March 2012

30 March 2012
Published: 30 March 2012

The total amount collected last Friday for Sports Relief was a magnificent £691.62 - well done to everyone involved.

It may be the last week of term, but it has been a very busy one. On Tuesday, there was some success for Team Knox at the East Lothian Youth Games followed by a wonderful concert in the evening. On Thursday, there were impressive drama performances by S6 pupils entitled ‘Forbidden Fruit’. Also, the S4/5 coursing interviews were completed and the S3 reports issued. Phew!                                                                                                       

The Purely Positive pupil for March is Beth Revuelta, 5T3. Congratulations to everyone involved in the events above and all the Purely Positive Pupils.

Today we had assemblies led by Rector Revd Canon Anne Dyer, of Holy Trinity Church. Our thanks to Canon Dyer for helping us bring the spring term to a conclusion.

As we reach the end of term and the examinations for S4/5/6 are not far away, I am sure you will be encouraging your youngsters to study hard; take advantage of the extra revision sessions on offer and to access the Easter Revision programme (details can be found on the website).

Term finishes today at 12.05 pm and the summer term begins on Tuesday 17 April at 8.44am. Best wishes to everyone for a relaxing and enjoyable spring break.

JB Craig

23 March 2012
Published: 23 March 2012

There are only 2 and a half working weeks until the start of the SQA diet of examinations for S4. During the week, pupils in S4 have been undertaking practical examinations in Music, Drama and Hospitality and so far things seem to be going well. As we near the examinations, I am sure you will be encouraging your youngsters to study hard; take advantage of the extra revision sessions on offer and to access the Easter Revision programme (details can be found on the website).

Many parents and carers of pupils in S2 attended an information evening on Tuesday on the Curriculum for Excellence. The main presentation from the evening can be found on the website. Feedback from the parents was very positive and will help with planning the next steps. The school will be working in partnership with the Parents School Partnership; the area HM Inspector, other secondary schools in East Lothian, the School Council and the Quality Improvement Officers of East Lothian to ensure we deliver the best possible experience for our pupils. We plan to hold a further event in May/June; details will follow in the new term.

Today the school is filled with pupils in fancy dress in support of Sports Relief. Also, pupils in S1-3 (and staff) have been encouraged to walk/jog/run 1 mile around the perimeter of the school playing fields and to make a donation to Sports Relief. Well done to everyone involved and many thanks to Mr Lambert for organising the events.

A reminder that term finishes next Friday, 30 March, at 12.05 pm and the summer term begins on Tuesday 17 April at 8.44am.

Best wishes

JB Craig

16 March 2012
Published: 19 March 2012

On Wednesday, the third (and final) of a series of visits by S1 pupils to the Seabird Centre took place. This week it was the turn of the Garleton pupils and they had a great morning at the centre (and were very well behaved and polite). The visits have been organised by the Science Faculty as part of the school’s Comenius environment project. Also, as part of this programme, we welcomed our Czech colleagues back to the school for further work on the project.

Yesterday evening, a group of pupils from S1-6 travelled to Edinburgh to attend a performance at the Traverse Theatre by the Lyceum Youth Theatre of ‘Victim, Sidekick, Boyfriend, Me’. Ms Whitfield, who organised the trip and accompanied the pupils, reported that the pupils enjoyed the show and were a credit to the school.

The ‘Purely Positive Pupil’ for February was Matthew Reid, 2G2, who received a gift voucher. Congratulations to Matthew and all the purely positive pupils.

Best wishes

JB Craig

9 March 2012
Published: 09 March 2012

Stop Press: there will be an Information Evening for the parents and carers of pupils in S2 on Tuesday 20 March at 6.30pm. Full details will be distributed next week but the programme will concentrate on the Curriculum for Excellence and the move into S3. Please note: this replaces the S2 Information Evening scheduled for 18 April on the school calendar.

 

The week was off to a good start following the success of the S2 pupils who took part in the East Lothian Secondary Orienteering Competition last Friday. The Knox team of 20 pupils emerged as the East Lothian Champions. Thanks to Ms Jeffrey who organised the team and well done and congratulations to all involved.

During the week we received news about success in a music competition. Supported by Ms Brown, a Knox team entered the first competition for schools run by the Edinburgh Gilbert and Sullivan Society. The judges were impressed by the standard of all of the entries and after an anonymous judging session, Knox Academy was chosen by the judges as the runner-up in both of the individual categories (Solo/Small Ensemble and Chorus). For being runners-up the school has been awarded £150 and qualifies for five free tickets to the next G&S production ("Iolanthe"). Congratulations to all involved on an excellent submission.

More sporting success on Wednesday at the East Lothian Cross Country competition: the S2 girls’ team finished in second place (4 Knox pupils finished in the top 10) and the S3 girls’ team won their event. Congratulations to both teams and a special well done to S3 pupils Bethan McGregor who won the race and Sally Birrell who finished in third place.

The Parent School Partnership (Parent Council) met on Wednesday evening and the minutes will be available on the Parents’ website. Items discussed included the website and the Management Structure Review.

This week I visited all S2 classes and Mr Illingworth visited all S4 classes. The theme of the week was ‘Attitude to Work’. Most classes and the majority of pupils are working hard. However, some pupils do need to stop the chatting and work harder; needless to say, we will be monitoring them closely.

Best wishes

JB Craig

2 March 2012
Published: 02 March 2012

Last Sunday a group of senior pupils attended another National Theatre of Scotland workshop. The workshop was with Solar Bear Theatre Company, who specialise in work with deaf actors. The group discussed theatre for everyone and created some visual theatre without using verbal communication.

On Monday I was invited to judge the S1 Scottish Parliament models designed and made in Modern Studies. All of the groups had worked hard to make detailed models and it was difficult for their teacher, Ms Anderson, and me, to make a decision about the overall winner. Eventually, the model in the shape of a giant thistle emerged as the winner. Congratulations to all the groups who took part.

Wednesday was a busy day for S1 pupils, in the morning, the second of a series of visits by S1 pupils to the Seabird Centre took place. This week it was the turn of the Traprain pupils and they had a great morning at the centre (and were very well behaved and polite). The visits have been organised by the Science Faculty as part of the school’s Comenius environment project.

In the afternoon, all S1 pupils gathered in the assembly hall for the final session of the project on local man, John Gray. The pupils watched the animations produced by not only two classes from Knox, but from the other East Lothian schools involved. These proved to be very inventive and creative. Information on how to vote for the overall winner is on the website.

Yesterday evening, I was in the audience for the ‘Beyond the Stars’ Cabaret by the NPA Musical Theatre pupils, supported by the Junior Drama Club and the NPA Technical Theatre pupils. The three soloists delivered committed and moving performances, and there was comic relief from the Junior Drama Club actors and singers. Congratulations to all performers and thanks to the Drama and Music staff who assisted and supported them.

To finish on another high note, many congratulations to S3 pupil Ashleigh Lawson, who on Wednesday was part of the Lothians Team that emerged as overall winners at the SDA Sportshall Athletics Championships 2012, held in Stirling. Also, thanks to Mrs Little who accompanied Ashleigh.

Best wishes

JB Craig