Dear Parent/Carer
I hope that you are well and will enjoy keeping up with what’s going on at KHS right now. Here is the news …
This week we have been completing the course choice process for S5/6 next session. It’s important to get an idea of staffing requirements for the year ahead. I mentioned the quickly rising roll. We are likely to require several additional new teachers and the subject choice process helps us be clear about that. Many thanks to the Guidance team, who have been busy with appointments. Their commitment is appreciated.
We also had House Assemblies to celebrate British Science Week. These followed the usual pattern, with Adam Smith on Tuesday, Carlyle Wednesday and Oswald House on Thursday. The assemblies were, as always, great fun, with explosions surprises and few jokes from our excellent presenters Mr Dick and Dr Murray. Thanks to them. The main theme was renewable fuel sources as a means to tackle climate change.
On Tuesday afternoon, Mr Young (Depute Head) attended the Kirkcaldy Area Committee of Fife Council to represent KHS and speak to the latest report on the school’s attainment and achievement. The Headteachers of the other three High Schools in the town were also be present. The discussion focused on issues such as our rising roll, improving attendance pattern, reduction in exclusions, improving trends in literacy and numeracy and overall attainment at Higher, especially by S6. Mr Young also explained how we are actively working to improve our young people’s chances of gaining a “positive destination” on leaving school. He shared the latest data, published by the Scottish Government, showing a healthy rise of 5% in the proportion of our young people entering college, university, training, volunteering or employment. Thanks to the team of staff who have made this their goal; Mrs Davidson (Depute), Mrs Thompson (PT Guidance) and Miss Malcolm (PT “Young Workforce”). The team has now been boosted by the recruitment of Matthew Ritchie (Pupil Support Worker), who will continue to keep in touch with our leavers, even after they have finished at KHS. Mr Young also highlighted our wider achievements such as the recent UNICEF Rights Respecting School “Gold Award”, becoming the Kingdom FM “Best School”.
On Tuesday evening, Mrs Davidson (Depute Head) attended the annual Kirkcaldy Rotary Youth Showcase at the Dean Park Hotel. She was joined by our young people who have been supported by Rotary this year. For example; in “Youth Speaks” public speaking, music competitions, the “Young Chef” competition and the Rotary Youth Leadership Award. Our Interact Club members were also there, giving a presentation about their work. It was a very proud occasion for KHS, with so many of our kids being recognised. Very well done to; Jake Ramsay (Young Chef), Phoebe Brand, Rebecca Greig and Eilidh Drummond (Youth Speaks) and Emma Reekie and Luci Mavor (Interact/Charities Committee). Thanks also to Dr Beattie and Ms Colins, who support Mrs Davidson in this work.
At Wednesday’s Assembly, Mr Young presented special Achievement Ties to Spencer and Owen Tuckwell, who both became age group champions at the Fife Schools Badminton Championships recently. Good luck to Owen and Spencer, who are competing in the Scottish Championships at Perth tomorrow. Our Sports Leaders, by sheer coincidence, were up at Glenrothes officiating at the Disability Sport Fife Badminton on Wednesday. Last week they also assisted at the DSF Swimming Championships. It really is terrific experience for them. In the evening,
On Wednesday evening, Mr Harrower and Miss Osborne had a parent/carer evening for those in involve in our World War One Battlefields trip to France and Belgium this May. I’m very grateful for all their work in this important area. It was lovely to have Douglas Hammill in school today. Douglas is a former pupil and “Friend of Kirkcaldy High School” who has offered to sponsor some of the places on the trip, supporting families at a financial disadvantage. We are very grateful for his support. If you, or anyone you know, would like to help out in a similar way, please call 01592 583405 and ask for me.
In school yesterday, Miss Hay of the Maths Department organised our participation in the “Mathematiques Sans Frontieres” Competition, for S5/6. A group S2 were along at Kirkcaldy Ice Rink representing the school in the first Fife Schools Curling Tournament. Well done to Erin Brown, Rowan Mills, Shannon Homer, Chantelle Brady, Jake Nicolson and Alfie Matthews who represented the school so well and special congratulations to Rowan, Jake, Erin and Alfie, who won the competition and are now the official Fife Schools Curling champions! (photo below right) We also hosted a meeting of a large group of young people and local Councillors as part of the Templehall Action Group Initiative.
Today it’s the SQA Administration and IT exams at National 5 in the Business Department. We also have a group of 16 of our Sports Leaders officiating and judging at the Fife Primary School Athletics Championships in Glenrothes.
This evening, it’s the highlight of the Kirkcaldy social calendar, up there with the Links Market! It’s the “Friends of Kirkcaldy High School” Ceilidh with music from the Bert Pozzi Band. May I offer thanks in advance to FoKHS? All funds raised, and each of our previous Ceilidhs have raised around £2000, will go to support the work of the school, either through the purchase of specialist equipment or in providing travel grants for kids from less well-off backgrounds to help them be part of school trips. Thanks to the local businesses who have donated raffle prizes (list attached). Saturday School tomorrow is Latin, RMPS, Classical Studies, Metalwork, Graphic Communication, Engineering Science and Drama.
