December 2013

20 September 2013
Published: 20 December 2013

Last Friday afternoon saw the inaugural Schools’ Trampoline Championships being held here at Knox.  Youngsters competed on both the standard Trampoline and the Double Mini Tramp.  The standard was high and I am delighted to say that Knox Academy’s team were the overall champions with some stand-out performances.  Congratulations to all involved and thanks to Active Schools and City of Edinburgh Trampoline Club for working together to make it happen.
Last Saturday I had the good fortune to attend the East Lothian Solo Piping and Drumming Competition held at Preston Lodge High School.  I took great pleasure in being able to listen to some of our pupils as they competed in various classes.  The pupils involved had obviously worked hard and demonstrated a high standard of proficiency.  Congratulations go to: Bronwyn Gowenlock, Hannah Green, Josh Marsh, Ninian Wilberforce, Grant Campbell, and Euan Naysmith.  Josh and Ninian placed in their piping competitions, but the highest honours go to Claire Thomson who won the “Junior Bass Drumming” class.  They were all able to show off their prowess at the Christmas Concerts on Tuesday, where their rendition of “The Drummer Boy” was a highlight for many.  Thanks to everyone involved in the concerts – you couldn’t have made me more proud if you’d tried.
On Wednesday I had the hard task of helping to judge the school’s Youth Philanthropy Initiative final.  S5 pupils have been working hard over the last months to research local charities.  They then had to put together a presentation explaining why their charity would be the worthy recipient of a cheque for £3000.  The best presentations are judged and YPI donate the money.  I was proud-to-bursting of all the pupils who took part and gave such polished and mature presentations.  The eventual winner was “Children’s Holiday Venture” a charity that works through Edinburgh University to provide care and play away from home for youngsters all over Edinburgh and the Lothians.  The pupils were delighted that their hard work garnered such a reward for their charity.  Congratulations to Bethan McGregor, Naomi Rogers, Katie Scott, Beth McCafferty, and Lucy Brown.
I didn’t just judge the YPI final on Wednesday (there seems to be a lot of competition around this Advent).  Oh no!  There was the annual Christmas Box Competition to be sorted out, too.  Darrin Nightingale (Head of Education) had agreed to come in and help determine the best boxes and both he and I were blown away by the artistic flair and generosity of the pupils. The theme was “Christmas in the Commonwealth” and the boxes ranged from melted snowmen to diving Santas.  The overall winners were 2G2 for their beautifully constructed Christmas Tree whose trimmings were made up of flags of the Commonwealth.  Not only was it extremely aesthetically pleasing, but the box was jam-packed with goodies.  The food and treats were distributed to local sheltered housing, the day care centre and to other elderly people via Social Work.  Thanks to all the pupils and staff who put in the effort on the boxes, and to parents and carers who provided the foodstuff.  If further evidence of pupils’ creativity was needed, the next edition of the school magazine was launched this week and can be found at http://tinyurl.com/ovmwryb
There was more judging for me yesterday, with the S1 Nativity Scene homework competition.  S1 pupils are challenged to come up with a representation of a Nativity Scene of their own devising.  We got cakes, gingerbread, tangerines, Lego and needlework.  It was extraordinarily difficult to choose winners, but nevertheless prizes go to Rosie Maguire, Erin Haywood, Matthew Juchniewicz and Finlay Hay.
I wish everyone a very happy festive season and all the best for 2014.  School closes at 12.05pm today and reopens to all on Monday 6th January 2014.  As I write this, the panto is going on in the Hall and ceilidhs down in PE.  The staff and S6 have worked hard to provide entertainment for the youngsters today, and hopefully give the younger pupils something to aspire to.  Thanks to all of them for giving so freely of their time and enthusiasm.  The picture below this post is by Emma Totney, one of our S6 Advance Higher Artists.  It has been the picture on Knox Academy’s e-Christmas Card this year.  We truly have a lot to be grateful for here at Knox.

S Ingham
 

13 December 2013
Published: 13 December 2013

What a week!

