KNOX GRAMMAR SCHOOL

TITLE
KNOX GRAMMAR SCHOOL
THE THISTLE
December 2009
THE THISTLE / December 2009 | 1

CONTENTS //
December 2009
02 Forward from the Chairman
of Council
03 From the Headmaster
04 Snapshots Around the School
06 Boarding: A Home at School
08 Knox Academy of Performing Arts
10 Knox Sports Academy
12 Preparatory School
14 OKGA
On the front cover – Shamus McCully,
Year 12, at the 2009 Anzac Day Service
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This edition of The Thistle was prepared by
Janet Naylon, Print Publications Manager,
Knox Grammar School.
Design and print management by ARTSPEC
Brand Engagement, www.artspec.com.au
Acknowledgements – proofreading by Fern
Christian, photography by Paul Wright, Knox
staff, students and parents.
The Thistle is printed on Mega Silk Art paper
which is manufactured under and adheres
to the rigorous international environmental
standards of FSC accredited stock. Printed by
ISO accredited and FSC accredited printer.
Enthusiastic supporters at the Knox Gala Day.
On 23 September, Sydney woke to a murky
orange haze as a result of sustained strong
winds carrying dust from inland NSW and South
Australia.
YEAR IN REVIEW
Foreword from Chairman of the
School Council
2009 has been a year in
which we have been laying
new foundations for an
even more dynamic and
successful Knox Grammar
School, including:
•
•
•
The development and expansion of social
justice programs
Detailed planning and consultation, to
further improve the curriculum and
enhance academic outcomes
The commencement of the largest
building program in the School’s history.
These are clear statements of the health and
intent of the School.
It is a pleasure for the School Council to be
part of, and preside over, this new period of
establishment and growth.
Knox is a vibrant, exciting and purposeful place
and, on behalf of the School Council, I would
like to congratulate the students, staff and
entire Knox Community on the achievements
which are represented in these pages and
indeed on all those other marvellous events
and achievements which could not be included
in this celebratory issue of The Thistle.
Mr Rob Wannan
Chairman, School Council
Dignitaries at World Peace Day celebrations included Mrs Denise Weeks; Ms Victoria Sharp, Keeper of the
International Peace Flame; Ms Bianca Pace, Chair of the Ministry for Peace; The Hon. Graham West, NSW
Minister for Youth; and Mr Barry O’Farrell, NSW Leader of the Opposition.
From the Headmaster
It has been said that
‘reflection’ is a very
healthy process, enabling
us to see the bigger picture
of ourselves and what we
are like now compared to
some previous point in
time.
So it is with the School, that place where our
children are involved in personal, physical,
intellectual, emotional, social and cultural
growth. As each boy, parent and staff member
‘reflects’ on the year of 2009 we will all see
progress and change.
I do encourage some reflection but with a
caveat or two. I think it unwise to look back
and consider the ‘lost opportunities’ or the
‘bad decisions’ and beat ourselves up. Would
it not be better to study our reflection
carefully, call it as it is, the achievements and
the failures, ask, as Professor Julius Sumner
Miller would, ‘why it is so?’ and then look to
the opportunities of the future? In personal
development and personal education the job
is never done, and we are never all knowing or
all wise.
So what about Knox? What sort of year has
the ‘Old School’ had? The ‘Old School’ turned
85 this year, not that far to the big 100 which
is starting to gain some interest … only 15
years to go! I think 2009 will be remembered
for many impressive achievements by our
students and staff, achievements which are key
measures of the effectiveness of the School’s
approach to delivering on its set Mission as a
specialist in educating and developing young
boys to manhood.
Academically Knox boys made significant
overall improvements with the School
receiving the 2008 HSC results in December
and university offers in January 2009. The
results were the highest in ten years and 95%
of Knox boys were successful in gaining entry
to courses of their choice at university. School
Certificate results and NAPLAN test results
were likewise improvements on previous years,
confirming that our approach to academic
programming and delivery is highly effective.
The School also completed its five-yearly
K-12 re-registration inspection by the Board
of Studies and was re-registered without
any concerns. This was a high pressure time
for staff who must engage with the Board
of Studies over a number of months and
still maintain the integrity of the day to day
operations of the School. All staff should
feel very proud of their contribution to this
successful process.
