Dear Parent/Carer

I hope that you are well. Here is all the latest news from KHS.

This week’s major event in school has been the SQA Prelim Exam programme, mainly held in our Assembly Hall, which started on Monday with English, French, German and Italian. Also that day, S2 girls received their HPV vaccination (second dose). Permission slips and appointment times are all in hand for the further “catch up” sessions planned by the NHS Fife team.

The Tuesday exams were English (Higher), Administration, Biology, Business, Classical Studies, Design and Manufacture, Engineering Science and Practical Woodwork. In the afternoon, we had a group of over 30 S6 students who volunteered to undergo basic mental health awareness training, organised by Mrs Kendrick (Guidance), our lead teacher on this very important aspect of our work. These sessions were excellent, with really good feedback from our young people. Mrs Kendrick has set up new Twitter feed too. You can check out @MentalKHS for this service. We want all our staff and young people to have an enhanced awareness of self-care, looking out for others and coping with setbacks.

Also on Tuesday afternoon our Career Ready group in S5 were out for a “master class”. Career Ready is a workplace based mentoring programme which can really help young people who are about to enter the job market. We have Korben Montgomery, Cameron Hamilton, Lauren McDaniel, Courtney Nicholson, Ellie Hitchcock and Darcie Lamb associated with this very worthwhile programme, supported by Miss Malcolm, our “Young Workforce” Coordinator. Our young people are working with mentors from local businesses and employers such as Diageo, Babcock and Fife College.

On Tuesday evening, Mr Young and I were out and about with our Primary 7 “Roadshow” events at Torbain and Capshard. Next Tuesday we are at Fair Isle (5pm) and Valley (6.15pm). Please spread the word that 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 Fair Isle and Valley have already received an invitation form Mr Young. At the Torbain and Capshard events we were joined by S1 and S6 pupils on the night and we distributed copies of our new prospectus, now also available online from our website. The engagements were very well attended despite rotten weather and they went very well, with good questions from those in attendance. Many thanks to our own young people for their support; we had Chloe Geddes, Natasha Stoddart, Joe Somerville and Megan Baird at Torbain, and Lucy Mckeown, David Manzie, Emily Rankin and Katie Ross at Capshard.

Wednesday’s prelims were in Biology, Engineering Science, English as a Second Language, Fashion and Textiles, French, Human Biology, Modern Studies, and Physics. In the evening it was the Rotary Club “Young Musician” Evening, held at Balwearie High School. Mrs Duckett supported our musicians and vocalists and we are grateful to the Kirkcaldy Rotary Club for their support. We had Cara Hayes (vocalist), Cameron Hamilton (Cornet Player) and Martina Giorgio (Singer/Songwriter) involved, and all made a terrific contribution.

Yesterday saw exams in Maths and English as a Second Language and last night there was a regular meeting of the “Friends of Kirkcaldy High School” or FoKHS. As well as the usual business we had 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. Very well done to Gavin Cook and Zaynah Galbraith, who gave truly excellent feedback. It really was a life changing experience for both of them, and for all the students and staff involved.

We are delighted to once again be working with Comfort International and our partner school to offer current S3 and S4 pupils the chance to visit Kigali in Rwanda once again. The trip is provisionally booked for October 2021 and pupils will gain first-hand experience one of the most beautiful countries in the world, whilst immersing themselves in a very different culture. The success and impact of our last trip can be found at http://khsinrwanda.org.uk/. Check this out for an idea of how pupils will spend their time.

Dr Murray and Mrs Cunningham are currently looking for young people to apply for this once in a life time opportunity, and are sharing information on cost, fundraising and financial support. Cost should not be a barrier for any pupil wishing to participate in this very worthwhile project. In particular, I am delighted to report that at the FOKHS meeting last night, it was agreed to provide two fully grant funded places on the trip for young people who are entitled to free school meals. This is excellent news, and it removes a significant barrier for those families currently in that position (around 20% of our school population). The memories and experience our students will earn in Rwanda will stay with them throughout their lives.  Please encourage your son or daughter to speak to Mrs Cunningham, Dr Murray or any of the 2019 team if they would like more information. Further details from our new “Twitter” service @KHSinRwanda.

Also last night we also had a parent/carer evening with a specific focus. This one was led by Mr Stewart (Head of PE) about our planned ski trip to Italy next winter. We will be taking a large group of young people to Bardonecchia in Italy in February next year. We had a huge turnout of parents and carers. Mr Stewart gave an excellent talk about the trip, requirements and expectations, and he was joined by Miss Malcolm, Mrs Dempsey and Mr Farquharson, who will also support our young people. All pupils interested should see Mr Stewart for more information. Going by the level of interest last night, I reckon they’d better be quick.

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

Tomorrow is the start of our “Saturday School” programme, with support for those studying SQA Fashion and Textiles. Many thanks to Mrs Donaldson (Art and Design). Please see the attachment for our full “Saturday School” revision programme for those studying for exams in S4-6. Thanks to all the staff who are giving up time over the coming weekends to support this important opportunity. Our exam students would be daft to miss it. Our other attachment is our regular Employability Bulletin, compiled for you by Mr Dick, who is part of our “Young Workforce” team.

Next week’s exams run from Monday to Thursday as follows. Monday: Art, Business, Chemistry, Computing, Design and Manufacture, Hospitality, Latin, Dance, PE, Engineering Science, Geography, History, Modern Studies and Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies. Tuesday: Administration, Classical Studies, Engineering Science, Maths, Photography, Physics, Spanish, Woodwork and Metalwork. Wednesday: Art, Biology, Chemistry, Design and Manufacture, Latin and Spanish. Thursday: Business, Drama, Geography, Graphic Communication, Latin, Maths, Modern Studies, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, French and History.

On Monday evening, Mrs Morris is holding a parent/carer evening for those involved in our forthcoming trip to Chateau de Warsy in Picardie, France. Tuesday evening sees the second of those Primary 7 Parent/Carer Evenings (Fair Isle at 5pm and Valley at 6.15pm) and on Friday, we’ll be posting home the S2 Reports and Course Choice information. Young people have already completed a “mock” choice. Please remember that we have Careers and Guidance staff available to help the process run smoothly.

In the refectory, next week’s hot meal choice will be; Monday: Lentil Soup, Macaroni Cheese with Garlic Bread, Tuesday: Yellow Pea Soup, Pork Sausages, Chips and Beans, Wednesday: Tomato Soup, Chicken Korma with Rice and Naan, Thursday: Green Pea Soup, Steak Pie and Potatoes, Friday: Vegetable 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).

You will know that we value your opinions and your involvement in the school. I am hopeful that you will kindly complete a short Parental Engagement survey which has been commissioned by our Parent Council in order to plan how best the Council might be able to represent the wider parent body in future. I’m very grateful to Miss Hay (Maths), who has taken responsibility for this after recently joining the Parent Council as a teacher member. The survey is on “Survey Monkey” and should only take 5 or 10 minutes complete. I’d be very grateful if you could help us with this. Here is the link you will need: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/TBQP7QV.

Finally, our annual fundraising ceilidh, organised by FoKHS, is in the offing. This takes place in our Assembly Hall on Friday, 6 March. It’s always a terrific evening with dancing to the Bert Pozzi Band, a fish supper from Valente’s and a cash bar. It’s our main community social event of the year and is one of the reasons why FoKHS managed to donate over £6500 to support the school last session. To reserve tickets, please call 01592 583405 and ask for Mrs Davidson (Depute).

Thanks, as ever, for your support and interest. Have a good weekend, and please contact us if you require any support. Best wishes to all sitting their prelim exams next week.

Derek Allan

RECTOR

17 January 2020