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TheNewsletterofKnoxAcademy
December 2011
ews
FromtheHeadTeacher
DearParent/Carer, WelcometothelastKnoxNewsof2011.Asusual,thetermhasbeenverybusyanddetailsof variouseventsandsuccessescanbefoundinthiseditionoftheKnoxNews. Iwouldliketocongratulatetheschoolcommunityonthevariouseventsorganisedtoraisefunds forcharity.Theseniorpupilshavetakentheleadinthis,resultinginmoneybeingsendtoawide rangeofgoodcauses:AmnestyInternational,MacmillanCancerSupport,BreastCancer Campaign,ChildreninNeed,theBritishLegionPoppyappealetc.Also,TutorGroupshavebeen busymakingupChristmasBoxesforthelocalcommunity.Welldonetoallthepupilswhotook partand/ormadeadonation. PupilsinfourthyearhavejustcompletedtheirprelimexaminationsandWorkExperience placements.Iamsureyouwillencourageallofthemtobuildontheirprelimperformancesto achievetheverybestresultspossibleinthesummer.Iknowtheywillstudyhardandtrytheir best.FifthandsixthyearpupilsbegintheirprelimexaminationsattheendofJanuary,Ihopethey ndsometimetostudyoverthefestiveseason.Iamsureyoujoinwithmeinwishingthemall everysuccess. Withconcerts,ceilidhsandassemblies,thefestivespiritisaliveandwellatKnoxandweplanto haveanexciting,funpackedand,ofcourse,educational,lastdayofterm,thecentrepieceof whichwillbethe,nowtraditional,S6Panto.WenishthetermonThursday22Decemberat4pm andthenewtermforpupilsbeginsat8.44amonTuesday10January2012. IwisheveryoneanenjoyableandrelaxingholidayandahappyNewYear. Bestwishes JBCraig
GlobalSchoolPartnershipRwandanExchange
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DuringtherstweekofDecember,KnoxAcademyandKingsMeadowPrimarySchoolwere delightedtowelcometwoteachersfromourpartnerschoolsinRwandaHyacintheFurahaand VincentDukuzumuremyi.HyacintheisaPrimaryschoolteacher,specialisinginMathematicswhile VincentteachesPhysicsatRuhangaSecondarySchool. ItmusthavebeenwithsometrepidationthatVincentandHyacinthesetoonthelongjourneynorth tobemetatEdinburghAirport,notjustbyDrWilson(Biology)wavingawelcomesign,butalso bysnowandice.OntheirrsteveningVincentaskedmeIsScotlandneartotheNorthPole?It certainlyfeltlikeit! ThisisthesecondtimethatKnoxAcademyandKingsMeadowhavehostedteachersfromthevillage ofRuhangainnorthernRwanda.Ourschoolshaveworkedinpartnershipforsome4yearsnow. Currentlyweareworkingonprojectswithafocusonecology,andenvironmentalissues,whichaect ourlocalcommunities.Inourpartnershipmeetingsduringtheexchangewediscussedrecycling, endangeredanimals,plantingtreesandvegetablesandtheproblemscausedbylitter. HyacintheandVincenthadtheopportunitytovisitandobserveanumberoflessonsinScienceand SocialSubjects,wheremostofoureducationaboutenvironmentalissuestakesplace.Ourpupils wereveryinterestedinapresentationthatVincentgaveaboutRuhangaSecondarySchoolandwhat atypicaldayislikeforpupilsthere.Vincentwasaskedmanyquestionssuchas: Doyouenjoybeingateacher?Answeryes! Howfardoyouhavetowalktoschool?5kilometreseveryday(cuegaspsofsurprisefromsome pupils). Whatdoyoueatforlunch?Potatoes,beans,peas,rice. Whathappensifyourpupilsarelatetoschoolorforgettodotheirhomework?Theyhavea detention,andifthishappensthreetimes,theirparentsareinvitedintoschoolforadiscussion.