November 2021

HEAD TEACHER'S UPDATE 26 NOVEMBER 2021
Published: 26 November 2021

Our assembly this week was on Autism Awareness. We had a broad introduction to autism that focussed on what autism is and what autism isn’t.  We looked at the idea of a developmental condition as opposed to an illness and what this means for people living with autism.  We looked at some of the main ways that autism presents itself and the barriers that some people face.  We looked at the “spectrum wheel” as a better model for understanding how autism effects people as opposed to the “spectrum line”.  There was even a very brief introduction to one of the famous pieces of psychological research (Heider-Simmel). 

Our seniors have now embarked on their prelims and will be engaged in them for the next two weeks.  These seem to be going well in the first few days and are allowing pupils to get a formal experience of the exam system in preparation for their final SQA exams in April/May 2022.  The results of these prelims will help pupils and teachers to identify areas pupils have performed well in and to identity where extra support is required to ensure further progress. It would be great if parents can support time for revision at home and help pupils stick to their study plans. Thank you.

Staffing

We are about to advertise two posts.

Full time (permanent) Support for Learning Leader (PT)

Full time (permanent) teacher of English

Covid-19 Reducing Risks in Schools – Update 22 November 2021

Current mitigations remain in place in terms of face coverings (unless exempt), hand sanitising, cleaning of work stations and ensuring increased ventilation.  The update to school uniform is already something we have considered and we are asking pupils to bring a warm fleece or jacket they can wear to keep them warm in class should they need it due to the increased ventilation. Physical distancing between staff and staff/pupils remains at 1-2M at all times. Our one way system has also to be retained. The Scottish Government is also stressing the importance of us all participating in the twice weekly asymptomatic testing and recording the results online. The testing also alerts us, if it is positive, to self-isolate and book a PCR test and therefore reducing the spread in our school and community. In line with general guidance, face coverings are expected to be worn by all pupils over 12 years of age on school transport.

Visitors can attend the school by prior agreement and must follow all health and safety mitigations in place when doing so. However the default for all meetings with parents/carers (including Parent Councils and Parent Consultations) is online.

Digital Schools Award

This has been awarded to Knox Academy, by Education Scotland, in recognition of our school’s excellence in integrating digital technology into learning and teaching. Thank you in particular to Calum Blair (CL Numeracy and Computing) on his leadership of this, and to all staff and pupils for their investment in their digital learning and application of these skills.  You have all really embraced our digital learner journey over the last few years (and more). This award is a huge achievement and a great accolade for our school and community and I know we will continue to invest in our progress over the coming years as we develop our skills further. The school is also going to become a mentor to other schools to help them progress their digital skills too – an exciting opportunity for collaboration. 

School Bells

We have now had four full weeks on our ‘trial’ of the school bells ringing four times a day (start, end of break, lunch and end of the day).  A survey has been sent to all pupils and staff for their views on whether this is retained or not. The survey closes at midday today and pupils, staff and parents/carers will be notified of any changes next week. If we do revert to bells at the end of each period this would not take effect until 6 December 2021.

S3 Parents’ Evening

Thank you to all parents/carers who attended this parents’ consultation on Tuesday evening. From speaking to our staff team the conversations were very good and allowed parents, pupils and staff to support next steps in learning/progress.  S3 will now be receiving some support in preparing for their learner pathway choices for S4, both in Personal and Social Education and also from our Skills Development Scotland Advisor, Chris Trotter. We will also be posting lots of links on Twitter, so please do follow on this too . Thank you.

S2/3 Options Choices Webinar For Parents

SDS Webinar: Helping your child with S2/3 option choices - support for parents and carers

About this event

Looking for some help to support your young person with their option choices?

In this webinar parents and carers will hear from SDS’s expert, qualified careers advisers and find out about where to go for additional information and support.

