I can hardly believe we are at December already! It has been a busy week with our seniors in the midst of their prelims. These seem to be going very well. We are continuing to keep all of your young people focused on their learning right up until the last afternoon of the term when we will have our annual school Christmas Quiz and 12 Day Days of Christmas singalong. It’s going to be a very busy month ahead with lots of things happening at the school with our concert and Christmas Dances.
On Monday we will participate in the Queen’s Green Canopy and plant our tree in recognition of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. The tree we are planting has been gifted to us, charities, community groups, and public organisations right across the country, to say ‘thank you’ to all who work tirelessly for their communities, to inspire others to plant trees of their own, and to create a living, lasting legacy of Her Late Majesty. We will welcome John McMillan, our Provost, Lord Lieutenant Roderick Urquhart, our Parent Council, Head Pupils, Eco-Committee and pupil representatives from each of the three Houses to our ceremony. Calum Donohoe (S6) will also pipe for us at this memorable event.
Parents’ and Pupils’ Information
Industrial Action
Next Thursday, 8 December, will be a day of industrial action by the SSTA. The school will be open only for those in S4-S6 who are sitting a prelim that day. All S1-S3, and those in S4-S6 who are not sitting a prelim that day, should learn remotely that day. Please see more details in this letter.
Christmas Dances
If your young person is attending either of the dances please can they bring lots of change or their debit card (we will have a card reader) so they can purchase refreshments. Our PTA is very kindly running this aspect of the event.
On the evening of the dances pupils should arrive no earlier than 7pm. S1-S3 pupils should enter the school by the Rosehall doors only. They should also ensure they have transport home available at the end of the dance, which finishes at 9.30pm.
No payments for admission can be taken on the night, and admittance is only available for those who have paid in full by the closing date. Please do not attend if you have not already secured a place.
Careers Evening
As per the School Calendar we will be hosting our annual Career Evening on Wednesday 18 January 2023. S1-S3 6-7pm and S4-S6 7-8pm. The event will be held in the Assembly Hall/Social Area and at the moment we have 46 organisations being represented across a wide variety of sectors. You may be interested to look at the local labour market intelligence in advance of the evening. It's a very informal evening where you can have a wander round each of the stalls and have a conversation with the universities, colleges, businesses, organisations and training provider representatives including a few apprentices and recent graduates. They will explain more about their business and the employment pathways, skills and character traits required for the jobs and sectors that might be of interest to you. A number will also be bringing some handouts for you to take away and mull over and reflect upon together as a family. After a long day at work you will also be pleased to hear that tea/ coffee will be available and thanks to the PTA for supplying this - a donation is always welcome!
In due course more information about the specific representatives will be made available to you and pupils will be talking about it during PSE - for S2 to S5 this will be part of the Course Choice process (By Calum Blair, CL Numeracy and Computing).
Diligence Awards
We hope to issue our diligence awards to pupils during the week of 12 December.
Christmas kindness
During this month we are asking registration classes to bring in items of non-perishable food, toiletries or a donation which will be collected and distributed to the local food banks including the Lammermuir Larder in Haddington. With the ongoing cost of living crisis this is an important way of coming together and helping our local community. We appreciate all your generosity at this time of year
Festive Fayre
Next Saturday, 10 December our "Festive Fayre" will take place in the school from 10 am - 12 noon. S1 Business and Administration classes, as well as other groups including S6 Young Enterprise, will be presenting stalls offering a variety of festive products and gift ideas as well as some fun activities. There are no tickets for this event and parents/carers and pupils are invited to come along on the day to browse items and hopefully make some purchases too.
Parents’ Information
Parent Council
Thank you to all parents/carers who attended last night’s Parent Council meeting. Some rich discussions took place and we completed a response to the National Discussion on behalf of parents/carers at Knox Academy. It would be really brilliant if parents/carers can also complete the parents/carers survey on their views on National Qualifications for the future (this will impact young people for many years to come so it is really important to have your views heard). Thank you.
Support
Please do not hesitate to contact our Pupil Support Team by emailing your young person’s House Team garleton@knox.elcschool.org.uk, lammerlaw@knox.elcschool.org.uk, traprain@knox.elcschool.org.uk if you would like to discuss any support we can offer you.
Pupils’ Achievements
Rugby
After winning our match against Morrison’s Academy, last Saturday in the Under-16s’ Schools Bowl, we have progressed to the final against Berwick. The final will take place next Wednesday, 7 December, at 11.15am at Murrayfield. This is very exciting and I know we all will be wishing them all the very best in the final. If you are able to go along to support I am sure they would welcome it. Please book your free tickets here.
School Christmas Card
After a very highly contested competition, Matthew Cecil (S1) has won this and will be our Christmas Card that we send our from our school to all at the school and all of our links/community partners. Well done Matthew – the design is just purrfect! (it’s a cat lying by a cosy fire)!
Dates for your diary:
Friday 25 November – Monday 12 December - S4/5/6 Prelims
Tuesday 6 December - Dasher's Dance BGE (S1-S3): 7pm-9.30pm
Wednesday 14 December - Christmas Concert
Thursday 15 December - Blitzen's Ball Senior Phase (S4-S6): 7pm-9.30pm
Tuesday 10 January – S4 Parents’ Evening (online) 4.30-6.30pm
Monday 16 January – Course Choice Information Evening S2-S5 (online) – 6.30-7.30pm
Wednesday 18 January – Careers Fayre – at Knox Academy – all year groups – 6-8pm
Thursday 9 February – Diversity Evening – 5-9pm – at Knox Academy (tickets £5/£3)
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
