Staffing
Susanne Fox will start her new post (PT Inclusion), at Newbattle High School, on 21 November 2026.
We are currently advertising/about to advertise for:
The following posts close a week on Sunday:
PT Inclusion – full time/permanent
A full-time permanent teacher at Meadowpark
Temporary Curriculum Leader of Communications
Assemblies
There were no assemblies this week but next week’s assemblies will be with S4-S6 on Prelim Preparation and House Group assemblies on anti-bullying.
Parents’ Evening S4/5/6
It was great to see so many parents/carers and senior pupils along at the first of two senior school parents’ evenings. Those I spoke with had found the feedback from teachers really useful at this stage and just before prelims. The second of our S4/5/6 Parents’ Evening is this Tuesday, 11 November. We hope to see as many parents/carers there as possible and if you were unable to make Thursday’s one.
If you are unable to make either evening for any reason, please do contact the House Team so we can get some feedback for you on your young person’s performance.
Learning Support Update
We will be pausing our input with the S1 and 2 literacy groups during the senior phase prelims in order to target support to our S4-6 young people.
We will finish up on the 14 November with all groups and start back again on the 8 December. Our intention is that the week beginning the 8 December will be an assessment week to measure whether these interventions are beginning to have an impact.
We hope to inform all parents and carers of their progress in the New Year.
Achievement Ties –
Achievement Ties nominations close on Friday 21 November 2025.
Essentials Hub
The Essentials Hub will be open during all Parents’ Evenings.
We have uniform (shirts, trousers, blazers and more!), classroom equipment, hygiene products and a selection of textbooks and SQA materials!
We also have a variety of dresses and kilts, for pupils to borrow for attending school functions!
Please come in if you have a free moment between appointments!
As always, you can contact the PT Equity, Mr Elder-Smith (eeldersmith@edubuzz.org), to arrange a time to view the hub or to organise pick up from the school office.
Please get in touch if you have any questions and please do not hesitate to ask for anything.
We will do our best to get you what you need!
Rights Respecting Schools
This week’s right is Article 12:
Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) establishes a child's right to express their views freely in all matters affecting them and to have those views considered.
Safety
Meadowpark (road)
I have received numerous complaints from Meadowpark residents about dangerous driving in this street. They report driving on the pavement (there is a nursery there); parking on the double yellow lines or double parking and also drive down the road at speed. They have also reported damage to their vehicles. If you do use this road to drop off young people or pick them up, please be mindful of these concerns and follow correct procedures as a road user. We want to keep everyone safe and happy in our community. Thank you.
Trips/visits/events
Careers Hive National Museum of Scotland STEM trip
On Thursday the 30 October a group of 20 S3 pupils visited the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh to take part in the ‘Careers Hive Roadshow’ event.
The session consisted of four themed zones containing hands-on activities for pupils to explore, each covering different areas of STEM careers and hosted by volunteer STEM professionals. Central to these zones is the Think Tank, a dedicated space for pupils to informally chat one-on-one with STEM professionals and ask the questions that matter to them most.
Accompanied by Miss Campbell, pupils then had the opportunity to get hands-on with a range of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) activities and attend an interactive panel discussion with early career STEM professionals from a range of industries who talk about their career journey, from the traditional to the unconventional, and answer pupils’ questions.
As S3 reach the point in their education where they may consider their future career path, Careers Hive works to showcase that STEM skills are transferable and further studying STEM subjects will help their future careers in a wide range of sectors.
An incredibly successful and worthwhile experience for our young people!
‘‘I really enjoyed this trip. I loved that we got to choose from all the activities. We had time to venture around the museum and it really helped clear some fog out of the way of my career choices. I now realise I don’t have to have a straight path to the job I’m going to end up doing.’’ (Charlotte Webster)
‘’I found the school trip really fun and it was great to go out somewhere to learn. I talked to different people about their jobs and how they got there.’’ (Ivy Phoenix-Hill)
‘’As someone who is more creative, I now know that there are several STEM jobs where I could use my skills.’’ (Delilah Brady)
‘’I found the trip interesting and fun! It was super cool to learn about all the different STEM jobs. I feel more confident talking about career paths after the trip.’’ (Luka Togher)
Veterans’ Coffee Morning
It was lovely to welcome our local war veterans, on Thursday, for tea and cake. Our seniors enjoyed speaking to those who came along and hearing their stories about serving in WW1 and WW2 and asking them about their medals. Our Head Pupils and Mr Flood are also laying a wreath at the war memorial this Sunday, at St Mary’s Church, on behalf of our school.
Pupils’ Successes
Athletics
Congratulations to David Hunter who won the U18s men’s 60m last weekend at the Scottish Athletics Indoor League at the Emirates stadium. As well as winning he did so in a new personal best time of
7.39 seconds! That is fast!
Knight Fever Dance Competition Group
A huge well done to a group of talented Knox Academy students who are part of the Knight Fever Dance competition team. These dedicated dancers (Poppy Jones, Lucy Hamilton (both S3); Olivia Davidson, Holly Bain, Erin Marshall. Amy Christie (all S2); Macie Thompson, Lacey Archibald, Isla Redpath, Rosie Chapman (all S1) and Jessie Smillie and Niamh Paterson (both S4)) train for over 8 hours a week and many also volunteer their time to support younger students in classes. Their commitment, energy, and teamwork are truly inspiring.
Last weekend, the team competed at Meadowbank, bringing home multiple trophies, and they’re back on the competition floor again this Sunday in Wishaw. On top of that, several of the girls are also preparing for ballet exams — all while keeping up with their schoolwork!
We are incredibly proud of their achievements and the way they represent Knox Academy with such passion and perseverance. Keep dancing, girls — you’re amazing!
Ice-hockey
Congratulations also goes to Harry Hudson (S3) who is one of only five Scottish boys to be selected for the Elite British Selects to take part in the CCM world invites tournament in Chicago. We wish him all these best!
If you would like to tell us about your young people’s achievements please send an email to admin@knox.elcschool.org.uk and put Achievements in the subject header. It’s always great to hear from you and to spread the word widely about our talented pupils.
Dates for you diary:
11 November – S4/5/6 Parents’ Evening – 4.30-6.30pm
20 November – Parent Council – all welcome – 6.30-8pm (School Library)
3 December – S2 Parents’ Evening – 4.30-6.30pm
8 December – S1-S3 Winter Ball – 7-9pm
10 December – Christmas lunch (food court)
11 December – Christmas Concert – 7pm – Assembly Hall
11 December - S1-S6 Flu Vaccinations (library)
16 December – S4-S6 Winter Ball – 7-9pm
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
