Dear Parent/Carer

 

I hope that you are well and beginning to feel like the Christmas spirit is rising … apologies if you are not feeling it yet or not into that type of thing! Welcome to the weekly report which covers the penultimate week of term.

This week we have had Yeargroup Assemblies, with different musical performances from our Christmas Concert. Many thanks to our musicians, choir and soloists. On Monday, we had a group of young people giving presentations at the Scottish Parliament, having been invited along by the Equalities and Human Rights Committee to celebrate World Human Rights Day. The EHRIC was focussing on some of the best practice in “participation” from all around Scotland. Many thanks to Miss Ashby and to Dr Murray, as well as all the young people who were involved. We were asked along as a result of our strong track record in developing “pupil Voice” eg our pioneering work in tackling homophobia and bullying, and our achievement of UNICEF Rights Respecting School status. Our young people have once again shown, that they are a credit to the school.

On Tuesday, we had a group of S2 pupils competing in the GO4SET Science, Engineering and Technology Challenge along at Fife College, Carnegie Campus in Dunfermline. Many thanks to Miss Tennant. In the afternoon, another group visited Dundee University for the Institute of Engineering and Technology Annual Christmas Lecture. As always, this was great fun, with a focus on the science of music.

It was also our S5/6 parent/carer evening on Tuesday. I explained that this is a well-timed engagement, with our Prelim exams scheduled to start on Wednesday 9 January, the first week back after the Christmas break. Those who have been over the course before will know that preparation and revision are the key, especially going over past papers. These are available on the SQA website.

Another important part of preparation for the final exams in May is our “Saturday School” programme. Many thanks to Miss Diamond, who has put together the timetable (emailed).

On Wednesday evening, it was our Christmas Concert. Many thanks to Mrs Simpson (Head of Music) who worked with others to put together a very varied show with choral and instrumental music as well as dance. Many thanks to all who took part, and also to the tech team, who supported the show so well.

Last night, I was at Burntisland Speakers Club along with Morgan Faulds and Cara Hayes. I mentioned last week that the girls had been invited to speak at the Christmas Dinner. This invite came after Morgan, Cara and Brooke Wishart became the Fife winners of the Rotary Club Youth Speaks competition last month. Morgan introduced Cara and gave the vote of thanks, whilst Cara spoke about the importance of kindness and understanding in cases of childhood adversity and neglect … a serious, but appropriate theme for Christmas. As ever, they spoke with great skill and passion.

It was our annual visit to the panto at the Adam Smith Theatre this morning. This year it’s “Beauty and the Beast” … not “Babes in the Wood” as I reported for some unknown reason last week. We had a large group of S1 attending this morning and they had great fun.

We’ve also got our senior netball squad taking part in the Fife Championships at Glenrothes today. We’ve seen a great increase in participation in netball in the past few sessions and I must thank Miss Malcolm, Miss McIntosh and Miss Ashby for the time they have committed to this sport. see photo of the “B” Squad.

And thanks to Miss Steedman for the sports roundup this week: Badminton – Well done to Owen Tuckwell (S3), who recently reached the quarter finals of the Fife Schools’ Badminton Championships. Despite a foot injury, Owen narrowly lost out 12-15 to the reigning Fife champion. Football: S3 – KHS 2-1 Beath in a league match, S1 – played in a cluster tournament with one of our teams winning it after two wins and a draw. Netball: S1 – KHS 8-2 Beath in the league, S2 were beaten by Woodmill in the league.

Next week is the final week of term and we’ll have our school orchestra along at Elizabeth House Care Home playing some seasonal music on the Monday afternoon.

We also have assemblies on the theme of “Kindness”, which will be led by myself, the Guidance staff and the House Captains. It’s the usual order … Adam Smith on Tuesday, Carlyle on Wednesday and Oswald on Thursday.

On Wednesday, our Travel and Tourism class has organised a trip to Edinburgh and they are accompanied by Miss Wallace of the Geography Department. In the evening we’ll have our end of term disco/party in the Hall. Tickets are on sale in the War Memorial area at breaks.

I’m grateful to Mrs Hamilton, who has set up a special treat for S5/6 on the afternoon of Thursday 20 December. Her friend Keith Partridge is a renowned adventure photographer and documentary film maker, who has won many awards, including an “Emmy” for Outstanding Cinematography for the BBC’s “Human Planet”. Keith will be giving an illustrated talk about his work … especially some of the mountaineering expeditions he has been part of.

The term ends on Friday with a “Dress Down Day” in support of Motor Neurone Disease Scotland. Young people are being asked to donate £1 or whatever they can afford. We’re also holding our traditional Staff X Factor, which is always a good laugh at Christmas. Well done to the staff who are putting their “talent” out there. We are expecting the school buses at 12 noon or 12.15pm … it’s the usual half day closing for the Christmas Holiday.

Monday: Lentil soup, Stovies with crusty bread, turnip

Tuesday: French onion soup, Chicken korma, boiled rice and vegetables

Wednesday Tomato soup, Steak pie, potatoes and vegetables

Thursday: Green pea soup, Sweet chilli beef and noodles, vegetables

Friday: Buffet menu only

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 44p otherwise). We have cereal, toast and jam and juice on offer.

Finally for this week, very well done to Alanah Ferguson (S6), who has won a place in the National Big Bang Science Competition Finals on Wednesday 13 – Thursday 14 March 2019 at the NEC, Birmingham. Supported by Science and Engineering staff here, Alanah has submitted a project on Submerged Wave Energy Devices. She is an absolute credit to the school and already takes part in a day a week enhanced learning in engineering at Edinburgh University as part of the Nuffield Scholarship Programme. Good luck for the Competition Alanah.

Do have a good weekend. As always, if we can be of help, please ask.

Yours

Derek Allan

RECTOR

14 December 2018