Rector’s Log 3/2/17

February 3, 2017 by P. Murray

Dear Parent/Carer

I hope that our regular update finds you well. Here is the news.

We’ve had another very busy week here with SQA Hospitality prelim exams on every day. On Monday afternoon we had a special talk about engineering career opportunities. It was delivered by “OGTAP” with a special focus on the oil and gas industry, particularly offshore. Presenter Kitti Kelemen, from OPITO, was a very good ambassador for the sector and sparked a high level of interest from our engineering science students.

The Assemblies were House based (Tuesday to Thursday) and the theme was Diversity and Equality with a special spotlight on LGBT issues, led by our in-school support group. This was to mark February as Gay and Lesbian History Month. We’ve also asked all pupils to stand up against bullying of any kind by signing a “charter” next week to say that they will not be a “bystander”. I’m sure that most are convinced that this is what is required of all decent people.

On the Tuesday we were joined by Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Further and Higher Education and Science, who met with a group of KHS girls to talk about “STEM” careers and attitudes to science. The Government is keen to tackle the “gender gap” in STEM. Our girls and young women were exceptional … they made some excellent points and the Minister left KHS quite enlightened.

In the evening, we had a Parent Council meeting, discussing school governance and “direct funding” from the Scottish Government in order to support the attainment and achievement of young people most affected by poverty. The Council then joined our S1 Literacy focus evening which was laid on by the English Department. This was a very well attended evening which received great reviews. The key message was to keep a positive mindset and also to try to develop the home environment as a place where reading and the discussion of ideas happen naturally. Thanks to Mrs Hume, Dr Jones and the English staff for setting this up. Mrs Hume shared some useful web links. Here they are;

(Growth Mindset illustration)

On the theme of “equity” funding from the Scottish Government, I am delighted to report that the school will be in receipt of almost £170000 of additional funding next session, direct from the Scottish Government. This is the second highest sum of any of the Fife high schools. Some of you may possibly have heard my comments on Kingdom FM this week? We’ll be targeting those affected by poverty and will focus on literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing – with a special emphasis on helping the most disadvantaged young people to gain a “positive destination” ie a job, apprenticeship, training, college or university place.

On Wednesday afternoon we held aptitude tests for the Arkwright Engineering Scholarships. This is a fantastic programme which offers mentoring and financial support to young people across the UK. We are pleased that, over the last 10 years, KHS has won more of these engineering scholarships than any other state school in Scotland. Good luck to this year’s applicants and thanks to Mr Fulton for taking the lead this year.

And well done to our Rotary Club Leadership Camp candidates. This is a fantastic one week outdoor adventure experience in the Cairngorms, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Kirkcaldy, which takes place each July. There are 3 fully funded places available for all of the Kirkcaldy schools and I am so proud to report that, after a tough selection process and interviews, KHS pupils have secured 2 of the places. Well done to Chloe McGlashan and Kyle Dick (S5). Well done also to Danny Graves (S5) who is first reserve.

Thursday saw our “Friends of Kirkcaldy High School” supporters offering further advice to the S5 pupils undertaking a programme of 5 Highers. I must thank FoKHS for all their assistance with this mentoring programme. It was also the Intermediate UK Maths Challenge – good luck to those involved and thanks to Miss Grubb for her work with this.

This morning, we hosted the Fife College “Roadshow” in the Hall. All those considering a college pathway were invited and we thank our FE partners for their continued close engagement with the school. Also, S2 parents and carers can expect the school report in the post. Please be aware that our “Learning Fair” which looks at next steps in learning, is 22 February, and our Parent/Carer Evening is 1 March.

Last week’s “Saturday School” was Maths, and we had 130 young people in for the day … I think that is a fantastic uptake. Unfortunately, tomorrow’s planned revision school for SQA Geography, History and Modern Studies has had to be postponed until Saturday 25 March. Our next session will now be Business, Administration and Computing, on Saturday 11 February.

Next week is the SQA Prelim exams for National 5 candidates (S4) and again, I must thank our “Friends” who are helping with invigilation. Miss Diamond sent home a copy of the timetable on Tuesday. For parents/carers of S5/6, school reports should be with you by the end of the week, and will include details of results from the recent prelims and improvement advice for May, when the final SQA exams take place.

We have a Science trip to visit the new Forth Bridge on Monday. On Wednesday morning it’s the Fife Festival of Music at Adam Smith Theatre and in the afternoon we’ll have our Rotary Interact Club members planting snowdrops in Beveridge Park as part of Kirkcaldy’s “Britain in Bloom” entry.

On Thursday, we are pleased to be hosting a group of 12 teachers, headteachers and school inspectors from France, Germany and Poland as part of an international study programme. Mr Young (Depute Head) has put together a varied experience for our European friends and I’m sure that they will be impressed by seeing our young people and our teachers in action.

The hot dish menu for the week ahead is; Monday: Spaghetti Bolognese with garlic bread. Tuesday: Roast beef with Yorkshire pudding and mash. Wednesday: Macaroni cheese with chips or garlic bread, Thursday: Steak pie and potatoes. Friday: Fish and chips. We also have our pizza, pasta, sandwich and salad options too. Do remember that a cup of home-made soup is available free to all young people at lunchtime.

On a final note, you will be aware that we greatly value young people’s opinions and suggestions about the direction and the work of the school. For example, our “Learning Council” of S6 students is currently working with local primaries to create a common “Learning Charter” which lays out the principles of how young people are expected to learn and make progress. We’ve also had preliminary discussions about the “equity” funding. Also, we’ve taken feedback from forums about the condition of our indoor toilet facilities and bus punctuality. I can report that, as a consequence, both are now in hand, Stagecoach will adjust the times of the KC2 from the end of February and we’ll be decorating the toilets soon, probably in the Easter break.

Our weekly employability bulletin is attached as usual. If there is anything we can do to help, you know we are a responsive school. Please call.

All the best for the weekend, wishing you well.

Derek Allan

3 February 2017

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