Staffing

Andrea Campbell (Maths) has been appointed as Acting Curriculum Leader of Numeracy and Computing starting on 17 April. We also wish Calum Blair, our CL of this post, all the very best for his acting DHT post at Musselburgh.

Congratulations to Michael Lynch, Maths probationer, who has been offered a permanent teaching post at Holyrood High School starting in August.

We will be advertising for a full time permanent CDT teacher in the next few weeks to start with us in August.

Parents’ and Pupils’ Information

Football Tournament in Aid of Teenage Cancer

A huge thank you to Ms Reynolds and her register class who organised last Friday’s football tournament at the 3G pitch. S1 were the winner’s after beating the S2 team 2-1. The best result of the day however was the raising of £516 towards the charity. It was brilliant fun and thanks to all who played, supported, baked and gave generously.

Leavers’ Information

A reminder that all pupils in S4/5/6 who are leaving must complete a leavers’ form, which they can get from the office, prior to the Easter break.  Pupils should also use any remaining balances on their Young Scot Card before they finish their final exam.

Our S6 Leavers’ Ceremony, which will be for pupils only as activities will be part of this, will take place on Friday 31 March. The official leaving date will be Wednesday 31 May 2022 for all pupils in S6 and any pupils who wish to leave school in S5 and S4 (and who are 16 prior to 30 September).   

All S4/5/6 will be expected in school for one week after Easter to help support them for their exams.

West OS

As exam time approaches we would encourage all those sitting SQA exams to attend supported study, have a study timetable they stick by and to engage in some Easter revision sessions. West OS will be offering a variety of live lessons in the run up to the exams and pupils can sign up for these here. These live lessons are a way of boosting skills and confidence across a wide variety of subjects (GLOW user name and password will be needed so ask any of your teachers if you don’t have these). This study tips video gives some great advice about study approaches.

Swish Event (Eco-school)

The swish went down really well and it was great to see so many Knox pupils come along and find items they were excited about! There really was a great buzz in the library! A lot of clothes were taken and hopefully they'll find a new lease of life. Thanks to Ms Laudi and the Eco committee for organising such an innovative event. LIL will now recycle any clothes not taken for their SWISH event.

Spring Concert – Thursday 30 March 2023

This is an entirely pupil led concert so please come along and support them. It is going to be a fabulous evening of music and dance. The concert will start at 7pm (doors open at 6.30pm). This is a ticketed event which is open to everyone! Tickets cost £5 adult, £3 concession and are available from Mr Tait in Technology at lunchtime (and available from the office for the wider community). There will be light refreshments available during interval - teas, coffees, home baking. All funds raised will be split between Our Community Kitchen (as our chosen charity) and a Spring Concert Fund to support future pupil led concerts.

The line-up for the evening Includes an exciting range of performances from the Knox Jazz band, Pipe Band, Orchestra, String group, Goats' Toes folk group and bands, duets + solos!

We look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible for another night to remember.

Parents’ Information

School Improvement Planning for Session 2023-24

Parents/carers should have received an email from me last week asking for your support in helping us identify the aspects we are doing well at Knox Academy and asking for the areas you think we can do better in/ need to focus on next session. We are collecting email addresses as part of this process so we can contact you afterwards if you raise anything we feel needs following up in terms of supporting your young person. Once the overview of responses is done, all email details are deleted, along with the Google Form.

If you could complete this survey by Monday 27 March we would be very grateful. Your views are very much valued.

Raising Teens with Confidence

Connected communities Haddington and Lammermuir are delighted to be offering a six week course on Raising Teens with Confidence. This will take place at the Bridge Centre, starting on 6 May at 6.30pm. If you would like to apply for a place (these are free) please reserve a spot on-line.

Cost of Living Crisis

ELC has prepared a Helping with the cost of living of living e-leaflet, detailing information about financial support available to help ease the cost of living pressures faced by so many. 

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 we can offer.

• Garleton - garleton@knox.elcschool.org.uk(link sends e-mail)
• Lammerlaw - lammerlaw@knox.elcschool.org.uk(link sends e-mail)
• Traprain - traprain@knox.elcschool.org.uk(link sends e-mail)

Pupils’ Achievements

Congratulations to Maya Low (S5) who was not only selected to make her debut for the GB ice hockey team at the Global Girls 2023 game last month but also scored two goals! Having already represented the Scotland team this is a great accomplishment and testament to her hard work and dedication to the sport. Well done!

Very well done to our Career Ready pupils who graduated from this programme yesterday. This programme helps to prepare young people for a positive destination post school and to help them prosper in the world of work. Thank you to Charles River, Young Scot and EDF for supporting their internships and mentoring them.

Another huge congratulations to the Beach Beads, who won the Young Enterprise Lothian Social Impact prize at last night’s awards ceremony. Their company made and sold bracelets with the mission of being sustainable. Another great Eco project at our school.

Dates for your diary:

Thursday 30 March – Spring Concert (7-9pm)

Friday 31 March – Term Ends at 12.15pm

Monday 17 April – Term Starts for pupils and staff 8.26am

Monday 24 April – Exam leave starts for S4, S5 and S6

 

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(link is external) @knoxacademyHT(link is external) for the latest information and updates.