Date and time: Wed, 1 December 2021 (18:30 – 19:15). The link to sign up is here:

Parent Council Meeting - Learner Pathways and Careers (Focus)

The next meeting is on 9 December at 6.30pm (virtual meeting). At this meeting our invited speakers are Chris Trotter (Skills Development Scotland and our Knox Academy Careers Advisor) and Elaine Gorman (Developing the Young Workforce). They will be talking about learner pathways (course choices); supporting young people with their aspirations and qualifications for routes in to employment, university and college.  This will be of great interest in particular to parents/carers of young people in S2, S3, S4, S5 and S6. If you would like to attend this meeting please email our Chair of the Parent Council to gain access to our meeting code, parentcouncil@ka-net.org.uk. It would be great to see as many people attend as possible. Further learner pathway information sessions are also planned for January and Mr Russell will be issuing more detail about these soon.

Diligence Awards  

These will be issued to our young people at the end of January. Diligence nominations, from subject teachers, are given to those pupils who have demonstrated hard work and commitment, on a day to day basis, throughout Term 1 (August – December).  The certificate will detail all subjects they have been nominated in. The ultimate aim is for pupils to be nominated in all of their subjects. If they are not, the goal for term two (January – April) is to aim higher and achieve this. The idea behind these awards is to create ambition (one of our school values) and raise attainment and achievement through sustained effort and commitment to their studies, thus ensuring they achieve their potential. These are really important awards and parents/carers should review these with their young person to identify their successes and also support them where ‘subjects’ missing require more sustained effort. More information on our diligence awards is available by clicking on this link Diligence Awards.

Children in Need

After totaling all monies, our Children In Need morning, last Friday, raised £780.47 - £3 more than last year. A huge thank you to all who donated and baked. Thank you also goes to S6 for organising the event.

Knox 2021 Christmas Concert

The Music Department had a wonderfully successful day recording the Knox 2021 Christmas Concert on Monday 22 November with Creative Industries expert Richie & his students from Edinburgh College at the helm with their professional sound & visual recording gear. Mrs Martin (Music) did a fantastic job of pulling it all together in a short space of time with invaluable support from our Instrumental Instructors (woodwind, brass, guitar, drums, piano, strings and bagpipes). It was excellent to have groups of dancers involved too, thanks to Miss Graham's Dance Club. Knox Academy students rose to the occasion with their performances and positive attitudes, demonstrating our school values of Ambition, Respect & Community. We are very grateful to Mr Gawn, Team Leader at the Instrumental Music Service, for linking us up with Edinburgh College and we look forward with anticipation to watching the Christmas Concert as a school community in December. The link will be shared for our concert during the last week of term.

Christmas Lunch

This will take place on Thursday 9 December. There will be vegetarian options available too. Please encourage your young people to enjoy this great feast that our Food Court put on for our school pupils and staff.  Soup and sandwiches will also be available on this date.

School Session Dates

The school session dates for 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25 have now been published.

Library Books

There are currently many library books overdue.  To allow this back log to be cleared, can I request that parents/carers remind their young people to return these items before the Christmas holidays? (Ms R Fry)

Reporting Pupil Absence

Parents/Carers are reminded that student absences should be reported as soon as possible to allow the attendance record to be updated.  Absences can be reported either by telephoning the main office or e-mailing attendance@knox.elcschool.org.uk stating the reason for absence. (Office team)

Surveys for Parents/Carers and Pupils

Your views are sought on East Lothian Council’s Learning Estate Review and also on the Scottish Government’s Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021. Please read below for more information on both and the links to the surveys. Thank you.

Learning Estate Review

The council is sharing detailed information on its school buildings with a new website giving a full picture of its estate at individual school, cluster and East Lothian level.

The website brings together information on the condition, suitability and capacity of existing schools and the council is keen to hear the views of families, communities and learners.

The events are part of the development of a Learning Estate Investment Plan for East Lothian. The plan will set out the council’s investment priorities for its schools to make sure that all facilities support high quality teaching and learning equally across the county, and to outline the investment needed for this to happen. It will also consider how school buildings support community use.

