Dear Parent/Carer

Welcome to the KHS news bulletin … I hope that you are doing well.

The week’s assemblies marking Holocaust Memorial Day were, quite frankly, beautiful and amazing. They were hosted by Charlie Murdoch (S4) and we had Louise Barrett (S6) and Jonathan McIntyre (S5), who visited Poland last October as part of the Scottish Government’s “Lessons for Auschwitz” Programme, giving an illustrated talk about their experiences of the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camps. This was a very moving occasion for all of us. Many thanks to Miss Osborne, who supported this very important initiative, and planned such an excellent assembly. It really is a strength of hers. Thanks also to Community Choir and choirmaster Mrs Duckett. The choir sung a beautiful Hebrew song and we closed with the Hall in darkness as young people lit candles to remember all the victims of genocide. Our closing music was a beautiful rendition of the theme from “Schindler’s List” with Mrs Duckett on flute, accompanied by Mr Duncan, also of the Music Department. I was so proud of all our young people; those who contributed and those who made up the audience.

On Tuesday we held the Hospitality SQA prelim assessments and Wednesday saw our S3 Hospitality students attending the “Hospitality Roadshow” staged at Fife College. This was organised by Ms Collins, Head of Home Economics and what a terrific day it was for our young people. It’s not often you get the chance to learn how to cook fillet steak with the chefs from the Old Course Hotel!. That day, our LGBT+ Support Group had been asked to deliver equalities training to student teachers over at Strathclyde University in Glasgow. I am so very proud of our young people, and of Dr Murray, the teacher who guides them in this important work. The feedback from their session was fabulous. Also on Wednesday, we had our S1 Footballers taking part in the Fife heat of the Scottish National 7 a side tournament up at the Michael Woods Centre in Glenrothes. I am very pleased to report that both our teams excelled. Team 1 made the semi finals and Team 2 the final, although sadly they lost out 1-0 in that match. Many thanks to Mr I’Anson and Mr English, who coached and looked after our teams on the day.

That same evening, at Fife College (St Brycedale Campus), our drama students staged an abridged version of “Othello” as part of the Fife Schools Shakespeare Festival. Waid Academy also performed. Many thanks to our Director, Mrs Bruce and all the young people involved: Ollie Patel, Cameron Batchelor, Amy Snaith, Finley Tracey, Aiden Russell, Kyle Hutchon, Jorja Webster, Freya Terris, Caitlin Halliday, Eilidh Jackson, Emma Reekie, Liam Nisbet and James Kelly (sound and lighting). I must say that I thought it was brilliant. I was particularly impressed by Finley as Othello … a spellbinding performance. Also, the magnificent sum of £311 was raised to support the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Yesterday, Mr Dick accompanied our S1 “First Chances” students to Fife College to take part in special Criminology workshops. First Chances is a brilliant wider access programme with St Andrews University and it gives working class kids a taste of university life. These sessions at the College were excellent. Have a look on “Twitter” for some brilliant photographs. We also had chefs from the Royal Navy outreach team working with our Hospitality classes in school. After school last night, Mrs Hamilton set up a “masterclass” session for young people in S4-6 interested in a career in hair and beauty. We had staff in from “Glam Candy” who shared tips on cosmetics etc and talked about training and job opportunities in the industry. At 6.30pm, we held a parent/carer evening for all those involved in our art, drama and music trip to Italy in June. This involves visits to Venice and Verona and the programme sounds really good.

The week ends today with the Fife Schools Badminton Championships up at the Michael Woods Centre in Glenrothes. Mr Harrower (PE) is accompanying Spencer and Owen Tuckwell, who are representing the school. Good luck to the brothers. Also, Mr Broadway and Miss Malcolm have been invited to speak in front of Fife Headteachers in Dunfermline, on the theme of “Pupil Equity and Employability”. I’ll be in attendance myself and I’m looking forward to it.

Best of luck to Isha Aslam (S2) who has headed off to Manchester this morning for the British Muslim Awards. Isha has been nominated in the “Young Achiever” category as part of her musical/vocal group “Jewels of Jannah”. Mansoor Mahmood, the Imam of Kirkcaldy Central Mosque along the road, has also been named as a finalist, good luck to Mansoor too.

The Saturday School tomorrow is for SQA candidates (S4-S6) in Hospitality and History. Many thanks to the staff who are prepared to give up time at the weekend to support this.

