December 2009

Published: 18 December 2009

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

 

Published: 11 December 2009

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

 

Published: 04 December 2009

It has been another bumper week at Knox Academy.

Monday was an interesting, if hectic day. Assemblies to celebrate St Andrew’s Day and mark the end of the Homecoming Year were held at the start of the day. The English and Music Departments joined forces for the assemblies and many pupils were involved, including Emma Campbell, S5, who read out her prize-winning poem on Robert Burns.

The rest of the day was spent re-distributing the lockers. We have enough lockers to provide one for each pupil and the lockers have been allocated to reflect the Tutor Groups and where they register. This was a daunting task, so many thanks to Mrs Davidson and her team for organising this.

On Tuesday evening, the ‘Ice Ice Fever’ Dance was held and was open to all pupils. This was well attended, with a full range of pupils from S1-S6. Excellent behaviour and very loud music made this a great night for all. Congratulations and thanks to the S5 pupils who organised the event and the many staff who attended.

Senior pupils studying Music have been performing in their practical prelims. Judging by the lovely sounds coming from the hall, I am sure they have done well.

On Wednesday the Parent School Partnership met for the last time this term. Various issues were discussed and Mrs Ingham gave a presentation on the Faculty Structure in the school. At the same time, a lucky band of senior pupils who study in the Business Education Department were off to the panto at the King’s Theatre in Edinburgh (oh yes they were). The Business Education staff, who organised the trip, tell me that it was a team building exercise and everyone had a great time.

Rehearsals are gathering momentum for the concert on 16 December and the performances of ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ on 9 and 10 December at 7 pm. Tickets are on sale for the latter and are selling well.

Best wishes,
JB Craig