Knox Academy

Curriculum for Excellence is raising standards of learning and teaching across Scotland, preparing young people with the skills they need in a fast and changing world.

A Guide for Parents and Carers has been prepared by Education Scotland and can be viewed here. Read more about CURRICULUM FOR EXCELLENCE DOCUMENTATION

Today we had our first School Council meeting of the year and there was plenty to talk about! Our main area of discussion was S1-S6 issues which included: improving the queuing system to the food court at break times particularly for S1's, increasing recognition of the Sports Council, Common Room furniture and forming a routine to empty classroom recycling bins. We will work on these issues over the following weeks. Read more about SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING - 24 SEPTEMBER 2012

It’s always nice to start with some congratulations…
 

Firstly to the S4 Outdoor Challenge Teams:  Last Friday they did us proud, taking part in activities designed to promote independence, self-sufficiency and confidence.  The placings went as follows: 1st Place Knox Academy (Team 2)
Then:
2nd Place - Musselburgh Grammar School (team 2) 3rd Place - Ross High School 4th Place (joint) - Knox (Team 3) - Musselburgh Grammar School (Team 1) 6th Place - Knox (Team 1). Read more about 21 September 2012

Drama club runs after-school on a Monday from 4 – 5 pm. In Drama club we play games and complete small tasks to improve our skills in drama whilst having fun! We present our work to one another to show off what we can do, and to receive feedback on our dramas.

During drama club we will look at working with small scripts and will work towards performing before the Christmas Show at the end of term. 

Please come along to help us have fun and improve our drama skills! We would love to have as many members as possible to create something fantastic to perform at Christmas! Read more about S1/2 DRAMA CLUB

Today, Friday 14th sees the first work experience deadline and pupils produced self found forms from the recesses of their bags in their 100s - well quite a few anyway.  We have over 60 pupils who have handed in forms for placements outwith the database and this is a fairly good number.  A few people have asked for extensions and if the form is with the employer then I am happy to accept the completed form on Wednesday when pupils return.  Gateway can then get to work and ensure all the placements meet the health and safety requirements.  Read more about WORK EXPERIENCE - 1 STEP CLOSER!

East Lothian Multicultural Day is on Sunday 16 September 2012.  As part of the celebrations for this, the S3 Social Subjects classes were given a home learning assignment where they were asked to write a poem entitled ‘Welcoming Scotland’.

Examples of these from 3G1 can be viewed below…

William Syme
Welcome to Scotland,
A land so diverse.
Something for everyone,
So why not immerse.

Ours lochs, our mountains,
Our wildlife, our glens.
Miles of rugged perfection,
You’re luck never ends. Read more about WELCOME TO SCOTLAND POEMS

The annual Scholastic Book-Fair arrives in the library on the 24th of September until the 1st of October. The Book-Fair offers pupils the chance to purchase current fiction and selected non-fiction titles at discounted prices. Posters and stationery items are also available for pupils to purchase.

Selected titles available in this year's fair include Hunger Games Book Box Set at £9.99; the latest Artemis Foul in an exclusive paperback edition for the fair at £6.99 and the Mercy Falls trilogy box set at £12.99. Read more about SCHOLASTIC BOOK-FAIR

The Jewish festival of Rosh Hashanah will be celebrated between the 16th and 18th September this year (you can take the girl out of the RMPS classroom…) and that got me thinking about new starts.  We tend to leave starting afresh to significant times of the year and I wonder if we miss something by so doing.  I have been talking to the new S5 of late who, almost to a person, have commented on the intensity of S5 as compared to S4 and have said that they are working significantly harder than they expected to.  I suspect that there are some of them who are having “wobbles” wondering if they h Read more about 14 September 2012

All pupils, parents and carers, are invited to attend this years UCAS information evening. The event will take place in the assembly hall at Knox Academy on Thursday 20 September from 6.30 - 8 pm.

There will be presentations from Edinburgh University, Queen Margaret University, Skills Development Scotland(careers) and the Student Awards Agency.

Topics covered will be, applications, personal statements, finance and competitive entry.

The floor will also be open for questions. Read more about UCAS EVENING - THURSDAY 20 SEPTEMBER