I hope you are all safe and well and that most of you were able to take advantage of our beautiful weather last weekend to catch up with one other household, in a garden or open space, to enjoy some time together after so long.
Re-opening of Schools
At this moment in time I have no further update for parents/carers and young people about what the model will look like for our return to Knox Academy in August. I am working proactively alongside other Head Teachers and East Lothian Council to find the best outcome for all our pupils and to maximise their time in school, with some of their learning continuing to be through online Google Classrooms (blended learning – again, if anyone needs a Chromebook to access remote learning please contact us on admin@knox.elcschool.org.uk ). As I am sure you will understand, this is a very complex task and the health, wellbeing and safety of all our pupils and staff will be first and foremost in all our decision making. Thank you for your support and patience as we work on this, and as soon as I am able to provide you with more information I will be in touch. The Education Service at East Lothian Council will also be surveying parents/carers in the coming weeks to gather your views about the re-opening of schools. Mr Illingworth, Depute Head Teacher at Knox, has also prepared a questionnaire for our young people and this will be sent out, via EduBuzz emails over the next day or two, so we can use this information to help us in our planning and support of all of our young people on their return. Please can I ask parents/carers to encourage your young person to complete this? Thank you. The latest information from East Lothian Council on what is happening in June and preparation for August can be read here.
Staffing
Congratulations to Jason Moncrieff who will leave Knox Academy’s Physics department to join Dalkeith High School as one of their Physicists. We wish him all the best and thank him for all he has done for the school in his time here.
Thank you also goes to Andy Johnstone, who covered for staff leave last session in Physics, also moves on from us at the end of this. We wish him all the best for the future.
Julia Harrison, English is also moving on from Knox Academy. We would like to wish her well for her future and thank her for all the work she did with the young people and Communications team in her time here.
I would also like to welcome Wendy Doig who returns to her full time as Pupil Support Leader for Traprain House. Also a warm welcome to Laura Loughrey, Music, who returned to Knox Academy this week following maternity leave.
SQA News
With no exams this year SQA has been working on an alternative certification model to ensure that the work of all young people who were due to sit these are not disadvantaged. The latest update in regard to this was released on Wednesday 3 June. Results will be out on Tuesday 4 August and pupils should have registered with MySQA for results by text or email rather than waiting for the Royal Mail. An appeals service will also be available this year and any young person wishing to appeal post results should contact Mr Peter Luke, our Business Manager and SQA Coordinator on the following email pluke@knox.elcschool.org.uk so he can discuss this with the relevant subject department.
Virtual Sports Day 2020
This week has seen a shift in online learning with the introduction of a virtual sports day. Thanks to all who have entered their challenge results online already. Friday is the final day for entering data to be in with a chance of winning points for houses. Winning house and individual prize winners will be announced next week. At the point of writing, the PE dept have had over 400 responses to the challenges set which is fantastic! S1 (new S2 pupils) have been particularly active with around 50% of results being down to their efforts. Some amazing evidence has also been submitted by teachers across the school which we will put together in a montage with some pupil evidence for you to see soon. Mrs Doig has shown great form for Traprain, Ms Adam for Garleton and Mr Russell for Lammerlaw! With equally excellent input from Mrs Stewart, Mrs Cochrane, Mr Mackay, Mr Redford, Mrs Wright, Ms Bulloch & Mrs Montgomery to name but a few. The Communications Faculty have done themselves proud with many entries from them and a particular mention goes out to the 'Garleton Goddesses' aka Miss Cahoon and Mrs Reynolds for their TikTok efforts. GO Garleton/Lammerlaw/Traprain! (by Jenny Leighton, Curriculum Leader Health and Wellbeing)
S6 Leavers’ Prom
As many of you will already be aware, we have had to postpone our annual S6 Leavers Dance due to the current pandemic. However, Miss McBride and The Leavers Committee have been working hard to find an alternative option to help the S6 still celebrate this important transition in their lives. The following is what they have agreed: New Date: Friday 18 December 2020, at Eskmills, Musselburgh. The new cost: £50.00 per head. As a result of working closely with the venue to provide music and the removal of the need for transport we have been able to reduce the price by £15.00 per head. The office will be processing refunds in the comings days/weeks. There are still a number of pupils with outstanding balances on their accounts. The Leavers Committee are contacting those this applies to individually so if these could be paid prior to the Summer Break that would be much appreciated. If the balance remains unpaid we will assume this is because you not wish to attend. (by Hannah McBride)
Have a good weekend everyone and please ensure you have some time to relax too, in what has been a very challenging and anxious time for all. If we can do anything to support you, please do email us and we will forward this email to a member of staff best able to support you. Stay safe and well.
Sue Cook
