appearance for health reasons of their own, or a partner, including some with quite serious issues. Others had overseas travel commitments which made it impossible for them to make it. Thanks go to the Committee of Brian Gill, David Gray, Vern Hirst, Brendon Jack and Roger Knight who all spent time chasing up potential attendees. The OKGA also provided a tour of much of the newer parts of the School. Also, our appreciation goes to the School for providing the venue.

Senior Knoxonians Left L-R: Errol Wannan’s headstone. The Australian section, Errol’s Grave is in the 4th row on the left

REMEMBERING ERROL WANNAN (OKG38) Alan Foulkes (OKG62) and his wife, Teruko recently visited the grave of Errol Wannan (OKG38). Errol, brother of Charles Wannan (OKG38) and uncle of Rob Wannan (OKG68), was captured in Singapore and transported to Japan where he died in 1944 whilst a POW. Errol is buried in the Australian section of the Commonwealth War Cemetery located in Yokohama, south of Tokyo. Inside the entrance gates stands a magnificent gum tree and the Australian graves are surrounded by azaleas. Alan said he hopes Errol would have found comfort in learning a fellow Knox Old Boy and his Japanese wife said a prayer over his grave some eighty years after his death. “It was a very moving experience, and I encourage all Old Boys to visit memorials for any Old Boy who died on active service.”

SPRING LUNCH 25 SEPTEMBER 2023 Our guest speaker for this year’s Spring Lunch held at the School was John Hall (OKG78). John delivered a fascinating presentation on antique swords and diamonds, and spoke briefly of his passion for beautiful cars; four cars, including one of John’s, were on display on the Boulevard. Several present reconnected with old friends from different year groups and enjoyed the Rugby action on Knox 1 as the Australian Schools Barbarians convincingly beat the Tonga Schoolboys in the Australian Schools Trilateral Series.

Above L-R: Alan Foulkes (OKG62) and John Hall (OKG78)

KNOX VERSUS BARKER LUNCH 5 AUGUST 2023 Senior Knoxonians members, along with partners and representatives from the Old Barker (OBA) Seniors Committee enjoyed an afternoon filled with camaraderie at the School as Knox played rugby at home against Barker in the final round of the CAS Winter Season. The atmosphere over lunch was charged with enthusiasm as the 2nd XV scored a convincing win, and the 1st XV home game lived up to the hype, as the Knox boys demonstrated remarkable skill, determination, and teamwork, resulting in another thrilling victory which had the Tartan Army cheering constantly.

Above Members of the Knox Old Boys’ Rugby Club from the 1950s and 60s who attended the Seniors’ Lunch relived their battles against Barker and Barker Old Boys.

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OKGA NEWS

OKGA

Clubs KNOX UNITED DAN RAHME (OKG14) Knox United Football Club President Season 2023 saw Knox United break registration records, claim two championships and extend our stay in the Premier League – a very successful year indeed! With more than 280 players registering for football with the Club this year, we broke last year’s record by around 100 players. This growth largely came from expansion through to Miniroos, meaning the Club now offers football from the Under 6s through to Over 35s. Also joining our ranks was another Over 35 team in Division 4. This team is largely comprised of fathers of some of our new Miniroos. It is great to see our community continue to grow in this way. The Club’s Premier League squad extended their stay in the top division to a record nine years, breaking the previous record of one year. A highlight of the ‘Prems’ season was the number of junior players who stepped up to

help the squad during the course of the season. Eleven junior players featured for the squad with some highlights including scoring equalisers in two first grade games, the winner in a first grade game and the only hat-trick across the squad this year. The future is definitely bright! 2023 also saw two more championships added to the trophy cabinet. The All Age Division 5 squad, after securing third place in the regular season, went all the way in the final series winning the grand final on a penalty shootout after a tense 120 minutes. The other championship was won by our U13 Division 2 team who had the perfect season. 16 wins, 0 draws and 0 losses – claiming the minor and major championships in resounding fashion. The Super League is calling for the group who are set to step up to the top division in 2024. Next year, the Club expects to break registration records for a fourth year in a row, under the safe hands of ‘President-elect’ Declan Bryant (OKG12), who will take over the reins at the end of 2023. Counting down the days until Season 2024 starts.

KNOX RUGBY CLUB OSCAR ALCOCK (OKG14)

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Colts had yet another very strong year, being named Minor Premiers before going down in a tight Grand Final to Eastern Suburbs. It was pleasing to see so many smiles and the boys rewarded with success on the field, while we also had a lot of fun off the field. The Club is forever grateful for our amazing volunteers and sponsors which keep the Club alive and well, so we thank everyone for their tremendous efforts and support. The Award Winners at Club Presentation Night, held on Saturday 9 September were as follows: Best and Fairest • 1st Grade: Lachlan Scott (OKG13) • 2nd Grade: Michael Balk • Colts: Aiden O’Neill (OKG22) Player’s Player • 1st Grade: Michael Ainsworth (OKG13) • 2nd Grade: Alasdair Davey (OKG00)/ Tim Parker (OKG98)

Knox Rugby Club President

• Colts: Jack Sloane (OKG22)

Season 2023 began with the Club finding itself in 3rd Division and fielding two Senior Grades and a Colts side.

