Dear Parent / Carer,
Welcome to our weekly family and community communication that provides a Headteacher overview of the weeks events and other school-based events and information.
The week that’s been…
What a full on and intense week with our colleagues from HMIE!
Over the course of this week, colleagues from the Inspectorate were in KHS across the full week, undertaking a range of activities from classroom observations to focus groups with our amazing young people, staff, families and partners. They even had time to visit some of our outdoor spaces and marvel at the Polygrub and garden!
A huge well done to everyone in our community for coming through a very rigorous and demanding week! HMIE colleagues were positive about the improvements across several areas over the past few years. Next steps include a continued focus on improvement of outcomes for all learners. A full report with all findings will be compiled and shared by HMIE in due course. I will share this with you as soon as it’s published.
In S4, the hard work never stops, and out brave learners have been undertaking week 1 of their formal assessments in the hall. A non-stop week with assessments taking place each day. Most learners that I speak to seem to be holding up and committed to giving of their best. Well done to all for this week and fingers crossed for next!
As ever, if you want to read more about what is happening here at KHS, please follow our blog.
Here is a wee update from Mrs Stewart and our Supported Learning Team:
“SLD1 have been exploring different mediums to create Scottish themed artwork.
In classics they have been having a lively debate as to the morality of killing the Minotaur, in Theseus and the Minotaur. SLD 1 have been comparing the minotaur with the Gruffalo, deciding that both are made-up creatures.
SLD 1 have also enjoyed looking for signs of autumn and animal tracks in Outdoor Learning.
In Maths they have been identifying what we need to spend money on and items we must spend money on and in shape have been looking at patterns.
SLD 2 have continued their learning on Italy, and this week compared Scotland to Italy. They worked independently and in small groups to find some similarities and differences in the countries. The pupils recognised similarities in the landscapes of the countries and differences in the food, currency and language.
In Maths they have been looking at when we receive change and how to calculate this.
In PE they had a fantastic peer coached Boccia lesson with excellent explanations and discussions around what it takes to be successful, Para Games here we come!
They also planned and constructed an obstacle course during outdoor learning before trialling it and trying to beat their best times to complete the course.
SLD 3 have been learning about St Andrews Day and why it is important to learn about this Saints Day. Pupils learned about the St Andrews Cross and its significance. They have been looking at Robert the Bruce and creating a PowerPoint about his life and achievements.
SLD4 are putting some finishing touches to the game they are designing using Lego as a starting point for the plans. They have also been comparing levels of poverty in the UK with levels of poverty in Uganda as part of their N3 Modern Studies unit.
SLD 4/5 have been working on their independent living skills. This week we have been looking at SMART targets and set personal goals for in the home or out in the community. Some pupils have set goals like making a cake and others are looking at walking independently to their local shops.
SLD5 have been examining the dangers of online activity through social media and shopping, creating a list of things they want to learn more about.
A busy and productive week in SLD!”
House Points
Please see below the House Points:
This weeks total:
Adam Smith – 145
Carlyle – 140
Oswald – 227
Overall total:
Adam Smith – 799
Carlyle – 822
Oswald – 889
Finally, from Ms Barclay – our 2025 Quadcopter team did the school very proud over the last couple of days. Although they didn’t win the overall competition, they were awarded Best Engineering Concept for best engineering content and presentation. What a fantastic result. The judges loved them, and in my honest opinion, they were streets ahead of the competition!
The week ahead…
Next week, assessments continue for our S4s and we have a Parent / Carer evening on Thursday for S5/6.
I hope you have a great weekend!
Best wishes,
Chris McKay
Headteacher
28 November 2025