You can share your feedback by:

  • Visiting the website and completing an online survey
  • Emailing the Learning Estate team
  • Attending an online drop-in session to give your views directly (Wednesday 1 December 5-6pm)

The feedback will be analysed alongside the results of the online questionnaire exercise that was held in February and presented at a future council meeting. For more information, including dates of event in your area and a link to the questionnaire, click here.  The consultation closes on 17 December 2021.

Consultation by the Scottish Government on The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021

Parents, pupils and staff are being asked to give their views about: The ways that products can be obtained free of charge; the location where the products are stored and the types of products available free of charge. The consultation includes those who may need to use the products now and in the future. Parents/carers can complete the survey here. The consultation closes on 14 January 2022.

Further Information:

Periods | Information and Advice on Periods | Young Scot

Home - RSHP

The Period Products Free Provision Scotland Act 2021

Covid-19

Please continue to report all positive Covid-19 cases to covidinschools@eastlothian.gov.uk or if you do not have access to email, telephone 01875 613921. Please also inform the school so we can amend your young person’s attendance record. Pupils should continue to do twice weekly LFD tests. LFD kits are available every morning on arrival to school and during the day from the office. They can also be collected from pharmacies and test centres.

Please do not send pupils to school who have symptoms. They should self-isolate and book a PCR test and not return to school until they know this is negative and they have no symptoms.

The Parent Club also provides useful information on testing for pupils.

Dates for you diary (please also see the School Calendar for overview and updates):

Thursday 25 November – Friday 10 December – S4/5/6 Prelims

Wednesday 8 December – S2 Parents’ Consultation (virtual) – 5-7pm

Thursday 9 December – Parent Council (virtual) – 6.30-8pm

Thursday 9 December – Christmas lunch (Food Court) (sandwiches and fruit still available too)

Friday 17 December – End of Term (12.15pm)

Sue Cook

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

 

HEAD TEACHER'S UPDATE 19 NOVEMBER 2021
Published: 19 November 2021

It was lovely to see our senior pupils all dressed up in bright costumes and characters to launch our Children in Need morning. This followed on from an assembly they prepared on Children in Need which the whole school watched on Wednesday. The bake sale at break time looks as though it is going to attract a lot of customers as pupils and staff have been busy making goodies for it; many of these in the keeping of the ‘spots and dots.’ The theme of Children in Need this year is ‘Together,’ and today we have certainly showed that spirit of community in coming together, having fun and raising awareness of this charity. Thank you to all who donated money to this amazing cause as this will make a difference to so many lives. I will update you on the amount we have raised next week and on Twitter.

Staffing

Teri Devonald, one of our Pupil Support Assistants, leaves us this Friday after supporting our school for ten years. On behalf of us all I would like to wish her a long, happy and healthy retirement.

Tracey McConnachie (our Cook Supervisor) has been promoted to an Assistant Area Officer (Facilities Management) and will leave us on 3 December 2021 after working here almost 13 years. She has been amazing leading the team and we will miss her greatly!  Maria Millar, who is a member of our current school meals team, has been promoted to Cook Supervisor, and will start on 6 December. Knowing the school well, the transition between the two will be seamless and our meals will continue being their usual high quality!  Again, all at Knox Academy wish both of them all the very best in their new roles.

Vicky Lyon (Pupil Support Leader for Support for Learning) – Congratulations to Vicky who was appointed recently to a teaching post at Pathhead and will leave us at the end of term. We will miss her great knowledge and skill; not just in her expertise in SfL/ASN but across the wider school in terms of the activities she had led in her time here – including Duke of Edinburgh.

Congratulations also to one of our business support staff, Tricia Mulroy, who will leave us at the start of December to start a new post as secretary at Belhaven Hill School.

Term Dates (revised)

Following approval at the meeting of the Council’s Cabinet committee on 9th November 2021 and subsequent approval from Scottish Government for an exceptional school closure, an additional day’s leave has been granted to mark the occasion of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on Friday 3 June 2022. An updated calendar is on our website.

