September 2022

HEAD TEACHER'S UPDATE 30 SEPTEMBER 2022
Published: 30 September 2022

Following the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II and Queen of Scots on Thursday 8 September, her funeral took place on Monday 19 September. East Lothian Council observed this day as a National Bank Holiday. As this was a holiday Monday in East Lothian, this holiday will now be ‘given back’ to staff and pupils on Monday 24 October. This means that our school in-service day will move to Tuesday 25 October, which will become a holiday date for pupils only.

This evening, Lauren Clark, Mr Flood and I will be attending the thanksgiving service, at St Mary’s Parish Church, in honour of HM Queen Elizabeth. It is a privilege for us to represent Knox Academy at this.

 

Pupils’ News

The Christmas Dances Are Back!

After a hiatus for several years, we are delighted to officially announce the re-launch of the Christmas Dances for this year. These will take place on the following dates:

Dasher's Dance BGE (S1-S3): Tuesday 6th December 2022 7pm-9.30pm

Blitzen's Ball Senior Phase (S4-S6): Thursday 15th December 2022 7pm-9.30pm

Information has been delivered to registration teachers, where the School Dance policy has been shared with pupils and can also be found here. If pupils are unsure of any of the conditions, they should speak to their registration teacher in the first instance. Once pupils have made themselves aware of the policy, and should they wish to attend, they should complete the appropriate Google Form (see below) indicating their intentions to attend. Further details will then follow to those interested with information on the school iPay system where a ticketless purchase can be made.

BGE Google Form

Senior Phase Google Form

European Day of Languages 

This week we have celebrated the European Day of Languages! Classes have dedicated time at registration each day to European language and culture.  Activities have included putting pupils' recognition of languages to the test with a quiz, listening to French and Spanish music and learning about different celebrities and professional athletes whose language skills have allowed them to progress in their careers. 

Orchestra

The Knox Academy Orchestra have resumed sessions, and will be on every Tuesday 3:30-4:30pm in the Hall.  All are welcome! (Ms Martin)

National e-Learning Offer: e-Sgoil Evening Study Support Webinars 

The NeLO/e-Sgoil evening Study Support programme for 2022/23, is starting now. Study Support comprises live, interactive webinars focussed on Senior Phase courses. Webinars are delivered by experienced, GTCS registered teachers. 50 different webinars are on offer each week during term time, covering all the larger subject areas as well as an extensive range of other subjects. The service is focussed on delivering equitable access to all learners in Scotland and is completely free. 

The following links give you more information about this offer: Nutshell guide for learners  ; FAQ document ; Short promotional video ; 2022 – 2023 Evening Webinars Study Support timetable 

Registration is now open. The link to the registration and information page on the e-Sgoil website is here 

Vaccinations

A huge thank you to S6 pupils who supported the NHS and Mrs Fraser with the queueing system for the Flu Vaccinations on Tuesday. Your support was much appreciated to help the process run smoothly. (Mrs Fraser)

 

Parents’/Carers’ Information

Parent Council – your views

The Parent Council is keen to get your views as parent/carers of young people at Knox Academy. The questionnaire will take no longer than 5-10 minutes to complete and they would really appreciate your input.  The link to the questionnaire is here. Please can parents/carers respond to it by Friday 14 October. Thank you.

Annual Data Check

All data check forms have been issued to all pupils for review and completion.  Please complete and return any outstanding forms to the school office as soon as possible. (Knox Academy Office)

UCAS Evening

Thank you to all Parent/Carers and pupils who attended the UCAS Information Evening led by our Pupil Support Leaders on Tuesday evening. We hope you found it useful. If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact Mr Meekison, who leads on this at Knox Academy.

LGBT Youth Scotland Silver Charter Award

Next week we will be handing in our completed LGBT Silver charter portfolio to LGBT Youth Scotland. The LGBT+ Allies group wanted to share with all parents and guardians the journey the school has gone on since starting up the LGBT+ Allies group. The group would like to thank the whole school community for all the work that has been done in the last few years to make the school more inclusive. (By Nicola Stobie)

Information Session on Scholar for Parents and Carers (S4-S6 pupils)

Scholar is holding an online information session for parents and carers on Wednesday 9 November 2022 to provide an overview of SCHOLAR and how it can support their young people in S4-S6, as well as answer any questions. Click here for details of this event and how to register for it.

