On Saturday, Mr Jappy, Mr Ferriman and Mr Blair travelled to the Czech Republic as part of our Comenius environment project. During the four day trip, they visited Ciezyn (Poland) and Cesky Tesin (Czech Republic) cities split during the Soviet era; Radhostem, including a museum of cultural history; Hukvaldy Castle and Stramberk, medieval hill towns in the Beskydy Mountains and the Woodland School of Ostrava.
On Tuesday evening, Academy Productions presented ‘Showcase’, an evening of music, drama and dance. The large and enthusiastic audience were treated to wonderful performances, including an absurdist play, original contemporary dance and drama and a ‘lift the roof’ selection of musical theatre. Congratulations to all involved and a big thank you to the Ms Brown and the drama and music staff for organising and supporting the evening.
To continue the drama theme, Knox Academy is the only school taking part in the National Theatre of Scotland's Exchange Festival 2012 in Stirling in July. The group will be performing their play: ‘Hansel House of Horror’ on Thursday 21st June at 7pm at Telford College, PASS Theatre, West Granton Road, Edinburgh (recommended for 15+ years). This is the only opportunity to see the production before the group head to Stirling.
On Wednesday, the school hosted its first STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Careers Event. All S2/3 pupils were involved and had face-to-face chats with industry based experts who gave lots of information on career paths and routes into employment. The event was designed to broaden the pupils’ outlook regarding future employment possibilities. Speakers included civil engineers, actuaries, a timber specialist and construction and wind turbine specialists. The day was a great success with positive feedback from the pupils and speakers. Many thanks to Frank and Kevin McKeever for organising the STEM Ambassador Speakers and the Maths Department for organising the, hopefully, annual event.
During the week, two very interesting speakers visited the Social Subjects Faculty. On Tuesday, a representative from Wateraid UK visited on Tuesday and spoke to S1/3/5 RMPS classes and a S3 Modern Studies class. Yesterday, a member of the Scottish Prison Service visited the RMPS department, tying in with the S2 Crime and Punishment unit. The pupils asked lots of thoughtful questions and found the visits very informative.
Yesterday, J. Gidney, 2L3, C. Neillans, 3T1, R. Swinton, 2G1 and C. Wright, 3T1, took part in the 20th annual Enterprising Maths Event at Meadowbank Stadium. Thirty-three teams from Edinburgh and the Lothians were involved and pupils were scored in a number of challenges. Although the Knox team did not qualify for the next stage, the pupils did extremely well, were a real credit to the school and were considered a “thoughtful and supportive” group by their supervising teacher from Beeslack HS. More details will be available on the Maths ‘Pupil Work’ section of the website.
Early yesterday, Mr MacDonald and 6 members of the KWN group travelled to Musselburgh to see the Olympic Torch Relay They managed to find a great spot, and filmed some pieces before the event, showing the build-up, as well as filming the torch as it passed. Then they interviewed members of the public to get their thoughts and opinions on the Olympics coming to the UK. Their film will be available to view on the website.
Something of a sad day today as we say farewell, at the Leavers’ Ceremony, to all of S6 and other pupils leaving the school at the end of session. I am sure the whole school community join me in wishing them health, happiness and success.
Best wishes.
JB Craig
