Staffing
Acting DHT – following interviews on Wednesday, Zara Machen (currently Curriculum Leader of Communications) has been appointed to this post. We will now be advertising for an acting CL of Communications to backfill her post.
Teacher of PE from October2025 - December 2026– interviews are in process and I will let parents/carers know following the holidays.
Amber Steele – Pupil Support Worker is also leaving Knox Academy today. She has been an amazing Pupil Support Worker in her time here and we would like to wish her all the best for her future.
Posts currently being advertised/about to advertised:
CDT/Computing – temporary until SQA exam leave – will go live on 17 October for 2 weeks
Pupil Support Worker – permanent (full time) for 27 ½ hours.
Information for all parents/carers
Prelims (S4-S6)
Parents/carers should have received a letter from me on Wednesday outlining the prelim diet dates and the protocol for these. Please discuss this with your young person. Pupils will also have assemblies to support them with studying for these and to point them towards resources (and to highlight the study sessions available at the school and online which will support them – see last week’s HT’s update). Please can parents/carers encourage their young people to study for their prelims during the October break and in the lead up to these. Please can we also ask for your support to ensure they attend school regularly throughout the year so they don’t miss any course work or assessments. Thank you.
Study Support for Senior Pupils
As we approach the October break I felt it was worth highlighting this again to support our senior prepare for their prelims and they can access during the holiday period:
The E-Sgoil Evening online study support programme – which is completely free. Study Support comprises live, interactive webinars and are delivered online by experienced, GTCS registered teachers. 55 different webinars are on offer each week during term time, covering the most popular curricular areas as well as an extensive range of other subjects. Webinars are due to begin on Monday 27th October. All pupils will need their Glow passwords to sign up and they can ask any of their teachers for this. Further information on how to access the programme can be found here.
Assemblies
This week’s assembly was led by our S6 pupils, for S5 pupils, on the Jump to Higher (the increase in work from National 5 to Higher and how to approach this). It covered how to cope with the work, how to study for prelims/exams and how to manage stress. It was such a useful assembly led by pupils for pupils and the S5 really seemed to appreciate hearing advice from pupils who has just sat Highers.
Guardian Summaries – Google Classroom
This links gives information about Guardian Summaries and how to sign up for these. The form needs to be completed by parents/carers and the young person.
Meadowpark
Please shop at Tesco and put your tokens in the Meadowpark collection point so we can hopefully be awarded the money and use this to purchase outdoor learning resources. Thank you.
Rights Respecting Schools
The Right of the Week (these are written by the UNCRC):
Article 9 _ keeping families together
Children should not be separated from their parents unless they are not being looking after properly. For example, if a parent hurts or does not take care of their child. Children whose parents don't live together should stay in contact with both parents unless this might harm the child.
Eco-Committee Collaboration with Pear Tree Nursery
On Monday this week the Eco Committee welcomed 15 children from Pear Tree nursery for an eco-education event. Knox students prepared three different activities for the toddlers: an art activity, a litter picking activity, and a reading activity. The nursery children had a fantastic time learning about recycling and eco-friendly habits. The Eco-Committee represented Knox with confidence, energy, and kindness. They worked brilliantly with the Pear Tree youngsters to give them a positive experience and we're hoping to plan more collaborations in the future to continue to promote a sense of community here at Knox (by Ms Laudi, Languages)
Author Visit - Miranda Moore
We are very excited to be welcoming the author Miranda Moore to the school on Monday 27th October for two creative writing workshops.
Her new book A Beautiful, Terrible Thing is a young adult novel focussing on the themes of grief, hope and life-altering love. More information about Miranda's book can be found here. Personal copies can be bought from our lovely local bookshop, Night Owl Books, and will be delivered to the school library for the visit.
Any pupils still wishing to sign up to attend a workshop should speak to Miss Robertson in the library ASAP as spaces are limited!
Disabled Parking Spaces
The disabled parking spaces on the school site are strictly reserved for staff and visitors who hold a valid disabled parking permit. These spaces are essential for ensuring accessibility and convenience for those who genuinely need them.
Please refrain from parking in these designated areas unless you are authorised to do so. Your cooperation helps us maintain an inclusive and respectful environment for all. (Peter Luke, Business Manager).
Trips
S5/6 are attended the Higher Psychology Conference, at North Berwick, on Wednesday 8 October.
October Holidays – Venturing Out
Lots of activities available to book on the programme.
Have a great summer October break and we will look forward to welcoming our young people back on Tuesday 21 October for Term 2.
Dates for your diary:
13-20 0ctober – Pupils’ holiday (13-17 for staff)
Tuesday 28th October – PTA - 6.30pm in the School Library – All Welcome
6 and 11 November – S4/5/6 Parents’ Evening – 4.30-6.30pm
20 November – Parent Council – all welcome – 6.30-8pm (School Library)
3 December – S2 Parents’ Evening – 4.30-6.30pm
11 December – Christmas Concert – 7pm – Assembly Hall
11 December - S1-S6 Flu Vaccinations (library)
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
Quick Links:
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 
@knoxacademyHT for the latest information and updates.
