Whole Person Education - Knox Grammar School

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Social JusticeABBOX Camper with Hamish Smith and Max Turner (right)ABBOX of Fun:The Camp that Makes a Difference!ABBOX of Fun provides a great deal of fun,experiences and new challenges for childrenwith special needs. The children have the timeof their lives with activities which includeinteractions with all kinds of farm animals;a reptile display; swimming; a ‘Master Chef’challenge; a visit from the Police, Fire Brigadeand Ambulance; music; dancing; and lawn bowlswith a difference. This all adds up to four daysof great fun which culminates in a ChristmasParty. The party enables the children towelcome their families to share some of theCamp experiences.Sony Foundation Camps are held in variousschools around Australia, and Knox andAbbotsleigh commenced a special partnershipin 2008 for the ABBOX of Fun Camp. Successfulcamps have been held each December since. Thestudent carers are senior students in each schoolwho, in pairs, have total care of their specialcamper throughout the Camp. Of course Knoxand Abbotsleigh staff are on hand to organise,prepare, support, and listen during the Camp.Students make a formal application toparticipate in the Camp, including submissionof a resume and attendance at an interview.Extensive training then follows. Throughout theyear carers learn about disability, how to carefor, lift and bathe a child with various disabilities.The Camp challenges and transforms ouryoung Knox men; this is a profound experienceof giving of themselves and their compassionatecare for these children with their special gifts.Sam Cameron, one of the 2010 carers, said‘this was one of the most challenging experiencesof my life; I hope I have made a difference. I havelearnt so much and it’s changed me. I am so gladI applied to participate’.Carers Matt Yeldham, Matthew Green andBen Lawley shared their experiences withKnox staff on a recent Staff Developmentday. In each of the presentations by theseyoung men there was a profound sense ofcompassion and insight to their reflectionson the Camp. They shared the joys, challengesand awareness of the realities of families livingwith a child with special needs and this left adeep impression on staff, many of whom weresupervisors at the Camp.In 2011 Knox Grammar School will host theABBOX of Fun Camp in the Knox BoardingCentre. Plans are well underway for the 4-daycamp from 9-13 December. The camperswill have access to the new aquatic centre,Great Hall and related facilities. Carerswill have training provided by projectABLEwith additional training to include guestspeakers from organisations such as ASPECT;physiotherapists and occupational therapistswill further prepare the senior students forthe realities of the Camp.We will need the support of the KnoxCommunity with donations of activity materialsand opportunities, as well as supplies for meals,cleaning and medical needs. Helpers will also beappreciated to supervise medications, preparefood, clean rooms, set up activities and so on. Ifyou are able to help please email Helen Clarkeon clarkeh@knox.nsw.edu.auDaniel Drummond and Matt Green with theirCamper enjoying Mr Sean Ranyard’s HarleyDavidson. Mr Ranyard will be bringing his bike tothe camp again in 2011.Advocates for JusticeThe Knox Social Justice network is now wellestablished with our Community Serviceprogram, our Whole of Life programs forBoarders, our Indigenous program and ourinternational program in Papua New Guinea.Social Justice is an integrated education andadvocacy program across K-12.Each year group in the Prep is responsiblefor an area whether it be Closing the GapPrograms in literacy; working with St Lucy’s;establishing connections with local agedcare facilities; targeting homelessness by theprovision of meals; or developing resourcesfor the classrooms in Milne Bay, Papua NewGuinea or for ABBOX of Fun.The recent disasters in Queensland, Victoriaand Japan have led to a number of appealsin support of the people impacted by thesetragic events. The boys have held gatecollections, an appeal at Six-Event Day, and theKnox Language Department held a culturalday to raise money for the people impacted bythe earthquake and tsunami.Knox has been working on a joint venturewith Ravenswood School to form the firstTeen Variety Board in Australia. A trainingand orientation day was run by Variety tointroduce the team members to the work ofVariety Australia with guest speaker KeeganThe Thistle / June 2011 | 16
