Dear Parent/Carer
Welcome to our weekly update email, coming a wee bit earlier than usual due to the staff training day and holidays. I do hope you value this regular communication.
Mr Mitchell at Groupe Scolaire Bumbogo, Rwanda
It’s been an unusual week here with a very strong international flavour. Out in Africa, we have Ms Mahr and Mr Mitchell of the RME Department, supported by the British Council establishing our link with Groupe Scolaire Bumbogo in Kigali, Rwanda. They have been treated like true VIPs (see photo of Mr Mitchell) and I am really looking forward to building a partnership over the coming sessions. More news on their return, but you can check some of the other photos on Twitter to get a flavour of this experience.
On Sunday past, our Modern Languages staff Mrs Morris and Mr Spink, and 22 young people headed off to Vannes, Brittany to stay with French families and attend school in the town. They spent the first part of the trip in Paris and have had an excellent experience so far. They return late next Sunday. Again, please check Twitter, it really is excellent for this kind of activity.
We also have a separate group of 55 CDT pupils off to Paris for a trip which includes engineering and design workshops as well as the Eurodisney Theme Park experience. Many thanks to the staff involved Mr Hamilton, Mr I’Anson, Miss Brown, Dr Murray and Mrs Hardie. It’s great to see our young people getting all these chances to broaden their horizons and I know that new opportunities are also being planned, including a Modern Studies trip to London next year. Please do remember that we can offer financial support to take part in school trips, many thanks to Friends of Kirkcaldy High School. Please contact Guidance in the first place. Free meal entitlement is usually the criteria for us to give a grant.
Today is a staff training day and we are closed for pupils. The teachers and support assistants from KHS and all our associated primaries are meeting in KHS and we have had a talk from Sue Brookes, former Governor of Polmont Young Offenders Institution. Sue is renowned for her work in the rehabilitation of young people left traumatised by “Adverse Childhood Experiences” such as violence, parental alcohol misuse, drugs or neglect in the home. Her talk was very well received and I’m sure she can help our staff to become ever more able to nurture and support young people affected by trauma; either on-going problems or bad experiences from an earlier time in their young lives. We will also be looking at literacy (especially writing) standards across our “cluster” group of five schools; KHS, Capshard, Fair Isle, Valley and Torbain. Many thanks to Mrs Hume and our English team who are leading on this.
Tomorrow and Friday are holidays, best wishes for this short break from the routine. We are back to school on Monday 19 February when the First Year will be out of class during period one for a special safety talk from Water Safety Scotland. This is a charity which is trying to reduce accidental drowning.
We then have Yeargroup assemblies for the rest of the week. Mrs Aitken is visiting our primaries in the afternoons, along with members of our “Learning Council”. On Wednesday we’ll be hosting another round of the Disability Sport Fife football tournament.
The week ends 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 in Edinburgh. On the Friday, we have been invited by “Respectme”, the national bullying advisory group, to showcase our work in creating an inclusive school culture. I’ll be joined by a small group of students.
Our “Saturday School” on 24 February is French, Design and Manufacture, Engineering Science and Graphic Communication. The 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.
The menu next 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 also remember that we offer a free cup of soup with bread for all our young people, regardless of their “free school meals” status.
Also, a final reminder about the Friends of Kirkcaldy High School Ceilidh on Friday 9 March. It’s always a brilliant night out with dancing to the Bert Pozzi Band, a fish supper from Valente’s and the chance to support the school and our young people (eg to take part in school trips). Tickets are selling fast and we are on track to sell out again. Please contact Mrs Davidson for yours.
Finally, please do remember about the ASDA (Carberry Road) wee green token appeal … we are saving up to create an outdoor gym, which will be available for public use outside school hours.
Keep well … and Happy Valentine’s Day!
Derek Allan
RECTOR
14 February 2018
