January 2023

HEAD TEACHER'S UPDATE 27 JANUARY 2023
Published: 26 January 2023

Staffing

Family Support Worker at Meadowpark – Congratulations to Paula Lackie who is the preferred candidate for this post following interviews last week.

Parents’ and Pupils’ Information

Course Choice

Pupils in S3-5 will have received a letter with their course recommendations by Friday 27 January. These should be used to inform their course choices for next session. If for any reason a pupil is missing a recommendation, they should speak to that class teacher and if they are looking to pick up a new subject they must speak to the relevant department and have their request approved (the relevant member of staff will sign it off on a centrally held spreadsheet). These processes mean we have a much higher chance of coursing pupils appropriately.

The Careers Fair was hugely successful. Thanks to everyone who came along and to those who organised it. We are already actively pursuing ongoing partnership working with some of the exhibitors.

Pupils in S2-5 will receive an email giving them access to the course choice Google Form from 27 January (it will also be available via the school website). There is no advantage to returning it really quickly! All the resources are available on the website (just click on the big green button on the Home page). The deadline for submission is 21 February. Any queries should be directed to Pupil Support Leaders in the first instance.

School Review

The school is being reviewed by East Lothian Council’s Education and Children’s Services in relation to our Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures and our approaches to Personalised Support for Pupils. Parents/carers, pupils and staff have been sent a questionnaire to complete as part of this review. It would be great if you can support this review by completing the questionnaires via the link sent to you on Monday 23 January. Thank you.

S3 Parents’ Evening

A reminder that this is now re-scheduled for next Thursday 2 February, from 4.30-6.30pm, and will take place at the school. Pupils should have made appointments with their teachers to help young people with their Learner Pathway choices for S4.

Diversity Evening – 9 February from 5-9pm

This is a really exciting event for our community as Knox Academy comes together with our associated primary schools to put on a huge event to celebrate our diversity and inclusion. As well as a show from 7-9pm (tickets are now available from the School Office), there will be an international market place and workshops. All in our community will be warmly welcomed. This letter gives all the detailed information.  Please book workshops by today!  (Google Form link for workshops sent to pupils and parents/carers). The food court will have haggis, neeps and tatties for sale and there will also be curries, calzone and lasagne (all of these meals will be £4 each). There will also be hummus, quiches, salads and ice creams (prices will vary for these). There will also be foods for you to sample at the food court too and a smoothie making bike for you to pedal and make your own tasty concoction. Please bring cash/change for food court purchases as these are cash only; however some of our vendors selling goods in the market place will be able to accept cards for larger purchases. We will look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on the night and celebrating our diversity and inclusion at Knox Academy and in our wider community.

HPV Vaccinations

The NHS vaccination team is visiting Knox Academy on Tuesday the 25th of April 2023 to deliver the HPV Vaccine. All S1 pupils, and pupils in S2 – S4 and girls S5 to S6 who have not yet been vaccinated are eligible. The HPV vaccine is extremely effective against several types of cancer caused by HPV and other infections and is even easier to administer as only 1 dose is required. Those pupils who have already had 1 dose have a letter to confirm from NHS Scotland and this can be collected from the medical room during registration from Karen Fraser (week commencing 30/01/2023) (Karen Fraser, Welfare)

Tarmac

Tarmac is hosting a virtual careers evening on Tuesday 31 January to give parents, carers and potential candidates more info about our business and Graduate schemes.

Hear from our recruitment experts on the process and what to expect, as well as the experience of some of our 2022 grads.

Please register your interest by completing the on-line registration form

 

Parents’ Information

Parent Council

The next Parent Council meeting will take place this coming Tuesday, in the school library, from 6.30-8.00pm. Tea, coffee and biscuits available too. Please do come along to find out more about the school and meet other parents/carers too.

Attendance

Pupils are most likely to reach their potential if they attend school every day and we hope that all of our young people attend 95% or above to ensure that they maximise their attainment and achievement. Being on time to school and lessons is equally important. Both these aspects will be vital in preparing all of our young people for learning, life and work beyond school and vital for our senior phase pupils as they progress hastily towards their SQA exams in April/May. We appreciate that illness or other events may prevent this from happening and we will do our best to support our young people at these times.

If your young person is absent/going to be absent, for any reason, please can parents/carers follow the advice in our attendance/absence policy.  This keeps our records accurate and up-to-date. Thank you.

Pupils’ Achievements

Our senior leadership team pupils were amazing ambassadors for the school at the Our Community Kitchen Burns Lunch on Wednesday. Lauren and Oscar were brilliant MCs, and Olivia great at the Selkirk Grace. Thanks to Hannah and Kirsty for their Red, Red Rose recitation. Calum playing the haggis in with Scotland the Brave was superb too.  

