Dear Parent / Carer,

Welcome to our weekly family and community communication that provides a Headteacher overview of the weeks events and other school-based information. This is the last one of this term. I will write to families next week with our end of term letter.

The week that’s been…

Ahoy there maties! It’s been a week where the S2’s sailed across the seven seas to unlock their inner sustainability and fight for the survival of our oceans. It was really a case of waves first and worries later!

At the beginning of the week, we had an amazing group of young people taking part in the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Expedition. All were suitably ready to brave the Autumnal weather and complete this key part of their Gold award. Well done to all and thanks to Miss Millar and colleagues who supported our young people.

On Wednesday, it was a case of smile for young people in S1, 3 and 6 as it was the annual school photo day. Lots of happy, smiley learners donned their best uniform and smile for the camera! A massive well done to all as the photographers were very complimentary about their manners and respect shown.

On Thursday it was all hands-on deck as our S2’s took part in ‘Sea Story’ – an interdisciplinary learning opportunity for learners to get their arm bands on and dive right in to learning about our oceans, pollution and sustainability. No lifebelts were needed as the year group sailed through the day, finding treasure along the way. Thank you to Captain Ms Lamont Boyce, colleagues and learners!

Today, we had young people in our senior school taking part in refresher training around Mentors in Violence prevention. This is a very worthwhile programme and helps to ensure that we continue to educate and support our young people in this area.

A reminder that we are making changes to our Guidance and Support structure following the October break. Thank you for sharing your views. We will pull key themes from this together and share them with you in due course.

Our key principles around this change are:

• To ensure optimal communication with families and key partners so that a school-based Team Around the Child exists for every young person
• To provide consistency of support for young people and families
• To allow Guidance and Support staff more to engage in more meaningful contact with young people across their caseloads, with renewed focus on attainment and attendance

We will letter all families next week to alert you to your young person’s Guidance teacher; House Depute and house. Young people will find out through PSE next week. The majority of learners will remain with their current Guidance teacher.

In terms of house teams, please see below:

House 1

• DHT – S Young
• PTG 1 – C Kendrick
• PTG 2 – New PTG

House 2

• DHT – S Hamilton
• PTG 1 – E Sim
• PTG 2 – R Christie

House 3

• DHT – K Gibb
• PTG 1 – A Farquharson
• PTG 2 – C Donaldson

House 4

• DHT – K Hume
• PTG 1 – J Kerek
• PTG 2 – New PTG

Following all feedback, stakeholders have decided that our houses should be named after Kirkcaldy Landmarks. We are working with our learners to pull together a shortlist before asking all stakeholders their opinion on our final house names.

The week ahead…

Next week we have reviews taking place in Maths and Science.

It’s S4 Parent / Carer evening on Tuesday.

Learners in S1-3 will receive their first tracking report on Friday.

It’s also dress down day on Friday.

Please note that school closes at 1.05pm on Friday for learners and reopens on Monday 26th October at the usual time.

I hope you enjoy the weekend and have a great October break when it comes!

Best wishes,

Chris McKay
Headteacher
02 October 2026