Last week finished with a real treat for the S1 pupils, when cyclist Charline Joiner, (Commonwealth Silver Medalist) spoke to the year group at an assembly. FES (the facilities managers for the school) are support partners of Charline, who acts as an ambassador for the company by promoting a healthy and active lifestyle for the pupils of schools associated with FES. Charline’s presentation followed her journey to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi 2010 and subsequent medal success. Charline discussed the importance of pursuing 'dreams' in all walks of life, and the personal qualities needed to achieve success; such as commitment, the importance of hard work, and resilience.

Last Friday, the majority of S6 pupils and an intrepid band of staff headed to Dalguise for the annual S6/Staff Team Building weekend.  The weather was kind, the pupils enthusiastic, the activities challenging and the behaviour impeccable. The weekend was a great success, congratulations to all involved; thanks to the staff who took part and a special mention for Mr MacDonald who organised the weekend.

The Drama Department has had another busy week: on Saturday, 6 members of the Glee Club auditioned for the BBC in Glasgow for ‘Sports Relief Does Glee’. The girl band called 'Venus' auditioned in front of the production team and will find out in November if they have made it to the 'live' rounds.

On Tuesday evening, the Higher Drama and NPA Acting and Performance pupils visited the Tramway in Glasgow to see a performance of the National Theatre of Scotland's latest production: 'The Missing'. The pupils thought the piece (based on the novel about the impact missing people have on loved ones), was very 'moving and thought provoking'; they met Marianne Maxwell from NTS and stayed behind for the post show discussion. Thanks to all staff who accompanied the pupils and congratulations to the pupils who were a credit to the school, staff reported ‘although the show was good, the pupils exceeded expectations again with their excellent conduct and courtesy’.

Also on Tuesday, the school hosted a visit by 7 Norwegian teachers from a school in Bergen. Following an introduction to Knox, our visitors observed classes, met with S6 pupils and discussed literacy with Mr Swinney. The feedback from them was positive, if not glowing. It was a delight to meet them and we hope to maintain a link with their school. Thanks to all pupils and staff involved and a special thank you to Mr Illingworth for organising the afternoon.

On Thursday we had the first-ever Community Assemblies. The speaker was Mr Joe Forte, Chair of Haddington’s Business Association. The assemblies aim to forge closer links with our community. Later in the day, at interval, one of the S5 ‘Self in Society’ groups organised and held a very successful event as part of the MacMillan ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’. At the last count, over £170 had been raised. Congratulations to all involved.

On a personal level, on Wednesday, I was lucky enough to catch the eruption of some of the S3 Classics class volcanoes; wonderful working models built following research into the A.D. 79 eruption of Vesuvius. Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, I was lured to the hall to investigate the lovely piano music I could hear from my office. I stayed in the hall while S5 pupil, Nicholas Hardie, played, beautifully, some Chopin. It was a lovely tranquil moment in a very busy week.

Best wishes

J B Craig