Dear Parent/Carer
Welcome to the weekly news update. I hope that you are well.
On a personal note, it was good to return to school on Wednesday after illness followed by a period of self-isolation. I’ve missed the company and the whole KHS “buzz”. Unfortunately, we continue to have a significant number of teachers, other staff and pupils who are unable to be in school right now due to Covid, isolation and other causes. I wish them all well. It means that we are having to collapse classes and make emergency supervision arrangements every period. This is difficult and, as always, I’m grateful to the staff who go the “extra mile” to find a way through each day. I am especially grateful to the Deputes, who have supervised groups of pupils in the Hall all week.
With next week’s prelim exams for S4-6, we held briefing meetings for all candidates on Wednesday. Mrs Davidson went over arrangements and expectations. She was at pains to highlight the issue of mobile phones. All candidates must be clear that possession of a phone (or a smart watch) during an SQA assessment can result in the complete cancellation of an award … it’s that serious.
We now have details of Paige’s funeral. This takes place on Tuesday 25 January at 11.30am with a celebratory service at the Old Kirk, and burial at Dysart Cemetery at 1.30pm. Michelle, Paige’s mum, has made it clear that all of her friends are welcome and requests that bright colours, rather than dark, be worn. Please advise us in advance if your son/daughter will attend, even though S4-6 will officially be on study leave and not in school. It’s likely that a good number of the staff here will also pay their respects. Paige was hugely popular and well liked. Her loss is very deeply felt here. She will never be forgotten.
This means that our plans for the prelims that day will need to be changed. What we have decided to do is take all the exams due for Tuesday 25 January and run them on an extra day, Monday 31 January. Study leave is therefore extended to 31 January, with all S4-6 returning to normal classes next day. No S4-6 are expected in school on Tuesday 25 January. Extra study leave is now provided, although many will choose to attend Paige’s funeral we expect.
Other forthcoming events include a vaccination clinic for some girls in S2-6 next Tuesday, appointment slips have been issued. This is an HPV catch up session. Further sessions, including Diphtheria and Meningitis jags are scheduled over the rest of the term. Watch out for details in the Rector’s Log.
On Wednesday evening we will hold our first pair of online parents evenings for those with kids joining S1 in August 2022. Mr Young and I are hosting these on “Zoom”, joined by KHS pupils and other staff. We’ll deliver a brief presentation and take any questions. The Fair Isle meeting is at 5pm with Valley at 6pm. We’ll meet with parents of Torbain and Capshard the following Wednesday evening. The schools are sharing the log in details with the parents and carers. If you know of a parent/carer outwith out catchment who intends to make a placing request soon, please advise them to email KHS or call 01592 583405 and we can send them on an invitation.
Next Thursday evening is an online meeting of “Friends of Kirkcaldy High School”. Many thanks to FoKHS for all their support of the school. It really does make a difference.
Please be aware that despite the Covid situation, school uniform rules remain in place. Pupils can wear an outside coat or perhaps a hoodie in class given the lower temperatures and the need to open windows for ventilation. However, our usual expectations re white shirt and school tie, plain black trousers or skirt and plain black shoes still apply. We have had some pupils coming to school in PE kit. This is not acceptable and a change is always required for PE lessons. Any pupil without separate kit may not be able to take part in PE, which is an important part of our curriculum. Any family requiring any help or financial support to acquire uniform or PE kit should contact Guidance.
This week, it has been a pleasure to welcome several new members of staff to KHS, this includes the recruitment of Mr Ryan Mooney, teacher in Supported Learning, who started yesterday I’m also pleased to report that we are joined in Geography by Miss Mhari Wilson and Mr Lewis Campbell, who started just before Christmas. Ms Joanne McBride has also joined us as a Support Assistant and next week sees the start of Miss Katelyn Prentice, also a Support Assistant. Another further new teacher also joins us next week. Welcome to Mrs Michelle Geissler, who will be starting in Design and Engineering Technology.
Do have a good weekend … and take care all.
Derek Allan
RECTOR
14 January 2022