(Knox pupilsnodinanunderstandingway...theyarefamiliarwiththissystem). OurpupilsarefascinatedbythedierencesbetweengoingtoschoolinScotlandandRwanda. However,theyseemreassuredbysimilaritiesaswell.Rwandanpupilsstudymanyofthesame subjects,enjoysports,spendbreaktimecatchingupwithfriendsandtakepartinvarious extracurricularactivities. Aswellasmeetings,observationsandpresentations,VincentandHyacinthehavebeentreatedto variousaspectsofScottishculture.OntheirrstdayinHaddingtontheyheardtraditionalmusic playedbyclarsachs,bagpipesanddrumsatKnox,andddleplayingatKingsMeadow.AgroupofS6 pupilsentertainedourvisitorswithhomemadetabletandIrnBru! ThevisitwasaresoundingsuccessandIwouldliketothankthestaandpupilsatbothKnox AcademyandKingsMeadowPrimarySchoolwhohavehelpedoutinvariousways.Lookoutfor furtherupdatesonourpartnershipinfutureissuesofKnoxNews. MissOrr MusicDepartment
SamyeLing2011
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Onthe10thofNovemberabusfullofexcitedRMPSpupilsheadeddowntoDumfriesandGallowayto visitthelargestTibetanBuddhistTempleinEurope.ThepupilswerewelcomedtotheTemplebyAni Jinpa,theresidentnunwhoprovidedourfascinatingtour.Afterbeingshowntoourroomswewere givenavegetariansupperofsoup,breadandpudding.Afterdinner,pupilsattendedtheChenrezig prayer.ChenrezigistheTibetanBodhisattvaforcompassionandprayersaresaidforanyonewhois sueringintheworld.Itwasanupliftingandcalmingexperience.Afterthatweweregivenatalkand videoonBuddhismovermanycupsoftea.AniJinpahappilyansweredourmanyquestionsabout whatlifeislikeasaBuddhistnun.With5amstarts,workeveryday,nomeat,noalcoholor intoxiciantsandhavingtoshavetheirhairweagreeditwasntaneasylife.However,AniJinpas positiveandhelpfulattitudeshowedthatitwascertainlyanadmirablewayofliving.Weturnedinfor thenightexcitedaboutwhatthenextdaywouldbring.Someofuswokeat6aminordertoattend theoptionalTaraprayerwhichwasarelaxingstarttoabusyday.At8amwehadbreakfastandmet inthetemplewhereweweregivenatalkandanopportunitytomeditate.Wewentonarather muddywalktovisittheresidentyakswho,likeeveryoneelseatSamyeLing,seemedprettychilled out.ThetourofthePeaceGardenwasenjoyedbyeveryoneandwegottoseetheStupaandthe variousstatues,spintheprayerwheelsandtieawishontothecloutietree.Weenjoyeda deliciousvegetarianlunchandthenhadsomefreetimetoexplore.Weendedthedaywithatripto theTibetanTearoomsforthemostdelicioushotchocolateand,ofcourse,thegiftshopsowecould bringhomesomegiftsandmomentosofourtrip.Itwasbothanenjoyableandeducational experiencethatwewontforget. TheSamyeLingcrewSta(MrsMontgomery, MrWoolley,MrsBairdandMrWren)andpupilsstudying Intermediate2,HigherandAdvancedHigherRMPS(Beth Revuelta,TorquilMacLeod,RosieMurray,ClaireWilson, AbbieScott,IonaLee,RhiannonUnderwood,Melissa Trotter,MartinBuist,LindsayDonaldson,Jessica Hickman,FraserThompson,LaurenFalconer,BenNisbet, KirstyStenhouse,LiskaCrofts,PhoebeRoebuck,Holly Donaldson,AngelaBarrie,JuliaCockburn,LouiseBoyd, SamDonaldson,StevenKnox,DavidSpiden,MeganRichardson,KennyHarper) MrsMontgomery RMPSDept
KnoxAcademySupportGroup
ChristmasGreetingsfromallthemembersoftheKASG. Ithasbeenanothersuccessfulyear,thankstothemembersandhelpersofKASG. Todatewehaveprovidedawaterbottleforeverypupilintheschoolaswellasmaking adonationtotheLeaversDancefunds.
