Staffing
On Monday we welcomed Iona Holmes, who started with as the Pupil Support Leader for Traprain House. She will work alongside Laura Bates, who will remain in an acting capacity until the end of May. This will support a smooth transition for Traprain young people and their families.
Modern Languages – this has now closed and candidates are being leeted.
PT Equity (permanent)- has gone live within the school and interviews will take place at the start of June.
PE – following interviews on 12/13 May, Katy Coats was appointed to this post. She will start in August (although currently with us doing Ms Borwick’s post).
Our School Show
'We Will Rock You' - our school show, will take place for three nights - June 3rd, 4th & 5th. Tickets go on sale from this Monday, May 18th. Come along to see a fantastic performance of all Queen hits!'
Qualifications Scotland Exams
A reminder that although Monday is a Bank Holiday for most, pupils who have exams must attend school. Thank you.
Chromebooks
Reminder – all young people leaving school this year must return their Chromebook, fully operational, with the charger, to Miss Patterson. These will then be passed on to other pupils.
S1 HPV vaccinations
S1s are offered the HPV vaccine which protects them from HPV-related cancers such as head and neck cancers and cervical cancer, as well as genital warts in later life. The HPV vaccine is given as an injection in the upper arm and most young people will only need one dose. HPV vaccinations will take place at Knox Academy WEDNESDAY 27th MAY and MEADOWPARK 1ST JUNE.
Please click here for further information, including videos about why vaccines are offered to young people and what to expect on the day.
Any questions or concerns please contact Alison Swallow, School Welfare Assistant.
Taiwan Postcard Project
Miss Robertson, our school librarian, has been paired with a school librarian in Taiwan, and they are planning a joint 'postcard project'. The project will focus on mental health and wellbeing. Next week pupils will be given the opportunity in English to anonymously fill out a postcard to be sent to Taiwan. They can share their thoughts on school, books and life in Scotland. They will also get the invaluable opportunity to ask questions about life and school in Taiwan.
Pupils in Taiwan will also complete postcards and will send their responses to us by the end of term for the pupils to respond to.
It is sure to be an exciting project that the whole school can get involved in and we hope that all pupils will gain a lot from the experience.
Rights Respecting Schools (RRSA)
Our Article of the week is Article 29 - Aims of education – A child's education should help them fully develop their personalities, talents and abilities.
Deaf Awareness
This week's signs are ‘Why’ and ‘How’, which are very useful for class and at home. Did you know that over 1 billion young adults are at risk of permanent, avoidable hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices! So always good to Turn Down the Volume when possible. Did you also know that 90% of deaf children have hearing parents? Lots of them don’t know/learn BSL so can’t communicate with their children!
Events/Trips
Activities week.
This was a great week for pupils and they enjoyed all the activities on offer fro, S1 STEM, to S2 – Edinburgh Zoo, Foxlake and Safari Park, to the S3 PGL Trip and day activities. Thank you to all pupils for being curious to learn new things and skills – also lots of new friendships forged this week. Thank you to all staff for running interesting activities and to those staff who also gave up their evenings, willingly, to accompany the S3 residential. These weeks are important ones in the school calendar as so many skills developed outwith the classroom.
S1 Career Inspiration Day
On Friday the 29 May the S1 will have the opportunity to hear from a range of different industries about what they do, the skills they require and how it links to the school curriculum. We hope that they will find it engaging and help to perhaps broaden their knowledge and understanding of the world of work and the wide range of careers that exist.
Nine different companies and organisations will be in the school and each practical set will rotate between 4 of them, one each period during the morning.
We have run similar events of the past couple of years and the feedback has been very positive.
We are very grateful to Elaine Gorman, our DYW link worker, for making it possible to hold these events.
Pupils’ Successes
Rugby
A huge congratulations to our U15 boys’ team who won the East Lothian U15 7s last weekend.
Please do contact admin@knox.elcschool.org.uk to tell us about your young people’s successes so we can share these with our school community.
Music
Congratulations to:
Dylan Ramsay (S3) - awarded Distinction for Grade 7 drum kit exam
Sebastian Marrapese (S2) - awarded Merit for Grade 7 drum kit exam
Robbie Kidd (S2) - awarded Merit for Grade 4 drum kit exam
General Information
Essentials Hub
If you are coming along to the Essentials Hub please report to our office first and they will direct you to the Hub where Ms McNeill will be.
Neurodiversity Drops Ins – Families Together
We have a fantastic opportunity for Families/Parents/Carers to pop into one of our Neurodiversity Drop Ins with Salveson Mindroom and Families Together East Lothian.
The Drop Ins offer friendly supportive advice and information for diagnosed or suspected Neurodiversity; including Autism, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette's Syndrome and ADHD.
We will be holding them in Dunbar, Wallyford/Musselburgh and Tranent. More information can be found here and here.
Haddstock Festival - Sunday 24th May 2026
East Lothian Battle of the Bands
Knox Academy will be represented by High Tide (Jacob Stewart, Laurie Scott, Logan Kirk and Dylan Ramsay)
12 noon at The Bridge Centre - Bake Sale, Mazzoli pizzas etc.
Saturday 30th May 2026
Come along and support our fabulous Knox performers...
The Fountain @ 10am
Goats' Toes
St Mary's Pleasance @ 12 noon
Jazz Band
Jabberwocky @ 1:20 - 2:40pm
Robyn, Poppy & Emily
Anwen & Elyn
Rosanna Lyall
Ailsa Ogilvie
Knox Loch Lomond
Dates for your diary:
18 May – Pupils’ holiday and staff in-service day (note those doing their Qualifications Scotland exams this day must attend for these)
19 May – Parent Council, 6.30-8pm, School Library (all welcome)
25 & 28 May (TBC) – Athletics Festival – S1=S3 (only) by sign up
28 May – S6 Prom
30 May – BGE (S3) Graduation Ceremony
1 June - New Timetable starts
3 -5 June – School Show
9 June – P7 Information Evening
18 June – Evening of Celebration (Awards Evening)
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
