August 2012

31 August 2012
Published: 31 August 2012

It’s been a week of watching, listening and learning for me.  I started by visiting the S1 pupils in the Communication and Literacy Faculty.  I visited a couple of French classes and thanks to a memory game in one I now know my “feutre” from my “stylo” and my “bic”.  Thanks to my table who made me feel welcome and Mollie in particular for marking my listening test.  I then made my way to some English classes where I heard pupils talk about what was important to them (I shall be going back to hear the rest of Mr Halliday’s talk on Karate) and I got to read a chapter of “The Recruit” with Mr McGeehan’s class – I can thoroughly recommend it, and it was great to hear the pupils reading out loud to the rest of the class.

On Tuesday I had the privilege of interviewing candidates from around the Authority for the post of Acting Depute Head Teacher.  It is always interesting to hear other people’s views on education and to get new ideas on how to do things.  The preferred candidate is Mr Robert Flood, who is Principal Teacher (Curriculum) of Social Subjects already at the school, and he will take up the post as soon as all the relevant checks have been completed.  He will be responsible for Lammerlaw House.

I am now in the throes of organising a consultation on Dress Code.  I feel that it has got away from us a bit over the last session with pupils stretching their interpretation of the rules.  At the moment shoes are a bit of an issue and youngsters are arriving with footwear of all shades, hues and designs.  I know that many parents and carers will have bought shoes to last for a while and that I cannot ask you to go out and buy new ones, but pupils should be wearing all-black shoes with no designs or colours on them.  If this is going to be an issue, can you please write to the school so that your child does not constantly receive demerits.  After Christmas, I suspect that we will be insisting on all-black footwear, so please keep this in mind when out shopping.

The S6 have been doing well this week.  They looked very impressive in their yeargroup photo.  They are organising themselves well and are getting updates and reminders through the Twitter Feed ().  Young Enterprise groups are hard at work trying to raise funds to start their businesses and the pupils in general  are starting to think about life after S6 with University Open Days, Work Experience and Careers’ interviews.  Time passes very quickly, so I urge them all to take what opportunities come their way and make sure that they are organised and focused on their work in school.
 

24 August 2012
Published: 24 August 2012

“Time is the one thing we possess. Our success depends upon the use of our time, and its by-product, the odd moment.”
Arthur Brisbane (Newspaper Editor)

Time has flown by since my last update and there have definitely been some very special moments:
Last Friday evening I was invited to attend a debate run by the General Teaching Council of Scotland as part of the 2012 Festival of Politics.  The event was held in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament and centred on how we can best tap into the creativity of our young people.  It certainly gave me food for thought and the challenges that were presented are ones that I will be discussing with staff and pupils alike.

On Wednesday morning three of our pupils had the thrill of going to “The British Swimming Heroes” event at Scotstoun Pool in Glasgow attended by Rebecca Adlington, Hannah Miley and Michael Jamieson.  Despite the early start the pupils seemed very excited and were looking forward to meeting the Olympians and, by the looks of the photos, they seem to have had a fantastic experience. 

Yesterday the writer Dave Cousins (author of 15 Days Without a Head), led a writer's workshop in the school library.  Attending were those who have excelled at writing and/or have excelled at reading.  Dave led the workshop and then conducted a book signing.  The pupils all enjoyed the event, and are keen to be involved in our next event planned during the Lennoxlove Book Festival in November.

Speaking of moments in time… the S1 and S6 pupils will be having their photos taken on Monday.  Please have an extra careful check that they are in full dress code for their photos when they leave the house that morning.  These photos are great souvenirs of their time at Knox and last a lifetime (as I am constantly reminded when faced with my photos when I visit my parents!).
 

17 August 2012
Published: 17 August 2012

I am delighted to see that the pupils have returned to school safe and sound after what, I hope was a relaxing, and, what I know was a damp, summer break.

We have welcomed some new staff members this session:

Mr Donaldson and Ms Thomson in Mathematics; Ms Blackhall and Mr Mackinnon in P.E.; Mr Forbes in Biology; Mr McSwan in Computing; Mrs Stuart in Art, Ms Mackinnon in Drama and Ms Stobie in Geography.  We wish them all the best and hope that they enjoy their time here at Knox Academy.

It has been wonderful talking to pupils who have taken part in many and varied activities over the holiday – from travelling in Europe, to attending the Olympics, to taking part in local clubs and activities.  The pupils who went on the Honduras trip seemed to have had a “life-changing” experience and have come back with increased confidence and focus.  Thanks to everyone who helped make that happen – parents, staff, and sponsors alike.

The KWN group had an exciting summer culminating in their attending the final awards’ ceremony in London where they were awarded the prize for “Best Documentary”.  This is a huge achievement and the pupils have made us very proud.  (There is a fuller account of their trip in the News section of the website).  Again, thanks go to staff and parents for their support in this venture.

The exam results were very gratifying and a number of pupils exceeded their own, and our, expectations.  We have almost completed the re-coursing of senior pupils who needed to rethink their plans, and the timetable should settle down over the next week.

I made a plea in the Knox News at the end of last session for any parent who would like to come in and give an hour a week for ten weeks to help pupils improve their literacy skills (reading, writing, listening and talking).  Please contact me if you are interested.

When I received the telephone call asking me if I would like to take up the post of Head Teacher I replied, “I would be honoured”.  I am very honoured and proud to be Head Teacher of Knox Academy and am committed to continuing, and improving, the opportunities that all pupils have to achieve and attain to the best of their ability.  In assemblies this week I have told pupils that this is a team effort and that I need them to be on my team.  A lot of what we do here could not happen without parental support, and I look forward to working alongside parents and carers to ensure that our youngsters get the best out of their time at school.