Garden Day 2011With Guest Celebrity Gardener,Sandra Ross of the Garden ClinicHundreds of villagers, in wonderful colours, came from surrounding areas for the opening of the Aid Post;the only medical facility in the area.Oh-Chee, who is a current Variety sportsscholarship recipient. A launch of this excitingnew project by Variety Australia will be heldlater in the year.The Papua New Guinea relationship continuesto develop and the Aid Post official opening wasattended by Rev Will Nicholas and Mrs HelenClarke. The Aid Post was donated by Knox andconstructed by the local builders. The annualvisit to Lelehudi, Milne Bay continues this yearas we strengthen our relationship with thiscommunity. The opportunity for our boys toshare their culture in the classroom and beyondis life-changing; the boys’ understanding ofinternational aid based on capacity building andrelationships is embedded in an understandingof the rich culture and joy these localcommunities share with us.The Bishop of the Trobiand Islands withRev Will Nicholas on the veranda of the Aid Postat the official opening.Understanding the needs of those disadvantagedon our doorstep has been again highlighted asthe Year 7s enthusiastically supported STARRTSand Pink Ribbon Day. The more senior boyshave long been ambassadors for White RibbonDay and a Crazy Tie Day was used to raisefunds and build awareness for MOvember.The enormous generosity of the KnoxCommunity led to the donation of thousandsof books, clothing and sports equipment tovarious indigenous communities in CentralAustralia and in western NSW. In additionto our Christmas Gift Hamper Appeal, Knoxboarders, as part of their leadership andmentoring training, spent a day working withthe team at Edward Eager Lodge in Surry Hills,learning about the lives of the residents andserving them a meal.Knox’s involvement in many local, regional andinternational social justice initiatives provideseach boy with an opportunity to see lifethrough the experiences of marginalised groupsin our society, and this experience is matchedby the boys’ compassion and advocacy forthose they encounter on this journey.Mrs Helen ClarkeHead of Christian Studies and Social JusticeFriday 9 September 2011, 10am–2pmSpring! When the gardens of Water Street,Wahroonga burst into glorious splendour.Be inspired by the selection of beautiful,privately owned gardens opened for yourenjoyment, and admire the architecture ofsome of the North Shore’s finest homes.Stroll along the tree lined avenue of thishistoric precinct admiring the significanttrees and discovering more about thelocal history.Relax over morning tea/lunch at StAndrew’s Anglican Church; let the KnoxEnsemble groups and Gallery Choirserenade you and be moved by thestirring renditions of the Knox Pipe Bands.Shop ‘til you drop at the legendary Knoxplant, craft, bakery and gourmet cuisinestalls offering a range of potted plants, finecraft and a delicious selection of freshlybaked cakes and slices, and homemadegourmet cuisine products. Purchase agorgeous bouquet of fresh flowers totake home and be tempted by the arrayof jewellery, handbags, linen, pashminas,giftware, garden ornaments and much,much more.Knox Garden Day is a short five-minutewalk from Wahroonga Station. We will alsooperate a shuttle bus from WahroongaStation and there will be ample parking.Entrance Fee: $18.00 | Concession: $12.00Enquiries: 9487 0122 | www.knox.nsw.edu.auThe Thistle / June 2011 | 17
Page 2 and 3: CONTENTS //June 201102 From the Hea
Page 5: egard to those strengths, structure
Page 8 and 9: Preparatory SchoolNo Cramp for Knox
Page 10 and 11: Preparatory SchoolKindy at the Farm
Page 12 and 13: Life at KnoxKnox teacher becomes
Page 14 and 15: Life at KnoxCadet Annual CampMember
Page 19 and 20: Above: The Cycle for SMILE route ar
Page 21 and 22: Why Should Boys Sing?‘The only th
Page 23 and 24: KNOX SPORTS ACADEMYAFL comes to Kno
Page 25 and 26: AdieuMr AW Mitchell at Knox: Teache
Page 27 and 28: five year strategic plan that encom
Page 29 and 30: From the Opera House to the WorldMa
Page 31 and 32: OKG SportIan MacPherson OKG55, Col
Page 33 and 34: Nicholas Henning OKG97Major League
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Whole Person Education - Knox Grammar School

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