Dear Parent/Carer
Welcome to the weekly email news bulletin.
After the short mid-term break, we were back to school on Monday 19 February and the First Year were out of class during period 1 for a special talk from Water Safety Scotland. This is a charity which is trying to reduce accidental drowning and it was very powerful. We were joined by Police, Fire Service and RNLI staff as well as Gillian Barclay, who lost her son Cameron, after he died at Inverkeithing Quarry. Please try to discuss this important safety issue at home.
We then had Yeargroup assemblies for the rest of the week. Many thanks to Mr Young, who led these on the theme of never giving up. He had some excellent examples from the world of winter sports. Mrs Aitken visited our primaries in the afternoons, along with members of our “Learning Council”, and she tells me that these have been excellent discussions around what makes for the best lessons.
Well done to our S2 Science pupils who won the “Balloon Chair Challenge” at the Go4SET Competition held at Fife College on Tuesday. Thanks to Miss Tennant, who supported the team so well. We also had a terrific talk from author Russell Jones on the Tuesday, many thanks to Mrs Cunningham (English) for organising this.
On Wednesday we had Fife College and Fife Council staff in school to assist our young people with college and Foundation Apprenticeship applications. We also hosted another round of the Disability Sport Fife football tournament. We are always delighted to help.
The week ends today with an input about student exchange opportunities in the USA. We’ll have a representative from “FLAG UK” at our assemblies. We are also involved in an event at the Scottish Government HQ at Victoria Quay. Our S2 girls are up at Glenrothes for the Fife Schools’ Netball Championship. Good luck to Miss McIntosh, Miss Malcolm and the team.
We were invited by “Respectme” the national bullying advisory group to showcase our work in creating an inclusive school culture this morning. KHS is recognised as being, for the most part, a happy school with a strong sense of community. I spoke about that and was joined by Morgan Faulds, Cara Hayes, John Hamilton and Alanah Ferguson, who also spoke at this Scottish Government event in Leith. I have to say that we were very well received. I am immensely proud of the leadership of our young people and their strong commitment to fairness and respect.
Our “Saturday School” this week (24 February) is French, Design and Manufacture, Engineering Science and Graphic Communication and parents/carers of S5/6 students can also expect reports to be posted home this weekend. Also tomorrow, many thanks to Miss Ashby and Mr I’Anson, who are taking a busload to Murrayfield for the Calcutta Cup. Come on Scotland!
The Saturday programme continues; 3 March: English, 10 March: Latin, Classical Studies, Engineering Science, Graphic Communication and Design & Manufacture, 17 March: Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Drama, 24 March: Spanish. These sessions run from 9.45am and last up to four hours. Thanks to all the staff who are giving up their time. There is evidence that this time for concentrated study can make a big difference for the exams.
Next week our Guidance Team will be assisting our S5/6 pupils to select their courses for 2018-2019 and on Monday, S3 pupils will be vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, polio and meningitis. We also welcome student teachers Danielle McDowall (Modern Studies) and Cherelle Torrens (CDT). Cherelle is a former pupil.
On Tuesday we are holding a “SPEEDY STEM” event for S3 with STEM Ambassadors in the Hall. Mrs Aitken is visiting Valley Primary in the afternoon with our “Learning Council”. In the evening, our Drama Department will perform “Ceasefire Babies” in our own studios (also on Wednesday). This show is part of the National Theatre “Connections” Festival and we are performing the play at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh next month.
Next Thursday sees our S4 Peer Educators delivering the “Boozebusters” to S2 (supported by staff from “Clued Up”). This is a very effective “peer education” programme aimed at reducing teenage alcohol abuse.
The week ends with a visit from Sara Rowbotham, from Rochdale. Perhaps you are aware of the Rochdale child sexual exploitation (CSE) scandal or saw “Three Girls”, the hard hitting BBC drama series about the case. Sara was a health worker who was the main “whistleblower”. Our Modern Studies pupils contacted her about the whole issue of CSE and she has kindly agreed to visit KHS. She will meet Miss Ashby’s class and also talk with our Guidance staff and the school nurse team.
As well as the English Saturday School, Mrs Shearer is taking a group of pupils to the St Andrews University Classics Conference on 3 March.
The menu next week 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 new outdoor snack bar. Please also remember that we offer a free cup of soup with bread for all our young people, regardless of their “free school meals” status.
Many thanks, as ever, to Miss Nessel for putting together the current employability bulletin. Our aim is to ensure that no young person moves on from KHS without a “positive destination”.
As always, please do be in touch if we can assist with any matter of concern.
With very best wishes for the weekend.
Derek Allan
RECTOR
23 February 2018