Next week we won’t be having assemblies but the Hall will be used for S3 “catch up” vaccination sessions on Tuesday. That day, Miss Malcolm will be taking our netball squad to the Fife Championships. Best of luck to our team. After school that day we’ll have another mentoring session for S5 students studying Highers. Many thanks to all the members of “Friends of Kirkcaldy High School” who support our young people in this way.

Please do come along to school at 6pm on Tuesday evening. It’s our next Parent Council meeting and Chairperson Gillian McIntyre has asked me to extend a welcome to all. The main agenda item will be the feedback from our recent parental engagement survey. Many thanks if you competed this online, I sent out the link with the last two weekly updates. We’ll also discuss our plans to redesign our “Curriculum Rationale”. This is the underpinning statement which explains what we are trying to achieve collectively as a school.

On the Wednesday, Mrs Hamilton (Depute) has organised for a training agency called “Live’n’Learn” to come in to deliver study skills sessions for all S3. Some of the trainers have a background in sports psychology and similar related fields. I hope our young people make the most of this. It’s a common complaint that young people raise, the perceived inability to organise their studies. We are also competing and performing at the Fife Festival of Music on Wednesday and Thursday, with performances taking place at the Adam Smith Theatre. Very best wishes to all involved.

On Thursday we are having a special assembly for S5 to publicise the opportunities offered by the Sutton Trust. This is a charity which promotes wider access to Higher Education. The Trust runs summer schools at most UK Universities (and some overseas), and they make free places available for young people from working class families. Also on Thursday we are staging the Intermediate UK Mathematics Challenge. This is the largest Maths competition in the UK. Best of luck to all involved, and thanks to Miss Cunningham, organiser. In the evening, our LGBT+ Group will be out and about again, this time involved in a discussion about equality issues in schools, hosted by Edinburgh University. This ties in with LGBT History Month and comes in advance of our Equality and Diversity Assemblies (from Monday 17 February). As usual, these will be led by our students from our equalities and rights groups.

A week tomorrow, the SQA Saturday School sessions are for those taking National 5 or Higher in Computing Studies or Physical Education.

In the refectory, next week’s hot meal choice will be; Monday: Lentil Soup, Macaroni Cheese with Garlic Bread, Tuesday: Yellow Pea Soup, Pork Sausages, Chips and Beans, Wednesday: Tomato Soup, Chicken Korma with Rice and Naan, Thursday: Green Pea Soup, Steak Pie and Potatoes, Friday: Vegetable Soup, Fish, Chips and Peas or Beans.

We also have baked potatoes, hot dogs, pizza, pasta, panini, sandwiches, filled rolls, salad and bakery items available every day as well as our outdoor snack bar. Please do be aware that we offer a free cup of soup with bread for all our young people, regardless of their “free school meals” status. There is also our “Breakfast Club” (sponsored by Stephens the Bakers) available from 8.10am and this is completely free for those facing hardship. We have cereal, toast and jam and juice on offer. Lunchtime meals are priced at £2.20 for pupils, and this is the value of the “free meal” entitlement. Main courses are £1.55, and desserts are priced at £0.65. Please call if you are facing financial hardship and would appreciate help to apply for free meals. You should ask for Mrs Hardie (Family Link Worker).

Looking ahead, and very best wishes to our staff and pupils off to France a week on Sunday. They will stay at Chateau de Warsy in Picardy (which is an actual chateau!) and day trips include visiting the battlefields of the Somme and a visit to Paris. The lead staff are teachers Mrs Morris, Mrs Hamilton and Mr Spink with Mrs Rae (PSO) and Mrs Wallace (PSA). Wednesday 12 February is a staff training day, with an emphasis on support for young people with mental health challenges. Mrs Kendrick, our mental health “Champion” is leading an all staff session in the morning. Our mid-term break then follows with us being off school on 13 and 14 February.

Finally, another wee reminder about our annual fundraising ceilidh, organised by FoKHS. This takes place in our Assembly Hall on Friday, 6 March. It’s always a terrific evening with dancing to the Bert Pozzi Band, a fish supper from Valente’s and a cash bar. It’s our main community social event of the year and is one of the reasons why FoKHS managed to donate over £6500 to support the school last session. To reserve tickets, please call 01592 583405 and ask for Mrs Davidson (Depute).

Never be afraid to be in touch if we can be of service. All the best for the weekend.

Derek Allan

RECTOR

31 January 2020