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AtthepresenttimeweareplanningaBurnsSupperforthe25thJanuary,whichwehopeparents willsupportbyattending.Itlookslikeit'sitgoingtobeaverygoodnight. Ticketswillbeavailablefromthe10thJanuaryfromschool. Wearealwayslookingfornewmembers,asafewofuswillbeleavingKASGthisyear, myselfincluded(afterthirteenyears.!!). Sopleasethinkaboutjoining,weonlymeeteverysixweeksdependingoneventsplanned,itsa reallygoodwaytomeetotherparentsandgoodfunwhilsthelpingtoraisemoneyforourchildren's school. SoonbehalfofKASGmayIwishyouallaHappyChristmasandaProsperousNewYear. AnnRichardson (Chair) Moneyraisedsofarhasfunded: PEDepartmentSeniorboysfootballstrips. Weightplateset,olympicbarandweightsstoragestand,foldingweightsbenchsystem,spring collars. MedicalRoomLightweightfoldingwheelchair. HomeEconomicsKenwoodCheffoodmixerPremierKMC560,HostesshottrayHT6030. DramaPanasonicCamcorder,6CostumeRail. KnoxAcademyTrampolineClubRepairofbedandrestitching.
AmnestyInternationalYouthGroup
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TheAmnestyGrouphasbeenworkinghardagainthisyearasChristmasapproaches.Thesmallbut dedicatedteamdeliveredanassemblytoS1andS2pupilsinordertoraiseawarenessofthework AmnestyInternationaldoestopromotehumanrightsaroundtheworldandtohelpthosewhohave hadtheirrightstakenawayorabused.Theyhavesetupastalltosellbadgesandothergoodiesin ordertoraisemoneyforthecharity.ThewholeschoolhasbeeegettinginvolvedintheAmnesty InternationalChristmascardcampaigninwhichpupilsdesignandmakeacardandsendittoeithera prisonerofconscienceorsomeoneelsewhohashadtheirbasicrightsviolated. ThispictureshowsthewifeofRamzeforwhomwemadecardslastyearsomeoftheKnox Academycardsareinthepicture.Ramzesentthismessage: Ihavenowreceivedthesolidaritycardsandtheymademeveryhappy.Iwanttothankallthosewho sentmetheirsupport. ThankstoallpupilsinvolvedinAmnestyInternational,especiallyRosieMurray,TorquilMacLeod, MatthewMoore,KatieHolton,EmmaMurrayandBethRevuelta. MrsMontgomery RMPSDepartment
BookBar
TheBookBarisopentoallpupilsandstaeveryTuesdayandThursdaylunchtimeintheFood CourtClassroom.Itisagoodplacetodropinafterlunchtodoabitofreading,swapabook,ordo anAcceleratedReaderQuiz.Alsothereisthechancetoplaygames(Scrabble,Chess,NintendoDS), orreadanewspaper. Ifyouhaveanybooksathome,whichyounolongerneed,wewillhappilytakethemoyourhands. Teenageorchildrensctionwouldbeespeciallywelcome.Youcandonateyouroldbooks,orwe arehappytoswap! MrSwinney EnglishDept
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ComeniusRegioProjectUpdate
InJuly2010,KnoxAcademytogetherwiththeScottishSeabirdCentre,wasawardedagrant fromtheBritishCounciltoparticipateinaComeniusRegioprojectwithasecondaryschool calledtheGymnaziumKarvina,intheMoravianSilesianAuthorityoftheCzechRepublic.During theproject,participatingorganisationshavefocusedonelementsofthecurriculumthatsupport theeducationofpupilsonenvironmentalsustainability. Thisterm,ourpartnersfromtheMoravianSilesianAuthorityhavevisitedKnoxtwice.Onboth occasions,visitorshavespentsometimeinschoollookingatthedierentexperiencesour pupilsobtainduringtheirtimeatKnox.Alsothevisitorsenjoyedotherattractionsinthearea includingEdinburghCastle,theRoyalBotanicGardens,EdinburghandDeepSeaWorld. AreciprocalvisitisplannedforJanuary2012,withMrs Barber,MrsSlowtherandMissMcPheeaccompanyingMr Jappyfora2dayvisittothecityofKarvina.Inthefuturewe hopetofurtherourtieswithGymnaziumKarvinaand encouragepupilstobecomemoreinvolvedinbuildinglinks withtheircounterpartsintheCzechRepublic. MrJappy ChemistryDept
TheCILIPCarnegieandKateGreenawayChildrensBookAwards