 

Dates for your diary:

Thursday 6 October                                       P7 Information Evening – at Knox Academy

Monday 17 – Tuesday 25 October            School holiday for pupils (staff return on Tuesday 25)

Wednesday 26 October                               Pupils return

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

Parent Council

The Parent Council has requested a footer on my HT’s update that remains there year round and which offers quick links to remote learning resources, course choices, supported study and careers news. Clicking on these headings takes you straight to these pages.

Please also look at our website for lots of other information. Please also follow us on Twitter for up-to-date news on a day to day basis.

Please also remember to follow us at: www.ka-net.org.uk 96D4F7EE for the latest information and updates

HEAD TEACHER'S UPDATE 23 SEPTEMBER 2022
Published: 23 September 2022

On Tuesday our S2 pupils attended a theatrical performance called 'Smashed'. The hour-long event began with a dramatic theatrical performance charting the lives of three teenagers and their experiences with alcohol. This was followed immediately by an interactive workshop exploring: The social and emotional causes of underage drinking; its impact and effect on young lives; social influence, peer-pressure and decision-making and where and how to access help for themselves and others.  Further information can be found on the Smashed Project website.

Staffing

Congratulations to Lana Borwick (PE) who has just passed her First Steps into Leadership course.

Pupils’ News

S6 Dalguise

Our S6 pupils head off to Dalguise this afternoon for an action packed outdoor adventure weekend. A huge thank you to all the staff foregoing their weekend to take them. I am sure you will all have lots of fun – even though they may be a little exhausted by Sunday evening!

Future Asset Careers Event at Rathbone’s

S4 pupils Katie Inglis, Ollie Campbell-Anderson, Ivana Borisova and Mr Flood went on a trip to 10 George Street to learn more about careers in the financial planning and investment industry. Arriving there was breakfast for every school that could attend. Then it went into the introduction about what is the best way to save and spend money responsibly. Then it went into financial planning for the future.

After the break we learned about managing investment portfolios and what is involved. After learning about the portfolios we started talking about Next Steps for you and your career. We also learned about what we could do that we can add to our CVs. We finished with an investment game, had lunch and caught the train back, and it was all thanks to Mr Flood that we got there and back from the school and the event safely (by pupils attending)

PE Kit 

As we approach the end of September, and weather conditions are cooling, can pupils please be reminded of the appropriate PE kit for lessons as some classes continue to be outside; 

Change of bottoms i.e. leggings/joggers/shorts

Change of top i.e. t-shirt/vest/jumper/waterproof 

Change of footwear i.e. trainers/boots/socks   

Reusable water bottle

Where possible, the PE staff will do our best to accommodate those without kit to ensure you are comfortable for lessons

Pupils should also be reminded, that after PE you should be changing back in to full school uniform.

Valuables that are left in the changing rooms are a pupil’s responsibility, although the changing rooms do get locked, however, there is an alternative space for each class to leave their valuables in a locked area in the PE office. (L Borwick)

 

Parents’/Carers’ Information

S2 Parents’ Evening

It was fantastic to welcome our S2 Parents/Carers, this week, to our first in-school parents’ consultation evening for over two years. From speaking with a number of parents, staff and pupils, the meetings were fruitful in terms of discussing progress and next steps in learning. If for any reason you were unable to attend, or get an appointment with a particular teacher, please contact your young person’s House Team and they will endeavour to get feedback for you.

Information Session on Scholar for Parents and Carers (S4-S6 pupils)

Scholar is holding an online information session for parents and carers on Wednesday 9 November 2022 to provide an overview of SCHOLAR and how it can support their young people in S4-S6, as well as answer any questions. Click here for details of this event and how to register for it.

