Knox Academy is bursting with activities in the lead up to the end of term. After school on Monday, the School Orchestra, the S6 panto participants and the drama team were all rehearsing for their performances (in different areas of the school of course!).

On Tuesday morning, the drama team held the dress rehearsal of ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’. This was followed by a fast re-arrangement of the furniture by Mr Thomas and his team in order for the S5/6 Parents’ Evening to take place.

An oasis of calm in this hectic week was provided by one of the S5 Working with Others groups. They prepared and served coffee, tea and cakes in the Library at interval. All proceeds will go to the East Lothian Playscheme. Also on Wednesday, I visited all the S4 classes in column D. Most classes were given a ‘satisfactory’ by the teachers, but homework is an area of concern for some and others need to remember their ties!

As is now traditional, each Tutor Group is being encouraged to fill and decorate a Christmas box of festive treats. These have to be completed by Monday 21 December and will be distributed in the local area. Usually this is a very successful affair and I am sure 2009 will be no exception.

The biggest event of the week has been the performances of ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ by Academy Productions. The 2 performances on Wednesday and Thursday evenings were well attended and greeted enthusiastically by the audiences. This major undertaking was the first whole school production for a very long time and was a resounding success. Congratulations to all the pupils and staff, ably directed by Mr Campbell, who took part in the ‘LWW’.

As I write, S6 pupils are braving the elements in the S6 Outdoor Education Challenge; I hope they have an enjoyable, and not too chilling, experience.

Best wishes,
JB Craig