In our co-curricular program boys have
received excellent instruction and have been
given a wide-range of opportunities to put
that training and talent to the test. It has been
a successful year in sports where the School
is CAS Champions at the highest level in
Basketball, Cricket, Rugby, Diving, Volleyball,
Debating, Chess and State Champions in
Football and runners-up in Athletics and
Swimming. The sports program from K-12 is
meeting the needs of our boys in a variety of
sports and at age-appropriate levels.
The world of Music and Drama continues to
grow providing boys with some very special
opportunities to develop and enjoy these
activities. You will have read of the involvement
and successes of our groups at the National
and State levels. Both Prep and Senior School
groups finished with honours at both the
Yamaha and NSW Band Competitions,
whilst Knox ensembles also won Gold at the
McDonalds Performing Arts Challenge and the
Australian National Band Championships.
I stated some years ago, because I believed
it to be true, that young people see injustice
in our world and want desperately to do
something about it. That ‘something’ can take
many forms from supporting a charity with
funds, to serving in a ‘soup kitchen’, to helping
the elderly or the disabled as well as working
with people overseas. Knox boys now do all
these things (and more) and I am delighted
that these Social Justice and Community
Service programs continue to grow; the small
spark now becoming a self fuelled fire.
The ‘Old School’ is continuing to have a 21st
Century makeover, with key iconic buildings
renewed and new buildings rapidly rising to
benefit our boys of today and those of the
future. Specifically the Knox Boarding Centre
and across from it, the Great Hall and Aquatic
Centre will be ‘best in the world’. The Boarding
Centre will open in June 2010 and the Great
Hall in January 2011.
So how is the ‘Old School’ standing in 2009?
Tall and strong, confident in the future and
as committed as ever to ensuring that the
Mission goes on in the 21st Century to help
develop young boys into fine young men of
integrity, faith, wisdom and compassion.
John W Weeks
Headmaster
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SNAPSHOTS AROUND KNOX
In June Autonomous Energy installed 4kW of solar
electricity at the School. 2kW systems were installed
on the rooves of the Paterson Centre and the K-2
Centre (pictured). These systems are amongst the
first solar photovoltaic (PV) systems installed under
the Commonwealth Government’s National Solar
Schools Program. Each system comprises 15 high
efficiency 135W multi-crystalline PV solar modules.
The arrays are connected to SMA inverters which
connect to the electricity network via digital bidirectional
meters. The systems are also connected
to the internet so that the systems energy production
data can be accessed by students.
D Company at Annual Field Excursion which was held at Singleton. D Company won ‘Best Company at Camp,
2009’.
Guests of honour Grahame Mapp (2nd from left) and
Tony Gifford (2nd from right), delighted to have the
oval and the pavilion respectively named after them,
with Peter Roach (School Council) and John Weeks,
Headmaster.
The inspection party at the Passing-Out Parade. SUO Elliot Messara conducts the Headmaster, CO and Chaplain
on the inspection of the ranks of Cadets.
The Hon. Graham West, NSW Minister for Youth,
Year 9 student Michael Jones and Headmaster, Mr
John Weeks received a Peace Pole for Knox as part of
International Peace Day celebrations.
On Founders’ Day 2009, the School community
assembled to honour the particular contribution of
William McIlrath, Founder and Benefactor, a man
whose foresight and philanthropy shaped the School,
by re-naming the Knox War Memorial Chapel the
William McIlrath War Memorial Chapel.
In Term 3, Year 7 went to Taronga Park Zoo as part of
their unit on Classification. During the day students
participated in numerous activities including a
presentation in the Education Centre and completing
worksheets to be used in an in-class assessment
following the excursion. The day isn’t all work -
pictured is Mr McGowan’s class enjoying the Seal
Show.
Knox was invited to provide a steer and some boys
for a photo shoot for the front cover of The Land’s
Education Guide! With assistance from the Drinan
family, who provided the steer and location, Charlie
Capp (Y8), Mr Ian Bryson (Head of Agriculture) and
James Drinan (Y12) were pictured at ‘The Wattle’,
Glendon Brook. This photo Courtesy of The Land.
Construction of the new Boarding House is
progressing well. This state of the art facility,
providing hotel like accommodation, is due for
completion in June 2010.
