Dear Parent/Carer

Here’s hoping that you are well and that you’ve had a good week, enjoying the weather. Let’s also hope it’s a hint of the summer to come rather than us getting the whole thing in a single week, as has been the case in some years. Sorry to sound so sceptical, but this is Scotland!

In school we’ve been quite busy as usual. I mentioned that last Friday was our annual Activities Day. All young people in S1-3 had the opportunity to take part in a great range of trips; trampolining, snowboarding and ski-ing, crazy golf, white water rafting, bowling, M and D’s Theme Park near Motherwell and Blair Drummond Safari Park. Thanks to all the staff involved, the day was a great success

This week’s SQA exams were Biology and Human Biology on Tuesday, Health and Food Technology on Wednesday, Engineering Science yesterday and Geography today. They have gone well. We are almost there in terms of the exams. Next week it’s Administration and IT on the Monday, Art on Tuesday and we finish with PE and Drama on Thursday. Please remember that we run a “masterclass” revision session on the day before each exam.

On Tuesday past, it was great to welcome the Primary 6 pupils from Capshard, Fair Isle, Valley and Torbain for a themed learning day. We had a special sequence of lessons all on the theme of numeracy. Having spoken with some of the young people in the afternoon, I know that they enjoyed a great day in school. We also had the interviews for those who have applied for the Fife College Skills for Work programme in Construction. This involves the successful applicants attending the College on a Tuesday and Thursday afternoon next session.

On Wednesday, KHS was a big part of the Stonewall Scotland Education Conference in Glasgow. I was honoured to be invited to be one of the “keynote” speakers in the morning, and spoke about school values and “culture” being of vital importance in helping gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender young people feel safe, comfortable and able to be themselves. Mrs Pirie (Guidance) delivered a “workshop” session on supporting an in-school LBGT Group. We’ll continue to do all we can to support young people who identify as being LGBT and we’ll also stand firmly against homophobia. For me, we can’t have young people suffering on the basis of their very identity.

Also on Wednesday, it was good to welcome Sarah Clark, the Commonwealth Games gold medallist and European Champion judo player. Sarah was in school as part of a sports mentoring programme sponsored by Sky Sports. She worked with a group of KHS’ budding champions of the future.

Yesterday, we hosted a primary cluster netball competition whilst our S1 netball and football squads took place in the Dave Garland Memorial tournaments at Glenrothes. This is a Fife wide competition and our netballers did very well in qualifying for the final stages. I’m delighted to say that our football team went through the entire round robin tournament unbeaten and ended up winners! Dave Garland was a Guidance Teacher at Glenrothes High for many years who died of Motor Neurone Disease. He was a dear colleague of mine when I taught there and it’s good to see his memory living on in this competition.

This morning we have another of our Primary liaison events, as around 75 primary 7 pupils join us from Torbain for a day of sport and exercise activities led by our PE staff.  We have several of these events over this fortnight, including Maths, English and Science as well as PE. Finally, you can also expect the First Year Reports to be posted home today.

Next week’s main event for you is the S3 Parent/Carer Evening on Tuesday. We also have a group of S1 Chemistry enthusiasts taking part in the Salter’s Festival at Heriot-Watt University on Wednesday. Then, on Thursday, all of our Second Year will be involved in something a bit different … more details of that will be shared on the Wednesday!

On Friday 2 June, all those who have been off on exam leave will return. Fourth Year will follow their normal timetable and return books to their teacher. The Fifth Year will take part in an Induction Day which will set them up well for Sixth Year … which starts after the Monday Holiday on 5 June. The induction programme will have various inputs, including volunteering, study tips, university, college and apprenticeship routes etc.

Next week’s hot dish menu is; Monday: Macaroni cheese with chips and vegetables. Tuesday: Red Thai chilli beef with noodles and vegetables. Wednesday: Roast turkey with potatoes and vegetables. Thursday: Pork sausage casserole with potatoes and vegetables. Friday: Breaded fish/steakbake with chips and peas. We also have our pasta, sandwich, soup and salad options too.  Do remember that a cup of home-made soup is available free to all young people at lunchtime.

Should you require any assistance, we are always happy to help. Do be in touch.

Yours

Derek Allan

RECTOR

26 May 2017