DearParents/Carers, Welcometothis,thefirstKnoxNewsofsession2011‐2012.Iamsurethatthesessionwillbehectic,enjoyableandsuccessful. Iknowyouwillsupporttheschoolinencouragingyouryoungstertoachievetheirpotential,notonlyinexaminations butalsoacrossarangeofactivitiesandareasandIamsurewealllookforwardtohearingabouttheirachievementsduringtheyear.Sofar,wehavehadaverybusyterminvolvingawidevarietyofeventsincludingtheS1InductionMorning,sportinganddramaevents,S1SettlinginEvening,Staff/S6Weekendandmore.Detailsoftheseeventscanbefoundontheschool’swebsite.AsummaryoftheSQAresultsiscontainedinthisnewsletter. Congratulations tostaff andpupilsalikeonanimpressivesetofresultsthatreflectthehardworkoflastsession. Itisagreatpleasuretoseetheseniorsachievetheresultsnecessarytomoveontothenextstageoftheirlivesandcareers.SincethelastKnoxNewsinJunetherehavebeensomestaffingchanges.InAugustwewelcomedthefollowingstaff toKnox:MsKMacready(ArtandDesign),MrSFerriman(Geography), MsSMoffat(History), MsCCrightonandMrAMacKinnon(PE),MsSBaird(RMPS),MrSDisbury(English),MrARedford(ModernStudies)andMrJTennant(Computing).Also,wewelcomebackMrsKFairbairn(English),MsKJohnston(ArtandDesign)andMsGGood(Biology).MsCSlowtherhasbeenappointed ActingPrincipal Teacher(Curriculum):Science.WebreakfortheOctoberholidayonFriday14Octoberat12.05pm,pupilsresumeonTuesday25Octoberat8.44am.Verybestwishes. JBCraigHeadTeacherFROM T HE HEAD TEACHER T he Newsletter o f Knox Academy KNOX NEWS October 2011
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Welcome to this, the first Knox News of session 2011‐2012. I am sure that the session will be hectic, enjoyable and successful. I know you will support the school in encouraging your youngster to achieve their potential, not only in examinations but also across a range of activities and areas and I am sure we all look forward to hearing about their achievements during the year.
So far, we have had a very busy term involving a wide variety of events including the S1 Induction Morning, sporting and drama events, S1 Settling in Evening, Staff/S6 Weekend and more. Details of these events can be found on the school’s website.
A summary of the SQA results is contained in this newsletter. Congratulations to staff and pupils
alike on an impressive set of results that reflect the hard work of last session. It is a great pleasure to see the seniors achieve the results necessary to move on to the next stage of their lives and careers.
Since the last Knox News in June there have been some staffing changes. In August we welcomed the following staff to Knox: Ms K Macready (Art and Design), Mr S Ferriman (Geography), Ms S Moffat (History), Ms C Crighton and Mr A MacKinnon (PE), Ms S Baird (RMPS), Mr S Disbury (English), Mr A Redford (Modern Studies) and Mr J Tennant (Computing). Also, we welcome back Mrs K Fairbairn (English), Ms K Johnston (Art and Design) and Ms G Good (Biology). Ms C Slowther
has
been
appointed
Acting
Principal
Teacher
(Curriculum):
Science.
We break for the October holiday on Friday 14 October at 12.05pm, pupils resume on Tuesday 25 October at 8.44 am.
The new Fourth Year pupils are already gearing up for a week of “real” work out in the
community. Initial letters have been given out (if you haven’t seen it, it’s on the school website) giving information about placements and dates. The week we’re all planning towards is:
November 21st – 25th
In the past some pupils have gained full time employment from showing how committed and hardworking they are during this one week placement, whilst others have learnt the very important lesson about which career they DON’T want to pursue!
There is a lot to do before pupils are allowed out on work experience and we appreciate your support.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Miss Easson at school. Thank you.
J Easson PT Guidance
On Tuesday 23rd of August, a group of 2nd year pupils went to the Edinburgh International Book
Festival. The pupils were attending the event “Best and Worst of Times” with Elizabeth Laird and Jason Wallace. The studio theatre was filled with pupils from schools across Scotland and Knox pupils were fantastic ambassadors for the school. As pupils settled down for the session the authors walked in to face their appreciative audience.
Both authors have lived in other countries and they use their experiences to influence their writing. Elizabeth has taught English in many countries, and still returns to places where she has lived and worked for the inspiration for her many novels. She spoke to pupils about her passion for writing and how the smallest of things can be turned into a story. Pupils gasped as she spoke about being involved in situations many of them had heard about on the news, from the bombings in Lebanon to street children in Ethiopia. Elizabeth has seen many of the conflicts
around the world.