On 27 August Dr Marsden Hordern VRD OKG39
addressed Years 7 and 8 students during their Stage 4
Assembly. As a former student Dr Hordern was able
to present an informative and colourful account of
the Schools’ history. Dr Hordern touched upon the
changing physical nature of the school since 1924. He
noted however, that the School had always managed
to retain the core values of faith, wisdom, compassion
and integrity. He particularly emphasised the need
for all Knox boys to remember the ultimate price that
some former students have paid in their service to
their country. In this photograph at the Fitzhardinge
Memorial gates, Borambil Avenue, Dr Hordern
reflects with some Year7 and 8 students on sacrifices
paid by brave Knox men of past years.
While the new Boarding House is going up, the old
pool is coming down to make way for the Great
Hall and Aquatic Centre which was featured in the
September 2009 Thistle.
The Knox agricultural plot, Inglewood, was opened
to the public on Garden Day. Heath Molden (Y10) is
pictured with a Barley crop. It was lambing season
and visitors were treated to the privilege of seeing
both the lambs and ewes and especially the two new
sets of twins.
Our PNG pioneers received a warm welcome by locals on arrival in Lelehudi Village, Milne Bay as part of the
School’s annual service trip to Papua New Guinea.
Sausage or steak? The Headmaster, Mr Weeks, serves
BBQ lunch to Benjamin Cannon, Zachary Gelder and
many others in the Year 12 area during Term 3.
Jack Muir, Year 12, received his award for Dux of
the School from the Headmaster and Chairman of
Council.
The Pipe Band was judged the Best Junior Pipe Band
in the Sydney Anzac March, making it two wins in the
past four years. This is no mean feat as the band has for
many years played second fiddle to the very proficient
Scots College Pipe Band. It was also a significant
occasion as the band led the Spitfire Squadron which
was under the command of Lyle Roberts OKG41.
Pictured is Drum Major Angus McEntyre being
presented with the trophy by the NSW RSL State Vice
President (Metropolitan), Mr John Haines in a special
function conducted by the RSL in appreciation of the
effort of the bands.
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BOARDING: A HOME AT SCHOOL
Year 11 Boarders took part in the RYDA driver awareness education day at the
purpose built arena at St Ives. Many of these boys have their L and P Plates and
benefitted greatly from the course.
Year 7 Boarders have completed an 8 week Cooking Program. They have gained
basic cooking skills that will help them for life.
Boarders enjoying Six Event day
Ian Kim (Y9) and Michael Choy (Y10) on a Boarders
outing - fishing at Bobbin Head!
Boarders Leadership
Year 11 Boarders are taking on
new roles as the Year 12 Leaders
and attended their Induction on
Wednesday 21 October. Five senior
Boarders have been appointed into
leadership roles as Prefects to support
the Senior Boarder in his role.
The Prefects for 2010 are Arthur Au, Mitchell Morrow, Joseph Phelps,
Richard Tulloch, Andrew Yeung and the Senior Boarder is Sandy Laurie.
Years 7 and 10 boys took part in the ‘Boys to Men’ Mentoring Camp in the Shoalhaven area.
Also on 21 October, the Boarders Leadership Team Chapel Service and
Induction was held in the William McIlrath War Memorial Chapel to
initiate the new Boarder Leadership Team for Term 4, 2009 and Term
1, 2010. The Boarder Leadership Team is lead by the Senior Boarder
and Prefects and contains representatives from each Year group. It is
designed to promote and facilitate equal opportunities for leadership
within the Boarding Community. Each appointed Boarder serves the
boarding Community for one Semester, to allow a greater number of
boys to participate. The following boys took the oath in Chapel and are
now active members of the Boarder Leadership Team, Chang Ryu (Y7),
Michael Liu (Y8), Nicholas Pittman (Y9) and Billy Browning (Y10).
Gillespie and MacNeil Boarders assisted Wahroonga Rotary with the clean-up of
Wahroonga Park as part of ‘Clean Up Australia Day’.
Year 7 boys were keen to learn the finer points of table etiquette during their session
as part of the ‘whole of life’ program.
The indigenous dance group, Yuin Nation Group performed at the Knox Peace
Ceremony. Centre is Year 7 boarder, Tony O’Neill.
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KNOX ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS
The `All Shook Up’ chorus takes a breather - Charlie
Callander and Emma Zicat.
Snoopy (Alex Heydon) sings for his supper in the musical ‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown’.
