A very warm welcome to the entire Knox School community as we begin Term 1 2025 together!
Whether you’re joining us as a young learner in the Early Learning Centre or as a student nearing the finish line in Year 12, we are thrilled to have you back on campus. To our new families joining us this year, an extra special welcome; you are now part of a vibrant, forward-thinking community and we’re excited to have you on this journey with us!
As we dive into a new school year, our Principal and Chief Executive, Nikki Kirkup, recently invited our TKS community to remember one of the most powerful tools we have as humans – the ability to ask questions. Whether it’s connecting with our teams, tackling challenges or making key decisions, the questions we ask can spark new ideas, build stronger relationships and drive us towards success.
“In this digital age, it can be easy for many of us to take for granted how asking questions can improve communication, spark innovations and build trust. While some professions focus on questioning as a skill, we sometimes forget how vital it is. Asking questions isn’t just about getting information, it’s about building stronger connections and learning from each other.
But questions can also often be uncomfortable. Sometimes, we hold back from asking questions because we don’t want to seem uninformed or because we think we already know the answers. The truth is, asking questions helps us understand others better and build meaningful relationships. Studies even show that people who ask thoughtful questions are more likely to form positive connections and make lasting impressions – both at school and in the workplace.”
At TKS, we ask questions and always endeavour to lead with curiosity. The way we ask questions can shape conversations and you may like to consider the following tips next time you need to seek an answer:
- Follow-up questions: These show you’re engaged and help dive deeper.
- Open-ended questions: Encourage detailed answers and fresh perspectives.
- The right order: Starting with easy questions to build trust before moving into deeper topics.
- Tone matters: A friendly, casual tone might sometimes help people feel more comfortable sharing.
Throughout our journeys through life, we could be faced with both opportunities and challenges – so you might say that asking the right questions is essential. Asking questions helps us guide decisions, find solutions and build trust within our relationships. Remember, when one person opens up, it often encourages others to do the same.
Here are just a few examples of the questions our teachers are asking themselves right now:
What hands-on activities or projects can I design to help students apply and practice new skills? How can I involve students in self-assessment and goal-setting to foster a sense of ownership over their learning? How can I continue to create a classroom culture that promotes curiosity, collaboration and a love for learning? What new teaching strategies or educational research can I explore to enhance my teaching practice and improve student outcomes?
In 2025, we invite you to embrace the power of questions. We hope that you will bring questions and curiosity to the many parent engagement and consultation opportunities taking place this year – from information evenings to parent / student / teacher discussions. Questions are not just for gathering facts – they’re a tool for growth, learning and deeper connections. By improving how we ask – and answer – questions, we can create stronger teams, spark new ideas and continue to foster growth in ourselves.
