The latest edition of Knox News is now available for viewing and downloading on this website in the News section: News > Knox News.
If you require a paper copy and cannot access the website, please contact the school office on 01620 823387.
March 2013
Published: 28 March 2013
One of our woodwind instructors has started a woodwind group/jazz band and is looking for more saxophonists for the group. Any pupils that are currently playing clarinet/flute can play the saxophone, but we actually need the instruments!
We wonder if anybody might be willing to donate any instruments they no longer use and see them being put to use by our young people.
If you feel that you are able to assist with what would be an incredibly generous gift, or help in any other way please contact the school.
Published: 26 March 2013
At the recent Listen and Learn Youth Summit, a short video was put together by the East Lothian Youth Council.
The topics they identified as being most important through Listen and Learn and the Youth Council this year are:
- Equalities (Young people are all treated fairly...)
- Image of young people
- Voice of Young people (how best to get young people’s views, hear from young people...?)
- Young people and their communities.. positive
- Employment
- Transport
For further information, please contact Caroline Davis (Dialogue Youth Co-ordinator).
Published: 21 March 2013
Everyone is welcome at The Bridges Project, Haddington on Thursdays during term time from 6.30-8.30 pm.
Pop in for a chat, to shoot some snooker, play table tennis, play on the Wii, watch some TV and stock up at the tuck shop.
If you have any health worries pop upstairs to see a nurse – could be about anything: exam stress, healthy eating advice, or just for a chat with someone who can listen.
Published: 21 March 2013
Today is National Poetry Day, and to celebrate a poem chosen by Mr Swinney,
Snow in the Suburbs
Every branch big with it,
Bent every twig with it;
Every fork like a white web-foot;
Every street and pavement mute:
Some flakes have lost their way, and grope back upward when
Meeting those meandering down they turn and descend again.
The palings are glued together like a wall,
And there is no waft of wind with the fleecy fall.
A sparrow enters the tree,
Whereon immediately
A snow-lump thrice his own slight size
Descends on him and showers his head and eye
And overturns him,
And near inurns him,
And lights on a nether twig, when its brush
Starts off a volley of other lodging lumps with a rush.
The steps are a blanched slope,
Up which, with feeble hope,
A black cat comes, wide-eyed and thin;
And we take him in.
Thomas Hardy, 1840-1928
Published: 21 March 2013
I was very impressed with the professionalism and infectious enthusiasm from Pete the Beat with the Knox pupils.
The pupils from Knox were a mix of pupils with specific needs and pupils who had an interest in drumming and wanted to learning new drumming skills. The first session was interesting to see how the pupils would mix and learn to work together to form their own 'band' - I was not convinced they would all be able to come together! They all seemed quite embarrassed and shy initially. By week 4 it was harder to get them all to be quiet as they all wanted to play so much!
Having spoken to the majority of pupils throughout the whole block they seem to have really enjoyed the experience (some even asking if they could do this again next term!) Along with learning some new drumming and percussion techniques on the various different instruments Pete provided, the pupils have tested their listening skills, group work, concentration and communication skills in a very different way.
In the final week the pupils played what they had learned in a final performance. The most interesting thing for me to see/hear was everything coming together, (I had heard them the week before!)
The pupils being able to continue playing their own particular part of the rhythm without being distracted by the other pupils round about them playing slightly different and sometimes contrasting rhythms - the amount of focus they all had was fantastic!
You didn't know you were hearing what you were hearing until parts were 'faded in and out' during the performance - again proving the pupils ability to concentrate on their own part of the whole performance, following cues from Pete.
"From my point of view the project has been a big success. Lots of positive engagement by pupils despite a tricky start and everyone cared about their playing and rhythms as a group. Everyone took ownership of the music and created their own dubstep groove to work with the West African piece we studied. - Peter Vilk"
An all round excellent project for the pupils from Knox Academy to be involved in and we hope to be able to run the project with a different group of pupils again in the future.
J Duff
Published: 19 March 2013
A reminder to parents/carers that the school closes for the Easter break on Friday 22 March 2013 at 12.05 pm. Pupils and staff resume on Monday 8 April 2013.
For S4-S6 pupils this break is the ideal time for some independent study in preparation for the Final Exams in May. Pupils may wish to use the Study Skills Booklet for ideas on how to study and a blank revision timetable.
As in previous years, staff are providing Easter Revison sessions which we encourage pupils to attend to assist in their studies. The timetable for Easter Revision 2013 (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday - both weeks) can be downloaded here.
The Library will also be open on all six days between 10-12 noon and 12.30-2.30 pm for general study/revision. All pupils must sign in and out at the main entrance (am and pm), before attending any of the revision classes or studying in the Library. The school is not open to pupils outwith the times of the revision sessions. School dress code is not required but pupils should be dressed appropriately. A high standard of behaviour is expected at all times in all parts of the school.
