Staffing
Wendy Doig (Pupil Support Leader) will be leaving us just after the Easter holidays to take up a post in another authority.
Steven Johnson will return to Meadowpark, on Monday 2 March, following the end of his secondment at Kaimes. Sophie Shorthouse and Steven Johnson will work together for a few weeks to ensure a seamless transition.
Aileen McSherry (PE) will also take early retirement in June after teaching for 35 years!
Pupil Support Worker – interviews take place for this today.
Adverts:
Our PT Guidance post closes this Sunday. This is a permanent and full time position.
A full time, permanent PE position will be advertised this week.
SQA Exams and Arrangements for Exam Leave
All S4/5/6 parents/carers should have received a letter from me, on Wednesday, regarding the exam leave arrangements for S4 and S5/6 pupils. This letter also gives details of leavers’ processes and details for those returning to school in June for S5/S6.
Uniform Consultation
All parents/carers should receive a link to a Knox Academy Uniform Consultation this morning. This should be completed by next Friday, at midday day, at latest. All pupils are being surveyed during registration this morning. Further consultations will also be taking place soon on School Improvement Planning for next session and also Mental Health (S2/S3 year groups only – parents/carers of) so please look out for the surveys in coming weeks and please do complete them as your views are very much valued in how we lead change and improvement at the school.
Attendance/lateness
Please can I ask parents/carers to ensure their young person maintains a high level of attendance at school to ensure they don’t miss out on subject work and also all the social aspects that school brings too – friendships; developing their social awareness and abilities; opportunities for clubs/activities.
There has been an increase in lateness in the mornings, after break and lunch time. This impacts on lessons and learning and teaching. It also means that often the crucial part if the lesson (the start) is missed and this is crucial for the tasks that follow. Again, we would ask for parental support in discussing the importance of timekeeping with your young people and how it aligns with our values of respect and community. Thank you for your support.
Rights Respecting Schools (RRSA)
Our Article of focus this week is Article 22: Refugee Children
Children who move from their home country as refugees (because it was not safe for them to stay there) should get help and protection and have the same rights as children born in that country.
Pupils’ Successes
Secondary Schools Ensemble Showcase
A huge well done to all the Knox musicians who performed at the East Lothian IMS Ensemble Showcase at St Mary’s on Tuesday evening (Guitar Ensemble – Jazz Band – String Orchestra - Wind Band - Symphony Orchestra). Knox Music teachers would like to express their thanks to all the Instrumental Music Service tutors who enable these young musicians to perform such beautiful music to such a high standard.
Events/Trips:
S2 Winter Residential
This week S2 pupils on the Winter Residential Activity Programme have been in the Cairngorms as the culmination of their preparations over the last couple of months.
Based at a lodge in Badaguish, the group experienced communal living, meal planning and meal preparation whilst learning a range of skills to prepare them for outdoor adventures.
Skills learnt included use of avalanche transceivers and snowshoes, travelling safely in the outdoors in the dark, working as a team on communication and topped-up what they'd been learning back at school on kit and clothing for outdoor adventures.
On Wednesday the group completed a journey in the mountains of the Cairngorms, largely on snow with all of the group adding use of crampons and ice axes to their skills!
A brief summary of the mountain journey can be seen in this video
All of the pupils pushed themselves well out of their comfort zones, found resilience and gained confidence in the challenging environment of the mountains and in all of the challenges they faced as part of this trip and should feel really proud of themselves! (By Mr Boyle, Science).
A huge thank you to Mr Boyle and Ms Elder for leading the trip.
World Book Day
On Thursday 5th March the school will be celebrating World Book Day.
World Book Day is a great opportunity for the whole school to share their love of reading with lots of fun activities planned throughout the week.
All week pupils will play a book edition of 'The Traitors' at registration and will be able to use their detective skills to solve clues and uncover the traitorous characters identities with prizes for the winning classes.
On Thursday, we are inviting all staff and pupils to dress up as their favourite book characters. We are also hosting a bake sale in the atrium at break time and a costume competition at lunchtime. It should be great fun for all staff and pupils involved!
Author Visit -Brian Conaghan will be visiting on Friday 13th March to speak to all S3s.
Leavers’ Ceremony (S6)
Our Leaver’s Ceremony and activities (S6 pupils only event) will take place on Thursday 2 April 2026.
General Info/Community
PTA Update
The next meeting of the Parent Teacher Association will take place on Tuesday 3 March at 6.30pm in the School’s Management Meeting Room. This meeting will focus on the PTA’s charitable status and the fundraising events planned for March.
Parents and carers who would like to contribute to the development and direction of the PTA are warmly encouraged to attend. We also welcome anyone who is interested in supporting our forthcoming fundraising activities.
The PTA is pleased to share that tickets are now available for our Family Quiz Night on Friday 20 March at the Rugby Club, Haddington. Tickets are priced at £5, with children admitted free when accompanied by an adult. The evening promises to be an enjoyable social event, including a raffle and games. To purchase tickets, please contact the Knox Academy PTA at kasupportgroup@ka-net.org.uk.
Dates for your diary:
19 March – Parent Council (including AGM) – 6.30-8pm (school library) – all welcome
20 March – PTA Quiz
26 March – Spring Concert – 7-9pm (Assembly Hall)
Friday 2 April – Monday 20 April (inclusive) – Easter Break
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