Clubman of the Year

1st and 2nd Grades’ seasons took a while to get going, but both Grades really turned things around midway

through the season. 1st Grade made the finals series before being knocked out in the Semi-Final while 2nd Grade were unlucky to narrowly miss the finals.

• Grade: Oscar Alcock (OKG14) • Colts: Cameron Cormio (OKG20) Outstanding Service to the Club • Lachy Williams (OKG10)

Above Knox United All Age Division 5 after their Grand Final win Below left Retiring Knox United President, Dan Rahme (OKG14)

Looking towards next year, the goal for 2024 is to finish first in the Club Championships in 3rd Division, get each of our teams into the finals series and win at least one out of three of the competitions in our Division. Work is already underway for Season 2024 – the 65th Season of Knox Rugby Club. Player engagement has begun and there is even talk of some pre-Christmas touch. Work is also underway to start organising the committee and coaching roster. More details will be posted to the Club’s Facebook group about this in the coming months, in the lead up to the AGM. The Christmas Party / AGM was held in North Sydney in December. #65yearsofbluewhiteandblack

of its league, while our newly formed Rangers C team has also found success with a winning record. What truly defines our Basketball community is the sense of camaraderie. Old Boys from various backgrounds and life stages come together not only to compete but also to reconnect with old friends and make new ones, making the Rangers a vibrant hub for forging lasting friendships and making memories.

Alcock (OKG14) (29) revived the innings. Our total of 210 proved challenging when Cam Wilson (OKG21) (3-15 off 7) took a wicket with the first ball of the innings. Despite a century by Colleagues’ first drop, Will Seitam (2-15 off 5) and Jack Stocks (2-9 off 3) secured a 56-run victory. To play a game, contact knobscricket@gmail.com.

Above Knox Rugby Club 2023 Colts Below Jack Stocks (OKG13)

We may add a fourth team in 2024 to accommodate the increasing interest in the Rangers. Whether you’re an experienced player or a newcomer, we welcome you to join us as we continue this exciting journey, celebrate our shared passion for basketball, and nurture the bond we share as Old Boys.

OKGA RANGERS ED COLYER (OKG13) OKGA Basketball Team Manager Six months have passed since our last update, and it’s been an exciting time for OKGA Basketball. Our community of Old Boys continues to thrive, grow, and achieve on the court. Now in our fourth season, the OKGA Rangers are going strong. There are over 30 OKGs involved, representing more than ten graduation years. The Rangers A team has been fighting hard and is just one game away from the top four in their competition; the Rangers B team remains undefeated and sits proudly at the top

OLD KNOXONIANS’ CRICKET CLUB TIM LAZARUS (OKG14) OKCC Captain The Knox Old Boys’ Cricket Club commenced their 2023/24 Jack Pace Shield campaign against Colleagues Cricket Club under sunny skies and on a lush Gillespie outfield. Losing the toss, we were surprisingly sent into bat but started well with Jack Stocks (OKG13) (39) and Tim Lazarus (OKG14) (30) reaching 63 runs in the first ten overs. A middle-order stumble occurred but Will Seitam (OKG19) (45) and Oscar

THE THISTLE 23 – ISSUE 02 DEC

Obituaries

JOHN ROGERSON HARVEY BRYANT (OKG59)

DAVID BRANDON WILSON (OKG56) 1938 - 2023

John Bryant grew up in Wahroonga. He gained his 70-year nickname of ‘Bunny’ at Knox Preparatory School and took his Leaving Certificate in 1959. He became a live-in Food Technology student at Hawkesbury Agricultural College and was then employed by Tooheys Brewery at the company’s historic premises in Elizabeth Street, Sydney. After attending a brewing course in Chicago, John travelled home via Britain, where he met Gabrielle Seligman – the woman who would later become known, and greatly loved, as ‘Bobo’ Bryant.

Born in Tullamore NSW, the eldest of five including Peter (OKG56) and Billy (OKG58), David was a border at Knox from 1st form.

John, who was always devoted to Knox and its traditions, served on the OKGA Committee from 1986 to 1992. He was also a linchpin of the OKG59 cohort, helping to organise fiveyearly reunion dinners and other casual OKG59 lunches. His friends knew him to be calm, quietly spoken, considerate, loyal, determined, and always optimistic – even in the face of major health problems in his later years. He had a marvellous sense of humour and was a man of great integrity. He never seemed to be angry about anything, even if anger would have been appropriate. John is survived by his devoted wife, Gabrielle and their children Kate, John (OKG91), and Alice; unfortunately, their firstborn daughter Liz died of severe asthma at the age of 22. There are four grandchildren: Zoe, Polly, Dashiel (OKG22), and Indianna. Vale, Bun. – ROGER RIGBY AND BRIAN ORR (BOTH OKG59)

