March 2024

HEAD TEACHER'S UPDATE 22 MARCH 2024
Published: 22 March 2024

East Lothian Young Musician of the Year

It was an absolute privilege to be at the East Lothian Young Musician of the Year last night at St Mary’s Kirk, Haddington. All performers were absolutely phenomenal. We had two soloists: Sam Gentil, on piano, playing Progression 1, Manfield Schmitz and Leila Maycock, on flute, playing Passacaille Op.35, Emmanuel Rhene-Baton. Both played with such confidence and very much brought the audience into their performances as they both played so passionately.

We also had a number of young people in the Young Musician of the Year Ensembles: Brodie Wallace, Bella Gold, Katie Llewelyn and Freya Maycock were part of the Senior String Ensemble and Leila Maycock, Jemma Grosse, Flo Fendick and Ivy Briggs members of the Senior Woodwind Ensemble. All of them played so with such fluency and poise. It was also wonderful to have last year’s winning Senior String Ensemble (2023) formally presented with their award last night by Provost John McMillan.

It was a great culmination to the night when the Senior Woodwind Ensemble won the East Lothian Ensembles Young musician of The Year (Leila Maycock, Jemma Grosse, Flo Fendick, Ivy Briggs being the Knox Academy members of this ensemble). Following this we were on tenterhooks waiting on the announcement of the soloist of the year as all of the performances were so magnifcent. We were absolutely delighted when the judges, Allan Glen and Maureen Morrison, announced the winner as Leila Maycock (S6).  Leila will now play in the National Young Musician of the Year, in May, and we wish her all the very best at this event. She will be joined by the winning Senior Woodwind Ensemble (of which she is also part of) at this event. What a night to remember for Knox Academy!

You will be able to listen to all the above talented Knox Academy musicians, and many more, at our upcoming Spring Concert, next Wednesday, at 7pm. Tickets are still available from the Music Department and School Office (£4 and £2 concessions).

Blazer Fittings (S4 and S5)

On Tuesday, 30 April, Border Embroideries are hosting a Blazer Sales/Fitting Event for S4s and S5s. This will take place in Knox Academy Library from 2pm-7p.m. Orders of blazers and payment will be possible at this Event. For more information please contact Alison Swallow on 01620 823387.

Quadrant - reminder

Submissions for this should be submitted by Friday 26 April 2024. We are looking forward to see what amazing ideas out families come up with.

Achievement Ties – Applications opening

These are now open and the deadline for nominations will be Friday 19 April 2024. 

Successes

Tennis

We're thrilled to announce that Poppy Davidson-Kelly (S1) won the Inaugural Brian East Trophy for Most Improved Junior at Haddington Tennis Club! Poppy’s coach said, “Over the past year, Poppy has worked tirelessly to improve her forehand, backhand, serve, and mental game, and her attitude on court is an inspiration to other players. The Brian East Trophy is awarded annually to the junior player who has shown the most improvement and dedication to the sport, and we couldn't be more proud of Poppy for receiving this honour.”

 Congratulations, Poppy! Keep up the amazing work and we look forward to hearing about your progress over the coming years.

Rugby

Last Saturday our Under 13s participated in a Marr Rugby club tournament in Troon. They beat, Greenock, Marr and Carrick in the pool stages. They then beat the West of Scotland in the semi-finals before beating Marr 14-5 in a very challenging final. 

The Squad: Robbie Hamilton, George Herkes, Edward Millar, Kade Te Rito, Nicholai Furie, Dylan Ramsay, Archie Brownlee, Euan Shepard, Ewan Forrest, Deacon Roberts, Hagan Connell, Laurie Scott, Harry Lewis, Owen Oliver.

Fantastic performance from a great team!

Dates for your diary:

27 March – Spring Concert – 7-9.30pm

29 March – 15 April – Easter holidays – all resume Tuesday 16 April 2024

19 April – S4/5/6/ Leavers’ Ceremony (pupils only)

22 April – SQA exam leave starts for S4/5/6 pupils

 

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   for the latest information and updates.

HEAD TEACHER'S UPDATE 15 MARCH 2024
Published: 15 March 2024

Staffing

Mrs Rhona Smith was appointed to our full-time permanent post in Technologies

School Improvement Planning for Session 2024-25

Just a short reminder to parents/carers to please complete the survey sent out to you last week (closes on Sunday). So far we have 80 responses (about 10% of the school) so it would be great to get that up to about 50% to be truly representative. It takes about 10 minutes to complete. We really do value your views. Thank you.

Quadrant

We now have approval to go ahead and develop the quadrant as an outdoor learning space. I have issued the design brief and drawing of the area to parents/carers and pupils so they can start designing this. Submissions for this will be Friday 26 April 2024. A design committee, made up of pupils, staff and parents/carers will then meet to look at these, alongside FES, to take one (or a combination of) designs forward. This is a very exciting opportunity for pupils and parents/carers to have input to improving our school and to develop our learning environment. We hope to get lots of submissions in.

Parent Council Meeting

The Parent Council and AGM will take place on Wednesday 20 March, at 6.30pm, in the Library at Knox Academy. It would be great to see as many parents/carers there as can make it. Tea, coffee and biscuits available too.