A huge thank you Elaine Gale and the OCK team for delicious food, enjoyed alongside great company with members of our local community coming together to celebrate the life of Rabbie Burns. The event was rounded off with our very own talented Goat’s Toes playing folk songs and some dancing.

Support

Please do not hesitate to contact our Pupil Support Team by emailing your young person’s House Team if you would like to discuss any support we can offer.

 

Dates for your diary:

Thursday, 2 February, S3 Parent Consultation (in person) - 4:30 to 6:30pm (in school)

Thursday 9 February – Diversity Evening – 5-9pm – at Knox Academy (tickets for show £5/£3)

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 84CEAEA2  (link is external) (link is external) for the latest information and updates.

HEAD TEACHER'S UPDATE 20 JANUARY 2023
Published: 20 January 2023

Staffing

Congratulations to Hannah McBride who was appointed as PT Equity for a twelve month period. This was an internal post with the main aim to be closing our poverty related attainment gap and improving outcomes in literacy, numeracy, health and wellbeing and attendance.

Parents’ and Pupils’ Information

Course Choice

All S2-5 pupils have received an email last week with an update on course choice. It is essential that they get into the habit of checking their edubuzz email regularly and especially over the coming weeks as further updates and information will be issued.

16 January – Thank you to all parents/carers who attended Mr Russell’s online Learner Pathway Information Evening on Monday. All information is now available on the school website in the Course Choice section.

Careers Fayre

A huge thank you to all the fifty-seven businesses and employers who attended our Careers Fayre on Wednesday evening. It was great to see so many parents/carers and their young people along exploring ideas for their future and hearing first hand from those who do the role what it is about and the qualifications required to access the job. Talking to some parents and pupils on the evening it certainly seemed to have opened their eyes to thinking again about their future pathway and considering new vocations. Just what these evenings are for! A huge thank you to our pupil helpers on the evening and our Parent Council for keeping all our stall holders going with tea/coffee/biscuits.

S3 Parents’ Evening

A reminder that this is now re-scheduled for Thursday 2 February, from 4.30-6.30pm, and will take place at the school. Letters and appointment sheets were issued to pupils during registration on Wednesday 18 January.

Diversity Evening – 9 February from 5-9pm

This in a really exciting event for our community as Knox Academy comes together with our associated primary schools to put on a huge event to celebrate our diversity and inclusion. As well as a show from 7-9pm (tickets are now available from the School Office), there will be an international market place and workshops. All in our community will be warmly welcomed. This letter gives all the detailed information.  Please book quickly for workshops as places will go fast!  (Google Form link for workshops sent to pupils and parents/carers).

Edinburgh Marathon Festival

The Edinburgh Marathon Festival is running on Saturday 27 May and Sunday 28 May. We have already had some participants from S6 and staff signed up to run the 10k or the half marathon. This is open to all S6 pupils, staff and parents. We will be raising funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust and would welcome more participants to help contribute to our fundraising target. If you wish to sign up please inform Ms Borwick: lborwick@knox.elcschool.org.uk.

Parents’ Information

PE

A short reminder to parents/carers that if your young person is unable to participate in PE, for any reason, you provide them with a covering note for their PE teacher.  In most cases, the young person will be expected to observe the class so when they re-join it they are up to speed with the work of the class. Thank you.

 

Pupils’ Achievements

Scottish Schools’ Swimming Results

In November, many of our swimmers represented Knox Academy at the East Lothian and Borders schools competition that took place at the Mercat Gait Centre in Prestonpans. Our S1 pupils competed across 50m distances, with our older swimmers having the opportunity to compete up to 400m distances. In recent years, the Scottish Schools finals have not run, however this year pupils were able to be put into virtual results from across the country. A huge congratulations to Morven Kenny 16th, Boyd Fearnside 6th (S1) and Owen Williamson 5th (S6) who's regional results contributed to their final standings in the Scottish Schools Championships Virtual Results.

Support

Please do not hesitate to contact our Pupil Support Team by emailing your young person’s House Team if you would like to discuss any support we can offer.

 

Dates for your diary:

Monday 16 January – Course Choice Information Evening S2-S5 (online) – 6.30-7.30pm

Wednesday 18 January – Careers Fayre – at Knox Academy – all year groups – 6-8pm

Thursday, 2 February, S3 Parent Consultation (in person) - 4:30 to 6:30pm (in school)

Thursday 9 February – Diversity Evening – 5-9pm – at Knox Academy (tickets for show £5/£3)

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 84CEAEA2  (link is external) (link is external) for the latest information and updates.