Last weekend the two Young Enterprise teams attended the Young Enterprise Trade Fair in Edinburgh. Both teams did themselves proud and team Emerge won the prize for the Best Product (their price comparison app.).  Well done to everyone involved.

On Tuesday some senior Dramatists went to the Lyceum to watch a matinee performance of “A Christmas Carol”.  Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and my thanks go to the staff who took time out from report writing, panto rehearsals and Christmas Dance preparations to accompany the pupils.  That evening we had the “Great Gatsby” themed Christmas Dance.  It was extremely well attended and the pupils looked stunning.  Thanks to KASG parents who came to support and help out – we couldn’t have done it without you.  Amie Cowan, Holly Taylor and Mr Flood sadly missed all of Tuesday’s fun as they were taking the opportunity to spend the day at the Canon-Europe Headquarters in Middlesex.  They had to get an early morning flight down to Gatwick, but were treated to tours of the building and meetings in the main departments.  Unfortunately their flight back was delayed (otherwise they were planning on popping into the dance), but that could not dampen their enjoyment of the day.

Yesterday evening saw the S5/6 Parents’ Night.  It was good to see everyone and I hope that questions and concerns were addressed.  Thanks to everyone who completed a questionnaire – your views are genuinely important to us and, from the feedback so far, we’ve got some clear, concrete suggestions to work on.

I am delighted to announce that the school’s post 16 destination data came in at the end of last week. Just over 92% of the pupils over the age of 16 who left at the end of last session have made it to a “positive” destination e.g. employment, Higher Education and Further Education.  This is an excellent result for our young people.  Congratulations to the youngsters and parents, and I would also like to commend the Guidance Team, Jennifer Jones of Skills Development Scotland, Mr Flood, Mrs Weir and all our partners for their hard work in ensuring that pupils know about and access their post school opportunities. 

Next week we have the Christmas Concerts (free performance at 2pm, and ticketed performance at 7pm) and the Panto Preview (7pm) on Thursday.  The school will close at 12.05pm on Friday 20th December and will reopen to all on Monday 6th January 2014.

All the best.
S Ingham

6 December 2013
Published: 06 December 2013

I hope that this update finds everyone safe and well given the extremely “blowy” weather yesterday.

On Tuesday night we saw about one hundred parents arrive for the S4 Parents’ Evening.  It was good to catch up with parents and carers and I was delighted at the positivity around the building.  The new system of National Assessments is proving to be workable, but it’s all taking a bit of getting used to for staff, pupils and parents.  I know that some youngsters are getting anxious about the amount of assessment and we are doing all that we can to ensure that we aren’t over-assessing and that we are getting the evidence of competence that we need. Indeed, parents with whom I spoke often mentioned that they are very impressed with how well staff are able to pinpoint “where” pupils are in their learning and what they need to do to improve.  Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you feel that your youngster needs a bit of extra support or reassurance.

Mrs McInnes has been speaking at all our assemblies this week, reminding pupils about our Christmas Box competition.  We encourage each tutor group to decorate a box and fill it with goodies for the local elderly.  The theme for the boxes this year is “Christmas around the Commonwealth”.  Please ensure that if you are donating foodstuff that it is within its “Use By” date and that if pupils make anything e.g. baked goods that they list the ingredients and a "Use By" date on the packaging, otherwise it can’t be given out.  Every year I am amazed and heartened by the effort that the pupils make with the boxes and I suspect this year will be no exception.

Next Friday we are raising funds for “Save the Children” by having a Christmas Jumper Day. Pupils pay £1 to wear a Christmas jumper to school.  From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, Save the Children fight for children’s rights, help children reach their potential, and given the recent devastation wrought by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, they are working night and day to get life-saving supplies to children and families.  Please help your youngster to support this day if you can – there’s no need to buy new clothes – customising a sweater with a bit of tinsel will do just as well.

Next Tuesday is the Christmas Dance (rules for dances can be found here) and on Thursday it’s theS5/6 Parents’ Evening.  The Christmas Concert is on the 17th December and the Panto Preview (Oh! Yes it is!) will be on the evening of the 19th. 

Looking forward to seeing you at these events.
S Ingham