Dear Parent/Carer
Best wishes to you … welcome to the weekly email update or “Rector’s Log” as it appears on our website. I hope you are making the most of the sunshine.
It’s been another busy exam week with Chemistry, Computing Science, Classical Studies, Italian, Engineering Science, Practical Cake Craft and Health and Food Technology.
Last Friday was our “Activities Day”, with young people out and about at: M and D’s Theme Park (Motherwell), Xtreme Trampolining (Glenrothes), Bowling/Cinema (Dunfermline) or Blair Drummond Safari Park (Stirling). Those who were out and about had a great time and were a credit to the school. However, it was disappointing to see that a significant number of young people did not take part. We intend to review arrangements for next year.
This week we had Primary 6 Theme Day on Tuesday. We welcomed well over 200 young people from Capshard, Fair Isle, Torbain and Valley for special subject based lessons all on the theme of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. It’s a great way to get to know the school, make new friends and meet the teachers. Our primary visitors have a brilliant day in school. The feedback forms are among the most positive I have ever seen! Many thanks to the staff and S3 Prefects who made the primary kids so welcome on the day.
On the Wednesday, we interviewed candidates for the positions of Head Boy and Head Girl as well as the Deputes who make up the Student Leadership Team. After a selection process and initial interview, a group of 13 young people were shortlisted for a second interview, which included delivering a presentation on the school values. Very well done to: Blain Aitken, Fraser Anderson, Cameron Bowie, Katie Brown, Ella Dews, Kirstin Graham, Shannon Houston and Mollie Turner who will form the Student Leadership Team next session.
The next stage is to choose the Head Boy and Girl. All the potential candidates will give an election speech to the Prefects and their parents/carers after school on 5 June, at the close of our Sports Colours Ceremony. All the other new S6 are invited to this event too, which starts at 4pm. I would be grateful if parents/carers of young people currently in S5 would pass on the invitation. As I mentioned, we are appointing around 80 Prefects for 2018-2019. Best wishes to our Head Boy and Head Girl candidates.
Our S3 Parent/Carer Evening took place last night. As you will know, we used online booking for the first time. The system is called the “Parents Evening Booking System” (or PEBS), and seemed to work very well. For those who have used the booking system it would be very helpful to have some feedback. If you have any comments, favourable or critical, please respond to this email. Your evaluation is important to us. Many thanks.
Today we have a large group of young taking part in the Dave Garland Memorial Sports Tournament at Glenrothes High School. Dave was a lovely guy and a former colleague of mine who died of Motor Neurone Disease in 1995. There are football and netball competitions for First Year and I am delighted to report that KHS won the football. Very well done to Matthew Johnston, Harry Turner, David Cummings, Louis Patrick, Jay Copeland, Barry’Joe Spears, Connor Auchterlonie and Callum Husband. The boys beat Viewforth, Madras, Levenmouth, Bell Baxter, Woodmill, Beath and Balwearie to lift the trophy. Well done also to coach Mr harrower of the PE Department.
We also have another group of S3 pupils helping out at the Primary Fun Athletics Competition being held today at the Michael Woods Centre in Glenrothes. It looks like they have the perfect weather for the event.
To close the week, our S1 Reports will be posted home today. Please do complete the return slip, which includes a feedback section.
Next week’s SQA exams are Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies, Practical Woodwork, Physical Education, Latin, Administration and IT, Art and Design, Dance, Drama and Psychology. As ever, good luck to all our candidates.
On Wednesday after school, the staff will be getting together to share their professional learning over the past session. Thanks to those who will share their experiences of improving classroom practice. We are also represented at a meeting of a Fife based group which is making a film about “Adverse Childhood Experiences”. Then later that evening, the school has been shortlisted as “Secondary School of the Year” in the Fife Active Schools Awards. I’ll be joined at the awards evening by Miss McIntosh and Miss Malcolm of the PE Department. Many thanks to all our staff, especially the PE team, who promote school sport and physical activities.
Looking ahead, please note that Monday June 4 is a public holiday. Also, there are no classes on 5 June due to teacher in-service training, although, as I mentioned, we do have our Colours Ceremony with Prefect presentations etc at 4pm. Our new timetable starts on Wednesday 6 June when S1 become S2 and the S2 move to the new classes they have selected. Many thanks to Mrs Aitken, who has been responsible for putting together the new timetable.
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.
Finally, after several parental enquiries about uniform and blazers, I can confirm that Academy Uniforms will be in school on Mon 11 June, from 5-7pm and Thurs 14 June, between 5-8pm with blazers and knitwear for sale. Orders can also be placed for collection in August.
In order to help families facing hardship, it would be very much appreciated if any unwanted uniform items could be recycled. Perhaps your son/daughter has outgrown their school clothing? It would be especially appreciated if leavers would hand in their blazer and tie so that these can be passed on. Please arrange for such items to be left at reception. We already have items in our “Uniform Bank” but further donations are always welcome and appreciated.
Have a good weekend. As always, if we can assist in any way, please do be in touch. Please respond with comments about our Parents Evening Booking System if you have experienced it this time round. Just use “reply”. Many thanks.
On a final note, last week I mentioned the success of our U14 footballers. They have reached the final of the Scottish Schools Plate and will take on Wallace High School from Stirling at Bathgate on Thursday 7 June. Very best wishes to them and congratulations on reaching the final.
Yours faithfully
Derek Allan
RECTOR
25 May 2018
