Dear Parent/Carer
Welcome to the “end of term” news update. I hope that you are well and are looking forward to the holiday break. We’ve had a busy week past, as you will see.
We had House assemblies led by our school chaplain, Rev. Ken Froude. It was Adam Smith on Tuesday, Oswald on Wednesday and Carlyle House on the Thursday. Ken gave a series of excellent talks on the theme of taking personal responsibility for community issues.
However, the main event was the visit of the UNICEF assessors on Tuesday to judge our “Rights Respecting School” status. Given the extent to which we have embedded “Respect” as a core value here, and the extent to which young people are involved in the life of the school, I am delighted to report that we have been awarded the “Silver” standard. Kirkcaldy is now officially a UNICEF “Rights Respecting School”, the first secondary school in the area to be recognised as such. Many thanks to all the young people who have been part of this, and also to the parents/carers who contributed. The staff also played a big part, especially Miss Ashby and Miss Diamond, who led the initiative.
On Wednesday evening our drama students, so well directed by Ms Bruce, performed brilliantly at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh. As part of the National Theatre “Connections” Festival they put on the play “The Ceasefire Babies”, set in Northern Ireland during the times of violent sectarian conflict. Our cast and crew were magnificent. Thanks also to Mr McPherson and Dr Murray, who supported the production too.
Also on Wednesday evening at Perth Sheriff Court, Morgan Faulds and Cara Hayes (S3) competed in the Sheriffdom Finals of the Crown Office Procurator Fiscal Public Speaking Competition. This is the Scottish Schools’ Speaking Championships and KHS was up against Perth Academy and McLaren High School of Callander. I am delighted to say that KHS won a very close contest and now proceed to Dundee Sheriff Court for the national semi-final against Glen Urquhart High School from Drumnadrochit. Very well done to Morgan and Cara. They are a credit to us all.
Today is a “Dress Down” day in aid of Refuge Fife, the refugee charity. Pupils are being asked to donate £1 or whatever they can afford. Tomorrow is the Good Friday holiday and we then have two weeks Easter vacation with school returning on Monday 16 April.
As I have said before, I do hope that those taking exams shortly will use some of their holiday time for revision. To help with this, we have an extensive programme of study support in school right throughout the break which starts tomorrow with Higher Maths. The full programme is attached. It’s perhaps something which you can print off for reference.
We return to school on Monday 16 April and the menu that week is;
Monday: Lentil soup, Macaroni Cheese, chips, vegetables
Tuesday: Tomato soup, Roast Chicken, baby boiled potatoes, broccoli
Wednesday: Minestrone soup, Pork sausage casserole, potatoes and vegetables
Thursday: French onion soup, Red Thai Chilli Beef, noodles and vegetables
Friday: Leek and potato soup, Breaded fish/Steakbake, chips, peas
We also have baked potatoes, pizza, pasta, sandwiches and salad available every day as well as our new 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 50p otherwise). We have cereal, toast and jam and juice on offer.
You will be aware that there is a “Greggs” bakery and “Subway” sandwich bar on the forecourt of the Shell Garage on Hendry Road which attract very big numbers of our young people every day. As I have highlighted before, this is a busy petrol station and there is no room on the forecourt for the number of young people hanging around. Vehicles drive in and out constantly, often reversing, and I am very concerned about safety. The risk of an accident is great and we have decided to place a complete ban on all young people visiting the petrol station at lunchtime. I appreciate that this will not be popular with our pupils, or with the operators of the garage. However, having assessed the risk, it seems to be the only reasonable thing to do. We will have staff on hand to prevent access to the forecourt after the holidays. This news was shared at the assembly today and on our “daily bulletin”.
Please remember that you can “top up” your son or daughter’s “MyFife” card online and this means they can only spend their dinner money in the school canteen or outdoor server. This is a reasonably cheap, nutritious and safer option than leaving the school grounds at lunchtime. Those on free lunches have the value of a meal added to their card automatically. If you need advice about free meals, please contact the school and ask for Mrs Hardie (Pupil Support Officer).
First week back we have yeargroup assemblies on the theme of teenage mental health (S1-3) and SQA exams (S4-6). The S2 will also have a special input from Police Scotland about online safety and “sexting”. On the Thursday evening, Morgan and Cara will be up at Dundee Sheriff Court on Public Speaking business. On Friday 20 April, we welcome the St Andrews University Geobus to school. The University staff will be working with Geography classes all day.
As I say, do have a good holiday. For SQA candidates, I attach another copy of the Easter study school programme, thanks to all staff giving up their time. I also attach a copy of the exam timetable for your information.
Yours
Derek Allan
RECTOR
29 March 2018
