It has been another busy week at the school for all of our young people but particularly for those in S4-S6 who are in week two of their assessment diet. Many of our sports clubs have resumed, as have face to face music lessons for most of our pupils, so it definitely feels as though life is resuming a greater level of normality.
This week is also Mental Health Awareness week, with the focus on linking with nature to help us relax and de-stress. We have held a series of assemblies for all year groups on this and given ideas for consideration to support their mental health and wellbeing, along with information on who to contact should they require support.
On Monday 17 May we will move to Coronavirus Level 2 restrictions. For us at school, there will be no change to any of our health and safety measures at this time. We are following current guidelines and once there is any revision of these, we will put any new guidelines in to place and let parents/carers and pupils know these. Thank you for continuing to support all of our mitigations.
Staffing
Hannah McBride goes on maternity leave today. I would like to wish her well on behalf of all at Knox Academy and we will look forward to an update very soon.
Parents/Carers Information
SQA Update
SQA released a statement on Monday in relation to disruption to young people’s learning during the pandemic and giving information about how evidence is being gathered to come to decisions about provisional grades.
Attendance
There is a very strong correlation between high levels of attendance and attainment and achievement. High levels of attendance ensures young people have the opportunity to achieve their potential through maximizing their learning experiences at school – both in class time and in terms of participation in the many curricular activities we offer.
Our recently updated Attendance Policy outlines the steps we take to monitor attendance and the responsibilities we all have to ensure our young people attend school on a regular basis to ensure they attain their best. You can inform the school of any absence by either calling the school or emailing attendance@knox.elcschool.org.uk.
If you receive a message from the school at any point in the day to say your child is absent or missing from class please contact the school as soon as possible. Thank you.
S4-S6 Leavers
Please could parents/carers remind their young people to return school library books to either the school library or Haddington Library before the end of term? If anyone is unsure if they still have library books, please get in touch with Ms Fry, our School Librarian. Thank you.
Football is back!
Diversionary Saturday night football is back from 15th May so please encourage your young people to go along to this free opportunity.
Details are:
Open Football (Under 18s)
Starts: Saturday 15th May
Time: 19:00 – 21:00
Venue: 3G Whittingehame Drive
Cost: Free
All Welcome!
(By Paul Huish)
LFD Test Kits
If you wish your young person to receive a test kit please complete the e-consent form. Pupils over 16 can consent themselves but parents/carers must consent for those under 16 (before any testing kits can be handed out to this age group).
If a pupil tests positive using the LFD test kit, they and their family should self-isolate and the pupil should book a PCR test through the NHS. Other members of the household do not need to book a test unless they are symptomatic. Please also note that if a pupil receives a negative LFD test result, but has possible Covid symptoms, they should book a PCR test and remain at home until they have a negative PCR test result.
LFD test kits for parents/carers/households can now be ordered through NHS Inform if you do not have symptoms. Pupils who have consented should continue to pick these tests up from school.
COVID-19
Positive Cases: Please report positive cases to the school by phoning us on 01620-823387. Please also report any positive cases to covidinschools@eastlothian.gov.uk or if you do not have access to email, telephone 01875 613921.Thank you.
Please note: Please do not send them if they, or anyone in your household has tested positive or has Covid-19 symptoms – a new continuous cough; fever/high temperature; loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste (anosmia). Please self-isolate and book a test.
Dates for you diary:
Monday 24 May Pupils’ holiday (staff in-service)
Tuesday 25 May In-service day for staff (SQA) – Pupils’ holiday
Monday 7 June In-service day for staff (SQA) – Pupils’ holiday
Friday 25 June End of term
Sue Cook
Please also remember to follow us at: www.ka-net.org.uk 
@knoxacademy @knoxacademyHT for the latest information and updates
