Dear Parent/Carer
I hope that you are well and maybe starting to feel a bit festive? Or maybe a bit stressed even!
This week we had year group assemblies with a musical input at each. Many thanks to all our contributors. We also focussed on the case of Bailey Gwynne, the Aberdeen schoolboy who was stabbed to death in his school last year. From the feedback at assemblies, it seems clear to me that almost all of our young people would be prepared to “grass” if anyone ever did have a weapon in school. However, there is obviously no room for complacency, it’s a matter of life and death. Maybe you could go over this at home; emphasising that an adult must be informed immediately?
On Monday, our Senior netball team took part in the Fife Championships at Glenrothes and at lunchtime, it was the staff Interhouse Bake-Off Competition. Well done to winners Mr Cromb and Ms Wight, representing Adam Smith House. There was a big crowd to watch the good natured fun. On the Tuesday afternoon we had a group at the St Andrews University Christmas Chemistry Lecture, which was, as ever, a fun-packed learning experience.
Wednesday was our annual Christmas Concert. I must say that as in previous years, it was a special occasion, with very varied musical, dramatic and comical items, and a fair amount of audience participation. For me, Dr Murray’s contributions deserve a special mention. He had the entire audience singing along to Matt McGinn’s “Jeely Piece Song”.
Last night our U13 football team recorded an excellent 6-0 win against Balwearie in the Scottish Shield and will now play Our Lady’s High School of Cumbernauld, at home in Round 5. It was also our Rotary Interact “Hi-5” Games Night when we welcomed young people from St Andrew’s High and from Glenrothes. Many thanks to Kirkcaldy Rotary Club, which does so much to support our young people. In particular, our Interact group are a great credit to the school, doing so much for others, volunteering, fund-raising etc. Maybe you’ve seen the lovely picture in this week’s Fife Free Press? Today, our First Years and some Second Year attended the Adam Smith Theatre for the pantomime, Cinderella. I’m told it was “brilliant” … and that’s a direct quote!
The week ahead is the final week of term and on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday we have Christmas House Assemblies with our school Chaplain, Rev Ken Froude.
On Tuesday, Mrs Aitken will accompany Ashley Davidson (S6) to lunch at the Kirkcaldy Rotary Club, which meets at the Dean Park Hotel. Ashley is a special guest after being selected for the “Euroscola” programme – a fully funded trip to Strasbourg in February to meet young people from across Europe and participate in a special debate in the European Parliament … in French. Very well done to Ashley, and many thanks to Mrs Morris (PT Languages) who helped Ashley undergo a very tough selection process. We also have a couple of trips next week; to the McManus Art Galleries, Dundee and the Continental Christmas Market at Edinburgh. And I’m looking forward to our very own “in-house” Christmas Chemistry Lecture in the Hall on Wednesday afternoon. Going on previous experience, I’m expecting explosions, fire-balls, bad smells, dry-ice and mysterious colour changing chemical reactions.
The term ends on Friday 23 December, when we have our traditional staff “X-Factor” or “talent” show. You’ll understand that term “talent” is used quite loosely, but it’s always a fitting finale to the year. We expect the buses at around 12.15pm. It will be a “Dress Down Day” and we welcome donations (50p or £1 if possible) for “Refuge Fife”. A reminder that we are still collecting young people’s clothes for the camp in Greece and taking donations of food for Kirkcaldy Foodbank. We have a “Donation Station” right at our main entrance.
Next week’s hot dish menu is; Monday: Chicken and mushroom pie with potatoes. Tuesday: Gammon steak and chips. Wednesday: Mince pie and mash. Thursday: Lasagne with garlic bread. Friday: Buffet menu. We also have our pasta, sandwich, soup and salad options too.
As of Monday past, to promote simple, hearty and healthy eating, we have made our homemade vegetable soup completely free to all young people. This offer is proving popular. I hope it will be helpful, especially for families on lower incomes.
Our regular employability bulletin is attached … thanks to Miss McIntosh and Miss Nessel, who compile this weekly update.
Another attachment is our “Saturday School” timetable for 2017. This is aimed at our Senior Phase students studying for SQA exams at National 5 or Higher level. Different subjects are allocated a Saturday slot between January and the Easter break. We find that these sessions can really make a difference to exam grades – please encourage your son/daughter’s participation.
Next week, Mrs Davidson will send parents/carers of S5/6 a copy prelim timetable, starting on Wednesday 11 January 2017. S4 exams will begin Monday 6 February. These practice exams are taken in class time (usually in the Hall) and there is no “study leave”.
All the best to you … if we can help with anything, do be in contact.
Yours
Derek Allan
RECTOR
16 December 2016
