April 2013

26th April 2013
Published: 26 April 2013

The week started with my attending a concert for visitors from Aubigny at which our folk band, “The Goat’s Toes” were playing.  The group played a variety of Scottish and Irish tunes and were stunningly good.  No one could resist tapping their toes and being amazed at the dexterity and talent on show.  Ms Orr commented that it was wonderful that she and Mr Johnston were able to play along as part of the ensemble, rather than being concerned about having to lead them.  The pupils were a credit to themselves and the school.

Congratulations go to Clarissa Washington Mackay, Shereen Osman, Heather Macfarlane, Caitlin Baptie, and Owen McHugh on being picked to perform in the “Stage Experience” version of “Grease” at the Playhouse in July.  It will be a fabulous opportunity for all of them and, who knows, it might be the springboard into the professional performing arts for them.

On Wednesday the Amnesty International Group raised £110 through having an "Amnestea" in the school library.  The baking was delicious and it was all for a good cause.  Mrs Montgomery was very proud of the pupils' organisation and dedication.  Also, on Wednesday evening we had the penultimate Parent School Partnership meeting of the year.  Information about these meetings can be found on their website.  Thanks to everyone who attended.  If you have something that you’d like to suggest or discuss whether it be about your youngsters wellbeing or their curriculum, or the experiences we offer them, please don’t hesitate to get in contact.

Yesterday saw the beginning of the S4 study leave.  I can’t believe it has come round so fast.  The pupils with whom I have spoken are subdued (it's always a bit daunting before you've sat your first exam) but are fairly confident and I just hope that they remember all the advice that they have been given and give it their best shot.  Positive mental attitude is really important and they should be comforted by the fact that they have all the information that they need to pass - they just have to make sure that they know their stuff.  Senior pupils are more than welcome to come into school during exam leave, even if they don’t have an exam.  Their teachers will be about to give them advice, encouragement and to do a bit of last minute revision.  Pupils should remember, though, that if they are coming into school for anything that they should remember to wear dress code.

Today we are getting a visit from Iain Gray (MSP) and Fiona O’Donnell (MP) -  nothing that I have organised, but rather at the prompting of Niall Robertson and Graham Crowson (both is S6) who are highlighting their work with OXFAM and looking at ways in which the school, the community and our elected representatives can support its work.

So this week we have gone from Aubigny, to acting and activism and all points in between.  Not bad, eh?

Have a good weekend.
 

19th April 2013
Published: 19 April 2013

“Closing your eyes won't make the awfulness go away. It may be that nothing will. But dwelling on it, dreading the evil, playing out the misery in your head - doesn't this feed the monster? You can't close your eyes to life, but you can choose where your gaze lingers.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich

The theme for me this week has definitely been about overcoming adversity.  No one can fail to have been moved and appalled by what happened in Boston on Monday, and I suspect that we are all hoping that the London Marathon goes off without a hitch.  Good luck to anyone who is running or who has family or friends participating.

Our senior pupils are pondering the impending exams.  Mr Illingworth and myself took the opportunity to talk to the S4 this week regarding this - the does (come early, have your candidate number with you, check your seat number, wear Dress Code) and the don’ts (don’t bring your mobile ‘phone into the Hall, don’t distract others). I also reassured them that they were in the best shape possible for the exams – they have been revising in class, should have been revising at home, and, having done their Prelims, they know what to expect in the exam.  Their gaze should be lingering on the certificate that they will get at the end of this process, rather than at the obstacles in their way.

We had an excellent turn out for the S2 Parents’ Consultation Evening on Wednesday.  I particularly enjoyed my role as “meeter and greeter” with Mr Simpson and we encouraged parents to sign up to email alerts on the website (welcome if this is your first Friday update from me).  We also asked parents to take part in an online survey and if you haven’t managed to already, please have a go at it this weekend.

The Street Market at the weekend was delightful.  Like many of you, I suspect, I spent far too much money on all the produce, but it seemed churlish not to when the sun had come out.  The Jazz Band were fabulous and got many a toe tapping; pupils were to be seen selling cakes and doing market research; and one of the China Teams raised £1500 through a jumble sale.  Congratulations to all involved and long may it continue.

There is a PSP meeting on Wednesday at 6.15pm and S4 Study Leave begins on Thursday.  There is the May Day Holiday coming up on the 6th May and the school will closed to all but those who have an exam on that day.

Have a good weekend.
 

12 April 2013
Published: 12 April 2013

Not that I want to panic anyone but… there are only 9 working days until the S4 exam leave starts and 16 until the S5/6 go away.  Eek!  The Easter Revision programme was well attended and I hope that youngsters have been working out what gaps they need to fill between now and the exams.  Pupils should be coming home soon with their exam timetables, but you can check on the SQA website for the timetable here and there is even the facility to build your own exam timetable here.

Pupils seem to have had a good time over the Easter Holidays and have come back full of vim and vigour.  I had the pleasure of congratulating Josh Nisbet (S4) on his win in the 50m freestyle at the Lothian Disability Swimming Gala.  He came to show me his medal and both myself and Mrs Little are as proud as punch.

I was delighted to welcome the Head of Education in to visit the school on Wednesday.  It was Darrin Nightingale’s first visit to the school and he had a tour with the Head Boy and Head Girl.  He asked them some interesting questions and I suspect that Erin and Ben “told it like it is”.  I think the biggest surprise for him was being in the Food Court when the bell for Morning Interval went and hundreds of youngsters descended to get their morning snack and beverage.

Planning for Activities’ Week is going on apace and we are in the process of finalising details for the various packages.  The pupils are looking forward to their excursions and experiences and I urge parents to be as supportive of these as possible.  Every experience will have educational value and should be seen as an opportunity for pupils to work in different ways and to better get to know staff and peers.

We had a gratifying turn out to the S2 Parents’ Information Evening on Tuesday.  It was good to be able to speak to the parents and talk about the pathways that their youngsters would be experiencing next session.  We have the S2 Parents’ Consultation Evening on the 17th (from 5pm until 7pm).  On the 23rd we will (fingers crossed) be having the East Lothian Youth Games that had to be postponed owing to bad weather at the end of last term; and on the 24th there is a PSP meeting from 6.15pm.

Remember that the school is closed on the 15th April and everyone resumes on the 16th.

Good luck to everyone involved in the Haddington Street market on Saturday.  It deserves to be a huge success.  Look out for some of the Knox Academy Jazz Band who will be playing thanks to the swift organisation of Mrs Woodsend,  and other pupils who will be helping around the place.

Enjoy your weekend.