Next week we’ll have Yeargroup assemblies to mark World Book Day. We are keen to continue to develop a reading culture in KHS and in the wider community. In fact yesterday, our school therapy dog “Lexi” was invited to join the reading club at Dunnikier Primary! See photo below left, which shows Lexi helping with a spelling test at KHS. On Monday, we’ll have a large group of S3 pupils taking part in a wider access event in school with Abertay University. We are committed to making university more accessible to all our young people, regardless of their background or family experience. These programmes help break down those barriers.
On Tuesday, Mrs Davidson (Depute Head) is meeting with our new S6 Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust “champions” in advance of Friday’s assembly, at which this is a theme. Wednesday sees another vaccination session, this time for S1. Thursday sees two trips out. Our Hospitality students will have some experience of the commercial kitchen at the Sainsbury’s restaurant along the road, accompanied by Ms Roberts. Ms Tennant meanwhile, takes our Go4SET Technology team to compete in a major science competition at Heriot-Watt University. A team of six S2 pupils are involved.
Friday’s S5/6 Assembly, as well as “World Book Day”, will feature an input from our Anthony Nolan Champions. They will try to convince their classmates to sign up for swab testing to become part of the bone marrow donor register. The Anthony Nolan Trust matches potential donors to blood cancer patients around the world. It’s a remarkable scheme and the chance to save someone’s life. Last year we had around 90 new potential donors sign up, including Kirsty Ogden, who travelled to London to make a donate to save a life. This year’s target is 100 … minimum! That same day, at lunchtime, Mr Farquharson has arranged for a talk for S6 about student finance. Elaine Jamieson, from the Stewart Ivory Foundation, will talk about the work of “SAAS”, the Student Awards Agency Scotland. Saturday School for 14 March is Biology, Chemistry and Physics.
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).
We have some terrific news in respect of ice hockey. No less than five of our young people have been selected to represent Scotland at the SIH Conference in Sheffield in May. Very well done to Matthew Dobie, Harris Piotrowicz and Joe Somerville, who have been called up at U13 and also to Rowan Mills (who, given his curling exploits, should probably now be known as “Iceman”!) and Kai Forbes, selected at U15. Kai has even been included in the GB U16 Squad which travels to Latvia next month (travel restrictions permitting).
May I also offer congratulations to Callum Campbell and Logan Piotrowicz (S4) who have been selected for the interview stage for the Arkwright Engineering Scholarship programme. This is the most prestigious scholarship of its kind in the UK, with financial support, mentoring and work placements available. Both boys will be interviewed at Heriot-Watt University at the start of April. I must thank our CDT team and in particular Mr Fulton, who has put in so much work to support our students.
I mentioned those travel restrictions earlier and of course, we are all becoming conscious of the dangers and inconvenience associated with the spread of coronavirus. Please follow the basic advice given, and encourage your kids to do so too. Wash your hands often with soap and water and use anti-bacterial gel if you can. Avoid unnecessary close contact with others and make sure you use a handkerchief for coughs and sneezes. We have ordered up extra supplies of hand sanitiser for classrooms and extra paper tissues too. Simple, sensible precautions would seem to be the best response in the circumstances. Please see the attached letter from Carrie Lindsay, Executive Director of Education and Children’s Services, for your information. You are perhaps aware of our forthcoming trips to France/Belgium (end of April) and Italy (June). As it stands, these are going ahead as planned but we will continue to follow Foreign Office advice re travel restrictions. Of course, we’ll keep you informed the minute we know any more.
Finally, I thought it might be useful to share a few important dates for S4-6 involved in SQA exam courses. Although the formal written exams don’t start until after the Easter Break, we have some assessments and practical tests before then as follows: Thurs 19 March – Music Practical Exams, Art Practical Day, Fri 20 March – H Admin and IT Exam AND N5 Dance Practical Exam, Fri 27 March – H Drama Practical Exam, Wed 1 April – N5 Drama Practical Exam. Best wishes to all our exam candidates. Miss Diamond is finalising the “Easter School” programme and I will send home full details next week. As always, I am indebted to the staff who are giving up their time like this. Please encourage your kids to show the same commitment over the coming weeks.
Apart from the coronavirus letter and the raffle sponsor list, today’s other attachment is an employability bulletin compiled by Mr Dick. I am grateful to him for doing this. As I said earlier, we want all young people to leave KHS for a positive destination such as college, university, a job or an apprenticeship.
Take care, and have a lovely weekend.
Derek Allan
RECTOR
6 March 2020
