December 2011

22 December 2011
Published: 22 December 2011

As you can imagine, it has been quite a week at Knox Academy……. 

On Monday, I visited all the S1 classes; the aim was to find out if they had enjoyed their first term at Knox (and planned to return in January!). I am delighted to report that all classes said they had enjoyed the term and staff confirmed that the classes had worked well and that S1 are a pleasure to teach. 

The annual Christmas Concerts were held on Tuesday afternoon and evening and were a great success. The range of talent on show was wonderful, producing a varied programme from soul to glee to classical pieces to carols. The packed audiences enjoyed the concerts and cheered the talented pupils and staff involved. Congratulations to everyone who took part and a very big thank you to Ms Duff and the Music Department for organising this splendid event. 

The spirit of Christmas is alive and well at Knox; yesterday there was a very impressive display of Christmas Boxes. In all, there were 34 boxes from the Tutor Groups, each one filled with food items and decorated to suit the festive season. Every S1 class and all three houses in S6 produced a box and S2 to S5 were well represented. The boxes were judged by Mr Duddin and the results were: Overall Winner:  1T3; House Winners:  Garleton 3G3; Lammerlaw: 1L1; Traprain: 3T1; Highly Commended: 5L2 and 5L3 and Judge’s Special Mention: 5L1. Well done to everyone, the standard was excellent and the boxes have now been distributed to members of the local community. A special thank you to Mrs McInnes who led this charity event and ‘encouraged’ everyone to take part; pictures of the boxes can be seen on the website. 

Today has been very hectic, in House Groups, all pupils have seen a performance of the S6 Panto’ “Cinderella” and have danced the day away at the PE Department’s Ceilidh before the closing assembly at 3.30 and the, now traditional, rousing rendition of the “12 Days of Christmas”. My thanks to all staff who helped organise today’s events that have brought a very busy term to a lovely close. School finished at 4pm today and pupils resume at 8.44 am on Tuesday 10 January. 

 

Many thanks to all members of the school community for their hard work over the term and very best wishes for the festive season and 2012.

J B Craig 

16 December 2011
Published: 16 December 2011

Last weekend, we were delighted to hear that our Rwandans colleagues had arrived home safely in Ruhanga. No doubt they are enjoying the warmer weather; many thanks and congratulations to Ms Orr and her team for organising the successful visit.

On Sunday, a group of senior Drama pupils attended a workshop as part of the National Theatre of Scotland’s Exchange programme. The workshop, led by playwright David Greig, was excellent and examined the physics of creating theatre through the use of fruit! A big thank you to Mr Campbell, who accompanied the group and will remain their mentor even though he has moved to pastures new. 

Monday evening was busy; after school, "Twisted" was performed by Drama pupils. The Junior Drama Club performed four pieces based on a fairy tale with a twist; next, the NC Acting and Theatre Performance pupils presented a devised piece based on a twisted version of ‘Hansel and Gretel’ that had the audience jumping out of their seats. It was the first public performance by the NPA Musical Theatre pupils, who co-choreographed and performed "Burlesque Express" as part of the course assessment. The evening was a huge success and we look forward to their cabaret performances in March 2012. 

The drama did not end there as, later in the evening, a large group of staff and pupils of all ages travelled to Edinburgh to see ‘We will Rock You’ at the Playhouse. The (noisy) show was enjoyed by all and staff reported that, again, the pupils were a credit to the school. 

On Tuesday over 40 S3 pupils, accompanied by staff from the Chemistry Department, attended the Royal Society of Chemistry Xmas Lecture ‘Dr. Bunhead’s Exploding Christmas’. Dr. Bunhead investigated the flammability of custard, exploding hot water bottles, spontaneously combusting jelly babies and many more Christmas conundrums. There was lots of smoke, bangs and explosions and the pupils thoroughly enjoyed the show. 

On Tuesday, there was a very big disappointment for the pupils, when, following an amber weather alert, the disco was cancelled yet again. However, it has been re-arranged for Tuesday 17 January, when we can celebrate the New Year. 

During the week, I visited all the S4 and S2 classes, the themes were homework and conduct. I am delighted to report that all classes were reported to be working well and completing homework; although the one or two individual exceptions need to ensure they work harder and prepare for assessments but, all in all, a positive picture. 