S4, S5 and S6 Prelims

Our prelims start next week and all of our young people should have their timetables for this and be engaging in a study programme to support their preparation for these. Pupils should attend school during the duration of their prelims unless flexible study leave is requested. It is essential is that all young people have access to their teacher to support their learning during the two and a half weeks of the prelim diet. Once a prelim has been sat in a subject, learning and teaching of course content will continue during timetabled time.

Reports – S5/6

These will be issued next week and report on your young person’s achievement of a level, their effort, behaviour and home learning. In response to the survey that parents/carers and pupils completed in May, we have taken note of your feedback and changed our report to reflect this. Reports will now give one positive and two targets for pupils to help them focus on their next steps.  The Curriculum section of our website will detail the content of courses to allow parents/carers to be able to see the work being covered in each term rather than reports going in to this detail. Any feedback you have on the reports would be most welcome via the tear-off slips included in the report.

DigiInventors Challenge 2021

Congratulations to a small group of S3’s who entered the #DigiInventorsChallenge, in association with Glasgow Warriors and the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI). They were versed with identifying a health and care challenge faced on a daily basis. They were then asked to come up with a digital idea that could potentially be transformed into a real digital solution for their chosen challenge. I am delighted to say that our Team, JJA, were the East Lothian Council DigiInventors Challenge 2021 winners!! A huge thank you to them for working so hard on their challenge to help create a fitter, healthier and happier future for Scotland’s young people. (By Mrs S Stewart, Computing)

Duke of Edinburgh Award

Congratulations to twenty of our young people from the Knox Tyne 2020 Duke of Edinburgh Award group, who have now completed their Bronze National Navigation Award. Eighteen of them have also completed their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award. A great achievement! A huge thank you to all who have supported them with this.

Children’s Grief Awareness Week, 18-25 November 2021

Bereavement, Loss and Grief affects all of us during our lives. East Lothian Council has just has produced some resources to support our young people. This also coincides with grief awareness week. This initiative, founded by the charity Grief Encounter and supported by a wide range of charity partners, aims to raise awareness of the needs of bereaved children and young people in the UK and the benefits they obtain through the support of others.

Surveys for Parents/Carers and Pupils

Your views are sought on East Lothian Council’s Learning Review and also on the Scottish Government’s Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021. Please read below for more information on both and the links to the surveys. Thank you.

Learning Estate Review

The council is sharing detailed information on its school buildings with a new website giving a full picture of its estate at individual school, cluster and East Lothian level.

The website brings together information on the condition, suitability and capacity of existing schools and the council is keen to hear the views of families, communities and learners.

The events are part of the development of a Learning Estate Investment Plan for East Lothian. The plan will set out the council’s investment priorities for its schools to make sure that all facilities support high quality teaching and learning equally across the county, and to outline the investment needed for this to happen. It will also consider how school buildings support community use.

You can share your feedback by:

  • Visiting the website and completing an online survey
  • Emailing the Learning Estate team
  • Attending an online drop-in session to give your views directly (Wednesday 1 December between 5-6pm (Haddington only))

The feedback will be analysed alongside the results of the online questionnaire that was issued in February and presented at a future council meeting. For more information, including dates of event in your area and a link to the questionnaire, click here.  The consultation closes on 17 December 2021.

Consultation by the Scottish Government on The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021

Parents/carers, pupils and staff are being asked to give their views about: The ways that products can be obtained free of charge; the location where the products are stored and the types of products available free of charge. The consultation includes those who may need to use the products now and in the future. Parents/carers can complete the survey here. The consultation closes on 14 January 2022.

Further Information:

Periods | Information and Advice on Periods | Young Scot

Home - RSHP

The Period Products Free Provision Scotland Act 2021

Covid-19

Please continue to report all positive Covid-19 cases to covidinschools@eastlothian.gov.uk or if you do not have access to email, telephone 01875 613921. Please also inform the school so we can amend your young person’s attendance record. Pupils should continue to do twice weekly LFD tests. LFD kits are available every morning on arrival to school and during the day from the office. They can also be collected from pharmacies and test centres.

