Staffing
Congratulations to Susanne Fox (PT Inclusion) who has been appointed to Newbattle High School at their PT Inclusion. A start date has to be confirmed.
We also say goodbye to Jamie Balfour (Computing) on Friday 10 October. He leaves us to take up a Computing post at Dunbar Grammar School. We wish him all the very best in his new role.
Music – temporary one day (Friday) – Maria Townsley is our preferred candidate subject to pre-employment checks.
Acting DHT – interviews will take place on 8 October.
Teacher of PE from October2025 - December 2026– interviews will take place on 10 October
Posts currently being advertised/about to advertised:
CDT/Computing – temporary until SQA exam leave – will go live on 17 October for 2 weeks
Information for all parents/carers
Assemblies
This week our assemblies have been about:
Duke of Edinburgh – an opportunity for those in S3 who would be interested in being part of this programme to apply for a place on it. This award is run by Mr Boyle (Science). Places are limited.
The Pupil Leadership Team also led an online assembly about the work they have been leading on in the school.
Rights Respecting Schools
The Right of the Week;
Article 8 Identity
Children have the right to their own identity - an official record of who they are which includes their name, nationality and family relations. No one should take this away from them, but if this happens, governments must help children to quickly get their identity back.
Study Support for Senior Pupils
Our Study Support timetable is available here. Please encourage your young people to attend these – especially if they are in S4/5/6 and about to sit prelims and their SQA exams in April/May next year. Our senior can also use ACHIEVE (most departments are using this so pupils should speak directly to their teachers for more guidance on how to use this to its maximum).
There is also an opportunity for all of our Senior Pupils to join 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.
We also have an ADHD support group running at school and there is a great resources designed to support them study. However I am sharing this resource more widely as it has great tips for all young people and for parents/carers to support their study.
Trips
S3 Spanish – trip to see a Spanish film at the Fraser Centre on 2/10.
Drama Department – 30 pupils to see War Horse last night at the Festival Theatre.
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
What a wonderful night we had at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre on Thursday night (25th Sept)! Forty three of our S1 to S6 students avidly watched Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief Musical. The singing was fantastic, it was excellent platform to see young role models, acting and singing at such a high level in this west end show. It was inspiring and captivating.
Thanks to all parents/carers who managed to arrange transport making this a very enjoyable night for all. (By Mrs McSherry, PE)
Pupils’ Success Stories
East of Scotland Junior Squash Championships
Congratulations to Hamish Westgarth (S1) who won the Under 13s title. In the Under 15s, Phoebe Hamilton won all her matches to win the title, with Emily Westgarth coming 3rd. In the boys’ Under 17 age group, Jamie Pearman took first place, after winning all his matches, and Fraser Westgarth took the 3rd spot. Jamie also entered the Under 19 event and came 3rd, with Calum Scott in 4th place.
Dates for your diary:
9 October – P7 Information Evening – 5-7pm
13-20 0ctober – Pupils’ holiday (13-17 for staff)
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.
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@knoxacademyHT for the latest information and updates.
