This week the assemblies have been led by senior pupils talking about online safety. It’s a big thing for pupils to run assemblies for other pupils, and they get nervous no matter how old they are. The seniors acquitted themselves very well and hopefully got their point across to the younger pupils. We were also lucky enough to have visitors from SCILT (Scottish Centre for Information on Language Teaching) to talk to pupils from S2 and S3 on the benefits of studying languages.
It was a pleasure to welcome parents from P5, P6, P7 and S3 to school on Wednesday for information evenings about the National Qualifications and the transition from S3 to S4. I hope that we managed to give people a decent overview of how we tackle the National Qualifications here at Knox and reassured parents that we have everything in hand. Remember, if you have any concerns about how your youngster is doing, or how they are progressing, get in touch with either their Guidance Teacher or Head of House (DHT).
Yesterday I had four very excited pupils into my office after their trip to the “F1 in Schools” competition. Findlay Wallace, Archie Goddard, Connor Moore, and Andrew Syme beat off stiff competition from older, more experienced teams to win the “Best Engineered Formula One Car” prize. Far from being satisfied, and sitting back to enjoy their success, they have assured me that they will be in the workshop next week to get ready for the next competition. They also paid tribute to the support from Ms Leggatt in the Technologies Department who has helped and supported them all the way through the design and manufacture process.
Last night I attended, what has become, one of the highlights of the session: The Burns’ Supper. It was organised by the Knox Academy Support Group and everyone pitched in to help. The whole evening was kept together by Mr Blair who acted as Master of Ceremonies. The haggis was piped in by Grant Campbell and was processed by our “chef” Connor Lynn, and Mrs McInnes addressed the Haggis with gusto. Hamish Moodley delivered the Selkirk Grace with aplomb and the food got underway being beautifully served by some of our junior pupils. The musical entertainment was brought to us by the pipers (Ewan Naysmith, Ninian Wilberforce – who got proceedings off to a flying start with his solo, Grant Campbell, Josh Marsh and Alexander Hogg) and drummers (Clara Wilberforce, Hannah Green, Ciaran Gibson, Amy Kean, and Claire Thomson), the Goats’ Toes, and Georgia Herriot, who gave us a haunting rendition of “Ae fond kiss” accompanied by Naomi Rogers on violin. Caitlin Wright and Perry Stewart read “A man’s a man for a’ that” and we were to have seen videos made by Jenny Vischer, Sophie Charbonnier, Anna Horsburgh and pupils from 1L2, but were thwarted by technology on the night (their work will be on the website, though). Mr Illingworth was charged with giving the “Immortal Memory” and we were treated to his thoughts on Burns, John Knox and John Muir – there was a truly East Lothian flavour to his words. The Head Boy (Calum Paul) then gave his “Toast to the Lassies”, making wry observations about the differences in the sexes, and Annabel Jackson (Head Girl) replied on the Lassies’ behalf. They both spoke with wit and wisdom. The evening flew by and everyone left in high spirits and with smiles on their faces. None of it would have been possible without the hard work and support of the KASG team. Special thanks should also go to Mrs Ball for cajoling people to take part and getting us all organised.
Can I ask again that parents do not bring their children onto the school campus by car unless it is absolutely necessary? The congestion in the car park is getting worse and, in attempts to avoid it, drivers are making ill-advised manoeuvres that are endangering the health and safety of others.
Next week we have the S3 Parents’ Consultation Evening on Tuesday from 5pm until 7pm and there is a PSP meeting on Thursday at 6.15pm. I look forward to seeing you there.
Have a great weekend.
S Ingham