Phased return of S1-S6 pupils at Knox Academy – 15 March – 1 April 2021 I hope this letter finds you safe and well. After two and a half months off it feels very positive to be writing to you to give you detailed information about welcoming all of our young people back to Knox Academy for a phased return from 15 March. We have been asked, by the Scottish Government, to prioritise face to face teaching for S4-S6 pupils and to ensure that all pupils experience some in school learning during these three weeks too. During the phased return we would ask, that as best as possible, pupils wear school uniform and bring a cosy jacket/fleece to wear over this to keep them warm, if required. Full details are available in the letter issued on Wednesday 10 March from our Head Teacher.

Beginning this Wednesday (10 March 2021) and continuing weekly, a series of live Google Meets will be hosted by our different specialist teachers, so P7s can see the classrooms and teachers in a safe and interactive way. As they have not been able to come up to the school as per tradition, the Knox Academy Pupil Learning Team have arranged for these sessions in collaboration with teachers from faculties including English, Modern Languages, Humanities and Social Subjects, Expressive Arts, Health & Wellbeing and the Sciences. The classes will include scientific experiments, performances from older pupils, quizzes, games and general overviews of courses and school life. 

After speaking with last year's P7s, the general consensus was that they would have felt more comfortable when starting S1 if they had had something like this before moving up. This experience will enable the pupils to get involved in a fun, interactive way and will provide them the opportunity to ask any questions that they have. 

In order to facilitate these events a Google Classroom has been created for all of the P7 pupils. The Knox Academy teacher who is running the session on Wednesday will post an introduction on the Classroom at the beginning of the week with their name, their subject and the time they will be live. They may have extra requests for the pupils, so these notices are very important!

IMPORTANT - As the attendance limit for each meet is 100 people, there will be two back to back Meets because the number of P7s exceeds this! The first Meet will be for Haddington Primary School and the second Meet will be for all other P7s, including Yester PS, St Mary’s PS, Letham Mains PS and any pupils from outside the catchment area. 

This will be an invaluable experience for your child making the transition to Knox and we want these meets to be accessible as possible. If you are unable to access the joining code from P7 staff or you have any questions, please contact the organising members of the Pupil Learning Team. You can reach us through the following emails:

• Leila: ka18lmaycock@edubuzz.org
• Eilidh: ka15erobertson1@edubuzz.org

For any transition queries unrelated to these events, please email admin@knox.elcschool.org.uk

Sky recently held a nationwide competition with the aim of ending the stereotype of apprenticeships in partnership with Skills Development Scotland

When you think of apprenticeships - what do you think of? Plumbers? Electricians?

At Sky, they understand that apprenticeships are for everyone and want to highlight the great opportunities that completing an apprenticeship can bring.

Sky offer apprenticeships in: technology; cyber security; software development; customer service and even media, like Sky News.

Students were asked to convey this message and were directed to the Apprenticeships Scotland website for more information such as the different levels of apprenticeships available in Scotland (Foundation, Modern and Graduate).  Did you know that you can start some Foundation Apprenticeships in S5 at Knox Academy?

“No matter your background, there will be an apprenticeship for you”.

It was difficult to choose which entries to put forward to Sky, a selection of what we judged to be "our best" are below from each year group.

• S1: Archie, Flo, Iris, Isabella and Molly
• S2: Aimee, Anya, Brodie and Lucas
• S3: Ellie and Ignacy

It’s been far too long since our last newsletter but once again we’ve find ourselves working in this really challenging way during another lockdown.

Many of you will know that the last few weeks in school has been particularly challenging for us as a community, and I want to say thank you for all of the support that we have received.  The young people who are attending Meadowpark regularly have been incredible during this time as has the whole staff team.

Despite these tough times there are things to celebrate and look forward to.  The kitchen garden is really taking shape thanks to the tireless efforts of Stefano.  He’s been out literally in all weathers building the decking and planters, and we are really looking forward to welcoming the participants and seeing this project grow (pardon the pun).

One of our pupils, Max, is getting quite a lot of press for his very creative work during lockdown.  He has been featured recently in the East Lothian Courier because his sculptures are not only fantastic, but they are also helping to raise lots of money for two very good causes: Can Do and My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.

We are really proud of what he is doing, and you can read more about his work and how to donate if you would like to on the East Lothian Courier page here.

Finally, I’d like to say a really big well done to all of our amazing pupils who are learning from home.  You’ve really done a great job in coping (as have mums, dads and carers !), and I’m really hoping that things will start to get back to normal soon.