Easter Letter

A link to the letter I sent home to parents/carers, about the arrangements for the next few weeks and end of term, can be found here.

Spring Concert

Just a reminder that tickets for the Knox Spring Concert 2024 are on sale and selling fast! The concert will take place on Wednesday 27 March 2024, at 7pm, including an exciting range of performances from the Knox Orchestra, Pipe Band, Jazz Band, Goats Toes, Choir, String Quartet, bands, duets and soloists! Please come along to support our wonderful musicians, with all proceeds going towards Our Community Kitchen & the Spring Concert Fund. 

Tickets (£4 adult, £2 concession) are available to buy at the following times until the concert day:

Music Department - every break time and School Office - from 3-4pm - Cash only

S1 Parents’ Evening

It was also great to see so many parents/carers in attendance at the S3 Parents’ Evening last night and parents/carers seemed very positive about the feedback they received from teachers in terms of their young person’s progress and next steps. Thank you to all who attended. If you were unable to make it for any reason, or the staff member you had hoped to see was unavailable, please do contact your young person’s House Team so they can get information from teachers for you: garleton@knox.elcschool.org.uk, lammerlaw@knox.elcschool.org.uk, traprain@knox.elcschool.org.uk. Thank you to staff too for your preparation and input before and on the evening itself; to the Prefect team for helping out and our wonderful janitors for setting up.

Canon Workshops – Importance of Cultural Awareness in International Business

During the past few weeks, Max Sykes from Canon has been in to talk to the Higher Business Management class about the cultures within the workspace, specifically Canon. From this we had to present to the class about how we would bring our best self to the workspace by incorporating Canon’s 3 principles, Self-Motivation, Self-Management and Self-Awareness. To end this course we were awarded with a certificate of completion; this is a valuable award which can be used on CV’s or personal statements which will help differentiate us from others in the future. (By Melody Pilkington, S6)

Many thanks to Max and Nadia from Canon for leading the workshops, and Elaine Gorman from DYW, for her support. (Mr Flood, Business Education).

Achievement Ties – Applications opening

These are now open and the deadline for nominations will be Friday 19 April 2024. Over the last four years Knox Academy has recognised achievement in school based extra-curricular and non-school based wider achievements through the awarding of Achievement Ties. Nominations can be completed through the google form found here and these nominations can be made by pupils, staff and parents/carers/coaches etc. Further information can be found in this presentation.

Dates for your diary:

20 March – Parent Council and AGM – 6.30 – 8pm (Library at Knox Academy)

27 March - Spring Concert - 7-9.30pm

29 March – 15 April – Easter holidays – all resume Tuesday 16 April 2024

19 April – S4/5/6/ Leavers’ Ceremony (pupils only)

22 April – SQA exam leave starts for S4/5/6 pupils

 

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   for the latest information and updates.

HEAD TEACHER'S UPDATE 8 MARCH 2024
Published: 08 March 2024

School Improvement Planning for Session 2024-25

Parents/carers should have received an email from me last Friday, and a text on Wednesday (both with a link to the questionnaire) asking you for your support in helping us identify the key aspects we need to focus on next session. By us all working together we aim to ensure we support all of our young people to achieve their full potential. 

Thank you to the parents/carers who have already responded, and I do hope you will all manage to complete our questionnaire. The more responses we have ensures we have a true representation of our school community’s views and what you believe are the important aspects we need to focus on to improve.  Your views are very much valued and we have used these in previous years to help guide the school’s direction.

Pupils and staff are also being asked for their improvement ideas. Once we have feedback from all groups we will look at these collectively and extract the main themes to focus on to help us on our journey to excellence. I will also report back to you about the findings from all groups and our plans for next session.

Study – SQA Exams

The E-Sgoil Easter Revision Study programme is now open for bookings. These are live, interactive webinars and are free! They offer a wide range of subjects and levels and will support all seniors ahead of their exams. You can sign up here. Pupils will need their GLOW account details to access this.

Battle of the Bands 2024

The nine S2 classes at Knox Academy battled it out on Thursday 7th March 2024 with lights and mics! Each class voted for their choice of song in December and were then given 6 music lessons to practise:

2.1  Riptide

2.2  Rockin’ All Over the World

2.3  Freed from Desire

2.4  Gangsta’s Paradise

2.5  I’m Still Standing

2.6  All Star

2.7  Save Your Tears 

2.8  Love is an Open Door

2.9  Stay

3 competitive heats took place in house groups: Garleton (2.1, 2.2, 2.3), Lammerlaw (2.4, 2.5, 2.6) and Traprain (2.7, 2.8, 2.9). These heats were judged by a panel made up of the 2023 Battle of the Band winners, Red Raven and S3 music students. A huge thank you to these wonderful judges! Thank you also to our talented seniors Isla Hogg & Casey Burgess who provided the stage lighting as well as Jude Dunbar & Joshua Cuthbertson who assisted with stage and tech.

