Dear Parent/Carer

This week’s “Log” comes a day early due to the school being closed for pupils tomorrow. We have a teacher training day with an emphasis on building strong relationships, SQA matters and the reintroduction of “Tutor”, see below.

This week started with another footballing success. Our senior team beat Carnoustie High School in the Scottish Shield by the convincing margin of 8-0. Well done to them, and to coaches Mr English and Mr I’Anson. Last night was our S2 Parents’ Evening, held online. Unfortunately, the hosting company, “PEBS”, were in touch today to say that there was some kind of bug in their system which will have affected some of the appointments, especially anyone using Apple iOS 15.1. Please accept our apologies, we are investigating ways to sort it out. I think Mr Young will contact S2 parents and carers later today.

This morning we’ve had a focus on Remembrance with a wreath laying ceremony at the memorial in our school and a two-minute silence across the school. This was broken by the haunting sound of “The Last Post” played flawlessly on cornet by Cameron Hamilton in the KHS playground. Cameron left school in the summer and came back specially to do this. I’m grateful to him. I’m also grateful to Miss Osborne, Mrs Duckett and the History students who put together a video to help us remember “The Fallen”. This was shown across the school today. It’s an excellent resource and a very fitting tribute, available here on “Youtube”;

As has been previously shared, next week sees the reintroduction of “Tutor” first thing in the morning. This is a great way to improve communications and build relationships between pupils at different stages. We have also decided to adjust our in-class dress code expectations from Monday 15 November. You will be aware that there is an expectation that windows and doors of classrooms will usually be opened to allow air to circulate freely. Good ventilation is seen as important in reducing the risk of potential Covid transmission. Inevitably, in wintertime this will have an impact on classroom temperatures. To help our pupils feel more comfortable in class, we are relaxing our usual rules over the winter season. From Monday, it will be permissible for young people to wear outdoor clothing (eg a hoodie or outdoor jacket) in class. In some situations, for reasons of health and safety (eg in a science lab or workshop), outdoor gear will still need to be removed. Please note that any clothing with offensive slogans or images is not suitable for school, plain dark colours are best. Also, hoods should not be worn over the head within the school building. This does not mean that our usual uniform is no longer required. Pupils must still wear a white shirt, tie etc. If you require any financial help to ensure that your/son daughter can stay warm on the way to and from school, or in class, please do be in contact. We’d be happy to help.

Next week we’ll be running a bus to Hampden for the World Cup Qualifier against Denmark on Monday evening. And best wishes to our S2 footballers, who take on Perth High School in the Scottish Shield on Wednesday after school. On Friday 19 November, we are holding a “Dress Down Day” with a collection being taken for “Children In Need”. The theme is “Be Yourself”. We are expecting to be able to post out the S4 Reports that weekend too.

Looking ahead, and NHS Fife were in touch recently to offer another chance for young people to be vaccinated (by nasal spray) against winter flu. We had about 900 young people take up the offer just before the October break. The catch-up session is on Tuesday 23 November, more details soon.

Looking even further ahead, and our SQA candidates will know that we are planning to hold a programme of assessments and prelim exams in January 2022, prior to the final exams which will be held in the Hall in April and May 2022. I thought it would be useful to share the timetables well in advance, please see the attachments. You should be aware that arrangements are subject to change for a variety of reasons, especially those connected to public health. In January, when a pupil has a timetabled exam on any given day, they are not expected to be in school other than for the exam. For example, they are free to go home after taking an exam to prepare for any tests they might have the following day. If it’s a later start, they will have that time in the morning for study and revision. You will have the chance to ask about arrangements at our online Parent/Carer for S4-6 which we are planning for Wednesday 24 November. All parents of S4-6 pupils will be invited, and we’ll be sharing some tips around studying and exam success. SStudy tips and past papers are also available on the SQA website.

You can’t have missed the COP26 Climate Conference taking place in Glasgow right now. To coincide with this event, KHS teamed up with BBC Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland to produce a short film about important local landmark, Ravenscraig Castle. The film focussed on the impact of climate change, erosion and visitors on the castle. I am so very proud of all those who participated; Ramiza Ahmad, Jessica, McGregor, Daanish Mahmood, Charlie Murdoch, Darci Paterson, Logan Piotrowicz, Ross Szmitz and Isla Wheatley. You can view the film on iPlayer.

I think it’s brilliant … very educational, interesting and well put together. Thanks also to Mr Jones (Head of Social Subjects) and Mrs Davidson (Depute), who supported the production

To close, best wishes to Miss McFall, who won’t be in school from Monday next week as it is the beginning of her maternity leave. All her friends and colleagues (and her pupils too, I’m sure) wish her well. Of course, the well wishing is extended to you too. Take care.

Derek Allan
RECTOR
11 November 2021