September 2011

30 September 2011
Published: 30 September 2011

Last week finished with a real treat for the S1 pupils, when cyclist Charline Joiner, (Commonwealth Silver Medalist) spoke to the year group at an assembly. FES (the facilities managers for the school) are support partners of Charline, who acts as an ambassador for the company by promoting a healthy and active lifestyle for the pupils of schools associated with FES. Charline’s presentation followed her journey to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi 2010 and subsequent medal success. Charline discussed the importance of pursuing 'dreams' in all walks of life, and the personal qualities needed to achieve success; such as commitment, the importance of hard work, and resilience.

Last Friday, the majority of S6 pupils and an intrepid band of staff headed to Dalguise for the annual S6/Staff Team Building weekend.  The weather was kind, the pupils enthusiastic, the activities challenging and the behaviour impeccable. The weekend was a great success, congratulations to all involved; thanks to the staff who took part and a special mention for Mr MacDonald who organised the weekend.

The Drama Department has had another busy week: on Saturday, 6 members of the Glee Club auditioned for the BBC in Glasgow for ‘Sports Relief Does Glee’. The girl band called 'Venus' auditioned in front of the production team and will find out in November if they have made it to the 'live' rounds.

On Tuesday evening, the Higher Drama and NPA Acting and Performance pupils visited the Tramway in Glasgow to see a performance of the National Theatre of Scotland's latest production: 'The Missing'. The pupils thought the piece (based on the novel about the impact missing people have on loved ones), was very 'moving and thought provoking'; they met Marianne Maxwell from NTS and stayed behind for the post show discussion. Thanks to all staff who accompanied the pupils and congratulations to the pupils who were a credit to the school, staff reported ‘although the show was good, the pupils exceeded expectations again with their excellent conduct and courtesy’.

Also on Tuesday, the school hosted a visit by 7 Norwegian teachers from a school in Bergen. Following an introduction to Knox, our visitors observed classes, met with S6 pupils and discussed literacy with Mr Swinney. The feedback from them was positive, if not glowing. It was a delight to meet them and we hope to maintain a link with their school. Thanks to all pupils and staff involved and a special thank you to Mr Illingworth for organising the afternoon.

On Thursday we had the first-ever Community Assemblies. The speaker was Mr Joe Forte, Chair of Haddington’s Business Association. The assemblies aim to forge closer links with our community. Later in the day, at interval, one of the S5 ‘Self in Society’ groups organised and held a very successful event as part of the MacMillan ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’. At the last count, over £170 had been raised. Congratulations to all involved.

On a personal level, on Wednesday, I was lucky enough to catch the eruption of some of the S3 Classics class volcanoes; wonderful working models built following research into the A.D. 79 eruption of Vesuvius. Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, I was lured to the hall to investigate the lovely piano music I could hear from my office. I stayed in the hall while S5 pupil, Nicholas Hardie, played, beautifully, some Chopin. It was a lovely tranquil moment in a very busy week.

Best wishes

J B Craig 

 

 

23 September 2011
Published: 23 September 2011

Although the Monday holiday made this week a short one, the hectic pace has continued.

On Wednesday, the ‘Northern Lights Quintet’, in East Lothian to perform in the Lammermuir Festival, visited the school. They played a varied programme of music, ranging from Baroque to contemporary, for pupils in the Intermediate, Higher and Advanced Higher Music classes. Also, they answered questions and discussed musical concepts and styles. It was lovely to hear the music emanating from the assembly hall and I was lucky enough to catch the last 15 minutes of the performance. This talented group was greatly appreciated by the pupils and staff.

Yesterday, we held the S1 ‘Settling in Evening’ when we reported back to parents about their youngsters’ first few weeks at the school. It was a delight to be able to report that the majority of S1 pupils have settled into secondary school very well, they are enthusiastic and well behaved, however, some are a little too ‘chatty’ in class. The week will finish with a real treat for the S1 pupils, when cyclist Charline Joiner, (Commonwealth Silver Medalist) will speak to the year group at an assembly.

Today the majority of S6 pupils and an intrepid band of staff head to Dalguise for the annual S6/Staff Team Building weekend.  Whatever the weather, I am sure this will be as successful as it has been in previous years.

Best wishes.

J B Craig 

16 September 2011
Published: 16 September 2011

On Tuesday I attended a performance of ‘Frankenstein’, written and performed by one of the S4 Drama classes. This was a very impressive affair and much appreciated by the enthusiastic S1 audience. Well done to all involved.

Thankfully, the weather on Wednesday was breezy but dry and sunny, allowing the whole school photograph to be taken. The company concerned, Tempest, arrived at 07.00 to build the staging and just after 09.00; there were lines of pupils in Tutor Groups heading for the school fields. The pupils’ behaviour and co-operation were excellent and they looked wonderful in full dress code. The Tempest staff complimented the pupils on their behaviour and were surprised at the short time it took to organise the photograph. I’m sure we all look forward to seeing the outcome of this example of whole school teamwork.

