February 2014

28 February 2014
Published: 28 February 2014

I would have thought that by the end of February we might have got over the freezing morning starts, but that seems not to be if this morning is anything to go by.  However, given some of the weather in other parts of the UK, I really shouldn’t complain.  Mind you, the mornings are getting lighter, and it’s getting darker later in the evening, so hopefully the funk that usually descends around February time is lifting.

Last Friday our S1 Girls’ Hockey Team played in a round-robin tournament at Meadowmill where they came a very creditable second.  The girls have been working hard and are developing fast.  One of the organisers commented, “What a result for the girls, absolutely brilliant, well done to them.  Please pass on to them that their hard work and commitment reflects in the 2nd place that they achieved on Friday. They should be very proud of themselves."  Congratulations to the pupils, the staff and parents for all their support and hard work.

We had a well-attended S3 Parents Evening on Wednesday.  Thanks to everyone who came and made it such a positive event.  From what I can see, the S3s are very much in control of, and comfortable with, their course choices at the minute.

Today we say farewell to Mr Swinney who has been seconded to the SQA for about 18 months.  Ms Machen will be “acting up” into his role between now and the summer.  Mr Redpath joins us on a temporary basis to cover classes.  We are doing our utmost to ensure that pupils endure as little disruption as possible, and I have complete faith in Ms Machen and her team in the English Department.

The Library has been open for pupils from S4-6 between 4.00pm and 5.30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights this week.  Few pupils have taken up the opportunity to use this facility, however, we hope that as time goes on more do.  That said, there are numerous study groups either at lunchtime or at 4pm that are being run by departments, so please encourage your youngster to take advantage of all opportunities for study and consolidation that there are.

Next week sees the coursing appointments for S3 pupils and their parents.  If you want to speak to a Guidance Teacher on either the 5th or the 7th March, just give the school a call and an appointment will be fixed for you.

I am looking forward to the S4/5 Parents’ Information Evening that will take place on Tuesday 4th March at 6.30pm in the Hall.  This is where we go through the process of course choice and try to answer any general questions that parents might have. 

Finally, on Friday 7th we are hosting a concert by the Haddington Pipe Band. It starts at 7.30pm, tickets are £5 click here for further details.  Maybe I’ll see you there.

In the meantime, have a very good week.
S Ingham

 

21 February 2014
Published: 21 February 2014

It’s good to be back and to see everyone ready and raring to go. (I have to confess at having got into the coverage of the Winter Olympics over the week off, so have been feeling a few withdrawal symptoms - but that’s what “BBC Catch Up” is for, I suppose!)

First up – hearty congratulations to Bethany Hunter in S1 who has been representing the school in the Rotary Young Chef competition.  It is unusual for someone so young to be so accomplished as to be able to compete at this level.  Bethany won the local round and went on to represent Haddington at the District rounds held at West Lothian College in Livingston.  She was by far the youngest of the seven competitors, but was undaunted, and came a very creditable third – we’ll not go on about the fact that she got all her dishes up on time, whereas some of the older chefs struggled in this regard!  I would like to thank Bethany’s parents for their support and extend my huge appreciation to Ms Hossack for helping and supporting Bethany.  Well done “Team Hunter”!

Yesterday was quite a busy one.  We had a representative from “Poppy Scotland” who came in to talk to the S5 pupils.  We are hoping to take a larger role in the distribution of poppies, and the celebration of Remembrance Day, in Haddington.  It looks like the pupils are behind it and will take some of this on.  Thanks to the pupils for seeing the worth in this important part of our heritage and culture, and taking positive steps towards supporting it.

Last night we had the first of our Parent Information Evenings for the session.  This one was for the S3 going into S4.  As usual, there were some very familiar faces who have gone through it all before and those who looked a little anxious.  As ever, the advice is, to get in touch if you have a question or issue – I would suggest Guidance or Head of House as a first port of call.

We are opening the Library on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays between 4pm and 5.30pm in the hope that youngsters in S4-6 will use it as an opportunity to do study/homework at school.  The Library will be staffed, so it's not going to be a social club, and whoever is there will be willing to give advice and assist pupils.  Please encourage your youngster to take advantage of this if appropriate.

Next week we have the S3 Parents’ Consultation Evening on the 26th – but before that - the final of the Men’s Curling!

Have a good weekend.
S Ingham
 

7 February 2014
Published: 07 February 2014

Staff absence hit a bit of a high this week, so sorry if your youngster has been affected.  Teacher illness has been a bit of a theme across the county this week, with all the secondary schools looking to get supply teachers in.

It was great to catch up with S1 parents at their Parents’ Night on Tuesday.  The attendance was good.  Apologies that some staff were off, and we will be in contact with parents who requested an update from absentees. 

The Parent School Partnership Meeting was well attended on Wednesday night.  We had an informative presentation on the S4 curriculum from Mr Illingworth and, as is becoming the way at these meetings the discussions ranged far and wide.  The AGM afterwards was similarly attended and there has been some new blood elected to the PSP.  I look forward to working with the new committee as we go on.  Please check out the Parent Council website here for further information and updates.  At this point I would like to express my personal thanks to Vicky Cole (Chair) for steering the PSP so well over the past year, and for her fervent representation of parents and their concerns. 

We continue our preparations for the arrival of the new S1 in August.  A group of S5 pupils were up at Yester Primary School yesterday talking to P7 pupils about coming up to Knox.  Similar visits will be taking place at our other Associated Primary Schools and I look forward to welcoming their “Pathfinder Groups” to Knox in the very near future.  These are small groups of P7 pupils who come up to the “Big School”, armed with questions, and it is their job to report back to their peers about what to expect here at Knox.
 

When we come back (for staff only on the 17th February and for pupils on the 18th) we get into coursing times.  There are a number of Information Evenings for S3, 4 and 5 parents coming up.  Please check the school calendar for those.

I look forward to seeing everyone healthy and happy on the 18th February.
S Ingham