Scottish Government

The Scottish Gvt is inviting everyone who has an interest in the future of our education system to join the National Discussion. Have your voice heard and help develop a vision for the future of education in Scotland. What kind of education, skills, knowledge and support do you think young people will need 20 years from now? Click here to get involved.

Dates for your diary:

Thursday 6 October                        P7 Information Evening – at Knox Academy (at Knox Academy)

Discussions are taking place at Cabinet next week about a ‘day back’ for the Monday of the September weekend as this was a National holiday for the Queen’s funeral. The 24 October has been suggested but still to be agreed at the Cabinet Meeting on 27 September. I will update parents/carers next week about this decision. If granted, this would mean pupils would return to school on 26 October, following the staff-in-service day on Tuesday 25 October.

Our school calendar is updated regularly and should be used to access all information throughout the year and allows you to plan ahead too.

Have a great weekend and if you are in Haddington, the Farmers Market is on from 9-1pm.

Sue Cook

Parent Council

The Parent Council has requested a footer on my HT’s update that remains there year round and which offers quick links to remote learning resources, course choices, supported study and careers news. Clicking on these headings takes you straight to these pages.

Please also look at our website for lots of other information. Please also follow us on Twitter for up-to-date news on a day to day basis.

Please also remember to follow us at: www.ka-net.org.uk 96D4F7EE for the latest information and updates

HEAD TEACHER'S UPDATE 9 SEPTEMBER 2022
Published: 09 September 2022

I really enjoyed meeting with our Head Pupils recently to work together to make the school the best we can for our learners. The Pupil Leadership Team and Prefects will be involved in leading our school committees (such a Pupil Council and Charities) and also in supporting events at the school such as Parents’ Evenings, Trips, School Concerts/Dances and volunteering in classes. They are an amazing S6 and this year looks to be an exciting one for the school as we also prepare to host our first ever Diversity Event in February next year. More information to follow on this in due course.

It was also fantastic to have our first face-to-face Parent Council meeting, on Tuesday evening, after nearly two and a half years.  It was great to see some new parents/carers attending too. The topics covered were the SQA results, the School Improvement Plan and our improving Mathis results due to their Mastery Maths approaches to learning and teaching. The next one will take place on Wednesday 26 October with venue/online TBC. All parents are warmly invited.

Mobile Phones

In order to ensure effective learning and teaching in all of our classrooms and around the school we are asking that mobile phones are not seen or not heard during school hours (excluding breaks and lunches) to allow young people to benefit fully from face to face teaching and interactions with their peers. If the teacher requests them to access mobiles for learning this is fine but we have a large number of chromebooks in the school now, so this would be in a minimum number of cases. We want to minimise the disruption caused by pupils looking at their phones and sending messages during class time. We would like to ask for parental support in speaking with your young people about this and helping us to ensure they benefit fully from their classes. Thank you.

Pupils’ News

Parents’/Carers’ Information

Risk Assessment

Our updated risk assessment can be read here.

School Processes

A reminder that if pupils need to leave school during the day for appointment, parents/carers must let the school know this in advance so we can mark this on your young person’s attendance record. No pupils, unless in S6 who can sign out, can leave the building without prior agreement. This is for health and safety reasons. Parents can notify the school of forthcoming appointments through the Parents Portal (which parents should now have or register for). If for any reason you cannot access this you can email attendance@knox.elcschool.org.uk or phone the school office on 01620-823387. Thank you.

Information Session on Scholar for Parents and Carers (S4-S6 pupils)

Scholar is holding an online information session for parents and carers on Wednesday 26 October 2022 to provide an overview of SCHOLAR and how it can support their young people in S4-S6, as well as answer any questions. Click here for details of this event and how to register for it.

Standards and Quality Report (SQIP)

Our review of our progress last school session can be read here.

SQA Vision and Values Consultation

Scotland's qualifications (including exams & the ways young people are assessed) are under review! Connect and the National Parent Forum Scotland are working together to hear the views of a wide range of parents and carers.
A short survey on the draft 'vision & principles' for the review can be accessed here.
You can also sign up for more info here.

