Last Sunday a group of senior pupils attended another National Theatre of Scotland workshop. The workshop was with Solar Bear Theatre Company, who specialise in work with deaf actors. The group discussed theatre for everyone and created some visual theatre without using verbal communication.

On Monday I was invited to judge the S1 Scottish Parliament models designed and made in Modern Studies. All of the groups had worked hard to make detailed models and it was difficult for their teacher, Ms Anderson, and me, to make a decision about the overall winner. Eventually, the model in the shape of a giant thistle emerged as the winner. Congratulations to all the groups who took part.

Wednesday was a busy day for S1 pupils, in the morning, the second of a series of visits by S1 pupils to the Seabird Centre took place. This week it was the turn of the Traprain pupils and they had a great morning at the centre (and were very well behaved and polite). The visits have been organised by the Science Faculty as part of the school’s Comenius environment project.

In the afternoon, all S1 pupils gathered in the assembly hall for the final session of the project on local man, John Gray. The pupils watched the animations produced by not only two classes from Knox, but from the other East Lothian schools involved. These proved to be very inventive and creative. Information on how to vote for the overall winner is on the website.

Yesterday evening, I was in the audience for the ‘Beyond the Stars’ Cabaret by the NPA Musical Theatre pupils, supported by the Junior Drama Club and the NPA Technical Theatre pupils. The three soloists delivered committed and moving performances, and there was comic relief from the Junior Drama Club actors and singers. Congratulations to all performers and thanks to the Drama and Music staff who assisted and supported them.

To finish on another high note, many congratulations to S3 pupil Ashleigh Lawson, who on Wednesday was part of the Lothians Team that emerged as overall winners at the SDA Sportshall Athletics Championships 2012, held in Stirling. Also, thanks to Mrs Little who accompanied Ashleigh.

Best wishes

JB Craig