Author: Mr Jack

Pupils Attend Hackathon in Edinburgh

During the October holidays, three of our pupils, Iqra Sarwar(S6), Mirren McDonald(S6) and Rita McVey(S6), took the initiative to attend an exciting Next Tech Girls x Motability Operations Hackathon held at Motability Operations’ Edinburgh office.

The event brought together 19 young women aged 16–25 from across Scotland to take on real-world business challenges and develop creative, tech-based solutions. Participants collaborated in teams, exploring problem-solving, coding, and presenting their ideas — all while gaining valuable insight into careers in technology.

One of our pupils, Mirren McDonald, shared her experience:

“It was honestly one of the best work experiences I’ve attended yet because it gave us all an insight into real-life problems and let us propose solutions to them. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is thinking of attending one in the future!”

The Hackathon provided a fantastic opportunity for participants to build confidence, teamwork, and digital skills in a supportive and inspiring environment. As shared by the event organisers, an incredible 94% of attendees left more interested in pursuing a career in tech.

We’re incredibly proud of our pupils for choosing to spend part of their holidays developing their skills, meeting like-minded young women, and representing our school community so positively.

Well done to all involved — and thank you to Next Tech Girls and Motability Operations Ltd for hosting such an empowering and inspiring event!

Students Selected for Morgan Stanley Insight Week

We are delighted to announce that Max Jagielka (S5, Mull) and Harry Grant (S6, Lewis) have been successfully accepted into the Morgan Stanley High School Insight Week in Glasgow during the October break.

This is a fantastic achievement and a real testament to their hard work, ambition, and potential. The insight week will give both of them a unique opportunity to experience first-hand what industry is like — from the day-to-day of a corporate environment to exposure to technology, business operations, and professional networks.

Over the course of the programme, Max and Harry will:

  • Engage with insight sessions, workshops, and presentations from industry professionals
  • Work on real-world challenges and case studies
  • Gain exposure to what it’s like to work within technology, finance, and corporate teams
  • Network with peers and mentors, building connections that could support their future choices

Please join me in wishing them every success as they embark on this exciting week. We look forward to hearing their reflections and learning from their experiences when they return.

KPSS Community Vlog – 5th September

In this week’s KPSS Community Vlog, young people, parents, and staff discuss the importance of attendance and share tips on encouraging young people to attend school as much as possible. We also hear about our Maximising Attainment and Achievement Programme – a programme specifically designed to support young people who for a variety of reasons are unable to attend their timetabled classes. If this is something you think your child would benefit from, please contact their Pupil Support teacher.

To see more episode of our Video Blog please visit the KPSS Video Blog page.

KPSS Community Vlog – 22nd August

The first edition introduces you to some of our school staff and you can hear how they feel returning to school after the summer holidays! We hope that you will enjoy these videos to find out more about our wonderful school. Coming soon… look out for episode two which will feature some of our amazing young people!

To see more episode of our Video Blog please visit the KPSS Video Blog page.

Silver Duke of Edinburgh Expedition

Our Silver Duke of Edinburgh group recently completed their practice expedition along the scenic Greenock Cut in Muirshiel Regional Park.

Blessed with warm and sunny conditions, the team made excellent progress while developing their navigation, teamwork, and outdoor skills. Spirits were high throughout the day as pupils embraced the challenge and enjoyed the stunning views across the Firth of Clyde.

A great day for all involved!

S3 Duke of Edinburgh Expedition

Our S3 Bronze Duke of Edinburgh group is currently out on their qualifying expedition in the scenic Pentland Hills.

Over the course of two days, the students are putting their navigation, teamwork, and resilience to the test as they hike through varied terrain, carry full expedition kits, and camp overnight. This challenge marks a significant milestone in their Duke of Edinburgh journey, showcasing their dedication and adventurous spirit.

We’re incredibly proud of their efforts and look forward to welcoming them back with plenty of stories and accomplishments to share.

Senior Awards Ceremony 2024-25

Apprenticeship Week at Morgan Stanley

Three senior Computing Science pupils recently visited Morgan Stanley as part of Apprenticeship Week, gaining valuable insight into career opportunities in finance, business and technology.

Their visit included a tour of the offices, an overview of Morgan Stanley’s Graduate Apprenticeships, and a networking event with university representatives. They also participated in speed interviews with current apprentices, enhancing their interview skills and learning about apprenticeship experiences firsthand.

This eye-opening visit broadened their career perspectives, highlighting the benefits of apprenticeships as a direct pathway into the industry.

A huge thank you to Morgan Stanley for hosting such an insightful event!

S2 Students Put Their Coding Skills to the Test

S2 students in Mr. Jack’s Busines & Computing class have been getting hands-on with robotics and coding, taking part in an exciting Sphero RVR race!

The challenge? Each team had to navigate their robot around a course, collecting bases along the way. Using block-based coding on iPads, students programmed their Sphero RVRs and sent commands via Bluetooth. But it wasn’t just about coding once and hoping for the best—teams had to monitor their robot’s path, troubleshoot errors, and adjust their code to improve performance.

This engaging activity gave students practical experience in coding, problem-solving, and logical thinking, all while having fun with robotics. The race sparked teamwork, creativity, and determination as students refined their strategies to complete the challenge.

A fantastic effort from all involved.

Cheerleading Team Shines in First Competition!

The King’s Park Cheerleading Team is an exciting new addition to our school, led by the dedicated Miss McKay. Since September, our young athletes have been training hard, learning the skills and discipline required for this dynamic sport.

For many of our team members, cheerleading was completely new. The first few weeks were all about mastering the fundamentals, building strength, and developing teamwork. However, their passion and dedication quickly became evident, inspiring us to enter them into the prestigious Scottish Schools Cheerleading Competition—the largest event of its kind in Scotland!

With months of rigorous training and determination, our team put together an incredible routine. Competing against 11 other schools in their division, they delivered a fantastic performance and secured an impressive 3rd place finish—bringing home a well-earned trophy!

The girls were incredibly proud of their achievement, especially after witnessing the high standard of competition throughout the day. We couldn’t be prouder of their hard work, team spirit, and commitment.

A huge congratulations to our Kings Park Cheerleaders—this is just the beginning of an exciting journey!

Construction Aware Programme

Over the last couple of months, 10 of our S3 pupils have been taking part in the Construction Aware programme created by DYW Glasgow in partnership with FARE Scotland, and co-designed with industry leaders such as McTaggart Construction, CCG, and A.C. Whyte.

The pupils visited 7 construction-related organisations and live sites, getting a real feel for the industry from pre- to post-construction! Through hands-on activities, they explored key skills used in the field and heard inspiring career stories from industry professionals.

To top it off, they successfully completed the program and earned an SCQF 3 Work Aware qualification!

A huge well done to everyone involved!