Good afternoon
It has been a busy week here at Knox Academy, culminating in a dress down day to raise money for Children in Need. We haven’t totalled up all the monies raised yet but I will report back on this next week - the buckets were very heavy so that is always a good sign!
Last Saturday I attended the Service of Remembrance at the Corn Exchange. The service commemorated the end of World War I and was held in association with the Royal British Legion Scotland and local Veterans Groups. The Moderator of the Church of Scotland spoke about what poppies stood for, asking us to remove them from our lapels to look at them as she did so. She spoke about the black centre signifying the darkness of war, the red being the blood flowing in all the different directions and the green shoot being the growth of new life. The Moderator then dropped three poppies, one by one, on to the floor as she spoke about those who has lost their lives in battle or serving their country. It was lovely to see a number of Knox Academy pupils attending as part of the Cadets service.
Mr Flood and senior pupils attended Sunday’s service at St Mary’s Church and laid a wreath on behalf of Knox Academy at the Cenotaph. Mr Flood, with some other senior pupils, also attended the Garleton Singers Concert in the evening for Poppy Scotland, where £2189.25 was raised. One of our staff members, Suzie Stewart, was in the choir.
Thank you to Mr Flood and all the senior pupils who represented the school at the above services and performance.
Staffing
Vacancies go live today for:
Teacher of PE – 1FTE permanent
Teacher of Physics – 1FTE permanent – at Knox Academy until June 2019 then permanent within East Lothian Council
Teacher of HE – 0.55FTE permanent – Mon, Tue and Friday
ASN Auxiliary – Meadowpark – part time/term time – permanent
A huge thank you also to Karen Munro, Biology, who leave today to take up her new post at Beeslack High School. They are very lucky to be getting such a great teacher. We will miss her here.
As we were unable to appoint in Biology and English these posts will be re-advertised. Our Biology post will now be advertised as a 1FTE permanent post which I hope will encourage more applicants. Mrs McLeod, who is part-time at Knox Academy, will also work a Monday from December onwards. We will also be advertising a 0.33FTE in Biology (temporary)
Our English is a 1FTE permanent post (with one day based at ELC working with the Literacy Coordinator)
S1-S6 Christmas Dance
This will take place at the school on Thursday 6th December. Tickets will go on sale on the 25th-27th November. These will cost £5 each and include entry into the raffle. The theme is ‘Dress to impress Glitter Ball’.
East Lothian Swimming Gala
Congratulations to all pupils who took part in the East Lothian Swim Gala on Thursday 15th November. Seventeen swimmers attended to represent the school and put in a stellar performance. Thank you to all those that attended, it was great to see so many club swimmers represent the school, and also those that were willing to step up and help out.
Number of top place finishes:
1st place: 10
2nd place: 17
3rd place: 7
S2s: 2nd overall
S3s: 3rd overall
Combined totals of S1-S3: Knox Academy: 3rd overall.
S4s 3rd overall
Congratulations to Louisa Stoddart (S2); Owen Williamson (S2) and Aidan Ballantyne for winning all their events (by Lana Borwick)
Supported Study
Supported Study has now started for Chemistry (Thursday 8:00-8:25 and again 1:20-1:50) where pupils can come and get help with Questions (Alex Dickie)
S4, S5 and S6 Study Skills Session
The Senior Leadership Team is running a Study Skills Session for all of our Senior Phase Pupils on Monday 26th November from 4-5pm. Parents/carers are also welcome to attend. This will be held in the school library. We look forward to seeing you there.
Have a lovely weekend
Sue Cook
