Dear Parent/Carer
Welcome to the latest weekly news update from your school.
It’s been another busy week in KHS … one in which we held year meetings in the Hall. These took place yesterday and on Wednesday and the main focus was on what we are calling the “givens”, or the basic expectations we have for the corridors, classrooms and around the school. We need our young people to cooperate over issues such as mobile phones, chewing gum and face masks (preferably a reusable cloth mask). This helps us all to get the best from learning. Thanks for your support of our efforts to get things right and to make expectations clear. Quite a few parents/carers have agreed to confiscate mobile phones and keep them at home to avoid them disrupting lessons. This is very helpful.
After school on Monday, our U15 footballers had a fine win in the Scottish Schools’ Shield, when they beat Glenrothes High 3-2. Particular well done goes to Peter Duncan (S3), who scored two, including a special strike from distance for the late winner. Our U18 team takes on Carnoustie High School in the Scottish next week and I note that Mr English reports that our trip to Hampden to see Scotland take on Denmark for the final World Cup Qualifier is massively over-subscribed.
Our S5/S6 pupils had an excellent input from Napier University staff to assist them with their Personal Statements which go with their university application. The sessions took place on Tuesday afternoon. And S3 have been involved in taking online assessments of their literacy and numeracy skills, sitting the computerised SNSA this week. The results will allow us to help learners set targets for the “nationals” next year and to identify the right kinds of support our pupils need to achieve of their best.
We have several important things going on next week and beyond, with the S2 Parents’ Evening on Wednesday 10 November and on the Thursday we will be marking Remembrance across the school during period 3. There is a video presentation which will be viewed by all classes … many thanks to Miss Osborne and the young people who are contributing, and we will lay poppy wreaths at our in-school war memorial. I’ll also be joining with Daanish and Jessica (Head Boy and Girl) to lay a wreath at the Kirkcaldy War Memorial on Sunday 14 November. Friday 12 November is a staff training day so we are closed to pupils. You’ll maybe be aware that “Tutor” restarts from Monday 15 November, with all learners reporting to the same, mixed yeargroup, class every morning. On Friday 19 November we will have a “Dress Down Day” to support Children in Need. That’s also when the Fourth Year Reports will be posted home.
We have our SQA Support Parents’ Evening online for S4-6 on 24 November. Invitations to join us on “Zoom” will be emailed out shortly. Next week’s “log” will include a copy of the full SQA timetable for April and May 2022, and further information about plans for “Prelims” in January. Many, although not all, assessments will take place in our Hall in order to give our young people experience of that setting.
Looking ahead, and I would encourage all parents and carers of S1/2 to encourage their kids to sign up for this year’s pantomime trip to the Byre Theatre in St Andrews. It’s “Jack and the Beanstalk”. OK … I can hear you crying “Oh no it isn’t! Mrs Bruce (Drama) has distributed letters this week and we are hoping that all our young people in these yeargroups will want to attend.
This week we appear to have seen a growing and quite worrying trend, with a number of young people being found in possession of “vapes”. These devices are not allowed in school and will be confiscated if discovered. Most contain nicotine, a harmful substance which can impair brain development in teenagers and is known to affect memory and concentration. It is also addictive and can lead to the development of other addictions. The vapour contains toxins and harmful chemicals which can cause respiratory damage and some of the substances are linked to cancers. The vapour itself can even be harmful to others … “passive vaping” if you like. Please be alert to these dangers and discuss them at home if you can. The vapes themselves can be very difficult to identify. There appears to be a new style of disposable device which looks just like a marker pen. You might want to be aware of this. We’ve been in touch with several families this week who have been surprised and disappointed that their kids have taken up this habit.
On a more positive note, please remember that you are invited to reply to this email telling us about any recent successes your son or daughter has had. We are thinking about things like sporting or volunteering successes outside school or activities with other organisations eg Guides, Scouts, Youth Clubs, charity fundraising etc. We also want to know about achievement linked to interests and hobbies eg dancing, skating, art drama or music etc. It’s almost without limit really. Our intention would be to collate all the reports into a regular achievement round-up, probably in video format, which will go up on the KHS website. I’m grateful to Mrs Duckett (Music), who has offered to look after this. All we need now is for you to tell us the good news stories about your kids. As I say, please reply to this email with all the details (including name, year etc) and please include a photo if you can. Much appreciated … we have uncovered a few cracking tales of wider achievements already.
Next week sees the start of the voting window for the Scottish Youth Parliament. I am delighted to report that we have two candidates standing this year. They are Ramiza Ahmad (S6) and Karam Aslam (S3). Pupils can vote online by logging in to “GLOW” and clicking on the appropriate tile. They will be prompted to put in their post code which gives them the candidate list. They can only vote once. Please encourage your son or daughter to engage in this important exercise in democracy. We’ll be having a focus on it in classes too before voting closes on 19 November. Good luck to Ramiza and Karam.
Covid news to close, and again a wee bit more positivity. I am pleased (if that’s the right word) to report a further decline in reported cases across the school. This week we’ve had 15 new cases, the lowest figure since late August. However, it’s still not going away is it? Please keep testing at home, support your kids to be vaccinated, and please ensure that they are bringing a reusable cloth face covering every day. These measures seem to be the key to keeping Covid under control.
So, all the very best to you. Enjoy your weekend, and please reply to tell us about success stories involving your son or daughter. They will be highlighted in our special achievements roundup video available soon.
Derek Allan
RECTOR
5 November 2021
