Our Assembly this week was on Mobile Phones and asking our young people to try to use them less and live in the moment in classrooms, when with their friends and also family at home – not to have that fear of missing out (FOMO)!
It was great to have some of our S2 and S3 pupils helping run the Haddington Primary Sports Day. They all enjoyed it and had as much fun helping as the primary pupils did taking part.
Staffing
Covid-19 Update
The guidance for schools was updated on Monday 2 May. From Sunday 1 May public health advice changed to a ‘stay at home’ message replacing self-isolation for people who have symptoms or have tested positive for Covid-19. People who have symptoms of Covid-19 and who have a fever or are too unwell to carry out normal activities will be asked to stay at home while they are unwell or have a fever. Pupils and staff will no longer be advised to take a PCR test. Full information on the stay at home guidance is available here. Continuing with our approaches to good hand hygiene, ventilation, physical distancing (where possible), and recommending face coverings be worn in social areas and larger gatherings will still be a feature until the end of the summer term. Face coverings are still recommended on school transport too. Our latest Risk Assessment can be read here.
Pupils’ News
Curriculum and SQA Information
Booster and Immersion Sessions
A reminder that our supportive Booster and immersion sessions will take place over the coming weeks and all of our S4-S6 are welcome to attend these to support their SQA exams. No need to sign up – just come along.
Music
Next week will be the S2 Battle of the Bands. Semi-finals are taking place on Tuesday P7, Wednesday P7 and Thursday P6 with the final on Thursday P7. Pupils have been working really hard in class and in their own time. Winners will be announced next week! (By Tessa Martin)
Parents’/Carers’ Information
School Improvement Planning
Thank you to all parents/carers, pupils and staff who responded to our recent survey. The results of this, along with East Lothian’s Education Priorities will be used to guide us in planning for Session 22-23 and beyond. We will have a relentless focus on raising attainment and improving outcomes for all learners through providing high quality teaching and learning; evolving our learner pathway opportunities and supporting wellbeing and inclusion. We will also focus on creating culture of leadership for all staff and pupils alike.
One of the areas that pupils and parents highlighted in the survey was wanting more support/information around course choices (or learner pathways as we now call them). On Tuesday morning, this week, staff, pupils, parents and partners met and reviewed our processes for this and came up with a number of suggestions to improve the process. These focused on areas such as the interview process, involvement of partners and ensuring pupils and parents are aware of all courses on offer and their pathways over the senior phase. I am sure you will see the evidence of these discussions, and the feedback from your questionnaires, in how we approach things next session. Thank you to everyone who took part in the review group and also those parents and pupils who fed back in our questionnaire. Your input is really valued in helping improve our school.
Sports Day
S1- S5 (or new S2-S6) will have their heats on 7 June and finals 14 June. All pupils will be given the chance to take part.
Muirfield Riding Therapy - The Big Barn Dance
MRT is in for a big celebration this summer, and is asking our community to join them at The Big Barn Dance for a special weekend, Saturday 4th June, Indoor Arena, West Fenton, EH39 5AL
One of the busiest, most popular ceilidh bands in Scotland - Clappy Doo - will be playing, along with Line Dancing instructor Heather Baxter. A Stocked Bar, Mexican food by the Chef Shack, Games, Western Dress Up Insta Photo Competition, and more. All ages welcome. 6pm - 9pm, means you can be tucked up in bed by a reasonable hour, or, over 18s continue your evening in one of Gullane's excellent Bars. BOOK ONLINE, via eventbrite
Free School Meals/Clothing Grants
We are aware that some parents/carers circumstances may have changed as a result of Covid-19 and the rising cost of living. This may mean you are now eligible for Free School Meals and/or a Clothing Grant. If you think this may apply to you, please visit the Free School Meals and Clothing Grants area of the East Lothian Council website for further information and the relevant forms. If you need help completing these forms there is support available on the website, or alternatively please contact your young person’s Pupil Support Leader (Guidance teacher) who should also be able to help you via a telephone call/email
Parents Portal
Parents are reminded that the Parents Portal is now live, which allows for a new way for parents to access information on their children, interact with their schools and easily access other school services. Parents who have signed up are encouraged to use the Reporting Absence function within the system to alert the school to pupil absence. More information on accessing the portal is available here. (School Office)
Pupils’ Achievements
S3 Maths Exam
A huge well done to our S3 pupils for doing so well in applying themselves in their first ever assembly hall exam experience. On Tuesday they sat their S3 Maths exam and we were very proud at how focused they were during the exam and giving of their best. Results will follow soon.
River Tyne Adventures
A small group of senior pupils took to the banks of the River Tyne this week. They assisted community group 'The Friends of the River Tyne' to identify areas where two invasive species of plant are growing rapidly out of control.
The group were able to identify both species and the worse affected areas of the river bank. The findings were reported back to the community group, who will now have these troublesome blooms professionally removed.
A big thanks to the pupils who participated and also Jim and Derek from The Friends of the River Tyne for their expertise and support. Great community interaction! (By Gail Fraser)
Success Stories
If you have any success stories about your young person please send these in to our admin@knox.elc.school.org so we can share these with everyone in our school and community. Thank you.
Dates for your diary:
Monday 23 May Pupils’ Holiday – Staff in-service day
Thursday 2 June Senior Pupils’ Induction sessions
Thursday 2 June S3 Graduation Ceremony (pupils only) 2pm- Assembly Hall
Friday 3 June Platinum Jubilee Holiday (staff and pupils)
Monday 6 June New Timetable – all year groups
Tuesday 7 June P7 Information Evening – at Knox Academy
Thursday 16 June S6 Prom
Thursday 23 June Awards Evening (two sittings; S1-S3 6-7pm and S4-S6 8-9pm)
Sue Cook
Parent Council
The Parent Council has requested a footer on my HT’s update that remains there year round and which offers quick links to remote learning resources, course choices, supported study and careers news. Clicking on these headings takes you straight to these pages.
Please also look at our website for lots of other information. Please also follow us on Twitter for up-to-date news on a day to day basis.
Please also remember to follow us at: www.ka-net.org.uk 
@knoxacademy @knoxacademyHT for the latest information and updates
