HEAD TEACHER'S UPDATE 1 SEPTEMBER 2023

Staffing

Today we say goodbye to Shirley Black, our Head Cleaner – who has kept Knox Academy clean and bright for the last 23 years. We will miss her but wish her all the best in her new role.

We also say goodbye to Billie Morton, who left Meadowpark on Thursday and thank her for all her hard work and commitment at Meadowpark over the last 7 years.

We are advertising a Grade 6 Senior Business Administration position and this closes on Monday.

Parents’ and Pupils’ Information

UCAS Evening

Thank you to all parents/carers and young people who attended last night’s UCAS evening which was held by our Pupil Support Faculty. Hopefully you have all the information you now need to help your young people start applying for university and to get financial support too.

S3-S6 Volunteering Fayre

Our annual Volunteering Fayre will take place next Friday, 8 September.

The Music Department

Mrs Loughrey & Mrs Middlemiss would love to welcome all the wonderful new 1st year students to Knox Academy. We have lots of exciting musical groups here at Knox - you are very welcome to join - just pop along to find out more! 

Monday: Knox Jazz Band (3:30pm)

Tuesday: Knox Junior Voices S1-3 (lunchtime)

Wednesday: Knox Guitar Club (lunchtime)

Thursday: Goats' Toes Folk Group (lunchtime) Knox Orchestra (3:30pm)

Wednesday 6th September 2023 - Fergus McCreadie

We are so excited that Scottish jazz pianist Fergus McCreadie has accepted our invitation to Knox Academy on Wednesday 6th September 2023.

Fergus McCreadie is the current Winner of the Scottish Album of the Year Award, was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize 2022 and was named Jazz FM Instrumentalist of the Year 2022! Fergus will be working with our Higher/Advanced Higher Music Students, Knox Pianists and Members of Jazz Band in the hall from 9:30 - 11am. To find out more click here. 

We are very grateful to the Lamp of Lothian for sponsoring Fergus for his visit to the school

School Photographs – Tempest

We look forward to welcoming Tempest to Knox Academy on Thursday 7 September 2023 to take another series of individual photographs. 

These will capture our new S1 students, Meadowpark students, new enrolments over the past few months, and also update school record photographs for those without or only with a primary school photograph on record. There will be an option available for our new S6 to have a formal S6 individual photograph, should this be desired. As usual all pupils are expected to attend in full dress code including shirt/tie. Parents/carers will be given the option to purchase photographs from Tempest afterwards.

Food allergies/dietary requirements

A form was emailed out yesterday (31 August) to parents/carers for you to complete to let us know if your young person has any food allergies/dietary requirements so we can ensure our Food Court staff are aware of this. We will also share this information with our HE department. Please only return the form if this applies to your young person and they have an allergy (nil returns are not required). Please email this information to us by Monday 4 September and put ALLERGY INFORMATION in the subject heading of your email. If your young person does have allergies or intolerances please remind them of the need to refuse any food items that might be offered by others. Thank you

Picking up/dropping off pupils

If you are picking up or dropping off pupils please can I ask that you do not block the entrance or stop on the yellow lines/boxed area at the main entrance to the school. The back car park is the best place for drop offs/pick-ups. Please also abide by the 5mph limit at all times, even at 4.30pm for after club pick-ups as we have witnessed a number of cars speeding through the car park.  Thank you for keeping everyone safe.

Absence Reporting

Parents/Carers should report pupil absences and appointments as early as possible on the morning of the absence.  Please do this through the Parentsportal.  In addition, absence notifications can be e-mailed to attendance@knox.elcschool.org.uk, stating your young person’s details and reason for absence.  The school office should only be called to report an absence if you do not have either of the previous options.

If you have not already signed up to the Parentsportal, please consider doing so as additional features will continue to be added.  If you encounter any issues registering, please contact the Knox Academy’s School Office for assistance.

 

Pupils’ Achievements

Success Stories

Essay Competition

Kaye Nimmo (S5) submitted an essay to be judged in a competition to Caius College Cambridge and as a result has now been invited to visit the college on the 14 September for a celebratory lunch with the Director of Studies. She will also meet the students and go on a College admissions session. What a fabulous experience! Well done, Kaye!

Support

Please do not hesitate to contact our Pupil Support Team by emailing your young person’s House Team if you would like to discuss any support for your young person or to arrange an appointment to come in to speak to someone.

 

Dates for your diary:

Tuesday 5 September – Parent Council Meeting (all welcome) – Library – 6.30-8pm

Friday 15 – Monday 18 September (inclusive) – holiday

Wednesday 20 September – S2 Parents’ Consultation – 4.30-6.30pm (in school)

Please note: there will be no HT’s update next week but this will resume the following week.

 

Our school calendar is updated regularly and should be used to access all information throughout the year and allows you to plan ahead too.

 

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 84CEAEA2   for the latest information and updates.