This week Mr Illingworth ran assemblies for S4 and S5/6 on prelims and how to prepare for these and what to expect on the day. Mr Russell also ran House assemblies on our school value of Community.
The prelims start this morning and all here at Knox Academy would like to wish all of our senior pupils the very best with these. When not attending a prelim our senior pupils should continue to attend their classes and use their teachers to support them with prelims they still have to sit. Where these have already taken place, teaching of the course will continue.
Staffing
Congratulations to Jacqui Paton, our Pupil Support Worker, who has been appointed to a new post at Holyrood High School. She will start there on Monday 11 December.
We also wish Karen MacAulay, our HE Auxiliary, the very best for future as she pursues expanding her own company. We wish you every success with this.
Parent Council
We would like to welcome all parents/carers to our next meeting will be on the Tuesday 5 December and will be in our school library at 6.30pm (tea/coffee and biscuits to welcome you all too). PC Shaun Cruden, our Community Link Police Officer will be our guest and he will be offering advice about ‘How to keep your young person safe’ and themes around this too.
S3 Parents’ Evening
It was also great to see so many parents/carers in attendance at the S3 Parents’ Evening last night. All I spoke to were very positive about all the feedback they received from teachers about 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 not in attendance, please do contact your young person’s House Team so they can get information from teachers for you. 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.
Children in Need
Our S6 Charities Committee raised over £1000 for this amazing charity. Thank you to all in our school community, and at St Mary’s, who donated. You have made a difference to many young peoples’ lives.
Author Visit
Author Craig Mooney will be visiting Knox Academy on Tuesday 12 December, and anyone from the school can buy his exciting new adventure story The Rebel of Time, even if not attending the workshop. He will be in the school library during break, where there will be the opportunity to meet him and to get books signed. You can pre-order here. If pre-ordering the book, please place your order by 5pm on Thursday 7 December.
E-Sgoil study support
The latest study support timetable from E-Sgoil, which is brilliant, can be accessed here. This should be used by senior pupils to support prelim and exam preparation alongside attending our own support study programme and their individualised study timetable. More helpful resources can also be accessed here.
Our own Supported Study Timetable.
Achievement Ties – Applications opening
A reminder that these are now open and the deadline for nominations will be Monday 4 December. 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 . Further information can be found in this presentation.
Lil Re-Use Festival
Ten bikes, a paddleboard and 1237kg of “stuff” was kept out of landfill and in circulation at the Lil ReUse Festival at Knox Academy on Saturday November 18.
“When every 1kg of just clothes kept in reuse saves some 25kg of carbon dioxide equivalent, it really shows what a big difference we can make doing lil things together,” organiser Louise Hastie said.
Knox also hosted the Lil lorry for the week preceding the event, supported by pupils including the Eco Committee. The lorry was overflowing with donations by Friday. Beyond the items that were immediately rehomed at the event, 22 bags of clothes were donated to Cancer Research UK, several tubs of items shared to ReUse Scotland (formerly Zero Waste Dunbar) and the Knox Essentials Hub received more uniform, text books and gorgeous formal wear.
“Please pass on our thanks to Ms Cook, Ms McBride, Ms Laudi, the eco-committee and other pupils, and the janitorial team for making us so welcome and ensuring the event was a success,” Louise said. "As well as all the fab Knox community who donated, attended and shopped! Thank you also to ELC for their support too.”
Lil is looking forward to further supporting the Knox Essentials Hub, and has ‘Lil ReUse Suitcases’ available full of lovely clothes for anyone wanting to take one home for a rummage. Email hello.lilthings@gmail.com for more.
Success Stories
Squash
Jamie Pearman (S3) came seventh in the Irish Open Squash Championships in his age group. A fantastic results – well done!
Swimming
Boyd Fearnside (S2) represented Knox Academy in the Scottish Schools Swimming trials (for East Lothian and Borders) with the aim of qualifying for the finals later this year. He won both his races and should find out soon if he has qualified for the national finals. We have our fingers crossed for him.
Golf
Congratulations to Archie Brownlee and Callum Hynd, both in S1, who won their first round play-off in the East Lothian Schools 2023/24 Foursomes Match Play. Great performance!
Duke of Edinburgh
The Knox Silver Walking DofE team were out a few weekends ago completing their Qualifying Expedition, in the Stobo/Peebles area, up and down many valleys and hills. The theme was to link old Roman forts and settlements in the area. It was three cold days but blue skies so although cold, the S5/6s enjoyed the views and weather. Always amazing to see what young people can achieve together as a group walking for three solid days, so roll on Gold for the group (By Mr Tait, CL Technologies)
Netball
It was good for our girls’ netball team to have a friendly game against Dunbar. It was played in great spirits and everyone enjoyed the experience.
Football
Congratulations to our S1 boys’ football team who won against Newbattle High School this week.
Please do email us and let us know about your young person’s achievements out of school so we can include them in our updates to our community. Thank you.
Guardian Summaries – Google Classroom
A number of parents/carers have been in touch recently to enquire about Guardian Summaries so I have included a link to it here.
Contacting Staff
Please can I ask that parents/carers do not contact teaching staff directly. All enquiries should go through your young person’s House Teams who will then direct things accordingly. Thank you. Addresses for House Teams are: Garleton - garleton@knox.elcschool.org.uk; Lammerlaw - lammerlaw@knox.elcschool.org.uk; Traprain - traprain@knox.elcschool.org.uk
Dates for your diary:
5 December – Parent Council – 6.30-8pm (School library – all welcome)
7 December – S1-S3 Christmas Dance
13 December – S4-S6 Christmas Dance
21 December – Christmas Concert – 7pm
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 
@knoxacademyHT for the latest information and updates.
