The amount of money raised last Friday for ‘Children in Need’ was nearly £600 and the fund- raising has continued this week with 2 raffles. The final total should be available next week. Well done to everyone involved.

Today is the last day of the S4 pupils’ Work Experience week. I am looking forward to hearing how the pupils got on, I am sure the week has been a great success.

After the resounding success of last year's Business Question Time, on Tuesday afternoon, Knox Academy hosted the event for the second year running. The brave panel of 6 local business people responded to a series of questions from Higher and Advanced Higher Business Management pupils. The questions ranged over many aspects of setting up and running a business and there was discussion of the effects of the recession. Following the ‘grilling’, panel members, guests and pupils mingled while enjoying refreshments prepared by the Home Economics Department.  The afternoon was a great success, many thanks to all who took part and Mr Flood and the Business Education Department for organising the event.

On Thursday, agroup of S2 Pupils: C Taylor, D Jones, K DeVos, A Hunton, S Hay, S Flood, B Scott and R Betts took part in the Construction Challenge. This involved three different practical challenges that were arranged by the CABEC team at Telford College. The pupils had to lay roof tiles in a pattern on a roof structure, build a brick paving path in a tight space and construct a tall tower from straws. Ms Moore reported that ‘Team Knox’, took on the challenges with gusto and worked extremely hard. They all pulled together and were commended for their team work. Unfortunately, they were not successful in going through to the next round, but had a fun and educational day learning about the construction industry. Well done to the pupils and many thanks to the staff at Telford College who were extremely helpful and encouraging. Also, many thanks to Ms Moore for organising the trip and accompanying the pupils.

A very big well done to S5 pupil, Erin Baillie, who remained calm and called an ambulance when she witnessed a bad accident that injured a cyclist.

Today we say farewell to Mr Campbell, who is leaving Knox to take up a post at Telford College. In 2007, Mr Campbell was the first Drama teacher to be appointed at the school and in the time he has been with us, he has played a major role in establishing the subject in the curriculum and as a thriving extra-curricular activity. The high standards he has extolled are reflected in all aspects of the department’s work (an excellent example being the NC Drama pupils’ workshop performance yesterday evening). I am sure you join me in wishing Mr Campbell every success in his new post.

Please note that due to industrial action, the school will be closed to pupils on Wednesday 30 November (please see details above).

Best wishes

J B Craig