Staffing
Meadowpark - two ASN auxiliaries were appointed last Friday based on pre-employment check. Interviews take place this week for one permanent and one temporary teaching member of staff.
Mobile phones
I wanted to give parents/carers an update on our new mobile phone procedures and to thank you for your continued support.
The impact has been very positive. Staff have reported improved focus, engagement, and participation in lessons, with fewer distractions and more positive interactions between pupils and staff. While some pupils have found the change more challenging than others, the vast majority have responded well and have adapted quickly to our expectations.
Encouragingly, the number of phones being confiscated is already decreasing as pupils become more familiar with the expectations and the benefits of creating a phone free learning environment.
Thank you for the excellent support you have given us. Your partnership has been invaluable in helping us establish these routines, and we appreciate your continued support as we work together to ensure all young people get the very best from their time in school.
Study Support/Extra- Curricular
The timetable for this year can be accessed here.
Assemblies
Next week’s assemblies will be on the importance of attendance and punctuality
Rights Respecting Schools (RRSA)
Our Right of the week is Article 37 -Protection in war
Governments should not recruit children into the armed forces.
Governments should make sure that children are given extra protection when there is a war or armed conflict.
The Committee on the Rights of the Child has made it clear that no child under 18 should be recruited to the armed forces.
Parental Engagement Session – Tuesday 29 September (6.30-8.30pm – Assembly Hall)
All parents/carers of S4, S5 and S6 pupils are invited to our annual parental engagement meeting. This is a fantastic opportunity to hear from staff of key subjects such as English, Maths and Science and gain an insight into assessment work such as portfolios and assignments which are largely completed at home and directly contribute to a young person’s final exam grade. Our support for learning staff will share effective revision techniques which are easily implemented at home, so parents and carers feel confident when supporting young people through both the prelim and exam timetables. We will also share the details of our alternative assessment arrangement process which ensures all young people are appropriately supported to achieve their best during assessments. (By Laura Bates, PT Equity)
Events/Trips
S2 Pupils Enjoy Inspiring Edinburgh Book Festival Trip
Forty-five S2 pupils recently enjoyed a fantastic trip to the Edinburgh International Book Festival and the National Museum of Scotland, organised jointly by the English Department and the Library.
The day began with an exciting event featuring five brilliant young adult authors who were all shortlisted for the YA Book Award. Pupils had the opportunity to hear the authors discuss their books, writing processes and inspirations. Each pupil received a free book, and many took the opportunity to have their copies signed by the authors.
After the festival event, pupils spent time exploring the National Museum of Scotland, where they enjoyed discovering a wide range of fascinating exhibits.
The trip was a tremendous success, providing pupils with both literary inspiration and valuable cultural experiences. Most importantly, the 45 pupils were a credit to the school throughout the day, with their behaviour and engagement proving exemplary. Everyone returned having had a great time and with plenty of enthusiasm for reading.
Biology Trip
Many of our S3 Biologists have been offered the opportunity to participate in environmental workshops at the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick on Wednesday, 23rd September, and Thursday 24th September
Pupils’ Successes
Football
Congratulations to Lily Wood (S1) who has been selected, out of over 4000 players, to go to Sweden, in November, to represent the U13s Scotland Team. The team will be playing in the Coerver Cup against teams for Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland. We wish her and the team all the very best.
Hot Chocolate Friday
It will be good to meet with 5 S1 pupils this morning for a hot chocolate. These pupils have been nominated by staff for going above and beyond and showing our school values. The next HCF will be with S2 and then progresses up the years to S6 and back to S1. Different pupils are nominated throughout the year. This provides a great opportunity to chat, in a small group, and find out more about how they are getting on at school and hear ideas from them too. It is always a great end to a Friday.
If you have any success stories to share about your young person please send these to aadmin@knox.elcschool.org.uk so we can share these with our wide community. Thank you.
HT’s update: there will be no HT’s update next Friday due to the September weekend and the next one will be issued on Friday 18 September.
Dates for your diary:
11-14 September (inclusive) – September weekend holiday
15 September Parent Council (Library 6.30-8pm) – the focus will be on S4-S6 and how parents/carers can support their young people to attain and achieve.
29 September S4-S6 Parental Engagement Session (English, Maths, Science and Support for Learning)
Our school calendar is updated regularly and should be used to access all information throughout the year. This will also allow you to plan ahead too for Parent/Carer consultations and other events too.
Sue Cook
