Welcome to this weeks Rector’s log. I hope you and your family are doing well.
The week that’s been…
It has been a very busy week here at KHS, but time has passed quickly and we can’t believe it’s Friday already!
On Monday, we shared information with our community about proposed changes to our curriculum and school day for session 2024/25 and beyond. This is a formal opportunity for members of our community to have their say on our proposed plans and help shape the future of KHS. Our consultation will last 3 weeks, closing on Friday 2nd February.
All our young people will also be given an opportunity to feedback. A summary will be shared through the daily bulletin and house assemblies, with young people able to feedback through our online form. I am discussing this during my HT 5-a-day and we will also host focus groups with all year groups.
On Tuesday, our Parent and Carer Council met for our term 3 meeting and discussed these proposals, following a short presentation. There were also updates from our Head Girl, Mrs Gibb (DHT) and some school updates too. The PowerPoint is available, along with our updated anti-bullying processes and minutes from Parent / Carer Council. Again, please wish to share your views on our consultation.
On Thursday, we welcomed families and young people from S2, S4 and S5 to our annual Pathways Evening. There was a brief introduction from me, followed by information around our course choice process and qualifications offered. Nicola Kennedy (part of Edinburgh Napier University widening participation team) also shared some information around university, college and apprenticeships, highlighting that there is no wrong pathway for our young people. Families and young people then had the opportunity to talk directly to subject and faculty staff about the various different pathways and qualifications on offer. Thank you to our families and young people for attending and all our staff for organising and supporting this event.
We also had families and partners in school on Thursday evening, learning more about the career ready programme.
Today, Mr Young and I visited our S2 classes in Modern Languages and Social Subjects. It was great to see and hear how well they are getting on in class with their work. It was great to see the range of activities the young people were undertaking, from group work on posters in Social Subjects to Blooket quizzes in Modern Languages. Well done to all our young people for the attitude, application and hard work. We continue to be proud of each and every one.
Over the week, we have had young people out rehearsing as part of the Shakespeare Schools Festival as well as our Higher Chemistry Students out at Fife College continuing to develop all skills chemistry related! You can read more about this, and much more in our “Latest News”.
In addition, some of our Modern Studies Students in S3 took part in a workshop from our Community School Police Liaison officer, Karly Campbell as part of their course. Again, thank you to our young people for taking part and Miss Millar and other staff who organised and supported this event.
College applications also opened this week and we have had staff from Fife College and school working and supporting our young people to apply for next session. College applications also opened this week and we have had staff from Fife College and school working and supporting our young people to apply for next session.
Finally, please find information from Police Scotland Youth Volunteers, Levenmouth who are recruiting for volunteers from young people in S2-S4 (ages 13-15), along with an application form for anyone who is interested. More information is attached to the groupcall mail.
The week ahead…
Next week, Parents and Carers of young people in S4-6 will receive the third tracking report of the session, including results of the recent assessments undertaken in December, where applicable.
Mrs Gibb and Mr Broadway will be hitting the road for our P7 roadshows on Wednesday 24th January. We will be attending Fair Isle and Valley Primary schools. We look forward to meeting our prospective new S1s and families.
Also, on Wednesday, we will also be hosting an opportunity for any Parents / Carers to come along and discuss any issues or concerns about the proposed changes to curriculum and school day. There will be a short presentation, followed by an opportunity for parents / carers to ask questions. This will take place at KHS, in the IT Hub, at 5.30pm.
As a result of these events, and the roadshow continuing next week, there will not be a Rectors drop-in on Wednesday 24th and 31st January. Apologies for any inconvenience this causes.
Best wishes,
Chris McKay
Rector
19 January 2024