Jason who has just had his first novel published “Out of Shadows” spoke about how growing up and being schooled in Zimbabwe shaped the novel and how the experiences he had in Zimbabwe have had an impact on his life. He pointed out that though the school in the novel was nothing like the school he attended, he did see and hear many of the attitudes of the pupils voiced in the novel being expressed as he was growing up.
The authors then took questions from pupils attending the event and Ruairidh Bruce managed to get the authors thinking about what was their favourite novel. Pupils have all said the event was worthwhile and have given good ideas on how future events could be developed.
S1/2 and pupils attending Learning Support have begun to use the Accelerated Reader software from Renaissance Place.
Accelerated Reader allows school staff to encourage pupils to develop their reading. Staff are able to monitor pupils’ comprehension and vocabulary through the book quizzes and comprehension tests on the software.
Parents/Carers can keep track on their child’s progress through Home Connect. Letters on how to access Home Connect will be issued to pupils after the October break and further information will be available on the library webpage at www.ka‐net.org.uk.
One area of Accelerated Reader that is very interactive is “AR Bookfind”. Bookfind allows you to organise personal reading lists which you can then request from East Lothian Catalogue or take to the school library to borrow the books on your list. Pupils will need the “Reading Zone” that has
been found to fit their comprehension result in the initial test to organise their reading list. This will have been given to pupils before the October break.
AR Bookfind also lets you select the age appropriate texts for the child accessing the software in Interest Level. Pupils may also find it useful to select Additional Criteria and browse books with quizzes on areas that interest them; there are many subjects to choose from including Animals, Mythology and Biographies.
Any questions relating to Accelerated Reader can be directed to any member of English Department staff or the School Librarian.
B. Plain
Librarian
It is vitally important that parents and carers keep us up to date with information about pupil absence. If we do not receive verbal notification of absence, pupils will automatically be recorded as "Truancy". If we do not receive a follow‐up note/email following telephone notification, pupils will be marked as "To Be Confirmed" which is eventually counted as truancy in our system.
Please remember to give the school a call or drop us an email as soon as you know that your youngster is going to be absent ‐ this is especially important given the number of off‐site activities that have been arranged over the next few weeks.
On 3rd and 4th October 2011 all S2 pupils took part in the Design Technology Department Land
Yacht Challenge. The groups worked over 3 periods in groups of 4 to design and manufacture a wind powered vehicle. The teams had limited materials to create a strong, stable structure to
catch as much wind as possible to propel the vehicle along in a straight line. The aim of the
project was to see which group could make a yacht that could travel the furthest.
All teams successfully completed their colourful, inventive land yachts and raced against each
other. Certificates were awarded in the following categories: most original design, most
effective team, most effective individual and the winning team, which produced the vehicle that
travelled the furthest.
The four winning teams for the furthest distance were:
Monday am: Lucy Couperwhite, Rowan Craig, Conall Boardman, Leon Doig
Monday pm: Angela Lynch, George Davies, Robbie Finlayson, Victoria Blake
Tuesday am: Harry Dawson, Briege Dick, Gregor Syme, Max Tinch
Tuesday pm: Peter Macaldowie, Amy Mead, Sarah Nugent, Rebecca Smith
Many thanks must be given to the judges of the four separate events: Mr S Harrison from
Had‐Fab, Mike Lemmon from Mike’s bikes, Jan Wilson and Emily Armatage from the Community
Would you like to receive notice that you are just about to go overdue on your library loans or an e‐mail notice that you have reservations waiting for you? Then Library Elf could be what you need.
From a safe, external website that monitors only your loan and reservations, Library Elf sends you
an e‐mail in time for you to renew or return items before you go overdue. You set your own
preferences for the reminders within the site and can request that Library Elf sends you a notice
when your reservations are available.
For more information on Library Elf please follow the East Lothian Libraries link on the school library
webpage.
B Plain
Librarian
EXAM RESULTS
L IBRARY ELF
Page 5
Results by end
of…
% of relevant
Sept S4 roll
achieving
Knox Academy
08/09 09/10 10/11
East Lothian
08/09 09/10 10/11
Scotland
08/09 09/10 10/11
S4 English & Maths
@Level 3 or
better 98 100 95 96 94 96 93 93 93
5+ @Level 3 or
better
96 97 93 95 96 95 92 92 93
5+ @ Level 4 or
better
84 84 84 84 83 82 78 78 78
5+ @ Level 5 or better
46 52 45 38 39 37 35 36 35
1+ @ Level 6 or
better
46 50 62 45 46 47 41 43 44
3+ @ Level 6 or
better
28 36 39 27 26 27 23 25 26
5+ @ Level 6 or
better
14 22 19 12 12 12 11 11 12
S6 1+ @ Level 7 or
better
25 20 24 16 19 16 14 15 15
S5
Please note that all 10/11 fi gures are pre‐appeal.