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David took every opportunity at Knox becoming the inaugural Captain of Gilmore House ‘55, Vice-Captain of MacNeil in ‘56, Cadet Under Officer, 1st XV ’55-’56, 1st XI ’56, Tennis ’56, play ’56, Secretary Wool Classing ’56, as well as House Tennis, Athletics, Debating, Choir, Cricket and Football. Returning to the farm after school, David soon married his wife Kaye in 1963, the start of a 60year partnership. David and Kaye moved north to Inverell to farm on “Rockleigh” in the mid-60s and spent the next 40 years farming, mining sapphires and raising 4 children: Jacqueline, Gaynor, Shane (OKG87) and Angus (OKG90) before retiring to the outskirts of Inverell. David was an active member of the local community through sport and various community groups. Most notably, David was presented with 25 years’ service to the Rural Fire Brigade, and he was a founding member of the Antique Motor Club and integral in the creation of the National Transport Museum. Active in retirement, when David was not in the workshop with his cars, he was travelling with Kaye or keeping up with grandchildren. At his passing, David had fully restored seven antique cars and two tractors as well as numerous small engines. There are still two cars close to completion in the workshop; he loved to keep active.

A description of his rugby at Knox said: “A prop forward who, in emergency, became half-back, and did a remarkable job there; an elephant for work, and an inspiration to the team. School Colours awarded.” This is how David lived his life. A true gentleman, always dependable and hard-working, willing to volunteer in the community and an exemplary role model. David is survived by wife Kaye, daughter Jacqueline and sons, Shane and Angus. – ANGUS WILSON (OKG90)

TAVIS RORY LEARG (OKG07) 1989 - 2023 Brother of Lachlan (OKG07) and son of Nick (OKG70). Tavis died in an accident on the Côte d’Azur on June 17. Tav’s character is sorely missed. His courage and humour remain in our hearts and his light still shines. - NICK LEARG (OKG70)

Announcements

Calendar

DEATHS

BIRTHS

OKGA AGM

The OKGA extends its sincere condolences on behalf of the Old Boy community to the families and friends of the following:

Azzurra Kelly Basley, daughter of Katharina and Jack Basley (OKG09) – 13/10/2023

Tuesday 20 February

Ian William Bender (OKG48) 04/01/1932 - 28/06/2023 Peter Holroyd Buckley (OKG64) 28/10/1947 - 22/05/2023 Ian Bruce Ferguson (OKG59) 26/05/1943 - 03/06/2023 Douglas Laurence McEwen Gilling (OKG39) 03/08/1921 - 15/07/2023 James Benjamin (Jim) Gray (OKG88) 12/08/1970 - 01/07/2023 Lachlan Michael Kean (OKG04) 31/03/1986 - 15/09/2023 Tavis Rory Learg (OKG07) 27/11/1989 - 12/06/2023 Alan Andrew McCracken (OKG73) 18/04/1956 - 03/10/2023 James David Anderson Nisbett (OKG98) 27/09/1980 - 12/05/2023 John Charles Paramor (OKG60) 29/04/1943 - 22/09/2023 Christopher Shute (OKG93) 1975 - 2023 William (Bill) Peter Tracy (OKG63) 27/02/1946 - 04/08/2023 David Brandon Wilson (OKG56) 18/11/1938 - 10/08/2023 Kenneth Edward White (OKG54) 17/10/1937 - 12/10/2023

Grace Patricia Lilian Easton, daughter of Laura and Thomas Easton (OKG02) – 04/08/2023 Joshua Jonathan Marr, son of Yolanda and Daniel Marr (OKG06) – 01/7/2023

BUNDANOON HIGHLAND GATHERING Saturday 6 April

OKGA THISTLE LUNCH

Alenya Mildwater-Poignand, daughter of Ruma Mildwater and Howard Poignand (OKG94) – 15/10/2023

Friday 12 April

Isabelle Jade Tindal, daughter of Melissa Rohlfs and Scott Tindal (OKG96) – 12/07/2023

Saturday 4 May

Oliver Bruce Vaughan, son of Sarah and Matt Vaughan (OKG07) – 08/06/2023 Emma Christine Whale, daughter of Natalia and Alex Whale (OKG05) – 04/05/2023

MARRIAGES Daniel Chee (OKG08) and Marie Pangman – 26/05/2023 Alexander (Alex) Titley (OKG01) and Angela Fontaine – 13/05/2023 Alexander Blomfield (OKG07) and Nicola Bevitt – 11/11/2023

KNOX GALA DAY ANZAC MEMORIAL SERVICE Sunday 19 May

KNOX CENTENARY TATTOO Saturday 1 June

1994 REUNION Saturday 10 August

1974 REUNION Saturday 21 September

BACK TO KNOX DAY Saturday 2 November

OKGA GOLF DAY Wednesday 6 November (TBC)

OKGA HONOURING SERVICE Monday 11 November

Visit for updates: knox.nsw.edu.au/centenary/events/ okga.org.au/kgsreunions

DISCOVER EXTRAORDINARY

Contact Us Knox Grammar School PO Box 5008, Wahroonga NSW 2076 AUSTRALIA Telephone (02) 9487 0122 ABN: 54 645 113 104 A Uniting Church School CRICOS Provider Code: 00399E www.knox.nsw.edu.au