Finalists

2.3 Freed from Desire (Garleton)

2.4 Gangsta's Paradise (Lammerlaw)

2.8 Love is an open door (Traprain)

The FINAL took place in the hall with all nine classes in the audience. The judging panel was made up of the nine S2 class teachers, our 3 Depute Headteachers and VIP Community Guest, Beki Dover (Founder & Director of Haddstock Music Festival). 

Judges marked the performances on Melody, Harmony, Rhythm and also our Music Department values of Creativity, Communication and Confidence. The judges then deliberated while the band Cryptid (Dominic, Scott, Joshua & Michael) performed on stage.

We are delighted to announce that the winners of the S2 Battle of the Bands 2024 was...

2.4 with GANGSTA'S PARADISE

A huge well done to all our wonderful performers! Mrs Loughrey & Mrs Middlemiss are incredibly proud of all your hard work and determination to do your best while pursuing our school values of Ambition, Respect & Community (by Mrs Middlemiss)

A huge thank you Mrs Middlemiss and Mrs Loughrey for organising this event for S2. It was brilliant!

Fundraising Dinner in Aid of Our Community Kitchen

As you know we work closely with OCK and often fund raise for them so we would like to let you know of an up and coming event to raise funds for them. Our Community Kitchen is a brilliant charity that exists to reduce isolation by bringing people of all ages and abilities together to enjoy food and activities.

This special evening (dinner) will be held at Haddington Bowling Club on Thursday 14th March.

Book tickets by emailing info@jos-kitchen.co.uk

Successes

Squash

Good luck to Jamie Pearman (S3) who is competing at The University of Warwick Junior Gold Squash Open this weekend.

Dates for your diary:

12 March – S1 Parents’ Evening – 4.30-6.30pm (at Knox Academy)

20 March – Parent Council and AGM – 6.30 – 8pm (at Knox Academy)

29 March – 15 April – Easter holidays – all resume Tuesday 16 April 2024

19 April – S4/5/6/ Leavers’ Ceremony (pupils only)

 

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   for the latest information and updates.

HEAD TEACHER'S UPDATE 1 MARCH 2024
Published: 01 March 2024

Staffing

Our CDT post has now closed and we will be interviewing applicants over the next few weeks.

SQA Exam Leave

All S4, S5 and S6 parents/carers and S4-S6 pupils should have received a letter about this on Wednesday. The S4 letter can be read here. The S5/6 letter here.

Active Schools

Surfing, Wakeboarding & Sailing live to book 1st March from 6pm.

Scottish Apprenticeships Week: Monday 4 March – Friday 8 March 2024

Scottish Apprenticeship Week is a nationwide celebration of apprenticeships. It's a time when everyone can promote the benefits of work-based learning to people, employers and Scotland.

At Knox Academy, our My World of Work Ambassadors will be delivering a presentation on Apprenticeships to S3 and S4 pupils on Friday 8 March 2024.

Further information and links to events taking place during the week can be found at:

Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2024 | Events across Scotland (apprenticeships.scot)

Please note the following events:

DYW Live apprentice sessions

Daily, 4 to 8 March, online

These are inspirational talks from apprentices. Up to four 30-minute online sessions will run each day between 4 and 8 March, taking place at 9:45am, 10:45am, 11:45am and 1:45pm.

Understanding Scotland’s apprentices

Tuesday 5 March, 4:00pm to 5:00pm, Microsoft Teams

This webinar will brings you new research from Skills Development Scotland. Hear insight from thousands of Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprentices on their apprenticeship. You'll also find out what’s happened to those who have completed their apprenticeship. This ongoing work ensures that the apprentice voice remains at the heart of the system.

Apprenticeships from a Parent’s Point of View

06/03/2024

Online event, National

In this one hour online event for parents and carers, here parents explain why an apprenticeship has been life changing for their child, sharing how they have been supported to achieve and succeed on an apprenticeship. Find out about Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprenticeships – where to get more information, the help provided while taking one and how to find one. There’ll be more examples of how young people have been supported through their apprenticeships. An apprentice employer will also share what they look for in a young person when recruiting and why apprenticeships are vital in developing individuals and their workforce.

Company: Skills Development Scotland and National Parent Forum of Scotland

Contact: Skills Development Scotland

Event time: 18:30

If you have any questions, please contact Mr Flood at the school.

Parents – Qualifications

Parents in East Lothian are you interested in gaining an SVQ2 Social Services Children and Young People (SCQF Level 6) qualification?  Would you like to gain 6 months Paid Work Experience in an East Lothian Early Learning and Childcare setting?

Working in partnership with Edinburgh College and East Lothian Works, this nationally recognised qualification has been designed for those currently not working in an education setting.

Applications are now open and the course is due to start in April 2024. Please see the attached flyer with details of how to apply ahead of the closing date on Sunday 17.3.24.

We look forward to hearing from you. If you have any enquiries please email childhoodpractice@edinburghcollege.ac.uk.

Dates for your diary:

12 March – S1 Parents’ Evening – 4.30-6.30pm (at Knox Academy)

20 March – Parent Council and AGM – 6.30 – 8pm (at Knox Academy)

29 March – 15 April – Easter holidays – all resume Tuesday 16 April 2024

19 April – S4/5/6/ Leavers’ Ceremony (pupils only)

 

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   for the latest information and updates.