Please do not send pupils to school who have symptoms. They should self-isolate and book a PCR test and not return to school until they know this is negative and they have no symptoms.

The Parent Club also provides useful information on testing for pupils.

Dates for you diary (please also see the School Calendar for overview and updates):

Tuesday 23 November – S3 Parents’ Consultation (virtual) – 5-7pm

Thursday 25 November – S5/6 Reports Issued

Thursday 25 November – Friday 10 December – S4/5/6 Prelims

Wednesday 8 December – S2 Parents’ Consultation (virtual) – 5-7pm

Thursday 9 December – Parent Council (virtual) – 6.30-8pm

Thursday 9 December – Christmas lunch (Food Court) (sandwiches and fruit still available too)

Friday 17 December – End of Term (12.15pm)

Sue Cook

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

HEAD TEACHER'S UPDATE 12 NOVEMBER 2021
Published: 12 November 2021

Yesterday morning we had our Remembrance Assembly and observed our two minutes silence across the school at the eleventh hour. This year’s assembly focused on Douglas Haig, Commander-in-Chief of the British Forces on the Western Front in 1915. One hundred years ago, in 1921, Earl and Lady Haig established the Earl Haig Fund to raise donations for veterans of the war. Today Poppy Scotland carries on that work to provide services and support to service personnel wounded mentally or physically through their duty. Many of you will have talked to our S6 Pupils who were in Tesco last weekend collecting for this fund.  

Next Friday we will be raising money for Children In Need and this will be a dress down day for all pupils. Our senior pupils will be ‘dressing up’ in a variety of fun costumes and organising a bake sale. This day is always a lot of fun at school, as we come together as a school community to support a great cause - it is also great for everyone’s morale.  It also links directly with our school vision of ‘kindness’ and value of ‘community’.

If you are able to donate any money to this charity please pass this to your young people so they can pop it in our collection buckets.  Last year we raised £727.44 so it would be great if we can equal (or surpass) that total this year.

All Pupils

Flu Vaccination ‘Mop Ups’ for Pupils

NHS vaccination team advise that “mop-up” clinics will operate across NHS Lothian area for children who have not had their Flu vaccination in school.

If any child has missed this vaccination in school, then parents can contact the Community vaccination team on 0131 446 4082 to arrange a clinic appointment.

Anti-bullying Week

This takes place from Monday 15 – Friday 19 November. We are asking pupils and staff to wear odd socks to school on Monday to promote this – we are all different but all equal. This is not a dress down just an odd sock wearing day and there will be no fund raising associated with it. We will also be running events at school to discuss this with pupils and it would be great if parents/carers can also discuss this with your young people at home during this time to support the focus at the school. Parent/carer resources can be found here. Thank you

Senior Pupils

S4, S5 and S6 Prelims

Parents and pupils will have received a copy of the prelim timetable earlier this week. Those young people who have Alternative Assessment Arrangements (AAA) in place will be supported with these during their prelims too. There are lots of study sessions available to support senior pupils and I

would encourage them to attend these to help them prepare for these and their final SQA exams.

Reports – S4

 These were issued yesterday and report on your young person’s achievement of a level, their effort, behaviour and home learning. In response to the survey that parents/carers and pupils completed in May, we have taken note of your feedback and changed our report to reflect this. Reports will now give one positive and two targets for pupils to help them focus on their next steps.  The Curriculum section of our website will detail the content of courses to allow parents/carers to be able to see the work being covered in each term rather than reports going in to this detail. Any feedback you have on the reports would be most welcome via the tear-off slips included in the reports.

S4 Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

On the 29 and 30 October, 15 pupils from S4 completed their practice expedition for the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.  The traditional camping element of the award is, of course, suspended for now but the participants still had to complete two full days of navigating their way as they walked through different parts of the East Lothian countryside, carrying all the clothing and equipment they needed for the day, as well as planning and cooking a hot meal each day. This was the culmination of the training they had commenced way back in their S3 year which was disrupted by Covid.

