Welcome to this weeks Rector’s Log, I hope you and your family are well.

The week that’s been…

It has been a fast-paced return to school this week, with lots of events taking place led by our young people.

This week, we had House assemblies, led by our S6 and House leaders. This was an opportunity for young people to share their experience of KHS and pass on the torch to others in their House group. Well done to all involved.

Today, we met with our current S6’s to celebrate their many achievements and accomplishments through their journey at KHS. S6 had the opportunity to meet as a group this morning and finish some last-minute admin prior to the examinations. S6 were given their year book and offered the opportunity to get shirts and year book signed by friends and staff. The day finished with a small awards ceremony where young people received awards for school service and Saltire. We are incredibly proud of our S6 and wish them well in their future endeavours.

We also wish our S4 and S5 year groups well in the forthcoming SQA examinations and would remind you that the school has a series of masterclasses and supported study running for all S4-6 prior to each examination (see attached timetable). A letter is attached to the groupcall email from Maria Lloyd (Head of Education for Secondary schools) wishing all young people the best for the upcoming exam diet.

Young people in S1-3 have settled well back to school life following the Easter break. Over the next few weeks, some of S3 are taking on some leadership roles as S3 Prefects, helping and supporting the school in various ways. We wish them well in this role.

In other news, Mrs Hamilton has been working with young people, families and colleagues here at KHS to complete coursing and start the process of timetabling for next session. I know that Mrs Hamilton has spoken to some young people about their courses. Some parents/carers had sent e-mails and letters about course choices prior to Easter. If you or your child hasn’t had contact with Mrs Hamilton, please contact us at the school and we will be in touch asap. Thank you to Mrs Hamilton for all her hard work around this. It is a huge undertaking and a very demanding time of the year.

As ever, please find below information from Mrs Whyte regarding DYW:

A lot of pupils will be looking to gain some work experience, this is a great opportunity to give you a flavour of the world of work and ‘try out’ a profession. If this is something, you are interested in there is a form to complete on the padlet. There is also a great opportunity for any S5 pupils who are looking to study medicine.

For anyone looking to leave school there are a number of vacancies including – apprenticeships in Admin, at Scotrail, Exxon, Babcock and Sky Television advertised. As well as a range of part and full time jobs.

Finally, we wish Ms Diamond a very long and happy retirement. As I communicated last term, Ms Diamond has decided to retire and officially leaves KHS today. Ms Diamond has embodied the spirit of KHS over her many years of service to the young people and community of KHS. She will be greatly missed but we hope she comes back and lets us know how she is doing.

The week ahead…

Next week, SQA examinations begin for young people in S4-6. All young people should have their own SQA timetables and must check this to ensure they are here in plenty of time and ready to do their best.

As stated in the Blue Bulletin, from Monday, we are asking all young people to remain outdoors during break and lunch. This is due to the improving weather, SQA examinations taking place across the school and continued issues with litter and food waste discarded in the school building. In the event of poor weather, pupils will be alerted and directed to areas within school for these times.

Young people can continue to access the dining hall from the school building at the beginning of break and lunch, following queue systems as normal. No young person will be allowed back into the school building via the dining hall once entered. Instead, they will be asked to leave via the bottom door of the dining hall to outside the main entrance of the school.

Any young person who attends a club, accesses support at these times or requires to be in the building at break and lunch must have a pass / note from the relevant teacher, Guidance Teacher or PSO. A reminder that all Young People should access the toilets outside the War Memorial / guidance corridor at the back of the main building.

I hope you have an enjoyable weekend

Best wishes

Chris McKay
Rector

21 April 2023