Dear Parent/Carer

Here’s all the latest from KHS. As always, I’m hoping you are OK.

We’ve had another good week in school with lots of fantastic learning going on. With the warmer weather, it’s been lovely to see so many outdoor activities taking place over a wide range of school subjects. This, and good ventilation of classrooms, will help us suppress the spread of Covid. However, despite this, we continue to to have daily reports of young people testing positive. There is no evidence at all that the virus is being transmitted in school, but the pattern reflects the trend across Scotland. This terrible virus is still with us and the utmost care is essential.

That’s why we need good hand hygiene, face coverings and distancing for adults in school. We need everyone to test twice a week and to be alert for symptoms. Your support is greatly appreciated. The changes to contact tracing are significant. We will no longer issue standard self isolation notices. It’s now the role of NHS contact tracers to do that or to issue a PCR test requirement notice instead. Thanks for being in touch with updates if Covid is affecting your family.

On that theme of outdoor learning, next week sees the first of our adventure camps with S1 Adam Smith pupils attending Fordell Firs near Dunfermline on Wednesday and Thursday. There is a focus on teamwork and overcoming challenges, as well as making new friends and getting to know staff, including Guidance teachers, in an informal context. I am indebted to Robert Greenhorn, our Active Schools Coordinator, who is chiefly responsible for the arrangements.

Looking ahead, and we are cautiously optimistic that we can have a more “normal” school year (cross fingers). The SQA has announced that an exam diet will operate from 26 April 2022 and after discussions a meeting last night with Principal Teachers, we are likely to run “prelims” in January 2022. We’ll confirm that in a fortnight or so.

I have previously mentioned our plans for online Parents’ Evenings. S3 parents and carers can expect some info soon by email with details about how to set up video conferencing for the evening of Tuesday 21 September. I’m hoping this will work out for most … we’ve not had Parents’ Evenings since early last year. I’m very grateful to Mrs Hume (Head of English) who has been taking the lead for this initiative. Mrs Hume has already placed some information about the system on our website.

Also, thanks again to Mr Paterson, our “Young Workforce” Coordinator, for putting together our latest Employability Bulletin (attached). We are committed to ensuring that no young person leaves KHS without a “positive destination”. That’s a job, college or university place, apprenticeship or training scheme or a volunteering opportunity.

I have a couple of messages of congratulations to close. Firstly, to Paisly Hutchison (S4), who was named as winner of the Shell Junior Art Award. Her painting will be part of a special exhibition at Kirkcaldy Galleries next month. Well done Paisly. Also, congratulation to Lauren Pitcaithly (S6) who is the recipient of a very special “Educate to Lead” Award from Soroptimists Scotland. Lauren is an “Our Girls Can” Ambassador and a coach with British Ice Skating. Her goal is to pursue a career in sports psychology and we are all very proud of her achievements. She is a thoroughly deserving winner of this award, which will be presented in school next Wednesday.

I also have some news about Alistair Dick, teacher of Chemistry and very well known to many pupils and parents/carers. Ali is off unwell in hospital at the moment after suffering heart attack on the golf course on Monday evening. He wants everyone to know that he is recovering well and is looking forward to being back to work some time soon. We all wish him well I’m sure, he is a terrific friend to all here and he is badly missed in KHS.

Please do make sure that the yellow consent letter for the flu vaccination is sent back by this Tuesday at the latest, even if you are not giving consent on this occasion. Our first clinic for this painless nasal spray is on 22 September. We are working with NHS Fife to get it organised. Thanks to all who have returned the letter … very much appreciated.

Please take care, and remind your son/daughter to take a Covid Test (using LFD) this Sunday.

Aye yours

Derek Allan
RECTOR
27 August 2021