I hope this update finds you all safe and well. Thank you to all parents/carers for all your ongoing support of our work at Knox Academy and supporting your young person’s engagement with home-learning as best as you can whilst ensuring their health and wellbeing.
Re-opening of Schools
Thank you for your patience in waiting to hear what Knox Academy’s Blended Learning Model will look like to allow you to plan ahead for August. We have been working exceptionally hard to agree this model, within the parameters set by the Scottish Government and the school and staffing capacity, keeping the health and safety of our young people and staff at the fore, whilst also ensuring that we adhere to the 2m social distancing (and have a plan B should this move to 1m during the summer break). We hope to share our plans with you at the start of next week once they have been agreed by East Lothian Council.
Devices/Chromebooks
Over the last term we have provided a number of devices to our young people during the period of lockdown to enable access to distance learning. In order to plan the blended learning approaches and to support the refresh of devices where applicable, we are now asking that these be returned to Knox Academy on Wednesday 24th June between 1-3pm. These devices should be returned, with their chargers and cables to Mr Flood at the Knox Academy reception area. If you are unable to return them this day please email sillingworth@knox.elcschool.org.uk to arrange another agreed time for this before Friday 26th June (the last day of this term). We would hope following the summer to re-issue new devices to pupils who require them for blended learning. Thank you for supporting this request.
Head Pupil Question Time
On Monday afternoon at 4pm, we will be holding a virtual Head Pupil Question Time on Google Meet for our Head Pupil Candidates to convince you to vote for them! Mr Miller (Knox’s very own Fiona Bruce) will chair the live question and answer event so that voters have a chance to see the candidates in action and find out a little more about their policies and personality. We would like to encourage questions from all year groups as well as parents and carers. If you have a question you would like to put to our candidates, please send it via EduBuzz email to Mr Miller (amiller@edubuzz.org). (by Alex Redford)
Wakelet
The East Lothian schools’ Librarian Team has created a Wakelet which is full of online resources to help support your young person’s learning at home.
School Leavers
As the Head Teacher, it’s always fascinating to see the variety of career pathways pupils embark upon, knowing that all will make a positive impact in their own way no matter what path they take. All at Knox Academy wish all our leavers the very best for their future.
Leavers’ Information
All leavers will have been sent a LIME survey this week via email, which everyone who is not returning to school must complete. This includes very important information with regards to their intended destination and occupation, as well as an up to date contact number so that we can offer any support or follow up alongside colleagues from Skills Development Scotland. Please make sure your young person completes this as soon as they can.
Leavers unsure of their next step: Support available
A reminder that if anyone is leaving school, but unsure of their next steps, please get in touch. The Pupil Support Team (Guidance), our Skills Development Scotland careers advisor, Chris Trotter, are all able to offer support in helping you find out what’s right for you. If any of your plans have changed due to coronavirus this website might be helpful to you.
Pupils going to College and University
Many of our leavers have already accepted a place at college or university for next year, but some are still to do so. A reminder for those who have made an application and received an offer. Please accept these before the deadline passes, if you haven’t already done so, and intend on taking up a place on your chosen course. If you’ve any questions about this, please contact your guidance teacher for more information.
Free School Meals/Clothing Grants
We are aware that some parents/carers circumstances may have changed as a result of Covid-19 and this may mean you are now eligible for Free School Meals and/or a Clothing Grant. If you think this may apply to you, please visit the Free School Meals and Clothing Grants area of the East Lothian Council website for further information and the relevant forms. If you need help completing these forms there is support available on the website or alternatively please contact your young person’s Pupil Support Leader (Guidance teacher) who should also be able to help you via a telephone call/email.
Psychological Services
East Lothian’s Educational Psychology Service has provided some useful advice for parents and carers which can be found on our school website.
Have a lovely weekend
Sue Cook
