HEAD TEACHER'S UPDATE 3 NOVEMBER 2023

Senior Pupils’ Prelims

These will take place from Friday 24 November 2023 until Monday 11 December 2023 (inclusive) and an updated timetable was issued to pupils yesterday (Thursday). All pupils should now ensure they have a study timetable to prepare themselves for these and, if they need help with this, they should speak to their Pupil Support Leader. For those who will have Additional Arrangements for their exams, these will be communicated directly to them by the Support for Learning Team.

Supported Study

An updated Supported Study Timetable has been published on the website and covers all faculties.

Skills Development Scotland Work and Training event

SDS is running an event at the Musselburgh East Community Learning Centre in conjunction with East Lothian Works on the 16 November for school winter leavers and unemployed 16-19 year olds in East Lothian.

If you are interested in attending, further details are available from the event information leaflet.

Achievement Ties – Applications opening

Applications will open on Monday 6 November, following an assembly to all year groups, and the deadline for nominations will be Monday 4 December. Over the last four years Knox Academy has recognised achievement in school based extra-curricular and non-school based wider achievements through the awarding of Achievement Ties. Nominations can be completed through the google form found here . Further information can be found in this presentation.

Veterans’ Coffee Morning

Knox Academy will welcome our local Veterans on Tuesday morning for coffee/tea and cakes prepared by our pupils and HE Team. It is always a great morning with stories shared about wartime and some moving poetry read too. This also leads up to our Pupil Leadership Team representing the school at the Remembrance Service at St Mary’s on Sunday 12 November and laying a wreath on behalf of the school and our community. Lest we forget. 

Youth and Philanthropy Initiative

The final of our YPI, which involved teams from S5, will take place this Wednesday, 8 November. After class finals, which took place over the last few weeks, the finalists are: Can Do Scotland; Homestart; Simpson’s Special Care Babies and Love Oliver. The winning team is awarded £3000 for their chosen charity.

Cool Down Crew

Thank you to Haddington Firefighters for running a course for some of our S3 pupils on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. The course invoved learning CPR, how to support at RTAs and how to put out fires using the high powered hoses. Most of the course was focusing on team work and problem solving and the pupils absolutely loved the experience, which also involved watching scenarios using VR googles!  The crew commended the pupils who worked together brilliantly and learned many new skills of the pupils said they had been inspired to think about it as a future career.

Children’s Rights Celebration Event

Ross High School is hosting a special afternoon event on 17 November where children and young people from across East Lothian will show how their work on Children’s Rights is benefiting everyone. It’s a celebration of children’s rights and pupil voice with lots of ideas for families, classrooms, organisations and community groups. It’s also a chance to learn more about the things that matter to East Lothian’s young people.

The organisers would love it if as many children, young people, parents and carers as possible can come along. With lots of other stalls, schools and groups there will be plenty to see, learn and get involved in. Refreshments will be available.

Friday 17 November 1.30pm-3.30pm, Ross High School, Tranent.

 

Success Stories

Jamie Pearman (S3) came 15th in the British Squash Championships (Boys U15). This was a brilliant performance as he was competing against the best in Britain. The event had circa 450 juniors playing over 3 venues. On the Saturday the junior players and parents were invited to watch an exhibition match between Nick Mathews (3 times world champion & 3 Commonwealth games Golds) and Daryl Selby (previously world no 9). They both put on a great performance and afterwards they gave the juniors an opportunity to ask any questions. This was very inspiring for Jamie and great to watch and meet such talented players.

Jamie’s older brother Dylan, who left school in May, also played in the British Junior Championships and performed really well too.  He has already been selected to play for Edinburgh University's first team and next weekend he is going to Manchester to represent the University in the BUCS. Well done to both!

Support

Please can parents/carers make an appointment if they wish to speak to a member of Pupil Support or the Senior Leadership Team.  Recently we have had an increasing number of parents/carers turning up, without an appointment, wishing to be seen and although we want to see you, we have been unable to do so as we have been teaching or in pre-arranged meetings. By making an appointment with us via the office, or email, we can ensure a time and date where we can meet to support you and your young person. When arriving at the school please sign in with out office team and wait in the foyer until the member of staff collects you. This is an important aspects of our safety procedures at the school – which also applies before/after school and break and lunchtimes. Thank you.

Please also 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 for your young person or to arrange an appointment to come in to speak to someone. The House team should be the first port of call for anything you wish to discuss.

 

Dates for your diary:

23 November – S3 Parents’ Evening – 4.30-6.30pm (Knox Academy)

5 December – Parent Council – 6.30-8pm (School library – all welcome)

7 December – S1-S3 Christmas Dance

13 December – S4-S6 Christmas Dance

21 December – Christmas Concert – 7pm

 

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