June 2013

28 June 2013
Published: 28 June 2013

It’s been another full week here at Knox Academy.  On Monday I was invited to Caitlin Bruce’s launch of her new CD of harp music (Itchy Fingers).  As I sat watching her, and listening to the amazing music that she was playing, I reflected on how easy she made it look.  It was so effortless and goes to show that putting in the hours of dedicated practice do pay off.  I wish her all success as she moves on into the next phase of her career.

Wednesday saw the whole pupil body voting for membership of the School Council, the House Captains and the Head Boy and Girl and their deputies.  I was delighted to welcome Mark Robertson and Gemma Sandie as Head Boy and Girl and Finlay Munro, Lee Trotter, Amie Cowan and Emma Scott as their deputies.  They are already and formidable team and I think that they will lead the new S6 with determination and decisiveness.  Congratulations to all the other pupils who were successfully elected, and well done to all pupils who put themselves forward for election.

Last night we had the Awards’ Ceremony.  Don Ledingham (Executive Director of Services for People) distributed the prizes and gave a speech touching on the educational heritage that the pupils have at Knox and the legacy that they leave.  The evening was very well attended and we distributed prizes ranging from those recognising academic success, to the “volunteer of the year”, and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award certificates.  For a full list of prize winners, check out the list in the Knox Newsletter.

Today we are finishing with a dress-down day and the, now traditional, photo montage of all that has gone on this year.  We say a fond farewell to Mr MacDonald (PE), Mr Woolley (RMPS) and Ms Thomson (Mathematics) as they move on to new jobs; and to Mrs Barber (Geography) and Dr Dickinson (Science and Chemistry) as they move into retirement.  They have all served the school well and I am proud to have worked with them.

I cannot believe how quickly my first year as Head Teacher has gone and I think that’s a sign of how much I have enjoyed it and how much I have been helped by staff, parents, pupils and the local community.  I wish everyone all the best as we take this break and I look forward to seeing all the pupils safe and sound on the 21st August.
 

21 June 2013
Published: 21 June 2013

We've had spies, sports and speeches among other things this week.  On Monday the Numeracy and Technology Faculty kicked off Spy Week with a brilliant James Bond spoof film.  The theme for the pupils was breaking codes, espionage and independent thinking as well as team work.  The pupils had a ball and having an original Enigma Machine in the building yesterday was a coup.

We welcomed the P7s for their visit on Tuesday and Wednesday.  They enjoyed themselves hugely but it was difficult to discern whether it was new subjects or the opportunity to go into Haddington for their lunch that was the more exciting.  All the feedback we received from the P7s was that they are looking forward to joining us in August and that they are ready to move on to this new phase in their lives.

On Tuesday evening, three of our pupils: Daniel Cole, Murran Rollo and Hazel Szymoszowskyj, travelled through to the City Chambers in Glasgow to receive their certificates for taking part in the "Inspire Aspire" competition that they entered as part of the RMPS course this session.  The competition encourages youngsters to reflect on their own values and to look at the example of someone that they admire.  The theme was the Olympics, so the pupils wrote about sportsmen and women who had inspired them.  At the ceremony they heard from, and met, Sir Craig Reedie (member of the IOC Executive Board), and the rower Katherine Grainger, CBE.  The pupils said that it was an inspirational event and I have to say that I am very proud of them.

On Wednesday I heard that one of our members of staff, Mrs Little (Support for Pupils) had been nominated for Lothian Disability Sport Volunteer Coach of the Year, 2013.  Whilst she did not receive the overall award, I think it's wonderful that all her hard work has been recognised.  We know that she is a star - so now does everyone else!  Pupils also took part in the County Sports yesterday and thanks and well done go to all involved.

Yesterday I was interviewed by Robin Bellamy about smoking and how we handle that with young people (as part of her role on developing policy with the Scottish Government - see last week's entry).  She asked very pertinent questions and got me thinking about how we approach our young people's health and wellbeing.  I am very excited to hear what comes of the research that she and others are carrying out.  Yesterday the Senior Hustings took place - where the senior pupils wanting to be considered for leadership roles give their speeches outlining their manifestos.  Voting will take place next week for those posts and for the School Council.

Tonight will see staff and the leaving S6 gather for the Leavers' Dance. It will be a glamorous, and no doubt, emotional affair.  It's good to celebrate endings as well as new beginnings.  However, it won't be the last time I see some of them as they are well represented at the Awards' Ceremony on Thursday evening.  The event isn't ticketed, but all seats have been reserved and I think that we are going to have a very full house.  I look forward to seeing you there.

Have a good weekend.

