All posts by ismith

The PSP AAA Award

This year, for the first time, the PSP will be presenting an award to acknowledge a pupil, an unsung hero, who goes the extra mile for an extraordinary achievement. It is not for academic or sporting success, but for someone who, possibly out of school, has persevered and committed their time and energies in pursuit of an extraordinary goal. The award will be called the AAA award (Attitude, not Aptitude determines your Altitude).

If you know of a pupil who should be considered for this award, please let us know, either by email or through the school, as soon as possible.

PSP October Meeting

The PSP met on the 5th October. The minutes will be available in November, but there are some issues that we should share with you now.

  • Adverse Weather. The school is making preparations for the inevitable disruption that will occur. The school will stay open whenever possible but, in the event of closure, there will be work available on the school website, especially for exam classes. The teachers will be speaking to the pupils about what is expected of them and they will be well aware of the procedure should they have to study at home. So, if your child tells you they have nothing to do, ask them to check again. If all else fails, they can read a book! We, as parents, need to be prepared too. Can you please make sure that you have emergency cover in place in case your children need to go home early, and ensure that the school can contact you if necessary.
  • Mobile Phones. Can we remind you of the school’s policy regarding phones? Strictly speaking, phones shouldn’t be taken into school at all, but those of us whose children do after-school activities like them to have a phone for safety reasons. If this is the case, then your child can hand their phone into the school office first thing in the morning. They should collect it at the end of the school day and then hand it to whoever is running the after-school club for safe keeping. They should not leave it in the changing rooms.

If you have any suggestions or concerns about the school, you can contact us via the website and we will do what we can to help you. Remember that if you have a specific concern that affects your child, you should contact your child’s guidance teacher directly.

Knox News

In an effort to be greener and to save funds, it has been proposed that future editions of ‘Knox News’ be posted on the internet.  P7 pupils at feeder schools will still receive a paper copy to help prepare them for their secondary school.

We want to know your thoughts on this proposal – are you for it or against it?

Campus Traffic

We have been asked if we could please emphasise how important it is that people dropping their children off at school do not drive into the campus. There have been some very near accidents with reversing cars and, on one occasion, a wheelchair user was unable to get to a disabled parking space because of able-bodied parents using the spaces.

If you have to drive up to the school, please clear it with the school first.

Duke of Edinburgh Award’s Scheme

There is a parent led group currently running at Knox Academy.  If any parent/carer with a child at Knox Academy wishes to set up another parent led Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme group, they should contact Jennifer Purves at the following address:

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Development Officer
Community Learning and Development
Musselburgh East Community Learning Centre
Haddington Road
Musselburgh
EH21 8JJ

Tel:      0131 653 4064
Fax:     0131 653 4070
Email:             jpurves@eastlothian.gov.uk

She will be able to assist you with setting up and put you in touch with the other group for support.

S5/S6 Study Days

Don’t forget that Wed 16th and Thurs 17th Feb will be study days for S5/6 pupils. The sessions will last from 09:00 – 14:00. Full details are available on the school website.

This is a fantastic opportunity for the pupils and we are extremely grateful to all the teachers, office staff and others who will be giving up precious holiday time.

Thank you!!

Working Together

The PSP have been discussing with Mrs Craig how parents/carers and the school can work together to help pupils achieve their full potential, particularly in exams. Mrs Craig has explained to us that teachers actively track pupils’ progress and intervene where there is cause for concern. There are regular revision lessons in most subjects at lunchtimes, after school and during the holidays. You can find the details of the revision and study sessions in the Extra Curricular section of the school website, and keep a look out for details of the upcoming Easter Holiday revision classes.

As parents and carers, we can encourage our children to attend these sessions wherever appropriate and, if we have concerns, then we can contact the school. It is important that we ensure that our children have a quiet place to study at home and have access to the internet, where possible, to see the material on the school website. We have also been asked to check our children’s homework diaries, to ensure that their homework is done regularly and is of a good standard.

Our aim is always to work closely with the school to help our children be the best that they can be. Don’t forget to check the school website regularly to see what is going on at the school. If you have any concerns or comments, feel free to contact us or contact the school directly.