Published: 19 March 2013
Extra-curricular activities after school are cancelled today (Tuesday 19 March) given the Met Office Weather Warning.
Published: 18 March 2013
Are you confused about the new qualifications? Nationals in a Nutshell might be just what you are after!
Several subjects are already available (information produced by The National Parent Forum of Scotland):
- Art & Design - N4; N5;
- Chemistry - N4; N5;
- Computing Science - N4; N5;
- English - N4; N5;
- History – N4; N5;
- Mathematics - N4; N5;
- PE - N4; N5;
- RMPS - N4; N5;
...with further Nutshells to appear each week, next to appear will be: Music, Graphic Communication, Biology, Modern Languages.
The following batch (early April) will be Geography, Modern Studies, Business and Physics.
Tina Woolnough, Communications Officer, National Parent Forum of Scotland says "We are really delighted with the enthusiasm with which the Nutshells have been received and welcome feedback!"
Published: 18 March 2013
An interesting opportunity for pupils over the Easter Holidays...
Lamp House Music – the Music Rehearsal and Teaching Studio based in Haddington – have announced that they will provide an Easter Music School during the East Lothian school holidays for children age 10+.
The school will run from Monday 25 March to Friday 29 March 2013, 9.30 am to 2.30 pm each day, and will follow the same successful format of their previous Music Schools. Children do not need experience of an instrument to participate.
The week promises to be creative, informative, musical and most of all fun. The children will be given Master Classes with professional musicians in a variety of instruments (including guitar and drums). They will then work together as two bands in their own rehearsal studios, rehearsing a song which they will have written themselves during their Song-writing Master Class. The songs will be recorded and a CD produced, finished off with a band photograph and personally designed front cover.
There are only ten places on the Easter Music School and already several places have been taken.
Spokesperson Callum Maguire said, “The word is spreading about what a great time the kids have at the ‘Music Schools’ at Lamp House Music, and because they have such a brilliant time and each week is unique we have some children who keep coming back. It gives children the opportunity to really feel a part of a band - the confidence and benefits gained from which are far-reaching.”
Lamp House Music provide rehearsal rooms, music classes, pre-school music sessions, special events and gigs as well as their newly launched Pop Star Birthday Parties.
More information can be found on the Lamp House Music website or for booking and enquiries email / 01620 825630
______________
Lamp House Music
Lamp House Music opened in April 2012. Based in an original Victorian railway building – ‘The Lamp House’ is set in Station Yard, Hospital Road, Haddington.
Lamp House Music offers rehearsal rooms for musicians and bands. These rooms have been soundproofed and acoustically engineered and are light, clean and modern practice environments. Rooms are open 7 days a week and are available to hire by the hour, they come fully equipped with new, top spec equipment including Mapex Drumkits / Vox, Blackstar, Marshall and Crate guitar amps / Gallien & Kruger Bass Amps / and Peavey vocal PA and desks.
Lamp House Music lessons are fun, friendly and affordable, available in a variety of instruments for both children and adults. Fully experienced and qualified tutors are available for class-style lessons and one-to-one tuition, which include guitar, drums, ukulele, vocals and keyboards. A new term of classes, ‘Spring Term’, starts w/b Monday 8 April 2013.
Lamp House Music, ‘The Lamp House’, Station Yard, Hospital Road, Haddington, EH41 3PP
For further information/enquiries on any of the information in this Press Release, please do not hesitate to contact Roz Maguire.
Published: 18 March 2013
Currently in S4 and going into S5 this summer?
Thinking about your options after school?
Wondering what it's like at University?
Heriot-Watt Summer School: July 2013
A fun and relaxed way to find out what University life is all about
Completely free - all transport and food provided - for further information please click here.
Published: 16 March 2013
Pupils who are currently studying for SQA examinations will find information available on the SQA's Your Exams 2013 website useful.
Specifically:
SQA's timetable builder is available for iPhone, iPod Touch, Google Android, and a Java version for other phones. This application lets you build your exam timetable and also provides key information relating to sitting your exams.
Key features:
- create your own personal timetable
- add SQA exams and non SQA custom exams
- add multiple exams in one search
- add notes to exam listings
- display exam times as either a list or calendar
- send timetable to e-mail address
- integrate into other calendars via iCal attachment (eg. Google calendar, Outlook)
- help and guidance for sitting exams including exam study guides
- links to MySQA and other useful websites
To download this free app please click here.
You can also build a personal exam timetable directly on the SQA website or download the 2013 SQA Exam Timetable (PDF). The SQA allows schools to change the start times of exams slightly (if necessary), so you should double-check the times of your examinations with your teachers.
Pupils may also be interested in signing up for the MySQA service which is your direct link with SQA. It lets you view your qualification information, check the personal details we hold for you and if you're sitting exams you can get your results sent by email and text message.
