Dear Parent / Carer,
Welcome to this weeks Rector’s Log. I hope you and your family are doing well!
Welcome to families of our new S1 also.
The week that’s been…
It’s been another busy week here in school, with lots going on and lots of planning underway for next session too.
Last night, we welcomed the families and young people of current P7 (and soon to be S1) to KHS for our final information session. On a warm and sunny evening, it was great that so many attended. We shared information about KHS as well as specific information around the transition days next week and the first days in August. Families also had the opportunity to meet with their child(ren)’s guidance teacher and ask key questions. We look forward to welcoming the young people up next Wednesday / Thursday and working in partnership with families over the coming term and sessions.
Yesterday, learners in S2 were checked in, issued passports and set sail on a voyage of discovery, taking part in a Project Based Learning opportunity called ‘Sea story’. All S2 were off timetable yesterday and today to undertake this fantastic opportunity. This project is based around the use of plastics, and the impact they have on our oceans and waterways.
As well as bring to life this crucial environmental issue, young people are developing key skills in teamwork, listening, social skills, creativity, critical thinking and more. I managed to get round several classes yesterday and all young people were full of enthusiasm for the activity and enjoying the ‘deep dive’ into this crucial issue. A huge thanks to Mrs Hamilton and her sailing crew for bring this project to life for our young people.
Over and above this we have practices and rehearsals taking place for prizegiving, school show and many other opportunities with young people playing a full part in the life of KHS at this busy time of year.
As always, you can read more about all the goings on in our blog.
A wee update from Ms Black and our Supported Learning department:
“In SLD3 Geography the class have been learning about tectonic movement and the creation of the Himalayas and in SLD2 Home Economics they have been baking cupcakes. Impressive skills being displayed, extremely tasty looking cupcakes though not sure if any made it home. In History classes have been learning about Robert the Bruce and in Pupil Voice classes we have been continuing our work around the Wellbeing indicators, all learners showing more confidence in what they mean to them, what that looks like in school and how we could embed them more deeply.
Exciting times in SLD with P7 transitions continuing as across the school, it is great to have more learners join the team and our S2s have been taking part in the ’Under the Sea’ project-based learning days being investigators, creative and curious. Photos to follow on Socials. This week also saw our Big Day Out funded and organised by a Kirkcaldy Rotary club and we must wish them a huge thank you. It is an absolute pleasure to have a day out with our young folk who are top ambassadors for the school, showed great friendship to each other and enjoyed learning and fun in a different setting. We really appreciate your support Rotary Club, thank you for having us.”
House Point totals for the week and session so far are as below:
This weeks total:
This weeks total:
Adam Smith – 10
Carlyle – 20
Oswald – 7
Overall total:
Adam Smith – 3365
Carlyle – 3590
Oswald – 3788
Now some staffing news to bring you…Miss Dana Irvine has been appointed to the permanent post of PT Science and STEM this week. This is a post that will be vacated by Miss Tennant in August as she moves into the PTC Science role here at KHS.
In addition, Ms Taylor will be joining us in RME from August, covering Mrs Logue who is currently on maternity leave. We also have Mr Corstorphine joining us in our Music department and Mr MacMorris remaining with us in PE also. We have appointed a new teacher of Mathematics, Ms Fedor-Szabo, who will join us in August, replacing Mr Jones who left in February. Finally, we have appointed a permanent teacher of BGE, Ms Thomson. Ms Thomson has been working with our young people in Supported Learning this year but is moving into this permanent post from August. We wish all well in the coming sessions.
Finally, as noted in the minutes from the last PACK meeting, Laura Frew is stepping down as Chair of PACK from the end of session. I would like to say a huge thank you to Laura for all her work as chair, on behalf of families and young people. Susan Watson will assume the role of chair from August. I am sure you will join me in wishing Susan well in this role. More information will follow in due course.
The week ahead…
Next week, the busyness continues as we have our annual prizegiving taking place on Tuesday evening. This is always an amazing event, and we are looking forward to celebrating our young people.
On Wednesday and Thursday, we welcome our new S1 cohort to KHS for the 2-day transition visits where they will get an opportunity to take part in classes on their new timetables, interact with each other through activities and will experience a snapshot of what they can expect when the join us in August. We are looking forward to welcoming everyone.
Finally, we say ‘Buen Viaje’ to a group of young people and staff who are heading off to Madrid next week. We wish them well and look forward to hearing about their adventures upon their return!
I hope you and your family have a great weekend!
Best wishes,
Chris McKay
Rector
13 June 2025
