Dear Parent or Carer

I hope that you are well and that you enjoyed the Easter break and the Links Market. We’ve had a good first week back after the holiday and are now fully engaged with the SQA exams (see below).

First off, many thanks to Mr Stewart, Miss Malcolm, Mr Farquharson, Mrs Dempsey and Miss McIntosh, who led our highly successful trip to the Austrian Alps. Well done to all our pupils who were part of it too. This was an excellent experience, enjoyed by all.

As I say, this first week back has also been a successful start to the term. On Tuesday we had a special event for girls in S3 with a focus on Science, Technology Art and Engineering. This was supported by the RAF, Fife College and Sky TV. I was particularly impressed by the virtual reality experience of a giant wind turbine. This was so life like and very educational. As you maybe appreciate, there is a significant gender imbalance in “STEAM” careers and we are keen to challenge that. I am grateful to Ms Tennant and Dr Murray, who lead on the promotion of STEAM across the school.

The SQA exams started yesterday with Latin, PE and Administration/IT. Study leave for all S4-6 began yesterday too. Those with exams in S4-6 are not expected back in school until Wednesday 5 June, when the new timetable begins. The exceptions are on an examination day, when they should be in school at least 10 minutes before the start time. There are also “masterclass” sessions arranged for the day before an exam and some pupils may make an arrangement to spend some time with their teacher at other times. Please note that for all exams, masterclasses and all other occasions when exam candidates are in school over the next month they should be wearing school uniform. The other event yesterday was an experience with Mark Fleming, our Scottish Book Trust “Author in Residence”. We have a group of S1 learners working with Mark on a regular basis to improve their literacy and creative writing.

Miss Malcom and Miss McIntosh are up at Glenrothes today with our S1 netball teams taking part in the Fife Schools’ Championships (photo). Best of luck! Today’s exams are in Music. Next week it’s German on Monday morning, Politics in the afternoon, Biology and Human Biology on Tuesday, Higher and Advanced Higher Maths on Thursday, then next Friday we have National 5 Maths and Practical Woodwork.

Also next week we have the Junior UK Maths Challenge taking place on Tuesday afternoon. Many thanks to Miss Cunningham, who is making the arrangements.

Wednesday is a big day, with our S2 trip to the World War 1 battlefields of France and Belgium heading off in the evening. This is the first such trip in over 10 years and I am very grateful to Mr Harrower and Miss Osborne for their leadership of this, assisted by Mr Mitchell.

Before that, we have an after school training session for staff on the theme of the “UNICEF” Rights Respecting School Programme. I am grateful to Miss Ashby, Ms Young and Miss Diamond, who are taking the lead with this important initiative. You will be aware that we achieved the “Silver” Standard last year and hope to go for “Gold” later this year. Right now, we are collectively trying to develop young people’s understanding of the United Nations sustainable development goals.

Also that day, we have a large group of S1 pupils heading off for a day visit to Edinburgh University. We have identified young people from families with no experience of higher education to take part. Many thanks to Mrs Hunter (Guidance), who leads on our “widening access” programmes. She is also responsible for our highly regarded “First Chances” project with St Andrews University.  The other trip on Wednesday is our S3 Biology visit to the labs at Abertay University in Dundee. Thanks to Miss Fotheringham and Miss McFall, who are taking a group of 40 pupils.

Next week’s hot meal menu is as follows;

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: Vegetable soup, Breaded fish/Scotch pie, 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” (sponsored by Stephens the Bakers) 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.

If you are out and about at the Kirkcaldy Retail Park this weekend, please watch out for pupils bag packing in order to support our Trip to Madrid in June. They are at Sainsbusry’s supermarket.

Looking forward, please note that the school will be closed on Monday 6 May, as this is the May Day public holiday.

As ever, thanks for your support and interest in the school. Please do be in contact if you require any assistance.

Aye yours

Derek Allan

RECTOR

26 April 2019