Dear Parent / Carer,
Welcome to this weeks Rector’s Log.
The week that’s been…
Although it feels that we have only just started back, it is already approaching mid-term and at a very fast pace! This week has been very busy with young people continuing to learn in and out of the classroom.
On Monday we had personnel from the Royal Navy attend and work with young people in S3. Thank you to Mr McCowan for organising and supporting this event.
On Tuesday, I visited S1 and S2 classes with Mrs Gibb (S1 Year Head) and Mr Young (S2 Year Head). We were very proud of all the learners who were working hard, engaging with their learning and taking real pride in our community with their uniform. Well done to all for a very settled start to the new school session.
As part of our curriculum changes, you will notice various opportunities announced in the school bulletin, as well as our core curriculum offer to all young people. This week, the PE department held auditions for the ‘School of Dance’ that we hope to get up and running as soon as possible. This was open to all S1 and is looking to further support young people’s health and wellbeing. This runs alongside our core literacy and numeracy offer in the core curriculum.
On Thursday, we had a group of learners attend Kirkcaldy Sport and Leisure centre as part of their set for success course. You can read about this and much more on our school website and blog.
Meanwhile, in our supported learning faculty, young people continue with their amazing learning programmes. Below is a small taste of this from Ms Black and the team:
‘It has been a fantastic start to the term in Supported Learning and we are delighted to have been joined by 9 new S1 pupils. We are now a full S1-6, 48 pupils across 5 SLD classes with many learners joining mainstream classes independently. This week we also had our first College days for our senior learners beginning that exciting journey. They were fabulous representatives for the school and feedback from the Tutors was that they were a “joy and a pleasure”, well done Team. For our youngest pupils they have been settling into school brilliantly with SLD1 spending Thursdays on all things comic book, cross-curricular learning set within the context of comic books. SLD3 continue their visits to Nourish and kindly distributed school bags and accessories across the school community.
We would like to add to our department calendar events that are celebrated or marked by our Supported Learning families. For example, World Smile Day, Moebius Syndrome Day, Diwali or any other event that is important in your learners’ lives. We would love you to share and ask you to contact us.
Have a great weekend and look forward to sharing more information about our week and the rest of term.’
A huge thanks to Friends of Kirkcaldy High School (FoKHS) for their continued support to our young people.
‘FoKHS have very kindly agreed to fund a first aid course for our S6 again this year. This helps young people develop skills for life as well as gaining an additional qualification. The course will take place all day on 25th October and if young people sign up they will need to stay in school until 3pm to complete it. Any S6 who wishes to sign up for the Emergency First Aid at Work course should find more information on the S5/6 year group team or from Mrs Hume.’
Over the coming weeks, I will share with you a weekly update on our school House Points. Mr Spink and a group of staff have worked with other staff, young people and families across KHS to create a reward system to support our school ethos and reward those who continue to do well in school. This week, the totals are: Adam Smith – 201, Carlyle – 279, Oswald – 288. Therefore, the overall totals are: Adam Smith – 752, Carlyle 688 and Oswald – 711.
Lastly, all parents, and carers should have received an email this week outlining some changes to our bus times and routes. Please ensure you share this with your child(ren). I do hope this helps resolve the lateness issues for most and that travel to and from school is safe for all. I would still ask and encourage you to ensure that young people who do not get a bus to school, are here, on time and ready to learn. As ever, your support with this is greatly appreciated.
The week ahead…
Looking ahead to next week, learning continues, and we start the SNSA programme with young people in S3. This will be over the next few weeks.
We also have Mentors in Violence Prevention training taking place for seniors on Monday and Wednesday next week. More details about this will be included in the Rector’s Log next week.
Further ahead, I would draw your attention to some upcoming events.
On Wednesday, 18th September, Mrs Hume and other staff will be hosting an information evening for parents / carers of learners in S4. This evening will give you an opportunity to hear from key staff in school about the supports available in school, across subjects and give an opportunity to ask any questions that you or your child may have. The evening starts at 6pm here in KHS. Mrs Hume has emailed all families in S4 with more information.
In addition, there will be a curricular information evening for parents / carers of those in S1 around English and Maths on Thursday 26th September at 6pm. Parents / carers are invited to come in, hear from both faculties about the structure within the subjects, learning pathways and methodologies and get an opportunity to meet and talk with some staff from the faculties. A letter with more information will be sent to families in S1 next week.
I hope you and your family have a great weekend.
Best wishes,
Chris McKay
Rector
06 September 2024