Cello section of the Knox Symphony Orchestra (KSO) preparing for Symphony Under the Stars.
HSC Music Extension students had a number of
performance opportunities during the year. Nicholas
Cooper (Y12) entertained staff at the Council Dinner.
On their European Tour the Knox Symphony
Orchestra performed in the historic Church of St
Simon and St Jude in magnificent Prague.
Ben Lawley slaves over a hot bass line in `All Shook
Up’.
The KSO tour party outside the Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna where they performed their full recital program to
hospitable local and international tourists in the beautiful grounds of the Palace on a picture perfect day.
Happy inmates about to rock the jailhouse. Front: Jason Boyd, Charles Callander, Sam Cameron, Tom Buckley,
James Jeffree and Matt Campbell. Back: Blake Condon, Michael Kitchen and Sandy Roach.
Lucy (Caitlin Harris) confronts the long-suffering
Charlie Brown (Blake Condon).
In `All Shook Up’, the scary Mayor (Gabrielle
Kelland) sends her son Dean (Spencer Bowen) back to
military school in front of an admiring Sherriff Earl
(Christopher Gates).
Richard Magoffin of Room 12 which performed
Coldplays `Fix You’ and `Hysteria’ by Muse at the final
of Battle of the Bands. Battle of the Bands 2010 will be
in Term 1 with the heats commencing in week 5.
Vladimir (Keiran Lyons) waits for Godot.
James Robertson, Jaspar Dweck and William Gulson
in the Year 7 Drama Club performance.
Old Boy guest judges, Jason Foulkes (Macsta Music
Management), Rohan Cook (fasterlouder Magazine),
Pat Handlin (Sony Music) and Andy Bull (artist
Universal Music), all professionals in the music
industry, enjoyed Battle of the Bands.
Sandy Roach and Karlyn Chow standout in the `All
Shook Up’ chorus.
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KNOX SPORTS ACADEMY
KSA continues to grow and achieve individually
and with teams! As the pictures show, the Knox
Sports Academy delivers a wide range of sports and
activities both within the CAS competitions and
also in the local and wider communities. It is always
looking at innovative ways and change as cricket
under lights and in coloured uniforms shows.
The KSA delivers sport to boys meeting their commitment as a Knox student and also to those
who wish to go further. Mentoring is offered to any student who wishes to go the highest levels.
Extra training opportunities are also offered to any boy who wishes to improve their fitness and
skill levels in any sport.
The Knox Cross Country team and coaches at the end of season race in Sydney
Park. Front - Joshua Davies, Ms Dale Thompson (MIC), Rhys Wickenden | back
- Nicholas Pittman, Matthew Stobo (Captain), Mr Richard Winstanley (Coach),
Edward Armitage, Dave Bulbrook, Samuel Brentnall and Jonathan Brennan.
Knox has students competing in many different sports at National and International levels as well
as in teams such as our Football CIS Cup team which won the NSW CIS Championship and the
NSW All Schools Championship.
The 81st CAS Track and Field Championships were held at Sydney Olympic Park
Athletic Centre on 24 September. Knox finished second to Trinity. The four boys
pictured achieved the extraordinary feat of establishing new CAS Track and Field
records. They are Cameron Clark (U16 100m Hurdles, 13.41), James Paek (U14 200m,
23.70), Angus McEntyre (Open Discus, 43.83m) and Joshua Davies (U15 1500m,
4:15.58).
Knox defeated The Hills Sports High School in the NSW All Schools Challenge Cup. Scores were locked 1-all at the
end of regular time after the equalising goal from Callum Hinwood. After extra time the score remained the same;
the game was decided on penalties, Knox winning 4-2, to become the first independent school to win the Cup.
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PREPARATORY SCHOOL
Gala Day
Mr Ian McPherson presented Callum Maritz the
Prep School Pipe Major with a set of bagpipes in
memory of his late wife, Mrs Margaret McPherson in
a special assembly at the Prep School. Her interest
and enthusiasm for the bagpipes was instrumental in
establishing the first Prep School Pipe Band.
Year 5 Camp
Swimming Carnival
Garden Day
The Knox Prep AFL Team led by Jake Veale were crowned Sydney Champions after they beat Mosman Public in
the Final of the Sydney Harbour Paul Kelly Cup. The team features CIS representatives Lachlan Bruce, Bailey
Bourn and Ben Parks and the Prep’s first ever NSW Representative, Lachlan Swinton.
