It has been wonderful to see the sun this week – pupils have been enjoying sitting out on the field at lunchtime and being out and about in it. We just have to hope that it stays like this for Sports’ Day on the 24th June.

This week I had the real pleasure of spending some time with Lucy Keegan who was a runner-up in a nationwide competition to create a new character as a guide in the 'Real Mary King's Close'. Lucy has won a family pass to the Close. The competition was judged by children's author Philip Caveney who said he was 'impressed by the exciting range of really exciting entries and the hard work each pupil had put into their characters.' In addition Mr Caveney praised Lucy by saying her 'detailed illustration of the kitchen maid was great and really stood out.' Congratulations to Lucy and we hope she and her family enjoy their trip to the 'Real Mary King's Close'.

Also this week we welcomed members of the Haddington Twinning Association in to school to talk to our S2, 5 & 6 about twinning and its benefits. Their presentation really made the youngsters think about our relationship with Aubigny and, I hope, has enthused them to think about the possibility of visiting. We also talked about twinning with the other year groups in the context of assemblies about “opportunities”. There’s lots on offer for young people here at Knox, but we are always looking for ideas – so I have encourages pupils to come and tell me what opportunities they would like to see here.

On Wednesday it was great to see some of our pupils heading off to King’s Meadow to help with their Sports’ Day. The School of Rugby pupils, in particular, looked very smart and enthusiastic. I hear that the day was a great success and that our pupils’ help was much appreciated. Speaking of sport… Congratulations to Simon Duke and Paul Cunningham who were selected recently for East Lothian Falcons u16 Rugby team. Both represented The Falcons and did Knox Academy proud. On the back of this Paul Cunningham has been selected for the next stage of selection process and is in the East Lothian & Borders training squad.

Also on Wednesday some of our senior pupils (Hannah Green, Natalie Forrest, Chloe Forrest, Iona Freckleton, Katy Irving) went to Perth to celebrate their success in this year’s YPI competition. They met up again with Steve Nelson the Manager of Beyond Boundaries East Lothian (the winning charity) and had a great day hearing about other charity successes and networking.

This afternoon we will have the Leavers’ Ceremony (mainly for the S6 who are leaving us). It will be the usual bittersweet occasion where we say goodbye to people who have been a massive part of the school, and we realise how much we will miss them, whilst realising that they are off to start a new and exciting phase in their lives.

As one group leaves us, next week we have the excitement of the P7s coming up for their visit (Tuesday and Wednesday). There is an information evening on Monday and I look forward to meeting new parents and our soon-to-be S1 then.

Here’s hoping for a fine weekend.

S Ingham