Another busy week at Knox Academy and it doesn’t look like things will be easing up. Next Tuesday (22 May) we will be hosting a Curriculum for Excellence Open Afternoon, from 3-6pm, for parents of pupils in S2. This will provide further details of the plans for S3 in session 2012-2013 and I would encourage all parents to try and ‘drop in’ at some point if they can.
Yesterday was a very busy day. At the start of the day, 82 S3 pupils studying Standard Grade Biology headed off to Queen Margaret University to experience student life for the day and have a glimpse into career options in Biology. The day was busy and fun packed; the pupils had a chance to complete some research in the Learning Resource Centre (a very high tech library) and were amazed at just how many books and journals were to be found. They then completed a 'Cardio lab' that involved taking blood pressure measurements at rest, after jogging and after some high energy cycling. Also, they took part in a workshop called 'Broken Bodies'. Some pupils had the opportunity to x-ray a knee surgery patient and complete mock keyhole surgery. Others met a patient who needed to have a toe nail removed due to diabetes and had the chance to complete a mock operation before doing a podiatry assessment of their own foot pressure. The last workshop involved treating a large (and scarily life like) mannequin who had been rushed into hospital suffering from a stroke - it was like a scene from ‘Casualty’! The staff at QMU commented on the exemplary behaviour of the pupils and were impressed by their enthusiasm and knowledge. Thanks to Mrs Slowther and the Biology Department for organising the trip and a very big thank you to Queen Margaret University for such a wonderful, enjoyable and educational day.
Yesterday afternoon, the Home Economics Department hosted the first round of the ‘Little and Large’ cookery competition. This involved 4 teams of one primary and one secondary pupil, competing for a place in the East Lothian final. After fierce competition from Gullane, King’s Meadow and St Mary’s Primaries, Yester emerged the winners and will represent the Haddington Cluster in the final. Congratulations to all involved, many thanks to Ms Hossack and her team for organising the afternoon and good luck to the Yester team in the final.
The SQA examinations for senior pupils continue and I am sure the whole school community joins me in wishing all the pupils every success in these important examinations.
Many of you will be aware that at the full East Lothian Council meeting on Tuesday 15 May, approval was granted to award an additional day’s annual leave for all employees of the council to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, on Tuesday 5th June. The Scottish Government has granted permission for an exceptional closure on this day for schools.
As a consequence, I would like to confirm that Knox Academy will be closed to all staff and pupils on Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 June 2012. All pupils and staff resume on Wednesday 6 June.
Best wishes.
JB Craig
