Staffing
On 17 May we look forward to welcoming Katy Gourley back to our Maths department following her maternity leave
Parents’ and Pupils’ Information
Activities Week (S1-S3)
This is the first one we have had since the pandemic and we are building towards establishing an annual programme of events for S1-3.
Eighty of our S3 are participating in a three-day residential with PGL in Ford. The other half of S3 will have activities in and around the school.
S1 and 2 will be undertaking a series of trips locally e.g. Yellowcraigs beach and the Seabird Centre as well as slightly further afield e.g. Blair Drummond Safari Park.
We hope that the week provides an opportunity for the pupils to re-connect with each other, learn new skills and have fun.
Thanks to all the staff who have made it possible in terms of the planning and preparation.
SQA Exam Leave
Pupils in S4 who are part of the Meaningful May programme, which takes place next week (Tuesday – Friday) have been contacted directly by their House Team with details of that week. Staff will also be in touch with all individuals in S4/5/6 who still require to complete any aspect of their coursework and will invite them in during the exam leave to do this.
West OS
West OS is offering a variety of live lessons during the exam leave 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).
Blazer Fittings for new S5/6 and School Uniform
This will take place, in the assembly hall, from 9.30-12.15 on Friday 9 June. If you are ordering these from Borders Embroidery, this must be done by 9 July to ensure that the blazer arrives in time for the August start. We also have a good number of recycled blazers should any seniors wish these – please just ask them to speak to their Pupil Support Leader.
School uniform
The school uniform remains the same for next session and can be purchased from any retailers. S1 is given a school tie as a welcome gift and this will be issued on the first day of the new session. If your young person has lost their tie these can be purchased from the school office prior to the end of this term. We believe that wearing a school uniform promotes a sense of community and also equity. In a time where the cost of living is very high, it stops parents/carers feeling that they have to buy the latest fashions for their young people to wear to school and is clothing that is functional (even though perhaps not fashionable to pupils). It also makes their decision of what to wear every morning an easy one. We also have a fabulous uniform bank of new and preloved clothing should any pupils or parents/carers need any assistance with uniform – just ask their Pupil Support Leader to access any of this. Our aim is to make school as affordable as possible for our families.
Parents’ Information
School Improvement Planning for Session 2023-24
Thank you to all parents/carers who took time out to respond to this survey. I sent home, via email, the overview of the main points from these surveys (parents/carers, staff and pupils) and we will be using these to support our School Improvement Planning for next session. We will share our School Improvement Plan with you just prior to the summer break.
Clothing Grants and Free School Meals
The thresholds have changed as of April for Free School Meals and School Clothing Grants. Paper application forms are available from our school office for those parents/carers who are unable to complete online ones and the school office can then assist in emailing these for you freeschoolmeals@eastlothian.gov.uk
Venturing Out
Venturing Out is offering a variety of activities for young people during the summer school holidays and these are available for booking now.
Pupils’ Achievements
Music
Congratulations to Bella Gold (S3) and Brodie Wallace (S3) who were part of a small string ensemble (9 young people in total from different East Lothian high schools) representing East Lothian in the young musician of the year competition recently. They won the regional finals and also the Scottish Final. They will perform at the Royal Conservatoire in Glasgow on the 21st May. Ben Gentil (S6) will also be competing on this day, having won the solo ELC Young Musician of the Year. We wish them all well and look forward to hearing how Ben gets on in the final.
William Gold (S1) recently came second in his age group for solo piping in the Royal pipe band association competition in Dumfries. A huge congratulations to him.
What talented musicians we have here at Knox Academy, and many more about to take to the stage at Haddstock.
Sea Cadets
Joshua and Connor Docherty in S3 both attend the Sea Cadets Dunbar twice a week. Sea Cadet Units (approx. 400 in the UK) conduct an annual Drill and Piping Competition in which approximately 15,000 young people are invited to join in, and are judged at District, Area and then National levels.
On the 24th March Connor achieved 3rd Place (Bronze) as part of a team performing “Unarmed Drill” at HMS Caledonia, Rosyth. Northern Area Drill and Piping Competition (Covering all of Scotland, Northern Ireland, North of England).
On the same day Joshua (3L2) achieved 1st Place (Gold) as part of a team performing “Piping” at HMS Caledonia, Rosyth. Northern Area Drill and Piping Competition (Covering all of Scotland, Northern Ireland, North of England).
In addition on 22nd April Joshua was placed 5th as part of a team performing “Piping” at HMS Raleigh, Plymouth. National Sea Cadets Drill and Piping Competition (Whole of UK).
Both Joshua and Connor have also recently achieved their RYA Level 4 and RYA Seamanship qualifications in Dinghy Sailing which has been a multi-year commitment involving many days of training a Port Edgar Boating Station at South Queensferry as part of their ongoing Sea Cadet Studies.
Both boys have spent multiple weekends and many evenings practising their routines to take part in the competition. Knox Academy is very proud of their achievements.
Success Stories
If you have any success stories about your young person please send these in to our admin@knox.elc.school.org so we can share these with everyone in our school and community. Thank you.
I hope you all have a lovely weekend and I know some of you will enjoy watching the Coronation and participating in events related to it - a historic event for us all.
Dates for your diary:
Monday 8 May – Holiday for King’s Coronation weekend
Tuesday 9 – Friday 12 May – Meaningful May (selected group)
Monday 15 – Friday 19 May – S1-S3 Activities Week
Monday 22 – Pupils’ holiday and staff in-service day
Monday 5 June – New Timetable starts for all year groups
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.
