Dear Parent/Carer

Welcome to the weekly update from your school. I hope that you have had a good week.

It’s been quite a busy one here with our ‘Next Steps’ parents/carers evening last Monday. The focus was primarily on UCAS and university applications but we also covered college, apprenticeships and employment. There was an input from Skills Development Scotland too. Many thanks to Mr Farquharson and thanks to those who came along.

It was also good to see a good turnout at our Parent Council meeting on Tuesday. We covered budget, staffing and SQA results. Many thanks to Head Boy and Girl, Fraser Anderson and Mollie Turner who gave an update from a student viewpoint. The Council is now planning a Quiz Night for December and have asked Mr Dick (Chemistry), who is our resident DJ and Quizmaster, to host.

Tuesday was a particularly busy day with our new crop of S6 “My World of Work” Ambassadors being trained by Skills Development Scotland. Our Platinum Sports Ambassadors also attending a national conference at Perth Concert Hall and we hosted BAE Systems for a “STEM” event for S1 in the Assembly Hall. This was lots of fun. We also had a vaccination “catch up” session for S3 who missed out in June.

On Wednesday, evening, all S1 parents/carers were invited to our “Growth Mindset for Numeracy” evening. Many thanks to the Maths team who have organised this and also to those who came along. There was a great turn out and the event was very well evaluated. (photo)

This morning I attended the annual Fife Education and Children’s Services Conference at the Rothes Halls and once again I was so proud that KHS young people had been asked to take a lead. Morgan Faulds and Cara Hayes (S4) were the only young people invited to contribute and they spoke passionately about the impact which Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) can have on young people. ACES include poverty, neglect, hunger, abuse and violence and Morgan and Cara, along with other KHS pupils have helped in the production of a new film called “Be That Person” over the past year. It had its first showing this morning. I’m also delighted that our own Mr Broadway (Head of Supported Learning) and pupils appear in the film.

Next week is another busy one. On Monday morning we have a film crew in school making a short video about our COSLA Excellence Award finalists … KHS LGBT+. In the afternoon, many of our S6 will be attending the Fife Careers Convention in the afternoon, which includes information about UCAS University applications. This takes place in Glenrothes.

We have House assemblies on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to unfurl our “Rights Respecting School” banner and I am pleased to report that we will be joined by David Torrance, the MSP for Kirkcaldy for this special occasion. In the afternoon on Tuesday we are delighted to be welcoming the Osiligi Maasai Warriors Dance Troupe to KHS. They dropped by in 2014 and caused quite a stir. I’m sure their amazing dance and jumping routines will be appreciated by our S1 and S2 pupils that afternoon. In the evening, Mr Harrower is holding a parent/carer evening for those S2 involved in the Great War battlefields trip to France and Belgium in May 2019.

Wednesday sees our Raytheon Quadcopter design team out at the competition in Glenrothes and there is also a meeting of “Friends of Kirkcaldy High” mentors that morning. FoKHS offers support to S5 undertaking academically challenging courses and the mentors meet throughout the session. We are holding a staff training session after school with a focus on summarising what has been learned in a lesson. Thanks to Mrs Hamilton (Depute) for setting this up and also to Mrs Morris who has been filmed in action. We also have feedback from a group of S6 students who will give staff advice about what works best for them.

On Wednesday evening, the Maths Department are holding a special parent/carer evening for those studying for National 5. Thanks to the staff giving up their own time so freely.

On Thursday 13 September I’ll be joined by Cameron Bowie, Alanah Ferguson, John Hamilton and Dr Paul Murray, some of the leading members of our KHS LGBT+ Support Group, at Verity House (the COSLA HQ in Edinburgh) to deliver our presentation for the national Excellence Awards (Tackling Inequalities and Improving Health). Crossing fingers for the finals on 11 October. Whatever the outcome, I am delighted to be associated with such a progressive school where respect for self, others and learning is promoted so persistently.

In the evening I’ll be along at Windmill Campus for the official premiere of “Be That Person”. Cara and Morgan will be there, as will Mr Broadway, who has become heavily involved in several initiatives aimed at reducing the impact of those “ACES”.

Next week’s menu is;

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, Mince pie, potatoes 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” available from 8.10am and this is free to those facing hardship (it costs 44p otherwise). We have cereal, toast and jam and juice on offer.

Looking ahead, please do come along to our “Friends of Kirkcaldy High School” fund raising Race Night on November 2. We are indebted to FoKHS for all their support, which includes sponsoring young people to take part in school activities and trips as well as purchasing equipment for the school. You’ll appreciate that at a time when funding is tight, this in invaluable.

A’ the best

Derek Allan

RECTOR

7 Sept 2018