The Haddington area has a strong record for community-led DofE groups but this group represents the first group run wholly by Knox Academy in many years and paves the way for many similar groups in the future. This group need to complete a qualifying expedition in June, as well as finish all of the volunteering, skills and physical activities they need to undertake, to gain their award in June.  In the meantime, an S5 group will be commencing with their Silver Award before Christmas, aiming to complete their award early next academic session.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is the world’s leading achievement award for young people and is highly-regarded by colleges, universities and employers, as well as providing valuable life skills and increased confidence to participants.  S3 pupils in particular should look out for details of the next Bronze Award group to be run in the school, commencing later this academic session. (By Mr G Boyle)

Parental Information 

Scotland's Biggest Parent's Event (SBPE)

To launch SBPE 2021, DYW Scotland will deliver a National Launch Event on Monday 15 November at 7pm, lasting approximately 25 – 30 minutes. The messages being delivered are in response to a survey of over 880 parents. This year contributors will cover the Young Person’s Guarantee, Labour Market Information (LMI) in Scotland (with a focus on green jobs and skills) and support for ASN schools and pupils. Contributions will include Skills Development Scotland and Enable Scotland

I would also like to draw your attention to the latest in Skills Development Scotland’s parental webinar series taking place on Wednesday 17 November at 18.30. This session focuses on post-school options and their professionally qualified careers advisers will be talking to parents about different pathways, options and how they can support informed career decisions for their young person.  

Attendance Policy for Young People – East Lothian Council

Public consultation on East Lothain Council's draft attendance policy: Included, Engaged and Involved. A Positive Approach to Promoting Attendance School Attendance is now open until 16th November 2021. Please do have a read of this and have your say on it. Thanks.

Covid-19

Please continue to report all positive Covid-19 cases to covidinschools@eastlothian.gov.uk or if you do not have access to email, telephone 01875 613921. Please also inform the school so we can amend your young person’s attendance record. Pupils should continue to do twice weekly LFD tests. LFD kits are available every morning on arrival to school and during the day from the office. They can also be collected from pharmacies and test centres.

Please do not send pupils to school who have symptoms. They should self-isolate and book a PCR test and not return to school until they know this is negative and they have no symptoms.

The Parent Club also provides useful information on testing for pupils.

Dates for you diary (please also see the School Calendar for overview and updates):

Friday 19 November – Children In Need – dress down day

Tuesday 23 November – S3 Parents’ Consultation (virtual) – 5-7pm

Thursday 25 November – S5/6 Reports Issued

Thursday 25 November – Friday 10 December – S4/5/6 Prelims

Wednesday 8 December – S2 Parents’ Consultation (virtual) – 5-7pm

Thursday 9 December – Parent Council (virtual) – 6.30-8pm

Sue Cook

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

HEAD TEACHER'S UPDATE 5 NOVEMBER 2021
Published: 05 November 2021

This week has seen the launch of our new School Bells system, and from observing the movement throughout school, this seems to be working well. We will consult staff and pupils near the end of November to decide whether we retain this approach.

S4, S5 and S6 Prelims

Parents and pupils will receive a letter today about the arrangements for prelims this year and the timetable will be issued early on next week. Those young people who have Alternative Assessment Arrangements (AAA) in place will be supported with these during their prelims too. There are lots of study sessions available to support senior pupils and I would encourage them to attend these to help them prepare for these and their final SQA exams.

Senior Phase Study Support

As well as our in-school study support sessions E-Sgoil is also offering evening study support sessions (which commenced on Monday 6 September 2021), targeted support for learners and, looking ahead, provision during the Easter holidays is already being planned.  A significant number of our young people have already signed up to the evening study support sessions but it would be good if we could encourage all senior phase pupils to do this. Spreading study across the year is more advantageous than last minute cramming for exams.

