Staffing
Interviews took place last week for our PT Inclusion post and our preferred candidate, based on pre-employment checks is Mark O’Neill. He should start with us on Monday 5 January 2026.
Temporary Curriculum Leader of Communications – interviews took place on Tuesday 25 November and Emma Reynolds was appointed to this post.
Senior Business Support Assistant (to support Guidance) – has now closed and interviews will take place shortly.
Interviews for the permanent teacher at Meadowpark take place on Monday.
Assemblies
There will be no assemblies for the next few weeks as prelims are taking place in the main hall.
PTA – Hamper donations
We’re putting together festive hampers for the S1 Christmas Fayre raffle. If you’re able to donate an item, we’d be so grateful. Thank for supporting our school community! Please hand in any donations to Ms Borwick in the PE Department by no later than Monday. Thank you in advance for your support!
Rights Respecting Schools (RRSA)
This week’s right of the week is Article 14: Freedom of Thought and Religion.
Children can choose their own thoughts, opinions and religion, but this should not stop other people from enjoying their rights. Parents can guide children so that as they grow up, they learn to properly use this right.
Our RRSA and Equity Committees are holding a luxury raffle for Christmas. The money they raise will be split between Lammermuir Larder and a Christmas gift drive. There are some amazing prizes up for grabs including a huge hamper full of goodies, and lots of vouchers for our lovely local businesses. You could also win a 2-night stay in a luxury cabin in Pencaitland (worth over £200!). Tickets cost £5 for the standard raffle, and £10 for the 2-night stay and can be bought from the school office with cash. The raffle will be drawn on Friday 12th December. Any donations for prizes are more than welcome and can be dropped off at the office or brought in by our young people.
There is also an ongoing competition between registration groups to see which class can collect the most donations for Lammermuir Larder. The top three classes earn house points and the top class gets a great reward (did someone say pizza party?). The competition runs until Friday 12th December so please make sure to send in as many non-perishable items as you can spare, (By Chloe McNeill, Maths)
Meadowpark Reading Group
This week, the Meadowpark Reading Leadership Group visited Haddington Day Centre to read with the people who use the centre.
The pupils really enjoyed talking to the service users about the books they read when they were younger. It was interesting to learn that many of the books they loved are still read today!
A special well done goes to Alfie and Frankie from Corran, who represented Meadowpark exceptionally well. Everyone is very proud of them.
This successful visit is part of the work we are doing to achieve the Gold Reading Schools Award, which is going very well.
Health Information
Important Flu Vaccination Update
Knox Academy’s flu vaccination session is scheduled for 11 December 2025. Due to a recent rise in flu cases, Community Vaccination Team would like to offer your child/young person the opportunity to receive their flu vaccine earlier.
They are holding drop-in sessions at Musselburgh Primary Care Centre on Saturday 6 December & Sunday 7 December 2025 between 09:00 - 12:00 then 12:45 - 16:00.
Please go along if you would like to take advantage of this early vaccination offer.
S3 – Teen Booster
All young people in S3 are offered the Teen Booster MenACWY and DTP vaccines on 26th and 27th January at Meadowpark and Knox Academy, which protect against meningitis, diphtheria, tetanus and polio. These vaccines are given as an injection in the upper arm and provide longer-term protection against these serious and, in some cases, life-threatening diseases.
Young people who are eligible should bring a consent pack home from school this week.
NHS Scotland encourages parents/carers and young people to chat about the vaccines using the enclosed information leaflet, before signing and returning their consent form to school in the envelope provided by Friday 19th December.
If your child is currently absent from school, they can collect their consent pack at registration on their return. If they did not receive a consent pack and were present at school, please ask them to speak to Alison Swallow, School Welfare Assistant.
Please visit nhs inform for further information, including videos about why vaccines are offered to young people and what to expect at the vaccination session.
Trips/visits/events
Cinderella
The English department is taking some of our S1 pupils to see Cinderella at the Lyceum Theatre on Thursday 4 December.
Haddington Christmas Lights Switch-on
Thank you to our Head Pupils, Keelan Woodhead and Maya Borkowski, who switched on the Christmas lights on Sunday. Thank you also to Liz Woodsend, Finlay Wallace, Brodie Wallace, Fraser Westgarth who were on woodwind/brass and accompanied the carol singing from Haddington Community Church and Knox Choir.
Dates for you diary:
25 November – 11 December – S4/5/6 Prelims
3 December – S2 Parents’ Evening – 4.30-6.30pm
6 December – S1 Festive Fayre – 10am -12pm
8 December – S1-S3 Winter Ball – 7-9pm
10 December – Christmas lunch (food court)
11 December – Christmas Concert – 7-9pm – Assembly Hall
11 December - S1-S6 Flu Vaccinations (library)
16 December – S4-S6 Winter Ball – 7-9pm
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
