Dear Parent/Carer

I hope this message finds you well, and that you had a good holiday weekend.

First off, well done to our girls’ football team who became Fife champions after beating St Andrew’s High School in the final last Friday. It was an exciting match with lots of goals. We have an excellent team, which is very well coached by Miss Malcolm.

It’s been a short week for pupils with that May Day holiday on Monday and closure for the elections yesterday – although the staff were all in working on plans for next sessions and developing new courses. We also had well over 200 young people in for the SQA English exams – National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher. These went well.

That’s been the big story this week – the exams are now well underway, and it’s been good to see so many young people in school for the subject specific “masterclass” revision sessions we are offering the day before an exam. I would remind you that school uniform is required at all times. Our uniform expectations for all pupils are: a white shirt, school tie, plain black trousers or skirt and black shoes. Leggings are not permitted in school and we strongly encourage the wearing of a blazer. A good deal on the KHS blazer is available from Academy Uniforms via their website.  Click on the specific KHS page and you will see that it only £29.50 for an eco-blazer with badge. We will supply further details of uniform ordering in the next fortnight. No hoodies or brightly coloured jumpers are allowed in class. Thanks for your support.

Today we’ve been taking part in an important “STEM” (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Competition at Fife College. It is called Go4Set and our team of S2 pupils have been designing an eco friendly school, supported by Miss Tennant.

Next week we have 2 full days of primary engagement events with over 200 pupils from Capshard, Fair Isle, Valley and Torbain taking part in our “Step Up” Enterprise Activity in association with “Entrepreneurme” – this takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday. We also have a Parent Council meeting on Tuesday evening from 6.30pm. All parents and carers are invited to attend. The agenda will include information about our latest “STEM” initiatives. On Thursday, Kyle Pitcaithly and Umar Mohammed take part in the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Public Speaking finals at Edinburgh Sheriff Court and on Friday we have another Primary Day at KHS – this time the focus is sport.

Looking forward, it’ll be our “Activities Day” on Friday 20 May. This is the culmination of our “Health” week and all pupils in S1-3 get the chance to enjoy a day out being active. Year specific trip booklets have been distributed by Mr Young today during tutor. You will see that each trip is rated as Gold, Silver or a Bronze activity, and qualification is based on records of positive behaviour, attendance and punctuality. We try hard to keep down costs, and some activities are free. However, we appreciate that some families facing financial hardship may find payment is an issue. If this is the case, and your son/daughter is currently taking free school meals, please feel free to contact guidance and we may be able to offer assistance.

We are currently busy organising the restructure of Guidance. I mentioned Mrs Ritchie’s retirement at the summer break and our decision to reallocate Beveridge House pupils to other Houses from the timetable change in June. In the next couple of weeks, those pupils affected will receive a letter explaining the new arrangements. Thanks for your understanding.

Next week’s menu is; Monday: Spaghetti Bolognese with garlic bread. Tuesday: Roast beef with Yorkshire pudding and mash. Wednesday: Macaroni cheese with chips or garlic bread. Thursday: Steak pie and potatoes. Friday: Fish and chips.

In closing, a wee exams update. Today is Geography, it’s Biology next Monday, Graphic Communication on Tuesday, Engineering Science on Wednesday, Maths on Thursday and on Friday it is Latin and Music. Best wishes to all our candidates.

Yours

Derek Allan

RECTOR

6 May 2016