Dear Parent/Carer

As always, I’m hoping that you are well. Welcome to the weekly KHS news.

On Wednesday, we had our SQA Certification Parent/Carer evening. This was very well attended and we had a good number of questions answered and reassurances given. I’m grateful to Mrs Davidson (Depute), Miss Grubb (Head of Maths) and Mr Jones (Head of Social Subjects) for their excellent inputs.

This is a particularly tough term ahead for all the staff and young people involved with the SQA. Our pupils will no doubt be feeling the pressure to produce evidence that they meet the standard at National 5, Higher or Advanced Higher. There is great pressure on the staff too, to set and mark the assessments, and then work collaboratively, including with colleagues in other schools, to agree and uphold the standard.

So best wishes to all our SQA candidates, remember that there are usually “study support” classes available and that following the improvement advice being offered by teachers is the best way to achieve what they deserve.

Yesterday was a staff training day with a part of the day spent in subject team meetings (online) making sure that all the teachers are up to speed regarding the new certification arrangements. In the morning, we had a session on what the school’s improvement priorities are likely to be for the session ahead. We’ve decided to keep things pretty simple and focus wellbeing, effective learning and positive outcomes for leavers … in that order. As always, wellbeing, and that includes the adults as well as the young people of KHS, comes in at number one. If we are not well, we can’t do well.

Last week I included a reminder about our uniform expectations. Of course, we appreciate that this situation is still nothing like our usual way of operating, but we do expect our regular dress code to apply. If the temperature is particularly low (eg because of the increased requirement to ventilate classrooms) teachers will display the special sign in class which is a signal that this is acceptable. Otherwise, jackets and hoodies will be removed. Our school tie remains a basic requirement. Please expect contact from the school if the usual uniform standard is not being met for any reason. We’ll always offer support if purchasing the right gear is a problem right now.

Mobile phones are sometimes cause of occasional concern/dispute. Please be reminded that they are not allowed to be out in class without teacher authorisation. Again, we have a special sign which teachers will display, when permission is given eg to take part in a quiz or to photograph something or use a personal phone for research. When phones are a problem, a pupil will be asked to deposit their gadget into a special “phone box” until the end of the lesson. If this happens too frequently, the Yearhead will contact you. I hope that you agree that this is fair?

These are the basic rules which we can usually reinforce at assemblies, but of course, under the current rules on mass gatherings, these have not been allowed. However, it has recently been clarified that our Assembly Hall can be used for groups of 90 young people or so and we intend to have house group assemblies for S1 next Tuesday. Mr Young and I, along with Mr Farquharson and the Guidance staff, are looking forward to these. We know that they are sorely missed as our assemblies are an obvious way to build community and a sense of belonging, and to reinforce basic rules and expectations. We’ll also share details of our planned S1 “Picnic in the Park”, which takes place on the afternoon of Wednesday 19 May. We’ll have an assembly “roll out” for S2 and S3 after Tuesday. We are keen to get that consistent message reinforced again. When it boils down to it, we expect Respect for Self, Others and Learning. That will be the message.

Many thanks to the S5 who have applied to be Prefects next session. Mrs Davidson and I will sift the applications and finalise the selection process shortly. Again, it’s something which can’t quite be the same as usual, with “face to face” interviews etc, but we will work out a fair alternative, including our selection process for Head Boy and Girl and the Deputes. The new team will be in place for August.

We are also planning to have a Prizegiving (of sorts) this year. Although it can’t be a live event, we will award the academic subject prizes. I am very grateful to all our sponsors, and they will be recognised when we finalise the winners later this month. We are especially indebted to Val McDermid, who was in contact this week to confirm the ongoing annual award of the McDermid Bursary, which is awarded to one or more of our leavers moving out of Fife to study at university, whilst facing financial challenges. Usually, Val’s prize is set at £500 but this year she is donating £1000. Val continues to be great friend of KHS, her old school.

Covid business to close and this afternoon, as indicated in the email I sent out on Wednesday, S1 and S2 will receive additional LFD kits, enough to see them up to the summer break. All will be given two boxes of 7 kits. Please continue to oversee testing on a Wednesday and Sunday during term time. Your help is greatly appreciated. S3 will get their supplies on Monday morning and S4 during their PSE lesson next week. We are still working on a plan for S5/6 but do not want to disrupt the ongoing learning and programme of assessment.

Also on the theme of health, on Monday, Oswald pupils in S3 will be called for their Diphtheria, Typhoid, Polio and Meningitis jag. They will receive an appointment slip at around 9am.

Our usual Employability Bulletin is attached, and our usual reminder to be in touch should you need any help at all is extended. Please mind the Covid test on Sunday. Apparently there have been well over 500 Fife kids isolating this week, plus new isolations associated with a case reported here this morning. It’s another reminder that these are dangerous times yet. Your support of and regard for our best efforts at keeping everyone safe is greatly appreciated.

Take care

Derek Allan
RECTOR
7 May 2021