Welcome back to Session 2022-23. It has been great to have all of our new S1 pupils join us and to welcome back our S2-S6 pupils. We have high hopes that this will be a much more settled year and more of a return to normal school activities, and hopefully some more trips/excursions too!
Staffing
On Monday we welcomed a number of staff:
Jamie Balfour – Computing
Sophie Shorthouse – Support for Learning
NQTs: Ashleigh Breslin– English
Michael Lynch – Maths
Rebecca Halliwell – Modern Studies
Harry Esson – PE
Staff appointed last session – Adam Welsh (English) and Lucy Fletcher (Languages)
Fiona Chandran, David Adamson and Mhairi Chalmers – all join the Meadowpark teaching team.
It was very sad news, at the end of term, to hear of the passing on of one of our former members of staff, Martin Duddin, DHT and Geography teacher, who taught at Knox Academy for 32 years.
Pupils’ News
Knox Sport
We are looking forward to getting Knox Sport back up and running! Please click to see the sports on offer and to register. If anyone has any issues registering please contact Thomas Salkeld at tsalkeld@elcschool.org.uk. We would encourage all of our young people to get involved with one or more clubs at the school (there will be many more advertised beyond sport) to learn new skills, make new friends and add to our Knox Academy community. It allows pupils to work with other young people in different year groups too.
Parents’/Carers’ Information
SQA Results (overview)
The pupils performed really well in the SQA exams in April/May 2022. Our results were as follows:
Our attainment at A-C for National 5 was 82.4%. This was above the National results of 80.8% and the East Lothian figure of 81%. We had 19 pupils who achieved 7 National 5 passes, all at Band A, and a further 10 pupils who attained 6As and a B or C.
At Higher level, our A-C attainment was 81.8%. This was above the National results of 78.9% and the East Lothian figure of 81%. 15 pupils attained 5A passes and a further 8 attained 4As. A number of our pupils also attained very strong results in a combination of National 5s and Higher subjects.
At Advanced Higher, our A-C attainment was 76.5%. This was below the National results of 81.3% and East Lothian figure of 80%. One pupil attained 3As in their Advanced Highers. 2 others attained 2 Advanced Highers at A passes and 7 other pupils attained 3 Advanced Higher Passes.
Within National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher, many young people showed great progress to achieve the grades they did – whether these were As, Bs or Cs.
The above statistics are pre-appeal. Our focus this year is on teaching for excellence, which will include assessment, to continue to improve our attainment statistics at all levels. We are also encouraging our S6 to take as many subjects as they can to achieve the best they can at the point of exit in S6. The phrase, ‘The more you do, the better you do’ seems to be reflected in our S6 attainment at a pupil level and we need to work together to ensure that, in particular, our S6 cohort see all courses through from inception to completion to guarantee them the best results and reaching their potential.
Assemblies
Next week we will be leading assemblies for all year groups on our school values and vision. To ensure all our young people achieve their potential we have high expectations at the school in regard to effort and behaviour/relationships so we create the best learning environment for our young people. These assemblies will also give information around health and safety (e.g. fire evacuation procedures) and remind pupils that cigarettes and vapes should not be brought on to, or used, on school premises.
Throughout the year we will cover many themes at our assemblies such as online safety, mental health and wellbeing, and diversity and inclusion.
Careers Guidance
Chris Trotter, our Careers Adviser, is available Monday to Thursday in the school library. Over the next few months he will be focusing on one to one appointments with senior phase students who we have identified as possibly needing some extra careers guidance. However, he is also available for any student, in any year, who would like to see him. All they have to do is drop in to the library, speak to their guidance teacher, or email. Before the October break he will be going in to every 1st year PSE class to introduce himself and encourage students to start thinking about their future careers. If you would like to speak to Chris directly just get in touch. For more information you can visit My World of Work or contact Chris.trotter@sds.co.uk directly.
Cost of Living Crisis
Please follow this link for some helpful advice/information and support from ELC in regard to this.
Covid update
For the time being we will continue to keep some measures in place to ensure minimum transfer of Covid at school. Hand sanitiser, cleaning products and spare face-coverings will be available in all classrooms and pupils will be encouraged to use the hand sanitiser on arrival and departure from rooms and to clean their work stations still. Any pupils wishing to wear a face covering will be supported to do so. We are also retaining our one way system permanently as this flow round the school has improved with corridors being less congested as pupils and staff move in one direction and not against the flow.
Staff will continue to keep classrooms well ventilated and use their CO2 monitor to guide them in keeping levels minimal and classrooms also as warm and safe as possible as we head in to autumn and winter.
Nasal Flu Vaccinations
These will take place at the school, on 27 September, for all eligible young people. Letters are being issued over the next few days and these should be returned to the office or Mrs Fraser (Welfare) by Friday 2 September at very latest.
Pupils’ Achievements
Wakeboarding
Orla Winn, new S5, won the U’18s Junior Women’s WWA World Championships down in London making her the World Champion for her age group! We are in awe of her achievements and her ability.
Dates for your diary:
Tuesday 6 September Parent Council – School Library – 6.30-8pm – all parents welcome to attend
Friday 16 – Monday 19 September Holiday (staff and pupils)
Tuesday 20 September S2 Parents’ Evening – 4.30-6.30pm – in school
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 
@knoxacademy @knoxacademyHT for the latest information and updates
