School Improvement Planning for Session 2024-25

Parents/carers should have received an email from me last Friday, and a text on Wednesday (both with a link to the questionnaire) asking you for your support in helping us identify the key aspects we need to focus on next session. By us all working together we aim to ensure we support all of our young people to achieve their full potential. 

Thank you to the parents/carers who have already responded, and I do hope you will all manage to complete our questionnaire. The more responses we have ensures we have a true representation of our school community’s views and what you believe are the important aspects we need to focus on to improve.  Your views are very much valued and we have used these in previous years to help guide the school’s direction.

Pupils and staff are also being asked for their improvement ideas. Once we have feedback from all groups we will look at these collectively and extract the main themes to focus on to help us on our journey to excellence. I will also report back to you about the findings from all groups and our plans for next session.

Study – SQA Exams

The E-Sgoil Easter Revision Study programme is now open for bookings. These are live, interactive webinars and are free! They offer a wide range of subjects and levels and will support all seniors ahead of their exams. You can sign up here. Pupils will need their GLOW account details to access this.

Battle of the Bands 2024

The nine S2 classes at Knox Academy battled it out on Thursday 7th March 2024 with lights and mics! Each class voted for their choice of song in December and were then given 6 music lessons to practise:

2.1  Riptide

2.2  Rockin’ All Over the World

2.3  Freed from Desire

2.4  Gangsta’s Paradise

2.5  I’m Still Standing

2.6  All Star

2.7  Save Your Tears 

2.8  Love is an Open Door

2.9  Stay

3 competitive heats took place in house groups: Garleton (2.1, 2.2, 2.3), Lammerlaw (2.4, 2.5, 2.6) and Traprain (2.7, 2.8, 2.9). These heats were judged by a panel made up of the 2023 Battle of the Band winners, Red Raven and S3 music students. A huge thank you to these wonderful judges! Thank you also to our talented seniors Isla Hogg & Casey Burgess who provided the stage lighting as well as Jude Dunbar & Joshua Cuthbertson who assisted with stage and tech.

Finalists

2.3 Freed from Desire (Garleton)

2.4 Gangsta's Paradise (Lammerlaw)

2.8 Love is an open door (Traprain)

The FINAL took place in the hall with all nine classes in the audience. The judging panel was made up of the nine S2 class teachers, our 3 Depute Headteachers and VIP Community Guest, Beki Dover (Founder & Director of Haddstock Music Festival). 

Judges marked the performances on Melody, Harmony, Rhythm and also our Music Department values of Creativity, Communication and Confidence. The judges then deliberated while the band Cryptid (Dominic, Scott, Joshua & Michael) performed on stage.

We are delighted to announce that the winners of the S2 Battle of the Bands 2024 was...

2.4 with GANGSTA'S PARADISE

A huge well done to all our wonderful performers! Mrs Loughrey & Mrs Middlemiss are incredibly proud of all your hard work and determination to do your best while pursuing our school values of Ambition, Respect & Community (by Mrs Middlemiss)

A huge thank you Mrs Middlemiss and Mrs Loughrey for organising this event for S2. It was brilliant!

Fundraising Dinner in Aid of Our Community Kitchen

As you know we work closely with OCK and often fund raise for them so we would like to let you know of an up and coming event to raise funds for them. Our Community Kitchen is a brilliant charity that exists to reduce isolation by bringing people of all ages and abilities together to enjoy food and activities.

This special evening (dinner) will be held at Haddington Bowling Club on Thursday 14th March.

Book tickets by emailing info@jos-kitchen.co.uk

Successes

Squash

Good luck to Jamie Pearman (S3) who is competing at The University of Warwick Junior Gold Squash Open this weekend.

Dates for your diary:

12 March – S1 Parents’ Evening – 4.30-6.30pm (at Knox Academy)

20 March – Parent Council and AGM – 6.30 – 8pm (at Knox Academy)

29 March – 15 April – Easter holidays – all resume Tuesday 16 April 2024

19 April – S4/5/6/ Leavers’ Ceremony (pupils only)

 

Our school calendar is updated regularly and should be used to access all information throughout the year and allows you to plan ahead too.

 

Sue Cook

Parent Council

The Parent Council has requested a footer on my HT’s update that remains there year round and which offers quick links to remote learning resources, course choices, supported study and careers news. Clicking on these headings takes you straight to these pages.

Please also look at our website for lots of other information. Please also follow us on Twitter for up-to-date news on a day to day basis.

Please also remember to follow us at: www.ka-net.org.uk   @knoxacademyHT for the latest information and updates.