Head Teacher's Update
Following an East Lothian Council emergency conditions meeting it has been decided that all East Lothian Schools will remain closed to pupils tomorrow - Thursday 7 January.
It is hoped that conditions will improve over the course of tomorrow which will allow us to prepare for a full opening on Friday.
Decisions about school openings on Friday 8 January will be made by 3 pm tomorrow and will be intimated via East Lothian Council's website.
M Duddin
(on behalf of JB Craig)
Following the most recent Met Office forecast East Lothian Council have been advised that there will be severe snow falls (up to 15 cm) throughout East Lothian from 6 pm this evening (Tuesday).
As a consequence of this forecast all East Lothian Schools will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday 6 January) for pupils.
Decisions about school openings on Thursday 7 January will be made by 3 pm tomorrow and will be intimated via East Lothian Council's website and on this website.
M Duddin
(on behalf of JB Craig)
The week was off to a good start with the success of Knox Academy Team 1 in the S6 Challenge. Congratulations and well done to all pupils who took part.
The S2 Progress Reports have been issued and I hope parents find them helpful and informative. If you have any questions regarding the reports, please contact the appropriate Guidance teacher.
Tuesday got off to an exciting start as we had a surprise visitor. This stray dog (we called him Tristan) had followed pupils into school, where he was looked after (and offered several alternative homes), before being collected by the Dog Warden to be returned to his owner in Tranent. No, we have no idea how he travelled to Haddington from Tranent either!
During the week, the S5 'Working with Others' Groups have been very busy. There has been music in the Food Court, sales of baking, competitive karaoke and plans for the ‘Any Tie Day’ on 22 December. Proceeds from the events are going to charities chosen by the pupils. Well done to all S5 pupils involved.
On Wednesday, the Music Department lead pupils and staff in 2 performances of the Christmas Concert. In the afternoon, the audience, including P7 pupils, gave the performers a great reception. The evening was a packed event and the wonderful music put everyone in a festive mood. The audience showed their appreciation with a long ovation at the end of a lovely evening. Congratulations to all pupils and staff involved and particular thanks to Mr Johnston and Miss Orr.
On Monday, pupils will be taking part in year group ceilidhs organised by Mr MacDonald and his team in the PE Department. Also, the Christmas Boxes will be completed and judged before being distributed in the community. On Tuesday, the S6 will be presenting their panto to the school. There will be a whole school assembly before the school closes at 4pm. An exciting 2 days no doubt.
Best wishes for the festive season.
JB Craig
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