Yesterday, I visited all the S1 classes during a Social Subjects’ period. It is a delight to report that all the classes were deemed satisfactory or better regarding conduct and behaviour. The pupils seem to be off to a good start at Knox. We have the S1 ‘Settling In Evening’ on Thursday 22 September when we will be reporting back to parents about their youngsters’ first few weeks at the school.

Monday 19 September is a holiday, all resume on Tuesday 20 September.

Best wishes.

J B Craig 

09 September 2011
Published: 09 September 2011

We have had a very exciting week at the school. On Monday, we received confirmation that Knox Academy has been awarded the British Council International School Award (an accreditation scheme for curriculum-based international work in schools). The scheme provides recognition for teachers and their schools working to instil a global dimension into the learning experience of pupils. This is the third time in succession that the school has gained this accolade (we think that this is a ‘first’ for a Scottish school).  The award runs from 2011 to 2014.  Congratulations and well done to all those involved and a special thank you to Mr Duddin (retired Depute) who led the initiative in the school for many years.

More good news on Monday as the Drama Department received the following email from the National Theatre of Scotland:  ‘Congratulations! It gives me great pleasure to inform you that your application for our Exchange 2012 Festival has been successful’. Now in its sixth year, the National Theatre of Scotland’s Exchange programme brings together groups of young theatre-makers to create and perform new pieces of theatre, with the support of a professional creative team. The groups are encouraged to develop their skills through master classes and workshops with leading national and international theatre-makers. The school is honoured to be part of this exciting project. 

Tuesday was the first day of the ‘Tots and Teens’ – a new idea in Community Playgroups. This involved 10 ‘tots’, 2 ‘teens’ and various staff, working and playing in the Crèche Room. The ‘tots’ and staff seemed very relaxed, the ‘teens’ were exhausted and the parents relieved that the first day had gone so well.

On the Tuesday and Wednesday, the Institute of Physics ‘Lab in a Lorry’ was at school.  This was a great opportunity for all S2 and some S3 pupils to experience exciting hands on experiments, as ‘Lab in a Lorry’ is an interactive mobile science laboratory, staffed by scientists and engineers.  The pupils had the opportunity to do experimental science in the way it actually happens; exploratory, accidental and informed by curiosity and intuition. For example, one of the experiments was on Resonance- the highlight was seeing a wine glass flexing whilst illuminated with a strobe light. Mr I Grey, MSP, joined the pupils in enjoying the ‘real’ experiments. Thank you to the Science Faculty, in particular Mr Doig, for organising such a lively event. 

The Parent School Partnership (Parent Council) met on Wednesday evening and the minutes, of this, the first meeting of the session, will be available on the Parents’ website.

Yesterday there was a ‘Back to School’ disco for S1-6. This was a fund raiser organised by ‘Team Tortuga’, one of the teams going on the 2012 Nicaragua and Honduras Expedition. Thanks to the organisers and staff who attended for making it an enjoyable night for the pupils.

A reminder that, weather permitting, there will be a whole school photograph taken on Wednesday 14 September-I’m sure all pupils will be in full dress code and looking great.

Best wishes. 

J B Craig 

02 September 2011
Published: 02 September 2011

Last Friday, there was a very successful open afternoon for ‘Tots and Teens’ – a new idea in Community Playgroups. This is a very exciting initiative that will involve S3 pupils working with the playgroup that will be housed in the Crèche Room. The playgroup starts on Tuesday 6 September and we look forward to welcoming the ‘Tots’ to Knox Academy.

Following the S1 pupils’ participation in last week’s ‘Eco-week’, an enthusiastic group S1 pupils attended Tuesday’s first meeting of the session of the Eco-club.  The Biology teachers reported that the pupils are really keen and motivated and had some marvellous ideas for future activities. The club will meet on Thursdays to avoid a clash with the Jewellery Club. A One Planet Picnic is planned for mid-September; watch this space. This is just one example of the many extra-curricular clubs running at the school, ranging from dancing to music groups to sports to cheerleading to drama….. the list is long and exciting. Please encourage your youngster to take up the opportunities offered; there really is something for everyone.

On Wednesday, the S6 pupils had the opportunity to attend the ‘2MOROS Driver’ course. Feedback suggests this was a very helpful morning and good preparation for driving.

As we move into September and autumn looms, the pace of work will increase for the pupils (it is only 7 working weeks until the S4 prelim examinations).

Advance notice: weather permitting, there will be a whole school photograph taken on Wednesday 14 September-I’m sure all pupils will be in full dress code and looking great.

Best wishes.

J B Craig