Knox Grammar School Magazine December 2017 This Issue Contents // December 2017
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KNOX GRAMMAR SCHOOL MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2017 THIS ISSUE CONTENTS // DECEMBER 2017 03 From the Headmaster Quality teaching through collaboration. 04 From the Chairman of School Council Knox Grammar School is a leading Australian Explaining the role of School Council. day and boarding school for boys. Knox, a Uniting Church school from Years K-12, aims to develop, 06 Around the Grounds within a caring environment, young men of faith, Celebrating some of the success stories wisdom, integrity and compassion. Knox opened 06 across the Prep School and Senior School. in 1924 and today offers an outstanding range of educational and development opportunities. 16 Wahroonga Preparatory School Community involvement is at the heart of Wahroonga Preparatory School. ON THE FRONT COVER Adam Barnes (Y9) plays a disillusioned sheep in 19 Knox Preparatory School the Knox Theatre Ensemble Production, Valuable learning across STEM Projects, ‘Animal Farm’. Science Week, Music accolades and time to visit our nation’s capital! KNOX SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook: facebook.com/knoxgrammar 20 26 Knox Cadet Unit Twitter: twitter.com/knoxgrammar Knox is leading the way and developing a Instagram: instagram.com/knoxgrammar 21st Century Program. Vimeo: vimeo.com/knoxgrammarschool 32 Knox Boarding ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS It has been a busy second semester for our Knox Boarders. This edition of The Thistle was prepared by Eileen Opilas, Publications Manager, 34 Knox Community Knox Grammar School. A variety of entertainment was on show at Proofreading by David Hayes, photography the Knox Spring Festival. by Paul Wright, Scott Cameron, Blue Murder 26 Studios (Daniel Boud and Cybele Malinowski) 36 Tech Crew Our Knox Tech Crew are sharing their skills Knox staff, students and parents. with other schools and businesses. CONTRIBUTIONS 38 Old Knox Grammarians Deadline for the June 2018 edition of Events and news of Old Boys. The Thistle is 9 April 2018. OKGA contributions to [email protected]. General contributions to [email protected]. DESIGN Stephanie Tesoriero, stephanietesoriero.com 34 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. 36 THE THISTLE FROM THE HEADMASTER ENHANCING STUDENT LEARNING THROUGH TEACHER COLLABORATION WORDS BY Mr John Weeks, Headmaster energy developing systems, providing expertise and time for teachers to work closely together to improve their pedagogical skills, and ensure that their teaching is more targeted. Over the last 18 months, a dedicated centre, known as the Teacher Excellence Institute, where teachers are involved in creative work, in-depth discussion, lesson planning and analysis, has been created as a purpose built work place. Additionally, an experienced team of professionals “The most effective strategy known as Directors of Professional Learning have available to governments, schools been recruited to guide, develop and evaluate and school systems for improving teacher performance across all teaching grades and student achievement is to improve academic departments at our three campuses: the quality of day-to-day teaching Knox Prep, Wahroonga Prep and the Senior School. and learning. At a fundamental I am delighted that we have been able to attract level, this means changing what such outstanding professionals to work with our teachers do. The challenge is to Surveys of incoming parents over recent years mainstream teachers. There are currently four staff get all teachers doing what the have indicated that Quality Teaching is the number working with Mrs Yager – Patrice Brady, Matthew best already do and supporting the one reason families choose Knox. This reflects the Robertson, Tracey Clarke and Jillian Anderson. best teachers to develop still more literature that has consistently demonstrated that effective classroom practices.” the quality of teaching has a powerful influence on Our teachers have also been supported to achieve student learning outcomes and engagement ‘Experienced Teacher’ and ‘Proficient Teacher’ – Professor Geoff Masters AO, Chief Executive, (Barber and Mourshed, 2007; Hattie, 2003; accreditation through the Association of Independent Australian Council for Educational Research Rowe, 2007; Hattie, 2003). Schools. Furthermore, we are continuing to develop the capacity of our school leaders at all levels of The most effective teachers are individuals management. School leaders play a key role in school teachers and encouraging collaboration is having who are lifelong learners who take their own improvement by influencing the motivation and a real impact on student learning. Analysis of professional development very seriously. To be capacity