Dear Parent/Carer
I sometimes wish that there was a different way to start this message. However, these always seem to be the most apt words … welcome to the Rector’s Log, I hope you are well!
It’s been another busy week for our SQA candidates and the invigilator team, with exams in Dance, Graphic Communication, Spanish, Classics, Business, Engineering, Cake Design and History having taken place this week. Next week we have Media Studies, Practical Cookery, Italian and Art. S3 N5 Maths pupils will also be in the Hall on Thursday, sitting a timed test which will be good experience for them.
This week, we’ve had a group of staff out training for a programme called “Mentors in Violence Prevention” or MVP. This is a peer mentoring programme that gives young people the chance to explore and challenge the attitudes which underpin gender-based violence and bullying. It addresses a range of behaviours including name-calling, sexting, controlling behaviour and harassment, and uses a ‘by-stander’ approach where individuals are empowered to support and challenge their peers in a safe way.
Staff will be looking for senior pupils to volunteer to be trained as mentors who will then deliver lessons to pupils in Social Educations lessons, deliver assemblies, and support a ‘hub’ where pupils can be signposted for help and advice. This ties in with our school’s ‘No Bystanders’ approach to challenging bullying and all forms of discrimination and teasing language, as we try to promote an inclusive community centred around fairness and kindness, where all our pupils feel safe and happy. I’m grateful to Mr Farquharson, Ms Preece, Mrs Dempsey, Ms Thorburn and Miss Dalziel, who are the staff leading this important initiative for KHS.
On Monday, Tuesday and Thursday next week we will have our next crop of S1 pupils in school for some taster sessions in Business, Computing and Enterprise. It’s a good introduction to KHS and kids can mix with their new classmates. The transition arrangements are on track and we expect just shy of 280 new starts in August. Our two day welcome experience, with pupils following their actual timetable where possible, takes place on Thursday 16 and Friday 17 June. We’ll have a wee party for the kids on the Thursday evening whilst parents/carers are in school meeting the Guidance Teachers and other staff.
Before then, our new timetable will be in operation from Tuesday 7 June. The study leave for S4-6 finishes on Wednesday 1 June with all back in on the Thursday to follow their old timetable, return books etc. The exception is for those moving on to S6, when we have an induction day, which is being overseen and organised by Mrs Sim (PT Guidance). This will include inputs about volunteering, leadership opportunities, “Young Enterprise”, applying for university, healthy eating, career planning, personal finance and budgeting, mental health and teamwork.
We will also be concluding the final selection process for Head Boy and Head Girl that day. The candidates will deliver a brief address at an assembly (which will be available to all staff on video) and there is an election conducted that day. All staff and S6 pupils are entitled to vote. Before then the 12 nominees are speaking in front of S1 classes as part of the selection process. This will likely result in us arriving at the final 8 candidates for the Head positions, the other being named as Deputes.
I mentioned the new timetable, and Mrs Hamilton is making final adjustments this week. Staffing availability is a big problem and you are maybe aware of critical teacher shortages in some subjects, especially “STEM” subjects such as Computing. This is an issue across the UK. We are in contact with some young people who had hoped to take a Computing course to explain that, sadly, some of the proposed classes can’t run next session. We are actively looking at the best alternative courses available. Thanks for your understanding.
On Tuesday, we are having a full cast rehearsal all day for “Little Shop of Horrors”, the school show. This takes place in KHS from 22-24 June. Huge thanks to Mr McPherson, Mrs Simpson and all the other staff involved … and best wishes to all the cast. Tickets cost £5 and £3 through iPayImpact.
At the end of next week, our S1 “First Chances” pupils are taking part in sessions organised buy the University of St Andrews. These take place at Fife College in Kirkcaldy with a “graduation” ceremony on Friday evening. I am looking forward to attending this important event. If your son or daughter is involved, I might well meet you there. Our S2 and S3 cohorts are along at St Andrews soon, and their graduation will be at the University. We are pleased to be promoting links to Higher Education in this way and many thanks to all the staff who support the programme; Ms Nessel, Mr Dick, Ms Mahr, Mr Spink, Ms Bruce and Mrs Dempsey.
As you know, we actively promote opportunities on leaving school and are keen to ensure that all our leavers can enter a “positive destination”. You can check out our Facebook Page! This has been updated with lots of new information, including local job opportunities, apprenticeships and work experience. Highlights include apprenticeships at Harland and Wolf, Fife Council, FD Legal Ltd and Donaldson Timber. Pupils should check in with Mrs Whyte if interested in any of these.
Some staffing news to close, and welcome to Miss Emily Johnston, who joins us in PE and Dance for the session ahead. Miss Johnston is covering Mrs Little’s maternity and is a welcome additional to the staff here, having gained good experience at Larbert High School near Falkirk.
And finally, very best wishes to our U15 footballers, who take on Woodmill High School at Bayview this evening in the final of the Fife Shield. It’s a 6.30pm kick off, all welcome, and it will be the final match in charge for the legendary Andy English, who has taken school football here at KHS for 35 years. So good luck to the boys and much appreciation to Mr English for all he has done over a long and successful period in schools football.
Have a good weekend everyone. Please be in contact if we can be of any help.
Derek Allan
RECTOR
20 May 2022
