It’s been another full week here at Knox Academy.  On Monday I was invited to Caitlin Bruce’s launch of her new CD of harp music (Itchy Fingers).  As I sat watching her, and listening to the amazing music that she was playing, I reflected on how easy she made it look.  It was so effortless and goes to show that putting in the hours of dedicated practice do pay off.  I wish her all success as she moves on into the next phase of her career.

Wednesday saw the whole pupil body voting for membership of the School Council, the House Captains and the Head Boy and Girl and their deputies.  I was delighted to welcome Mark Robertson and Gemma Sandie as Head Boy and Girl and Finlay Munro, Lee Trotter, Amie Cowan and Emma Scott as their deputies.  They are already and formidable team and I think that they will lead the new S6 with determination and decisiveness.  Congratulations to all the other pupils who were successfully elected, and well done to all pupils who put themselves forward for election.

Last night we had the Awards’ Ceremony.  Don Ledingham (Executive Director of Services for People) distributed the prizes and gave a speech touching on the educational heritage that the pupils have at Knox and the legacy that they leave.  The evening was very well attended and we distributed prizes ranging from those recognising academic success, to the “volunteer of the year”, and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award certificates.  For a full list of prize winners, check out the list in the Knox Newsletter.

Today we are finishing with a dress-down day and the, now traditional, photo montage of all that has gone on this year.  We say a fond farewell to Mr MacDonald (PE), Mr Woolley (RMPS) and Ms Thomson (Mathematics) as they move on to new jobs; and to Mrs Barber (Geography) and Dr Dickinson (Science and Chemistry) as they move into retirement.  They have all served the school well and I am proud to have worked with them.

I cannot believe how quickly my first year as Head Teacher has gone and I think that’s a sign of how much I have enjoyed it and how much I have been helped by staff, parents, pupils and the local community.  I wish everyone all the best as we take this break and I look forward to seeing all the pupils safe and sound on the 21st August.