May 2010

Published: 28 May 2010

This has been another busy week.

Yesterday afternoon (Thursday), the Home Economics Department hosted the ‘Little and Large’ Cooking Competition. This involved primary pupils working with a secondary pupil to create dishes from scratch. The room was a hive of activity and, judging by the lovely aromas, the dishes were cooked successfully. Refreshments were served to the various visitors and members of staff assisting. Many thanks to Ms Hossack and her team for arranging the event. Congratulations and well done to all involved.

Yesterday was a busy day, as well as the cookery competition, a large group of S3 Drama pupils travelled to Dundee to see the musical ‘Sweeney Todd’. Feedback has been positive and staff accompanying the trip had high praise for the pupils’ concentration and behaviour during the performance. Well done to all involved and a big thank you to staff for organising the trip.

This week I have had the great pleasure of reading and ‘signing off’ all the S1 reports. The reports are overwhelmingly positive and complimentary. Well done to the S1 pupils who have settled in well at Knox and have taken their studies seriously. The reports were distributed this morning and should have reached home by lunchtime.

Calendar change: the Scottish Government has allocated an addition in-service day for staff to develop the Curriculum for Excellence. East Lothian has identified Wednesday 18 August as this additional in-service day. Therefore, pupils will resume school after the summer holiday on Thursday 19 August 2010.

Good luck to all pupils sitting examinations as the SQA diet continues.

Best wishes,
JB Craig

Published: 21 May 2010

This week we have been recovering from the excitement of Activities Week.  It is a great pleasure to report the many positive comments and feedback from outside agencies, regarding the behaviour and enthusiasm of the pupils (for example, 'the best group of pupils I have worked with' and 'what a courteous group').  The weather was not very kind, but nothing daunted the intrepid Knox groups: through snow in Shetland, rain in Venice, thunder in France, clouds in London and cold temperatures here in East Lothian, the activities continued.  In school, amongst the activities, 'CSI Knox' investigated, cakes were baked and decorated, beauty therapies undertaken, jewellery made, board games invented and poems written.  Feedback from pupils has been positive and plans are afoot for next session!  Congratulations to all pupils and staff involved for a successful and enjoyable week.

The excitement has continued with yesterday's East Lothian Youth Games for S1/2 pupils.  Success in winning the basketball (boys and girls) and the rugby, ensured Knox emerged as overall champions.  Congratulations and well done to all involved.

Calendar change:  the Scottish Government has allocated an additional in-service day for staff to develop the Curriculum for Excellence.  East Lothian has identified Wednesday 18 August as this additional in-service day.  Therefore, pupils will resume school after the summer holiday on Thursday 19 August 2010.

Good luck to all pupils sitting examinations as the SQA diet continues.

Best wishes,
JB Craig

Published: 10 May 2010

The pupils in S5/6 are now on study leave, I am sure you join with me in wishing them every success in the SQA examinations.

On Wednesday the Parent School Partnership met and the minutes will be available on the parents website.

On Thursday we hosted a visit from Finnish pupils and their teachers.  They spent most of the afternoon in the English Department and were very impressed with the school and their S1 'buddies' who looked after them.

Activities Week is just about underway and, already, groups have set off for Italy and France.  The programme is packed with exciting opportunities and I am sure the pupils in S1-3 will have an enjoyable and exciting week.

Calendar change: the Scottish Government has allocated an additional in-service day for staff to develop the Curriculum for Excellence.  East Lothian has identified Wednesday 18 August as this additional in-service day.  Therefore, pupils will resume school after the summer holiday on Thursday 19 August 2010.

Also for the diary, Monday 17 May is a holiday and Tuesday 18 May an in-service day for staff, pupils resume school on Wednesday 19 May.

Best wishes,
JB Craig