It has been good to meet with S4 for assemblies this week and speak to them about our school vision, values and preparing for the prelims. We also spoke about how to look after their mental and physical health and where to seek support if they need this. There is lots of fantastic information about supporting your own and others’ mental health on this website.
Updated Covid-19 Guidance for schools should be coming out very shortly from the Scottish Government and I will communicate any updates to our mitigations at the school as soon as I can thereafter.
Staffing
All the very best to our Business Support Administrator, Lisa Lambert, who leaves us today to take up a new role at Napier University.
S1 Reports
These were issued on Wednesday, 13 October, and reported on your young person’s achievement of a level, their effort, behaviour and home learning. In response to the survey that parents/carers and pupils completed in May, we have taken note of your feedback and changed our report to reflect this. Reports will now give one ‘positive progress comment’ and ‘two targets’ for pupils to help them focus on their next steps. The Curriculum section of our website will detail the content of courses to allow parents/carers to be able to see the work being covered in each term rather than reports going in to this detail. Any feedback you have on the reports would be most welcome via the tear-off slips included in the reports.
Senior Phase Study Support
As well as our in-school study support sessions E-Sgoil is also offering evening study support sessions (which commenced on Monday 6 September 2021), targeted support for learners and, looking ahead, provision during the Easter holidays is already being planned. A significant number of our young people have already signed up to the evening study support sessions but it would be good if we could encourage all senior phase pupils to do this. Spreading study across the year is more advantageous than last minute cramming for exams.
LGBT Training Course – Staff and Parents/Carers
LGBT Youth Scotland is holding a free live workshop online for staff and parents on the 15 December from 3:30-5:00pm. There will be an online training course that participants will be expected to do prior to the 15 December. There are only 25 places available so if you would like to take part in the course we are offering 5 places to parents and you can email nstobie@edubuzz.org to book your place.
School Bells
Following the consultation on the school bells we will have a month’s trial, which will start on Monday 1 November. Following this month we will carry out an evaluation to see if we retain this. During this time we will only have a bell to mark the start of the school day, the end of break, lunch and end of the day. Timekeeping by staff and pupils will be paramount to making this successful and is a great life skill to have.
Pupil News
October Break – Venturing Out Opportunities
Venturing Out is offering activities for ages eight to fourteen during the October week’s holiday. All activities take place in East Lothian and include activities such as Bushcraft, Trail Cycling, Water Activities, Mini Expedition and Rock Climbing. Full information on all holiday activities can be found here.
Scottish Youth Climate Summit
This will take place on Saturday 30 October, 9:30 – 17:00 (however you can hop in and out of events throughout the day depending on your availability). The SYCS will connect with young people (11-25yrs), where they will learn from experts and create Scotland’s Youth Climate Declaration in advance of COP26. Young people can register here.
The Scottish Youth Climate Summit will bring together a diverse range of young people, to discuss their priorities for climate action in Scotland. Working alongside a range of climate experts and activists, participants will create a national youth declaration on climate change, highlighting the most pressing issues for children and young people and setting out their demands to the Scottish Government and international decision-makers.
Topics (determined by the young people who make up the Co-design group) will include:
- Children's rights
- Youth engagement (in decision-making)
- Education & jobs
- Just transition
- Biodiversity
- Energy & renewables
- Travel
- Food
- Rural & islands
Participants will also have the opportunity to learn about leading climate action projects led by young people and learn about topics such as energy security, green careers, and climate activism. The online event will culminate with participants creating a film of their demands: the digital declaration.
Covid-19
During the school holiday please continue to report all positive Covid-19 cases to covidinschools@eastlothian.gov.uk or if you do not have access to email, telephone 01875 613921. Once we return to school please also inform the school so we can amend your young person’s attendance record. In advance of returning to school after the October break, pupils are advised to carry out a LFD test, and should continue to do this twice weekly. LFD test kits are available every morning on arrival to school and during the day from the office. They can also be collected from pharmacies and test centres.
Please do not send pupils to school who have symptoms. They should self-isolate and book a PCR test and not return to school until they know this is negative and they have no symptoms.
Dates for you diary (please also see the School Calendar for overview and updates):
Monday 18 – Monday 25 October – Pupils’ Holiday (October break)
Monday 18 – Friday 22 October – Staff break (Monday 25 – In-service)
Wednesday 27 October – Parent Council 6.30-8pm (virtual meeting)
Tuesday 2 November – P7 Parents’ Information Evening – 7pm (virtual)
Tuesday 23 November – S3 Parents’ Consultation (virtual) – 5-7pm
Wednesday 8 December – S2 Parents’ Consultation (virtual) – 5-7pm
Have a great October break and we will look forward to seeing all our young people back on Tuesday 26 October at 8.25am.
Sue Cook
Please also remember to follow us at: www.ka-net.org.uk @knoxacademy @knoxacademyHT for the latest information and updates