Year 6 Camp
Timothy Swanson who is the youngest piper in
the Preparatory School Pipe Band competed in the
2009 Australasian Young Solo Piper of the Year
Competition in Sutton Forest, NSW. He was awarded
Runner Up in the Under 12 section with his rendition
of ‘Amazing Grace.’
Grandparent’s Day
On Friday 27 March the Prep School supported the
Westmead Children’s Hospital with their bandaged
bear stall. The boys bought bears and juggling balls
raising $7,800 for sick children. Charles Balog and
Jeremy Cartwright are pictured.
Track and Field Carnival
Mr Bob Thomas has always had a personal involvement with all of his charges in the Prep. Whether it’s as a
recipient of an award or as a participant, to Mr Thomas all boys are ‘winners’ when they follow the unofficial
Prep School motto of ‘Have a go’.
Track and Field Carnival
Swimming Carnival
Roman Day
In this year’s K-2 Track and Field Carnival held in September, Mr Thomas, as in all other carnivals, involved
himself fully with adjudicating, supporting boys and making everyone from parents and staff to the boys, feel
welcome and a special part of the event. Mr Thomas is seen here awarding Tom Gratwicke of Championship
winning House Burns, the medal for 3rd place in the 8 years Boys’ Championship.
Gregory Bunis holding one of the chickens Year 2 care
for as part of their Life Cycles unit in Science.
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OLD KNOX GRAMMARIANS OLD KNOX GRAMMARIANS
ANNUAL ANZAC DAY OLD BOYS MEMORIAL SERVICE AND CEREMONIAL PARADE
1959 MacNeil House Boarders – Basil Notaras, Philip
Chee and Ross Turnbull.
1959 Gillespie House Boarders – John Stewart, John
Amos, Bob Keft and Tom Fearby
The OKGA Honouring Service recognises and honours
those Old Knox Grammarians who have served in
the defence forces. This year we honoured Cdre JP
Stevenson, Alex Fitzsimons, Eric Thew, Richard
Miles, John Reid and John Hore-Lacy who made
presentations of Kilts, Sporrans and Belts to the Cadet
Unit and Side Drum to the Pipe Band. Cdre Stevenson
took the salute on parade.
Catafalque Party
OKGA President, Mr Michael Kelynack and Prep School Captain, William Cole.
On Saturday 31 October, alumni from the ‘Year of 1959’ gathered at the School
for their 50th Year Reunion Dinner, which was held in the Function Room of KG1.
Prior to the Dinner, Rob Simes, Old Boy and current master, lead a tour for a large
number of the Old Boys who were astounded by the changes made since 1959 as well
as the major building projects currently under construction.
The dinner was a great success for the 48 Old Boys present plus special guests
Deputy Headmaster, Paul Brown, Michael Kelynack, President OKGA and Tony
Osman, OKG 1957.
There was much reminiscing during the night and for a number of Old Boys present,
the evening also celebrated 60 years since they arrived in Form 1 at the Prep School
in February 1949.
25 Year Reunion
Front Row (L-R) – David Cooper, Tim Southerden, Andrew Leuchars, Cameron
Elvin, John Gilmore, David Marshall, David Morris, David Shannon, John Mildren,
Andrew Horspool | 1st Row Standing – Dean Anderson, Nigel Robinson, Craig
Davis, Kim Sundell, Richard Thomas, Adam Connolly, Philip Burton, Cameron
Reed, Richard Morris, Tim Ellis, Matt Row, Steevie Chan, Campbell Reade, Darren
Goodsir, David Winlaw, Andrew Spanswick, Rev Matt Wilson | 2nd Row – Peter
Green, Bruce Gemmell, Michael Chaseling, Jerimy Noakes, Mark Thomas, Stuart
Nettleton, Luke Austin, Stuart Kirkham, David Heytman, David Kelynack, Andrew
Suater, Andrew Webber, Michael Shugg, Jonathan Shorter.
Drum Major Angus McEntyre
OKGA Rugby Club Colts team with their premiership trophy. OKGA Rugby Club First Grade with their premiership trophy.
The inspection of recruits at the Parade following the Anzac Service.
THE THISTLE / December 2009 | 14 THE THISTLE / December 2009 | 15

The Thistle is a publication of
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