 

14 June 2013
Published: 14 June 2013

“The rain it raineth on the just and also on the unjust fella, but chiefly on the just, because the unjust steals the just's umbrella.” Charles Bowen. Thankfully we had little need of umbrellas this week. The Sports’ Day went off without a hitch and the rain came on when we were packing up and walking in. The pupils behaved really well and participation was high in both the races and the fun activities. Pupils were able to gain house points for taking part in chipping into a net; beating the goalie; hula-hooping; and wellie-throwing to name but a few. We weren’t able to get through all of the races on Tuesday so we still don’t know which House won, so the suspense is being ramped up until the Awards’ Ceremony. The Swimming Gala took place on Thursday. Unfortunately there were fewer competitors than we have had in past years, but I am told that they swam hard and were a credit to themselves and the school. Again, we await the final House result. On Wednesday, senior pupils studying Business went to the Maitlandfield for a “Business Dynamics” Event. Thanks to Ross Prentice for sponsoring it and to the Maitlandfield for being so accommodating. The pupils got a range of experiences and what they experienced will hopefully put the theory that they will learn into context. I have been doing a lot of interviewing of late. Over the past two weeks I interviewed for the Principal Teacher of PE and I am delighted to say, that after a really robust selection procedure our own Mr Greenaway has been appointed to the post. Whilst we will miss Mr MacDonald and all that he brought to the PE Department, I am looking forward to Mr Greenaway pushing on where he left off. Owing to the fact that paperwork hasn’t been completed for the preferred candidate for the post of Teacher of RMPS I can’t give out a name yet, but I am delighted with the outcome and I think they will be a great addition to the team. I am looking forward to welcoming the Leavers back for a brief ceremony this afternoon. We will be keeping it pretty light, but it’s important that the pupils have the opportunity to be in the building for the last time properly and that they get to draw a line under their time here. Obviously we will have the Leavers’ Dance next Friday, and I am looking forward to that celebration, too. Next week we have the P7 coming up for their visit days on Tuesday and Wednesday. There is a parents’ night on Monday (6.30pm) where pupils and parents can check on last minute information, order or pick up Dress Code items and put money on Smart Cards. We are looking forward to meeting the new members of our community. Have a very good weekend.

7 June 2013
Published: 07 June 2013

Despite Mr Illingworth’s worst fears the timetable seems to be working pretty well.  A few pupils needed a bit of advice and to make some changes, but overall everyone seems happy.  After today we aren’t going to make any changes to youngsters’ timetables so as to give everyone the opportunity to settle down and see how things go.  There will be an opportunity to tweak things in August – especially for those senior pupils who need to change their courses in light of their exam results.

Congratulations go to Robin Bellamy (new S2) and Natalie Forrest (new S4) for being two of only fifteen pupils from across Scotland to be selected to work with the Scottish Government to develop policy on young people and smoking.  They seem completely undaunted at the prospect and I know that they will add a lot to the debate.  Not only do they get an opportunity to see how government works, but they will be influencing policy for young people in the years to come. 

Pupils still seem to be buzzing with the stories of Activities’ Week.  Everyone got back safe and sound and have managed to get their “work heads” back on.  There are still displays of pupils’ work in the school and some of their presentations were particularly interesting – rockets, creepy-crawlies, and sound were just a few that I saw.  I also have to thank Ruairidh Bruce and his “Film Group” for giving me a recommendation of 10 films to watch over the holidays.  Ruairidh and his friends organised their own package for Activities’ Week and I have to say they impressed staff with their maturity and the quality of their film reviews.
Last weekend saw the Haddington Festival Parade.  Knox Academy and local sports groups put together a float of such high quality that it won a prize.  Massive thanks go to our Sport and Physical Activities’ Coordinator, Mr Wands; Mrs Little from Support for Pupils; and Mr Milne from Art, who were the driving forces behind the decoration of the float, and also to the pupils who brought it to life.

Hopefully (keep your fingers crossed) we will be having Sports’ Day on Tuesday of next week.  All pupils will be out on the field (weather permitting) so please ensure that they bring sunscreen, plenty of water and some snacks.  All of these will be available on the day, but it’s always good to be prepared.  It would be great if they brought some spare change with them as one of the Duke of Edinburgh Award teams will be raising money for their expedition at the Sports’ Day.  If you’ve always fancied soaking someone it might be your lucky day!

One event that is not dependent on the weather is the Swimming Gala and that will be held next Thursday.  On Friday we will have the Leavers’ Ceremony in the Hall at 12.15pm.  It would be great to see as many of the Leavers as possible to say our official goodbye.  The ceremony only last for half an hour and the young people should arrive in Dress Code between 12.05 and 12.15pm.

Have a very good weekend.