August 2013

30 August 2013
Published: 30 August 2013

Given that I have a huge amount to tell you I shall get stuck in:

Last Thursday and Friday saw senior dramatists enjoying some culture: The Advanced Higher were an appreciative audience for Scottish Opera's stunning production of The Seven Deadly Sins on Thursday night at the festival; and 20 seniors went to see the brand new play “The Events” on Friday afternoon at The Traverse.  Ms Whitfield reported that the pupils were a credit to themselves and the school.

Last Weekend one of our China Expedition Teams took part in the ultimate team-building event:  The North Berwick Raft Race.  They were sponsored by Saltire Suzuki and Don Prentice Coaches and despite being 2 crews of four (given that the winning raft was powered by 10 adults) they came in third and fifth.  Not only that, they were awarded the prize for most money raised for the RNLI at £425.  Well done to all of them – especially since it was raining and they look rather chilly in the photograph below.  Thanks to Ms Duff and Ms Stobie for accompanying them, and especially to Ms Stobie who had to crew one of the rafts.

I had a very pleasant and informative meeting with Ross Prentice of Prentice Coaches yesterday.  We spoke of general safety issues, most importantly the need to parents and not to come onto the school campus in cars to collect their children.  The buses are large and require more of a turning circle than you might appreciate.  If you have to come on to the school grounds to collect your youngsters, could you go to the back car park – your insurer will thank you for this!  Also, the coach company are compiling a distribution list of school users so as to better keep you informed of changes to routes, schedules or contingencies for bad weather.  Send them an email to get signed up.

We are already in the process of preparing for S4 Work Experience Week (18th-22nd November).  “Self-found” forms are due in to the school by the September holiday (ie by 12th September) - only two weeks away!  Please make sure pupils are contacting employers so they can collect their completed forms.  NHS Lothian forms must also be complete and returned by this date.  All S4 pupils now have access to the database on the “Workit” website so they can be looking at what's available, ready for making their selection after the September break.  As always if you wish to discuss any aspect of work experience, contact Miss Easson at school.

Remember that the Parent School Partnership Meet for the first time this session on the 4th September (next Wednesday) at 6.15pm.  Any parent is welcome to attend.

Have a very good weekend.
S Ingham


 

23 August 2013
Published: 23 August 2013

I hope that everyone managed to take advantage of the fabulous summer weather while the school was shut and that, where possible, relaxation was the top priority despite the stress-inducing Wimbledon Men’s Singles Final.

School has got off to a flying start and we welcomed new members of staff during the in-service days at the start of the week:  Ms Brannigan (RMPS); Ms McCafferty (Geography); Ms McBride (Modern Languages); Mr Homer (Physics); Ms Greig (PE); Mr Gray (PE); and Ms Summerling (English).  Staff that have returned to us on a more formal footing are:  Mr Walls (Computing); Ms Cumming (Learning Support); Ms Watson (Science and Biology), and Ms Leggatt (Technologies) returned from Maternity Leave.

Many letters, pieces of paper and emails accumulate in my in-tray over the holidays and two of the nicest came in about our pupils’ involvement in The Open as part of the Litter Picking Teams.  The organisers have written to me stating, “Knox Academy played a part in this success and I received very many favourable comments regarding…the conduct of the Litter Picking Teams…They worked hard in very hot conditions and were a pleasure to be with.”  I also received an email from a parent thanking all the staff for their support of the pupils during the Open – so all round, it seems that it was very successful.  My thanks go to all involved and, in particular, to Mr MacDonald (lately of PE) for being in overall charge.

Something else that I wait for, in common with our senior pupils, is the exam results.  As ever there were some phenomenal performances, along with those that disappointed.  Overall I was pleased but feel that there were some people who could have done better.  Therefore we will be focusing even more heavily on the performance of the senior school.  One of the things that parents can do to help is to ensure that pupils get here on time and that youngsters maintain the best possible attendance.  Pupils need to be here to learn.  Please telephone the school as soon as possible to let us know that your child is going to be off and check with your child that they have caught up on anything that they have missed.

The new S1s have brightened up the place considerably by their presence.  They bring a freshness and vitality to the place as they embark on their journey with us.  They already seem to have settled well and, while some of them need a bit of help with tying their ties, they look fabulous in the dress code.

Speaking of dress code, a photographer will be in school on Monday to take portraits of the S1 and S6.  These photos are great mementos of their time at Knox and will no doubt be adorning many a proud parent’s and grandparent’s mantelpiece. 

On the 4th September we will be having our first Parent School Partnership Meeting of the session.  It takes place at 6.15pm and any parent is welcome to attend.

I wish you a very fine weekend.
S Ingham