There's also a closed FaceBook group for parents and carers to discuss the review - Reforming Scottish Qualifications: The Hayward Review  (by the Parent Council)

Dunbar Music Festival Workshops for S1 - S6

As part of the Dunbar Music Festival, there will be a choice of workshops which pupils can sign up for on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 September. This is an exciting opportunity to learn something new, and the workshops will be led by professional musicians and experts from the music industry. All are free of charge, but it is advisable to get tickets as soon as possible as numbers are limited. All will take place in Dunbar. For full details and information on how to book tickets they should speak to their music teacher.  It would be great if parents/carers could encourage their young person to get involved.

Workshop 1: Off the Record: experts unpack the music industry.

Workshop 2: For singers and jazz fans, Eileen Hunter will teach different styles of singing and how to communicate with accompanying musicians. 

Workshop 3: An introduction to fingerstyle guitar playing with award-winning guitarist and teacher Tony Cox.

Workshop 4: For adults and pupils over the age of 11, Dunbar Voices director Moira Morrison will lead an afternoon of harmony singing.

To sign up, speak to Mrs Martin. Further information can be seen here

 

Pupils’ Achievements

Rites of Passage

Following the success of last year’s rites of passage group, in collaboration with the friends of the River Tyne (FORT), our young people were invited to submit photographs of the river and surrounding area to the FORT calendar competition. 

All photographs were taken by our young people during their time in this group and then judged anonymously by the FORT Committee.  We are pleased to announce that the winner was Sasha Ford (S3). Sasha’s photo will now feature on the front cover of the official 2023 Friends of the River Tyne calendar......... Very well done Sasha!  

A copy of the calendar can be purchased for £5. If you would like to order a copy of the calendar, you can do so by contacting myself gfraser@knox.elcschool.org.uk

All profits raised from the sale of the calendars will be reinvested into the continued good work of the Friends of the River Tyne. (Gail Fraser, PSB)

Squash

It was the Scottish Inter-regional squash tournament at Oriam (Heriot Watt). It is an honour to be invited to play for East Region, with only 4 players being selected at each age level. To have 5 players from one school is very rare indeed!  Dylan Pearman (S6) was part of the winning under 19 team, whilst Jamie Pearman (S2) and Isla Hamilton (S3) claimed second place in the under 15 age group.

S1 Phoebe Hamilton’s under 13 team went unbeaten in their age group, with the pick of the games being against another pupil from S2, Fraser Westgarth (who represented Central region as he trains there every weekend). Fraser also picked up a second place medal. What a fantastic achievement for all 5 of our Knox Academy pupils!

Remembering Together East Lothian bus

Remembering Together is a Covid community memorial programme taking place in every Local Authority area in Scotland. Funded by the Scottish Government, Greenspace Scotland has been commissioned to work with Local Authorities to develop Covid Community Memorials and is working in partnership with East Lothian Council’s Arts Service to create a memorial specific to East Lothian.

Phase one of the project involves exploration of ideas with East Lothian residents and community groups, to decide what a fitting memorial or memorials might be. The latest way for people to comment on ideas for the memorial, is by dropping in to the Remembering Together East Lothian bus, which tours the County in the coming weeks.

Locations include: Saturday 17 September, 2pm – 4pm at Court Street, Haddington; Dropping in is free. (Rachel Menzies, The Brunton Marketing Manager)

 

Dates for your diary:

Friday 16 – Monday 19 September           Holiday (staff and pupils)

Tuesday 20 September                                 S2 Parents’ Evening – 4.30-6.30pm – in school

Thursday 6 October                                       P7 Information Evening – at Knox Academy

Monday 17 – Monday 24 October            School holiday for pupils (staff return on Monday 24)

Tuesday 25 October                                      Pupils return

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

Parent Council

The Parent Council has requested a footer on my HT’s update that remains there year round and which offers quick links to remote learning resources, course choices, supported study and careers news. Clicking on these headings takes you straight to these pages.

Please also look at our website for lots of other information. Please also follow us on Twitter for up-to-date news on a day to day basis.

Please also remember to follow us at: www.ka-net.org.uk 96D4F7EE for the latest information and updates