Staffing
The acting Depute Head Teacher post, at Meadowpark, will go live today and will close on Sunday 23 February. Interviews will take place on Thursday 27 February.
Following the interviews held at Meadowpark on Friday 31st January, I am pleased to announce that Judi Skinner has been selected as our preferred candidate for the post of Senior Business Support Assistant. Ms Skinner will take over the administrative duties at Meadowpark as soon as all relevant recruitment check are complete.
Parents Portal – Reports
Yesterday we sent out the S2 Full Reports through the Parents Portal so if your young person is in S2 and you are signed up to the portal please do check it. On this occasion, those without access to the portal were issued with a paper copy of the report. Going forward we would like to use the Parents Portal as the main method for issuing reports, so we encourage everyone who hasn’t already done so, to sign up. If you require support in setting this up the office staff will be more than happy to assist you.
SQA Exam Timetable
This has been revised so pupils/parents/carers should refer to the latest SQA exam timetable to ensure they know of any changes to their exam diet.
East Lothian Works would like to offer pupils, parents, carers the opportunity to join an online course information session on either Wednesday 19th or Wednesday 26th February from 6:30pm using Google Classroom.
ELW Course Information Evening
Wednesday, 19th OR 26th February · 6:30 – 7:30pm
Time zone: Europe/London
Google Meet joining info
Video call link
If you would like a reminder of the courses ELW offer click here
Leavers’ Ceremony (S6)
Due to a change in the SQA timetable and there now being an exam on Friday 25 April (which was our leavers’ ceremony) we have now changed this to Friday 4 April so everyone can attend.
S3 Parents’ Consultation Evening
The S3 Parents’ Consultation Evening is on Thursday 20 February 2025, and we will be registering attendance via a QR Code. Please arrive through the main entrance and complete the short Google Form using your smartphone. Senior pupils will be there to assist you if there are any issues.
Diversity Evening Workshops – Thursday 6 March 2025
We are excited to invite you to our Knox Academy Diversity Evening Workshops on Thursday 6th March! These free workshops offer a fantastic opportunity to try something new, from creative arts to fitness, music, and mindfulness. Spaces are limited and will fill up quickly, so be sure to book early! All parents/carers should have received an email about this on Tuesday/Wednesday this week and you can book for you and your young people – so please look through these together. Or come with your friends if your young person is going with their peers.
Workshop Options Include:
Chinese Calligraphy – Try your hand at traditional Chinese writing; Create Your Own Logo – Learn the basics of design and branding; Beginners Meditation – Find relaxation and mindfulness techniques; Pasta Making – Make fresh, homemade pasta from scratch; Samba Drumming – Feel the rhythm in this high-energy drumming session; Ceilidh Dancing – Join the fun with traditional Scottish dances; Upcycle a Tote Bag – Turn an old t-shirt into a reusable bag; Lifestyle Medicine & the 6 Pillars – Learn key principles for better health; The Art of Origami – Fold intricate paper creations with step-by-step guidance; Growing Sustainable Veg in Small Spaces – Learn how to grow food in limited areas; Fix Clothes with Felt – Repair woollen garments with creative felt patching; Zumba – Get moving with this energetic dance workout!
Workshop Details:
Time Slots: 5:00-5:45pm & 6:00-6:45pm (except Samba Drumming: 6:00-6:45pm & 7:00-7:45pm)
Booking: please see the email you were sent on Tuesday/Wednesday
Tickets: Once booked, you’ll receive a ticket via email—please show this on the night for entry.
Family/Group Booking: Each participant needs a ticket. You can add a limited number of group members to your booking or they can book separately.
Pupils’ Successes
Goat’s Toes
I received a lovely letter from the Chair of the Probus Club thanking our wonderful performers in the The Goat’s Toes who performed at their recent Burns Supper.
Scottish Squash – Nationals
Congratulations to Phoebe Hamilton (S3) who managed a 2nd place in the Under 15 category & 3rd place in the Under 17's. Although narrowly missing out on a national title she is now assured selection for Scotland in both the 5 Nations Tournament and European's later in the year. Very exciting!
Battle of the Bands 2025
On Thursday 30th January the nine S2 classes at Knox Academy performed on the stage with lights and mics! Each class chose a song in October and were then given at least 6 music lessons to practise:
2.1 Insomnia/Thick of It
2.2 Diamonds
2.3 I Want It That Way
2.4 All Star
2.5 Everybody Wants to Rule the World
2.6 There She Goes
2.7 Waka Waka
2.8 Thunderstruck
2.9 Riptide/Freed from Desire
Three competitive heats took place in house groups: Garleton (2.1, 2.2, 2.3), Lammerlaw (2.4, 2.5, 2.6) and Traprain (2.7, 2.8, 2.9). These heats were judged by a panel made up of the 2024 Battle of the Band winners (Gangsta’s Paradise) and the Forder Brothers who had been guest performers last year. A huge thank you to these wonderful judges! Thank you also to our talented third year student, Sam Maguire, who provided the stage lighting for each class so that it felt and looked like a professional show.
FINALISTS
2.3 I Want It That Way (Garleton)
2.5 Everybody Wants to Rule the World (Lammerlaw)
2.9 Riptide/Freed from Desire (Traprain)
The FINAL took place in the hall period 7 with all nine classes in the audience. The judging panel was made up of the class teachers, our Depute Headteacher Miss Machen and VIP Guest, Charlotte McMillan (Development Officer, Community Music). Judges marked the performances on melody, harmony, rhythm and our Music Department values of creativity, communication and confidence.
We are delighted to announce that the winners of the S2 Battle of the Bands 2025 were... 2.5 Everybody Wants to Rule the World
A huge well done to all our wonderful performers! What a joy to see you developing the valuable transferable skills of creativity, communication and confidence.
Mrs Loughrey & Mrs Middlemiss are incredibly proud of the way you pursued our school values of Ambition, Respect & Community.
East Lothian Schools Cross Country Champs (Foxlake)
Our magnificent team of 48 athletes, were well prepared and ready to take on the challenge of the 3.35km course around the stunning countryside of Fox Lake grounds. Keeping their cool along the first uphill section from the start and clever pacing through the mud and tree lined routes, our runners soon passed close to the beach and then returned into the sun, to finish just at the Fox Falls. Every one of our athletes were cheered into the finish funnel by the rest of the Knox team and all had with big smiles on their faces as they all did their absolute best.
8 Individual medallists were: S1 – Branna K and Megan B; S2 – Calum H and Laurie S – Rosa M and Emily W; S3 – Freddie F; Senior – Connal Y
The competition was fierce and we smashed our previous records for our team performances, combining all the team members’ scores we placed: - S1 girls – (1st) S1 boys (2nd); S2 girls – (2nd) S2 Boys (3rd); S3 girls (2nd), S3 boys (1st); Senior Boys - (1st).
Overall, we came 2nd to Dunbar. Hopefully next year we may even get that 1st position as we were only 12 points behind – our best performance to date! A fantastic memorable day with outstanding effort from everyone, fabulous team spirit throughout. (By Thomas Salked). A huge thanks to the staff for training the young people in the school competition first and for taking them all to the event and cheering them on!
Dates for your diary:
February holiday (pupils); 10 -17 February (inclusive)
20 February – S3 Parents’ Evening – 4.30-6.30pm
6 March – Diversity Evening (workshops, market place and food court – 5-7pm; show 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
Quick Links:
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