Dear Parent/Carer
I hope that you are well and are looking forward to the long weekend.
Last week I mentioned our U14 footballers, who contested the Fife Shield Final against Beath High School at Bayview Stadium after school on the Friday. I am absolutely delighted to say that KHS won 3-0. It was a thoroughly deserved victory and the boys put on an outstanding show of slick, fast passing football. Very well done to the whole squad and many thanks to Mr English and his assistant Mr I’Anson, who have coached this group so well.
This week, as well as the start of the SQA exams on Monday past, we welcomed pupils from our link primaries as part of the “enhanced transition” process. We also had the visit of Paul Johnston, Scottish Government’s Director-General for Education, Communities and Justice on Monday. He was keen to meet staff and young people in the “front line”. We also hosted Steve Grimmond, the Chief Executive of Fife Council, who was part of the visit too. The event went very well and our visitors were left with an excellent impression of our school and some very useful feedback from the “front line” of learning.
Also on Monday morning, Mrs Davidson went along to ASDA Carberry Road to collect a cheque as part of the “Green Token” scheme. Many thanks to the store for their support.
Then, on Monday afternoon, we had the first session of the Migele Experience work shadowing programme. Many thanks to Dom Panetta of Dom Migele for his support. As you know, helping young people build the skills and confidence to be an asset in the workplace is a big part of school. If you can help us do this, perhaps as an employer, please be in touch.
Tuesday saw a visit by our Go4SET technology team to Leviton (Brand-Rex) in Glenrothes. This is the national “STEM” competition and we are grateful to Brand-Rex for their support in preparing our team of S2 engineers. After school, our Rotary Interact Club held a sponsored walk which will help us buy a “shelter box” for use in a disaster zone. They had a special guest to start off the walk … Denis Spiller is the top Rotarian in the British Isles. He is President of Rotary International Great Britain and Ireland and it was a pleasure to welcome him to KHS. Also in attendance was Graeme Archibald, the Rotary District Governor.
On Wednesday we had a group of Science pupils up at Glenrothes High School, taking part in the Faraday Challenge. This is always a fun competition and this year was no exception.
Yesterday Mrs Aitken and I spent some time with local primary heads to plan joint working in the year ahead. Our latest joint venture is our shared “Learning Charter”, developed by young people across our “cluster” of schools. This has attracted interest from “Education Scotland”, the government’s learning agency, and it will appear on their website shortly as an example of good practice, especially in involving pupils in this “Year of Young People”. Last night was a FoKHS meeting in our Boardroom. As always, many thanks to FoKHS who continue to be a great support to the school.
Today, “Active Schools Fife” did some filming in school. I think I mentioned that we have been shortlisted for “Secondary School of the Year” and a short film will be shown at the awards ceremony at the end of this month. The Active Schools people filmed some dance and netball and the warm up for our Scottish Schools FA U14 Plate Quarter Final at home to Banchory Academy this afternoon. Just as I finish this update the final whistle has sounded and I’m pleased to say we won a hard fought match 1 – 0. Well done to the boys once again. I understand that they will now take on St Modan’s of Stirling in the semi-final.
I mentioned those exams, we had Spanish and Urdu on Monday, Geography on Tuesday, Music and Administration/IT on Wednesday, Mathematics yesterday and today. We also had the “master class” study sessions the day before each exam.
Monday coming is the May Day holiday and we are closed. Tuesday is the first day of our “Step Up” Enterprise sessions for our new S1 intake. Pupils from our four associated Primary Schools and those who have made a placing request will join us on the Tuesday or the Wednesday to take part in a business competition organised by “Entrepreneurme”. Many thanks to Matt Stewart, who is always a very enthusiastic host. The other transition event in the week ahead is our P7 Sports Day on the Friday.
Also on Tuesday evening it’s the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Public Speaking National Final at the High Court, Edinburgh. The Principal Judge is James Wolffe QC, the Lord Advocate. Best wishes to Morgan Faulds and Cara Hayes (S3), who will be up against Shawlands Academy and Castle Douglas High School. I am immensely proud of the girls and it’s a fantastic achievement to have reached this stage. Fingers crossed for the final.
The SQA exams next week are: Physics on Tuesday, Modern Studies on Wednesday, Graphic Communication on Thursday and English on Friday. Best wishes to all our exam candidates
Next week’s menu is;
Monday: Lentil soup, Macaroni Cheese, chips, vegetables
Tuesday: Tomato soup, Roast Chicken, baby boiled potatoes, broccoli
Wednesday: Minestrone soup, Pork sausage casserole, potatoes and vegetables
Thursday: French onion soup, Red Thai Chilli Beef, noodles and vegetables
Friday: Leek and potato soup, Breaded fish/Steakbake, chips, peas
We also have baked potatoes, pizza, pasta, sandwiches and salad available every day as well as our outdoor snack bar. Please do be aware that we offer a free cup of soup with bread for all our young people, regardless of their “free school meals” status. We also have our “Breakfast Club” available from 8.10am and this is free to those facing hardship (it costs 50p otherwise). We have cereal, toast and jam and juice on offer.
We have been asked by the Fife “Developing the Young Workforce” team to spread the word about Foundation Apprenticeships. These Work Based Learning qualifications offer great skills development opportunities and experiences that can lead to career openings. We already have a significant number of young people involved in the FA programme undertaking training in engineering, childcare etc and we are also hosting the Software Development FA. This involves KHS students and young people from Lochgelly and Glenrothes being taught coding and programming in our school and at Fife College.
Thanks also to Ms Nessel, who has, as usual, put together an employability bulletin.
Looking forward, our S3 Parent/Carer evening is Thursday 24 May. Please expect information soon about a new booking system which will allow you to make appointments online.
As always, if we can assist in any way, please do be in touch.
Kind regards
Derek Allan
RECTOR
4 May 2018