Reports – S4

These will be issued next week and report on your young person’s achievement of a level, their effort, behaviour and home learning. In response to the survey that parents/carers and pupils completed in May, we have taken note of your feedback and changed our report to reflect this. Reports will now give one positive and two targets for pupils to help them focus on their next steps.  The Curriculum section of our website will detail the content of courses to allow parents/carers to be able to see the work being covered in each term rather than reports going in to this detail. Any feedback you have on the reports would be most welcome via the tear-off slips included in the reports.

DYW Big Parents Event  | Skills Development Scotland

By booking on the link parents can either watch on the night or at a time that works for you. 

Attendance Policy for Young People – East Lothian Council

Public consultation on ELCs draft attendance policy: Included, Engaged and Involved. A Positive Approach to Promoting Attendance School Attendance is now open until 16th November 2021. Please do have a read of this and have your say on it. Thanks.

Parents and Pupils’ News - COP26 Glasgow

Between the 31st October and 12th November COP26 is taking place in Glasgow.  Here countries are gathering to forge a response to the climate emergency we all face. To stand a chance of limiting global average temperature increase to just 1.5C we need to rapidly reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions we create as humans.  COP26 will give politicians and countries direction and boundaries however many are looking inward in the knowledge that we need to act now rather than waiting for politicians to talk.

What is/has been happening over the two weeks at Knox Academy:

  • Teachers have been encouraged to discuss this important issue in class and some staff will also be delivering lessons relating to COP26 and the climate emergency.
  • Registration teachers have access to a set of resources which may be shared over the course of the COP26 talks.

COP26 Links:

Attached below are links where you may find out a little more about COP26:

COP26 Pupil - Ambition and Success

At the end of October Anya Boardman in S3 applied to Young Scott (YS Hive) be a COP26 Local Champion.  Anya made it to the interview stage and was selected on 29th October to be one of 9 local champions.  As an ambassador she will be tasked with supporting local events, promoting COP26 themes in the community and sharing young people’s efforts.  A fantastic opportunity to work with other young people within and beyond our school and wider community.  Well done Anya!

Scotland's Biggest Parent's Evening (SBPE)

To launch SBPE 2021, DYW Scotland will deliver a National Launch Event on Monday 15 November at 7pm, lasting approximately 25 – 30 minutes. Messaging responds to a survey of over 880 parents. This year contributors will cover the Young Person’s Guarantee, Labour Market Information (LMI) in Scotland (with a focus on green jobs and skills) and support for ASN schools and pupils. Contributions will include Skills Development Scotland and Enable Scotland

Saturday Football

This is now back up and running at the 3G pitch in Haddington. Gates open at the 3G on a Saturday at 7pm-9pm. Pupils can bring some cash as the club are looking to open the tuck shop too. Haddington FC is also opening the gates on a Friday 1pm-4pm, giving access to all Knox pupils for somewhere to play football

Covid-19

Please continue to report all positive Covid-19 cases to covidinschools@eastlothian.gov.uk or if you do not have access to email, telephone 01875 613921. Please also inform the school so we can amend your young person’s attendance record. Pupils should continue to do twice weekly LFD tests. LFD kits are available every morning on arrival to school and during the day from the office. They can also be collected from pharmacies and test centres.

Please do not send pupils to school who have symptoms. They should self-isolate and book a PCR test and not return to school until they know this is negative and they have no symptoms.

The Parent Club also provides useful information on testing for pupils.

Dates for you diary (please also see the School Calendar for overview and updates):

Thursday 11 November – S4 Reports Issued

Tuesday 23 November – S3 Parents’ Consultation (virtual) – 5-7pm

Thursday 25 November – S5/6 Reports Issued

Thursday 25 November – Friday 10 December – S4/5/6 Prelims

Wednesday 8 December – S2 Parents’ Consultation (virtual) – 5-7pm

Thursday 9 December – Parent Council (virtual) – 6.30-8pm

Have a lovely weekend and stay safe if you are going out to any Bonfire/Firework displays.

Sue Cook

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