 

HEAD TEACHER'S UPDATE 13 JANUARY 2023
Published: 13 January 2023

Parents’ and Pupils’ Information

Industrial Action

On Monday 16th January 2023 (EIS – all teachers Primary and Secondary schools and AHDS for all schools).  All East Lothian Council schools and Early Learning and Childcare settings will be closed to all children and young people for learning, including those who attend Additional Support Needs Hubs. Lets in schools for breakfast, after school and sports clubs can continue. School crossing patrols will not be operational. All ASN and Home to School transport will not operate. A BACs payment will be made for those children and young people who qualify for a free school meal under the income threshold.

Please note: Even though there is industrial action on Monday 16 January, the virtual Coursing Information Evening will still go ahead. Pupils should have been sent a link for this.

Work for pupils on strike days: for S1-S3 and S4-S6 and all year groups here

Careers Evening

A reminder that this takes place this Wednesday, 18 January 2023. S1-S3 6-7pm and S4-S6 7-8pm. And over fifty businesses will be in attendance. It would be great to have as many of you along as possible and it will also help your young person consider their learner pathway subject choices. The list of businesses attending can be found here.

Course Choice

All S2-5 pupils have received an email this week with an update on course choice. It is essential that they get into the habit of checking their edubuzz email regularly and especially over the coming weeks as further updates and information will be issued.

16 January – Course Choice Information Event – 6:30pm-7:30pm on Google Meet. The meeting code has been emailed to all S2-5 pupils. The meeting must be joined via the pupil’s edubuzz account. There is a maximum of 200 attendees, but the presentation will be shared on the school website afterwards and all information that will be covered is already available via the Course Choice section of the website.

Thursday, 19 January, 6.30pm – 7.15pm

How much do you know about Scottish Apprenticeships? Sign up to the national webinar for parents/carers to hear about Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprenticeships and how work-based learning can open the door to a wide range of careers.

Click here to sign up.

 

S4 Parents’ Evening

Thank you to all parents/carers who attended the online parents’ evening. From talking to staff they said it was great to talk with you about progress and next steps for S4 pupils with their national qualifications. If you did not manage along for any reason and you wish to discuss your young person’s progress, please contact their House Team (email details below or you can phone the school on 01620-823387). Thank you.

Diversity Evening – 9 February from 5-9pm

This in a really exciting event for our community as Knox Academy comes together with our associated primary schools to put on a huge event to celebrate our diversity and inclusion. As well as a show from 7-9pm, there will be an international market place and workshops. All in our community will be warmly welcomed. More information will follow by letter next week, on Twitter and on our website. Although the international market place will be free, you may need some money if you wish to purchase your dinner from the variety of cuisines we will have available on the evening or buy anything from the array of market stalls. Many of the workshops we will be running will be free and some will have a small cost in order to cover resources. Access to the show, which is limited to 300 people, will be by ticket only (£5/£3 concessions) and these tickets will be available for purchase from our school office from Thursday onwards at break and lunchtime. Please do come along and support this event – you will enjoy it! A great opportunity to bring all of our community together post Covid.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM)

During week commencing 23 January S1 pupils will take part in an event to study the impact a storm has on the infrastructure of a town.  This will be carried out in Houses with the pupils spending 2 periods in the hall with staff from SSE Renewables.

Also w/c 23 January S2 pupils will take part in an event to gain knowledge of the various sources of renewable energy used and why investment in renewable energy is important. They will delve deeper into the topic of wind generation, understanding the mechanics and environmental factors of a wind turbine. This will also be carried in Houses with the pupils spending 2 periods in the hall with staff from SSE Renewables.

On Thursday 9 February, forty eight S2 pupils will be going to Edinburgh College, Dalkeith to take part in an all-day STEM inspiration day focusing on the design and build of a water mill and a hot air balloon. 

On Thursday 9 March, forty S1 pupils will take part in an in-house programme in conjunction with Edinburgh College based on building a water tower.  (By Mr Taylor, CL Science)

Volunteering

As part of the Pupil Leadership Team's idea to improve the schools already great relationship with the local community, we have created a booklet that provides a small amount of information on many charities and volunteering opportunities supported by the school and co-op Haddington.

 In the booklet you can find many local charities that are looking for help, volunteers or support to carry out the amazing work they do. We encourage you to read through the booklet and look further into any charities whose work you truly admire to see how you can help out. You can volunteer as often as you like and there is no minimum time you have to spend volunteering, but even spending a little time helping out can make a giant difference!

Anyone can volunteer. It is an amazing way to meet new people, learn new skills and get involved with helping your local community. Volunteering locally can bring around great changes in the community and help many people. 