Level 3= Access 3 and Standard Grade 5‐6
Level 4 = Intermediate 1 A‐C and Standard Grade 3‐4
Level 5 = Intermediate 2 A‐C and Standard Grade 1‐2
Level 6 = Higher A‐C
Level 7 = Advanced Higher A‐C
Congratulations to all pupils on a very good set of results.
The Biology Department has set up a thriving Eco‐Club in Knox Academy. Every Tuesday
lunchtime a group of very enthusiastic S1 pupils have been meeting to get involved in environmental activities. This term we have: made earrings and bangles using old beads from
necklaces that would have been discarded; planted seedlings and taken cuttings of plants; and
most recently we have started a recycling rota. This week we are going to make key rings from
old crisp packets that we will shrink in the oven.
The Eco‐Club is now going to focus on getting involved in Eco‐Life, which will be held on 1st
December. We aim to build on the success of last year’s event with a Christmas
Market, a Donate Station for local Charity Shops and a fashion show with some
very special guests! We hope that you will be able to join us. Full details will be
posted on the school website.
Dr G Wilson
Biology Department
THE ECO CLUB
Page 8
KNOX NEWS
UNIVERS ITY SUCCESS
Congratulations to the following former pupils who have recently graduated from university:
Every year numerous pupils from all over East Lothian take part in the “Special Needs
Playscheme”. Pupils can work at one of three locations: North Berwick, Prestonpans and Sanderson’s Wynd Primary School. They spend time with youngsters who need that little bit
more care and attention and learn a huge amount in the process. I received the following note
from the Head Teacher of Sanderson’s Wynd:
“Their hard work, enthusiasm and patience all contribute to making the playschemes so
successful .The schemes would not happen without these amazing volunteers who support the
staff and pupils in so many ways. Seeing them in action is a privilege ‐ a real credit to your school.”
Our pupils gave up a total of 51 weeks between them during the summer holidays.
They are: Sam Bland, Julia Cockburn, Kathryn Couperwhite, Gaby Foy, Sarah Hall, Alasdair
I am Jennifer Jones, the Careers Adviser for Knox Academy. The organisation I
work for is Skills Development Scotland. I am usually in school all day on a
Wednesday and
a Thursday
morning.
Most
of this
time
is spent
carrying
out
1:1 careers interviews with pupils in S4 – S6. At their interview pupils have the
chance to talk about their career ideas, ask questions and explore their
options. I will be asking them lots of questions too!! At the end of their
interview pupils may get a ‘Plan of Action’ with a list of things they need to
do. A copy of this is given to their guidance teacher. I visit each S4, S5 and S6 class during the first
half of the academic year to do a careers based lesson, explain my role and how pupils can get in
touch. They are also issued with a Careers Newsletter with my contact details and lots of other
useful information about careers and planning their future. On a Wednesday during morning
break I hold a ‘Careers Drop‐In’ where any pupil from S1 – S6 can come along to ask a question. Pupils in S4, S5 and S6 can request a careers interview by completing a interview request
form – these are available in the careers section of the school library and from the school librarian
and guidance staff. Competed cards should be placed in the careers box in the library or they can
be handed to the school librarian or their guidance teacher. When I am not in school I can be
contacted by email or ‘phone. I’d be happy to hear from you so please get in touch if you have any
questions.
Jennifer Jones
Skills Development Scotland
CAREERS
Page 11
TOTS ‘N TEENS
As you might have seen from the website and the local press, Knox Academy is proud to welcome
the Tots ‘n Teens nursery to its family. At present there are 10 Tots who come into the nursery
three times a week. There are 18 Teens who are involved over the session on a rota basis
(otherwise the teens would outnumber the tots!), learning about child development and child
care. It is a very exciting venture and has brought another dimension to the school, as Councillor
Peter McKenzie says: “Having a mix of pupils and staff brings the best of both worlds; enthusiasm,
energy and ideas from the pupils, who are guided by staff , with the maturity, knowledge and
experience of pre‐school childcare.”
Please call 07974 379161 or 01620 827156 for further information.