May 2011

27 May 2011
Published: 27 May 2011

The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network (STEMNET) creates opportunities to inspire young people in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Teams from S1 have been taking part in the STEM Challenge 6: The Cisco Website Challenge. Rachel Morris is one of Britain's top Paralympians. She has a condition known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) that has resulted in her having both legs amputated. Rachel competes in handcycling road events, and has won gold medals at the World Championships, and at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. STEMNET and Cisco challenged 11-14 year olds from across the UK to raise the profile of Rachel Morris by designing an interesting, informative and educational website. Fifteen S1 pupils have spent the last six weeks researching and designing websites that would not only raise Rachel's profile but educate people about CRPS and inspire and motivate young disabled people to choose sport. Having recently presented their research to a panel of expert judges, the team of H. Lomholt-Welch (1T2), W. Syme (1G1), C. Craig (1L2), I MacDonald (1L1) and P. Macaldowie (1G1) has been selected to take part in the STEM Challenge 6 National final in London, where Rachel Morris herself will be heading up the judging panel. Congratulations to all the pupils involved.

In 2012, pupils from Knox will be travelling to Nicaragua and Honduras. As part of the fundraising for the expedition, last weekend, a team undertook the sponsored 5K run in Edinburgh. The event was a great success and the team did very well, all finishing the race within 38 minutes, congratulations to them all and a special mention of Sandy Holden who finished 23 out of 280 competitors with a time of 24 minutes and 50 seconds. It looks likely that the team have raised over £900 in sponsorship for their summer 2012 expedition.

Yesterday evening was the S2 Parents Consultation Evening, this proved to be very busy. S2 Coursing will be underway next week and I look forward to receiving the completed course choice sheets from the pupils by Friday 3 June.

Best wishes.

JB Craig

20 May 2011
Published: 20 May 2011

An archaeological dig took place on Monday 16th May at Sheriffside Farm, Gifford and 30 S1 pupils and staff members of the History, Geography and Classics departments attended. The dig was led by Archaeologist David Connolly and was organised by the Peter Potter Gallery.  The pupils were given a quick introduction into how to 'dig' and then spent the rest of the afternoon trying to find treasures. As a result of this trip, the Archaeological Society of Scotland will be visiting the school to run workshops and, perhaps, identify our very own Indiana Jones. The pupils and staff enjoyed the ‘dig’, many thanks to the Peter Potter Gallery for organising and covering the costs of the trip.

Once again Knox has talent: Sophie Lawrence (S2) and Charlotte Smith (S1) are through to the final of East Lothian’s Got Talent. They auditioned on Friday night and did exceptionally well, and were the only act (out of 14) to reach the final. The final will be held on the 28 May in the Corn Exchange and the winner will be decided by the public vote, I’m sure the school community will be out in force to support Sophie and Charlotte. Congratulations Sophie and Charlotte and good luck on the 28.

Yesterday, the Home Economics Department hosted the final of the ‘Little and Large’ cooking competition. Teams (2 primary and one secondary pupil in each) from the 6 Clusters competed for the prize. Dishes from around the world were prepared and all looked and smelled delicious. Competition was fierce and after the judging, the team from the Musselburgh Cluster was named overall winner. Congratulations to the Musselburgh team, well done to all the participants and many thanks to Miss Hossack and her team for organising another successful event.

A reminder that the school is closed to pupils (except those sitting examinations) on Victoria Day, Monday 23 May and Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 May (staff in-service days).

Best wishes.

JB Craig

13 May 2011
Published: 13 May 2011

On Tuesday, the Home Economics Department hosted the first round of the ‘Little and Large’ cooking competition. S3 pupils from Knox assisted the teams from the cluster primary schools as they cooked two dishes: creamy tuna pasta and cupcakes. Competition was fierce and after the judging, the team from Yester Primary was named cluster winner. They will represent the Haddington Cluster in the East Lothian final at Knox, on Thursday 19 May. Well done to all the participants and good luck to the Yester team and their S3 buddy for the final.

Knox has received a Gold Award from the SRU for rugby development in the school. On behalf of the school, I would like to thank Haddington Rugby Club and especially Scott Marnoch for all the hard work that has resulted in increased numbers of participants. Also, a thank you to the coaches and parents affiliated with Haddington RFC who helped out and supported the teams over the course of the season.

All pupils in S4/5/6 are on study leave and sitting their SQA examinations. So far things have gone fairly smoothly and I am sure the whole school community joins me in wishing all the pupils every success in their examinations.

A reminder that the school is closed to pupils (except those sitting examinations) on Victoria Day, Monday 23 May and Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 May (staff in-service days).

Best wishes.

JB Craig

6 May 2011
Published: 06 May 2011

Once again, the Drama Department has had a busy and successful week. A group of third year pupils has spent the past few months working on a short documentary film called ‘It Gets Better’. The film focuses on homophobic bullying in schools and gives hope to young people that ‘It Gets Better’. The pupils were part of the Panasonic Kid Witness News project, a global contest that asks young people to create an engaging short film on a subject of global importance. At the awards ceremony in Derby on May 4, the Knox Academy team received the ‘Best Global Citizenship’ National Award. Of the fifteen schools involved in the UK, the Knox Academy team was the only group from Scotland. Gill Brigg, Education Director for KWN, said ‘The Knox film was very thought provoking and deals with a challenging and controversial issue that affects our young people in schools. They dealt with this with maturity and passion and they have been a privilege to work with’. Congratulations to the team and thanks to Mr Campbell and Ms Duff for supporting the group and accompanying them to Derby.

Continuing on a dramatic theme, Standard Grade Drama pupils in third and fourth year have been accepted to take part in activities to celebrate the National Theatre of Scotland’s fifth birthday. They will be creating 5 pieces of five minutes theatre. A total of 235 productions will be broadcast online over 24hrs from 5pm on Tuesday 21 June. Entries were received from all over the world, with 37 successful entries coming from Edinburgh and the Lothians. Proposals from the five groups at Knox Academy, include a TV cookery show with a twist; tourists marooned on an island; a one to one confessional; a site-specific, physical theatre piece and a couple’s date. The school is planning a day of theatre on 21 June, to celebrate the Five Minute Theatre programme.

Yesterday, the school hosted a visit from careers advisers and teachers, from all over Norway. The feedback from them has been fantastic, they were especially impressed with the enthusiasm of the staff and pupils they met during the visit, the only complaint was that they would have liked to spend more time with them. Photographs and information about the visit will be on the IPN (International Partnership Network) website, www.iebpn.net, many thanks to the staff and pupils involved, and a special thank you to Mr Duddin for organising the visit.

So, another very busy week for Knox Academy: all pupils in S4/5/6 have received letters regarding the arrangements for the examinations and study leave. For S4 pupils, the SQA examinations and Study Leave began on Tuesday. So far things have gone fairly smoothly and (most of) the candidates are still smiling. I am sure the whole school community join me in wishing all the pupils every success in their examinations.

Best wishes.

JB Craig