of teachers and affecting the climate and NAPLAN data has shown significant improvements an outstanding practitioner in the 21st Century environment in which they work and learn. in student reading, writing and numeracy skills requires reflection, review and recalibration at throughout the study period. We are fortunate to have formed a research regular intervals, such is the rate of change in the To date, the evidence has affirmed the positive access and delivery of information. Furthermore, partnership with the University of Newcastle. Our teaching staff are able to study for a Masters of impact of our work; however, as with all quality improvement in teaching practice is fostered by research, there needs to be more longitudinal collaboration. Teacher collaboration including “the Philosophy or Doctorate of Philosophy grounded in the work they are doing at Knox. This wonderful data generated before the impact of this approach sharing of effort, knowledge and resources in the can be reliably evaluated. Knox has a long-term pursuit of shared goals… plays a central role in opportunity will deepen the knowledge of our teaching staff and provide a strong research base commitment to implementing, measuring and the achievement of student learning outcomes” evaluating this approach to professional learning. (Bentley and Cazaly, 2015). and evidence to support our programs at Knox, such as the Total Fitness model, the Professional In 2018, the Teacher Excellence Institute will be Our evidence-based approach to the professional Learning Hub model and the Elevate Program for extending the Knox professional learning community learning of teachers is grounded in reflection, high potential learners. to include other schools who will benefit from the collaboration and targeted teaching. Under the expertise of our teaching staff. We will be providing leadership of Karen Yager, Deputy Headmaster Our work and research today, including a special research project with the Association of resources and professional development webinars (7-12) and Head of Student and Teacher Excellence and workshops for these schools, reflecting the (K-12), Knox has spent considerable time and Independent Schools NSW, has shown that our work to support the professional development of our Uniting Church ethos of giving back to the community. DECEMBER 2017 03 FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF SCHOOL COUNCIL FR0M THE CHAIRMAN OF SCHOOL COUNCIL WORDS BY Mr Peter Roach (OKG79), Chairman of School Council • Kerrie Howarth (School Council Executive) INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE • Kent Walker (parent and Old Boy) This committee, formerly known as the ‘Building • Kylie Macdonald (parent) Committee’, was renamed in 2016 as its focus • Richard Hirst (parent and Old Boy) goes well beyond just bricks and mortar. It looks at the needs of the whole school (across all three • Chris Hindmarsh (parent and Old Boy) campuses) with regards to buildings, ICT and other STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE infrastructure. It makes recommendations to the Finance Committee and also directly to the full This committee is focused on strategic programs, School Council. A key focus of this committee at which provide sound educational outcomes for present is the Performing Arts Centre and Junior the students. Examples include professional Secondary Academy, which is due to open at the development of teachers, STEM and educational commencement of 2019. research projects. The role of School Council is Members: Members: something that many members of • David Caspari (Convenor and Council Secretary) our school community don’t always • Simon Rothery (Convenor and Deputy Chairman • Cathy Tunbridge (Council Treasurer) fully understand. I would like to shine of School Council) • John Weeks (Headmaster) a light on one of the key features • Tracey Cain (Council member) • Damian Ferguson (Chief Financial Officer) of Council, our committee system, • John Weeks (Headmaster) which drives many of our decision- • Scott James (Deputy Headmaster) At the date of writing this report, there are making processes. two additional Council sub-committees being • Karen Yager (Deputy Headmaster 7-12) developed: a Legal Committee and a Knox/ One of the key roles of the School Council is to work • Mark Hemphill (Head of Knox Prep) Ravenswood Collaboration Committee. closely with the Headmaster in setting the strategic • Julie Wiseman (Head of Wahroonga Prep) direction of the School. Other responsibilities Working closely with the Headmaster, Council include financial governance, compliance with • Damian Ferguson (Chief Financial Officer) and these committees heavily shape many of the all relevant legislation and internal policies, risk • Martin Gooding (Head of Enrolments) students’ experiences at Knox. Initiatives such