I am writing to let you know about a recent situation whereby some schools’ staff have been targeted by online abuse from anonymous social media accounts, which are often set up using the school’s name. This is something that we know other local authority areas are experiencing. I am writing to let you know what we are doing about it here in East Lothian, and how you may be able to help.
Full details available in letter issued 30 November 2021, from Nicola McDowell, Head of Education.
As Christmas approaches I wanted to provide you with an update on the mitigations that remain in place in our schools to keep our staff, children and young people safe from COVID19. As you will be aware, case numbers in East Lothian continue to rise. The impacts of self- isolation are being felt across our schools including staff and support staff, cleaners and home to school transport. Against this backdrop it is essential that we all continue to do all that we can to limit the spread of COVID-19 and the potential disruption to learning. The Scottish Government published updated guidance on 21 November. https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-reducing-the-risks-in-schools/ . The guidance continues to emphasise the need for a range of measures to keep schools safe
Full details available in letter issued 30 November 2021, from Nicola McDowell, Head of Education.
SQA have provided a copy of a new learner booklet, Your National Qualifications 2021-22, for your information. As you will see, the content is based on previous Your Coursework publications, adding in information about the approach for 2021-22 and the exam diet.
SQA are currently printing this booklet and will arrange for a bulk supply, along with a covering letter, to be delivered shortly.
This booklet is also published on the SQA Website.
Knox Academy is pleased to invite applications for the following vacancy:
Closing Date: Sunday 12 December 2021
All current and previous vacancies can be viewed within our Recruitment section of our website.
Knox Academy is pleased to invite applications for the following vacancies:
Closing Date: Sunday 5 December 2021
All current and previous vacancies can be viewed within our Recruitment section of our website.
A few weeks ago at Meadowpark, we launched our Meadowpark enterprise projects. This essentially involved me having to get my hands in my pocket and and give each class some money from which they would develop their enterprise business. Since then, each class has been using their enterprise lesson to learn about business and to produce items to sell. We are going to be holding a Covid safe "Christmas Fair" before the end of term where people can order some of the amazing things that classes have been producing. For example, Esk class have been making Gonks, which are those super cute Scandanavian bearded gnomes that have become really popular. We also have Leven class making 2022 calendars and Clyde class are making Christmas decorations etc. More info to follow on this.
Today has been a non uniform day with proceeds going to Children in Need. Thanks to everyone who supported this and I'm very happy to be able to send £24 to them!
Lots of classes have been continuing their work around Armistice Day and finding out about WWI. Some classes visited the memorial to pay their respects and have also produced some amazing artwork.
It's been lovely this term to be able to start doing some things that we've really missed over the lock downs. On Thursdays, we are able to visit the swimming pool at the Aubigny centre and all of the young people have been fantastic here. They've demonstrated their independence and mature attitudes and supported each other brilliantly. Other groups have been demonstrating the same during their visits to Aubigny gym.
The council is sharing detailed information on its school buildings with a new website giving a full picture of its estate at individual school, cluster and East Lothian level.
Information is available on the condition, suitability and capacity of existing schools and the council is keen to hear the views of families, communities and learners.
This is part of the development of a Learning Estate Investment Plan for East Lothian. The plan will set out the council’s investment priorities for its schools to make sure that all facilities support high quality teaching and learning equally across the county, and to outline the investment needed for this to happen. It will also consider how school buildings support community use.
To share your feedback you can:
The feedback will be analysed alongside the results of the online questionnaire that was held in February and presented at a future council meeting.
The pre-consultation will close on 10 December 2021.
The Teenage Booster and Meningitis ACWY Vaccination Programme will take place in early 2022.
An updated version of the Knox Academy School Handbook 2021-2022 can be found within the School Info section of the school website.
Knox Academy is pleased to invite applications for the following vacancy:
Closing Date: Sunday 21 November 2021
All current and previous vacancies can be viewed within our Recruitment section of our website.