We really hope you read through the booklet and take away some ideas of how you can help out in the local community (By The Pupil Leadership Team)

 

Parents’ Information

Use of Inhalers in School

Parents/carers are reminder that if your young person uses an inhaler for asthma, please check that it is in date and that pupils carry it on their person/ in bag during the school day.

Alternatively Mrs Fraser can safely store Inhalers in the medical room for your child to access as needed. (Mrs Fraser, School Welfare)

Support

Please do not hesitate to contact our Pupil Support Team by emailing your young person’s House Team if you would like to discuss any support we can offer.

 

Dates for your diary:

Monday 16 January – Course Choice Information Evening S2-S5 (online) – 6.30-7.30pm

Wednesday 18 January – Careers Fayre – at Knox Academy – all year groups – 6-8pm

Thursday, 2 February, S3 Parent Consultation (in person) - 4:30 to 6:30pm (in school)

Thursday 9 February – Diversity Evening – 5-9pm – at Knox Academy (tickets for show £5/£3)

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 6 JANUARY 2023
Published: 06 January 2023

Happy New Year. I hope you had an enjoyable festive break with friends and family. It has been great to welcome our young people back after the break and to see how well they have applied themselves from day one of the new term.

We ended last term with a fundraiser/ Christmas Jumper Day in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust and Bone Cancer, and I am pleased to announce we raised £462.16 towards these charities. Thank you to all who donated.

Parents’ and Pupils’ Information

Industrial Action

On Wednesday 11th January 2023 (EIS and SSTA teachers in Secondary schools will be on strike). All East Lothian Council Secondary schools (including Meadowpark) will be closed to all young people for learning on Wednesday 11th January 2023. Lets in Secondary schools for breakfast, after school and sports clubs can continue. A BACs payment will be made for those young people who qualify for a free school meal under the income threshold and whose schools are closed.

On Monday 16th January 2023 (EIS – all teachers Primary and Secondary schools and AHDS for all schools).  All East Lothian Council schools and Early Learning and Childcare settings will be closed to all children and young people for learning, including those who attend Additional Support Needs Hubs. Lets in schools for breakfast, after school and sports clubs can continue. School crossing patrols will not be operational. All ASN and Home to School transport will not operate. A BACs payment will be made for those children and young people who qualify for a free school meal under the income threshold.

I know that this action will mean further disruption to learning, and that you will have to make alternative childcare arrangements on that day and it is regrettable that we have had to make this decision, however ensuring the health and safety of our young people must take priority. While the formal notification from the EIS, AHDS and SSTA states their intention to strike on these days, there remains a possibility that ongoing pay negotiations may mean that the strikes are called off. I will keep you informed of any further developments and arrangements.

Careers Evening

This will take place on Wednesday 18 January 2023. S1-S3 6-7pm and S4-S6 7-8pm. Over fifty businesses will be in attendance at this evening and parents/pupils will have the opportunity to talk to them about their jobs and the qualifications needed for them. Please put the date in your diary. It would be great to have as many of you along as possible and it will also help your young person consider their learner pathway subject choices. The list of businesses attending can be found here.

S3 Parents’ Evening

A reminder that this has now been re-scheduled for 2 February 2023.

S4 Parents’ Evening

Information was issued on Thursday morning to pupils to complete appointments with teachers for this coming Tuesday’s Parents’ Evening (which is online from 4.30-6.30pm).

Parents’ Information

Uniform Bank

A reminder that we have a new and pre-loved uniform bank at the school. Pupils can speak directly to Ms Laudi or House Teams to request items of parents/carers can email the House Teams to request items too. We are particularly short of ties, tights (new only) and black v-necked jumpers, so if you have any at home that are in good condition and your young people have outgrown,  please wash them and hand them in to the school office so others can benefit from them. This supports our eco-school too. Thank you. Free meals and clothing grants can be applied for here if you think you may be eligible.

Support

Please do not hesitate to contact our Pupil Support Team by emailing your young person’s House Team garleton@knox.elcschool.org.uk, lammerlaw@knox.elcschool.org.uk, traprain@knox.elcschool.org.uk if you would like to discuss any support we can offer.

Dates for your diary:

Tuesday 10 January – S4 Parents’ Evening (online) 4.30-6.30pm

Monday 16 January – Course Choice Information Evening S2-S5 (online) – 6.30-7.30pm

Wednesday 18 January – Careers Fayre – at Knox Academy – all year groups – 6-8pm

Thursday 9 February – Diversity Evening – 5-9pm – at Knox Academy (tickets £5/£3)

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.