Yesterday morning, John Vischer, minister from the West Kirk, presented a thought-proving assembly to the pupils on Christmas and the meaning of the Nativity; our thanks to Rev. Vischer for being with us at this very busy time of year. 

Yesterday evening, there was another successful 'teambuilding' event at the King's Theatre in Edinburgh, when S5/6 Business Education pupils and guests attended a performance of ‘Cinderella’. The evening lived up to expectations and was enjoyed by all. 

Finally this week, congratulations to Naomi Rogers, 3L2; the card she designed in the Art class, has been chosen as this year’s Knox Academy Christmas Card.

Best wishes

J B Craig

Stop Press: At interval today I was lucky to be on the panel judging the S1 Nativity Scenes, completed for RMPS. The standard was so high and the entries so creative, it was very difficult to make decisions. Interpretations included posters, comic books, cakes, gingerbread people, needlework, a lampshade, a peepshow, models and origami. Full details will be placed on the website. 

9 December 2011
Published: 09 December 2011

Last Thursday, World Aids Day, pupils and staff purchased red ribbons to advertise and support this worthy cause. The breakdown of the funds raised was: National AIDS Trust - £59.98, Waverley Care - £77.41 with a Total of £137.39. Congratulations to all involved. 

On Monday we welcomed our Rwandans colleagues from Ruhanga Secondary School (Mr V Dukurumuremyi) and Primary School (Ms H Furaha). During the week they have been observing classes, visiting local attractions and working with staff from King’s Meadow Primary School and Knox on partnership projects. They have had a very warm welcome from the schools, but the weather this week has been a bit of a challenge for them.

On Tuesday, the school’s Amnesty Group held an assembly for S1/2 pupils regarding the work of Amnesty International and the Christmas campaign. This was a very thought-provoking presentation and I am sure pupils and staff will support the campaign. At the end of the assembly, this month’s ‘Purely Positive Pupil’ prize was awarded to Curtis Fairgrieve, 2L1. Congratulations to Curtis and well done to all the purely positive pupils. 

On Tuesday we held a very busy S5/6 Parents’ Consultation Evening. I hope all who attended found the evening informative, helpful and encouraging.

Yesterday morning, the school held its third Community Assembly. Regularly, we invite members of the local community into the school to speak with pupils about their life and participation in the local community. Yesterday, we welcomed Jo Lochhead from the Bead Shop in Haddington and pupils were very attentive as she spoke about her life and the development of her business. Afterwards, a member of the local Rotary Club made a presentation to pupils regarding a planned fundraising event in aid of fighting polio in less economically developed countries (‘Paint a Pinkie Day’). Many thanks to the speakers for giving up their time to be with us. 

Everyone will be aware of the impact of the extreme weather yesterday. My thanks to all members of the school community who assisted in ensuring that the pupils reached home safely when the school was closed to pupils at noon. The decision to close the school is not taken lightly but the safety of the pupils is paramount and all actions are taken to ensure this. A big disappointment for the pupils was the cancellation of the disco. However, this has been re-arranged for Tuesday 13 December and I am sure will have lost none of its sparkle. 

Best wishes

J B Craig 

2 December 2011
Published: 02 December 2011

On Tuesday and Wednesday, S5/6 pupils sat their practical Music prelims. Judging by the lovely sounds of music that emanated from the hall, they have done very well and I look forward to hearing about the results.

On Tuesday evening, the pupils studying Advanced Higher Business Management and staff from the Business Education Department attended a very successful ‘teambuilding’ event: a meal at Frankie and Benny's and a visit to the cinema. Staff reported that the evening was full of good conversation, plenty of laughs and great company. 

Yesterday was World Aids Day and pupils and staff purchased red ribbons to advertise and support this worthy cause. 

The Parent School Partnership (Parent Council) met yesterday evening and the minutes will be available on the Parents’ website. 

Also yesterday evening, the school’s Ecoclub held the second EcoLife Event. This was part awareness raising, part provision of information, part recycling, part Christmas shopping but mainly lots of fun. The highlight was the Eco Fashion Show that began with a couple of songs from the Glee Club and ended with some very ‘interesting’ models. All the clothes in the show came from local charity shops and the staff and pupils modelling them looked great. Thanks to all members of the community who supported the event and congratulations to the organisers: members of the Ecoclub and the Biology Staff. Full details of the evening can be found on the website and it looks like this is now a firm fixture in the Knox calendar. 

Best wishes

J B Craig