Dear Parent/Carer

A belated Guid New Year to you. Welcome to the first weekly news message of the new decade. I hope that you and your dearest are well and have enjoyed a pleasant break. Here we are though … back in the groove, and I must say that it’s been nice to be back.

As you know, Monday was a staff training day. We had a particular focus on additional support needs and working together to ensure that every young person we serve feels that they belong at KHS, whatever barriers they may face.

From Tuesday to Thursday we had House Assemblies, led by the Guidance Team with a focus on the year ahead. 2020 will mean different things for different young people, but we hope the theme will prevail … that progress individually and collectively will come from us being ambitious and optimistic, looking after ourselves and everyone around us, and always trying our best in everything we do. That’s how we do things at KHS!

Yesterday, it was good to welcome the Edinburgh University Widening Participation Team, who spoke with S2 pupils about Higher Education. As you are aware, we are committed to giving all our young people the widest possible exposure to different “pathways”, and this includes university as well as college, an apprenticeship or employment. Many thanks to Dr Beattie, who made the arrangements. It was particularly good to have former Head Girl, Louise Wallace, back in school as part of the Edinburgh team.

Dr Beattie is also particularly busy again today, leading our team of Chemistry students from S2-4 in the “Top of the Bench” Quiz along at St Andrews University. It’s a competition run by the Royal Society of Chemistry. Good luck to team KHS (photographed looking a bit puzzled … in a good way!)

Next week’s big deal event is the SQA Prelim Exams which start on Monday. In fact, Lorraine and Ronnie, our janitors, are setting up the exam desks in the Hall as I type this. The prelims run over the next two weeks. Thanks to Mrs Davidson who has had to create a pretty complex timetable, and also to Mr Broadway, who is responsible for all the arrangements for pupils with an additional learning need of any kind. Mondays exams are English, French, German and Italian. Also that day, S2 girls will receive their HPV vaccination (second dose). Permission slips and appointment times are all in hand.

The Tuesday exams are English (Higher), Administration, Biology, Business, Classical Studies, Design and Manufacture, Engineering Science and Practical Woodwork. In the afternoon, we have a group of over 30 S6 students who have volunteered to undergo basic mental health awareness training, organised by Mrs Kendrick (Guidance) who is leading on this very important aspect of our work.

On Tuesday evening, Mr Young and I will be out and about with our Primary 7 “Roadshow” events at Torbain (5pm) and Capshard (6.15pm). Please spread the word, any parent/carer thinking about enrolling their child at KHS is welcome to come along. This invite is especially aimed at potential “placing requests” from parents/carers with kids at any other school. Those with kids at Torbain and Capshard have already received an invitation form Mr Young. We’ll be joined by S1 and S6 pupils on the night and will distribute copies of our new prospectus, now also available online from our website. We’ll also be giving out paper copies of our latest Newsletter. All current pupils got their copy this week. Just in case it has not made its way home to you, I have attached an electronic copy for your information.

Wednesday’s prelims are in Biology, Engineering Science, English as a Second Language, Fashion and Textiles, French, Human Biology, Modern Studies, and Physics. In the evening it’s the Rotary Club “Young Musician” Competition being held at Balwearie High School. Mrs Duckett is supporting our musicians and vocalists and we are grateful to the Kirkcaldy Rotary Club for their support.

Thursday sees exams in Maths and English as a Second Language and on Thursday evening there is a regular meeting of the “Friends of Kirkcaldy High School” or FoKHS. Please do come along at 7pm if you would like to become part of this excellent community organisation. The meeting starts at 7pm and we will be having some feedback from Mrs Cunningham (English) and some of the students who were involved in last year’s trip to Rwanda. FoKHS gave financial support to widen the accessibility of this trip. If you are interested, you can also call us and ask for Mrs Davidson (Depute Head).

The week ends on Friday with exams in care, Chemistry, Human Biology, History, Hospitality (Practical Cookery), Maths, Music, PE Computing, Drama, Graphic Communication, Modern Studies, Physics and Practical Woodwork.

In the refectory, next week’s hot meal choice will be; Monday: Lentil Soup, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Tuesday: Scotch Broth, Chicken Tikka, Rice and Naan, Wednesday: Minestrone Soup, Roast Chicken with Potatoes, Thursday: Carrot and Coriander Soup, Pasta Bolognese with Garlic Bread, Friday: Leek and Potato Soup, Fish, Chips and Peas or Beans.

We also have baked potatoes, hot dogs, pizza, pasta, panini, sandwiches, filled rolls, salad and bakery items 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. There is also our “Breakfast Club” (sponsored by Stephens the Bakers) available from 8.10am and this is completely free for those facing hardship. We have cereal, toast and jam and juice on offer. Lunchtime meals are priced at £2.20 for pupils, and this is the value of the “free meal” entitlement. Main courses are £1.55, and desserts are priced at £0.65. Please call if you are facing financial hardship and would appreciate help to apply for free meals. You should ask for Mrs Hardie (Family Link Worker).

Looking a wee bit ahead, and our S2 reports will be issued towards the end of January. Parents/carers who were in school for the “Learning Fair” recently will know that we are planning a recognition evening for S2 on 18 February. We are calling these the “Respect for Learning” (RFL) Awards and we plan to present certificates to all S2 pupils who have done well in terms of behaviour and effort, as evidenced from their report. We’ll call this the Merit award. For those who have done exceptionally well across the board, we will present a certificate and an inscribed commemorative book. This will be the Distinction Award, the highest level of recognition. The plan is to hold the awards in the early evening in our Assembly Hall. We will start at 4pm and all parents/carers will be invited. We think it will be good to recognise those who always try hard in class and follow the rules. The RFL Awards will not be given for academic success, this is recognised at Prize Giving each June.

Apart from the PDF version of our Newsletter, our other attachments this week are firstly, the latest version of our “Saturday School” revision programme for those studying SQA exams in S4-6. I’m grateful to Miss Diamond, who has compiled it, and I am also grateful to the staff who are giving up time at the weekend to support this. The first session is a week tomorrow with Fashion and Textiles, led by Mrs Donaldson, starting at 9.45am. Thanks also to Mr Dick, who is now an official part of our “Employability Team” of Principal Teachers with a “destinations” focus. The team comprises. Miss Malcolm, Dr Beattie, Mr Dick and Mr Scott. Mr Dick has prepared our Employability Bulletin (attached).

Finally, I have an appeal to make.  If you know in advance that your son/daughter has an appointment in school time, please tell us by phone, email or a note as soon as possible so that an appointment slip can be put to tutor teachers to keep the register right. We’ll understand if it’s an appointment made at short notice, but if you can, it helps to tell us in advance.  Thanks.

Have a great year ahead … and never hesitate to be in touch if you require anything of us. Best wishes to all sitting those exams next week.

Derek Allan

RECTOR

10 January 2020