Dear Parent or Carer

Welcome to the “Rector’s Log”, our weekly news round up. I hope that you are well.

May I start by correcting an oversight from last week? I should have reported on the great success enjoyed by our U15 football team, who won the Fife Schools’ League a week past Tuesday to make it a League and Cup double. The boys, expertly coached by Mr English, current President of the Scottish Schools FA, and Mr I’Anson, sealed the league title with a handsome 5-1 victory over Auchmuty High School, the match played at Beath High School. KHS’ scorers were Cameron McGregor (2), Cameron Newsome, Jordan Tosh and Ross Szmitz.

This week the staff were involved in equalities training being run by LGBT Youth Scotland. This took place on Monday and Wednesday and is part of our journey to achieve the “Gold” Charter. Many thanks to our trainers, Cara and Caitlin, who led some very interesting discussions and gave the staff a chance to develop their understanding of some very complex situations, particularly around the issue of transgender young people.

We also hosted our Primary 7 intake pupils once again on Tuesday and Wednesday as they took part in the “Step Up” Enterprise Programme, delivered by Matt Stewart of Entrepreneurme. Matt is well known to us in KHS and helps our new P7 to work together on business based challenges. The event all about teamwork, resilience and “out of the box” thinking. What a great day our new intake had, making friends and increasing their understanding of enterprise.

On Wednesday, Miss McIntosh took a group of young people to the Fife Schools’ Dance Competition which was held at Waid Academy, Anstruther. All who took part were excellent representatives and special congratulations goes to Aimee Main (S2) who won the contemporary solo competition and scored the highest marks achieved in the whole competition. Aimee, along with Eve Denholm (S3) impressed so much that have been awarded a summer dance scholarship in Edinburgh! Also, well done to Katie Allan and Joanna Adamczyk in S1 who came 3rd with their ‘Endless Nightmare’ duet. Kelsey Spears in S1 who was also recognised for her excellent performance in the musical theatre workshop.

Last week I mentioned that our annual Activities Day (for all S1-3) takes place today. This year, young people are off to to; M and D’s Theme Park at Motherwell, Xtreme Trampoline Park in Glenrothes, Cinema/Bowling at Dunfermline and Innoflate at Livingston. Having seen the excitement as the buses filled up and on checking some of the photos being sent in by the staff, it’s clearly a terrific success. Thanks to all the teachers and other staff who are supporting these trips.

Also this week (Wednesday to Friday) we have had a group of S3 pupils being supported by an agency called Rural and Urban Training Scheme or “RUTS”. This week, the group of 8 have been working with motor mechanics on a certificated motorbike maintenance and repair course in a “pop up” workshop we set up in the astroturf car park (photo). We have worked with RUTS before and it’s always a big success. The programme highlight comes next Friday … read on.

The exam season continued this week with History on Monday, French on Tuesday, Wednesday for Physics, Thursday for Business Management and Design and Manufacture and this afternoon it’s Engineering Science. Next week we have Dance on Monday, English for Speakers of Other Languages on Tuesday and Wednesday, Classical Studies and Graphic Communication on Tuesday, Computing Science and Health and Food Technology on Wednesday, Italian and Drama on Thursday and Art and Design on Friday. Best wishes to all our SQA candidates. The results are issued on Tuesday 6 August.

For next week, our main theme in learning will be the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We have been heightening awareness of the importance of protecting our environment and of the dangers of pollution and climate change. As well as this being the theme of much of the learning across S1-3 next week, it will be the basis of lessons when Primary 6 visit for a taster day on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the Modern Studies Department have arranged a visit to Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court for the S3 classes. We also have staff attending the “Stonewall” Education Conference in Glasgow. As you know, creating an inclusive school environment is very important to us and this is a further chance to develop awareness and share ideas, building on our training earlier this week.

Also, our S3 Parent/Carer Evening takes place on Thursday 23 May and we are once again using the online booking system. All parents/carers of S3 with an email address will receive a message with log in details and a copy of the letter and paper copies of this letter are available at the school office if necessary.  The system is live and will be open to take bookings until 22 May at 11.55pm.  Those without internet can call the school on 01592 583405 and the office staff will help. Our pupils know this.

Next week ends with a very busy Friday. Parents/carers of S1 pupils can expect school reports to be posted home that day. Please do discuss this at home and return the feedback form the week after.

Also next Friday we have an early start with a “Business Breakfast” in school for those employers and businesses who support us in “Developing the Young Workforce”. Many thanks to Miss Malcolm, who leads on this and has set up this engagement. We are looking at ways to extend our work placements and visits. If you can help with this, please do be in touch. Also on Friday, Mrs Brown and our S3 Classical Studies class members are part of a very exciting archaeological dig on East Lomond Hill. They are working with The Falkand Stewardship Trust to excavate ann Iron Age hillfort. As I say, how exciting.

Furthermore, and I did say it was a special treat, our S3 “RUTS” group is along at Knockhill for an off-road motorbike training day. They will put into practice some of the skills they have learned this week. Many thanks to Miss Malcolm and Mrs Rae (Pupil Support Officer), who are supporting this programme.

Back in school, Mrs Davidson and I will be assisted by Ann Mitchell of Kirkcaldy Rotary Club, Fraser Anderson and Mollie Turner (current Head Boy and Girl) to conduct interviews for next year’s Head Boy and Head Girl. We have drawn up a short leet of 13 potential candidates, based on prefect interviews and nominations from staff. When the final group is selected, all S6 and staff will have the final say in an election held on Friday 7 June.

A week tomorrow (Saturday 25 May), we have organised a coastal path clean up in conjunction with Fife Coast and Countryside Trust. A good number of pupils have signed up to litter pick the path between Seafield and Kinghorn. We are meeting at the Seafield car park at 10am and you are very welcome to join us.

Also next week, it will be good to welcome back Miss Yvonne Nessel to the Business Education Department. Miss Nessel has had a spell as Head of Department at a school in Aberdeen and I am delighted that she has now decided to return to Fife.

The hot meal menu for next week is as follows;

Monday: Lentil soup, Butter Chicken Tikka Masala and Rice, vegetables Tuesday: Mushroom soup, Grilled Sausage/burger – veggie/beef/chicken, chips, baked beans Wednesday: Scotch broth, Roast chicken and gravy, potatoes and vegetables Thursday: Carrot and coriander soup, Lasagne, garlic bread and vegetables Friday: Yellow split pea soup, Breaded fish/Sausage roll, chips, peas.

We also have baked potatoes, pizza, pasta, sandwiches and salad 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. We also have our “Breakfast Club” (sponsored by Stephens the Bakers) available from 8.10am and this is completely free to those facing hardship. We have cereal, toast and jam and juice on offer with coffee, tea or hot chocolate.

I must give another mention of our school show, “School of Rock”, which takes place in KHS over three nights, June 19-21.  I am sure that it will be a great success. Director, Mr McPherson tells me that rehearsals are going well. Tickets are priced at £5 and £3 and are available from the school office. Payment can also be made using the online iPayimpact system.  Tickets for the show can then be collected from the office any time before the day of the show.  If you need any assistance logging on to the iPayimpact system, please contact the school office.

All the best to you

Derek Allan

RECTOR

17 May 2019