The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement as more than 200 people, including students and their families, gathered for the always highly anticipated Year 7 Parent and Student Welcome Evening on Thursday 27 February 2025. This event marked the beginning of an exciting academic journey in Senior School for our students, offering families a valuable chance to connect with teachers, staff and fellow Year 7 families.
The evening was filled with energy, anticipation and a strong sense of community as parents and students connected with teachers, explored new opportunities and celebrated the start of a new school year together.
The evening began with a warm welcome from our Associate Principal: Community, Culture and Operations, Toni-Ann Bright, who shared an inspiring message about the exciting year ahead. She emphasised the importance of fostering a supportive and collaborative learning environment where both students and parents feel empowered to succeed.
Head of Students (Year 7 to 10), Christian Stuckey, made the all-important introductions to the many Mentors and teachers in the room that work with our Year 7 students on a daily basis. We then heard from our Year 7 Coordinator and International Program Coordinator, Natasha Tereshchenko, who spoke to how the students were settling into their spaces, learning and new responsibilities.
We even heard from our Head of Sports Strategy, Pathways and Programs, Nathan Bower, who reminded us of the important survey that has been distributed to all families – a valuable opportunity for our entire community to give us their feedback and share their thoughts and experiences with sport at The Knox School. This information will inform future improvements in these important spaces.
After the opening address, Year 7 teachers and staff were on hand to answer questions, provide guidance and discuss the exciting opportunities available to students this year.
One of the highlights of the evening was the opportunity for parents and students to meet with their student Mentors. The Mentors play an integral role in making the transition into Year 7 a smooth one and offered advice on how families can best support their children’s learning and wellbeing throughout the school year.
To end the evening on a positive note, our Year 7 students and their families enjoyed a light reception, where they had the chance to mingle, enjoy refreshments and form new connections.
As we look forward to the months to come, we are excited to continue building a strong and supportive community where students, parents and staff work together collaboratively to help every Year 7 student thrive.