S3pupilsareshadowingthe2012CarnegieAward.ThisyearsnomineesincludeAnneFine,David Almond,andMichaelMorpurgobutthefulllistisavailableonline.TheS3pupilswillbe encouragedtosharetheirresponsestothenovelswithpupilsfromalloverthecountryusingthe onlineshadowingsite. TheshadowingrunsuntiltheendofMayandthewinnerwillbedecidedbyCharteredInstituteof LibraryandInformationProfessionals[CILIP]inJune. AnyotherS3swishingtogetinvolvedshouldspeaktotheirEnglishteacherorMrPlain. Visithttp://www.carnegiegreenaway.org.uk/shadowingsite/index.phptondoutmoreabouthow youcangetinvolvedorjusttondinspirationforagoodChristmas holidayread. MrsMaxwell EnglishDept
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FormerPupilsNews
DearMrsCraig, Ihavepleasureininformingyou,thatthisyear,oneofyourformerstudents,GrahamHolden, obtainedtheIMechE,awardedtotheBestStudent3rdYearMEintheDisciplineofMechanical Engineering,andtheAgnesRhindBursary,awardedtotheBestOverall3rdYearStudentinthe DisciplineofSystemsPower&Energy. WeareproudtohaveastudentintheSchoolofEngineeringattainthislevelofachievement.We appreciatethatthisisaresultofthestudentsdiligence,innateabilities,andparentalsupport,but also,toagreatdegree,thequalityofteachingtheyexperiencedinprimaryandsecondary education. WethankyoufortheeortsyouhavemadetobuildgoodfoundationsinMathematicsand Scienceinyourstudents.Thosefoundationshavecertainlystoodthisstudentingoodstead. Yourssincerely, JohnHMarsh
HeadofSchoolofEngineering(UniversityofGlasgow)
AdvancedHigherModernStudies
SofarintheAdvancedHigherModernStudiescoursewehavehadtheopportunitytotakepartin manydierentaspectsofthesubjectthatiscentredonthetopicsofCrimeandPunishment.We wereabletointerviewtwoCommunityPoliceOcerswhoallowedustogainarsthandinsight intocrimeinEastLothianthatwasextremelyhelpfultoourcourse.Throughourinterviewsthey providedalargeamountofprimaryinformationforeachofourdissertations,soamajorthank youtothem!AlsowehadtheopportunitytointerviewGraemePearsonMSPforSouthof Scotland,whokindlytooktimeoutofhisbusyscheduletocomeinandtalktous.Hewasableto discussaspectsofhisjobandalsohisviewsandexperiencesofCrimeandPunishment,soagain thankyoutohimalso. TwoofourclassmateshadthechancetovisittheScottishParliament.Theytookpartina questionandanswersessionwithKennyMacaskillMSPandCabinetSecretaryforJustice, attendedtheJusticeCommitteeMeetingandevenappearedonHolyroodTV.Ournalvisitwas toHaddingtonSheriCourtwhereMrsLoweprovidedatouroftheCourtsandexplainedthe procedurestous.Wewouldliketothankherasitwasanincrediblyinterestingexperienceand allowedusavaluableinsightintotheworkingsofacourt. Weareallworkinghardtoputourdissertationstogetherandalloftheseopportunitieshave beenofgreatbenettous. KatieMorris,S6
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STEMCLUB
The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Club allows us to explore, investigateanddiscoverSTEMsubjects.Activitiesinvolvepracticalexperiments,investigations, discussionandreection.Mostofall,theyarefun. TheclubatKnoxAcademyisopentoS13butiscurrentlymadeupofagroupofsixteenS2pupils. WemeeteveryMondayandWednesdayatlunchtimeandweparticipateintheSTEMChallenges. ThechallengeshavebeeninspiredbyLondon2012andeachoneisacompetitionandfocusesona dierentaspectofthepreparationsortheeventitself. STEMclubisafunandexcitingwaytogetinterestedinmanysubjects.Previouschallengeshave included creating a swimsuit for a triathlete and creating a website for Paralympic cyclist Rachel Morris.OneofourteamsmanagedtomakeittothenalsinLondoninthesummertherstteam inScotlandevertodoso! Wearecurrentlyonthe9thchallengewhichistodesignaspectacularhumanpoweredinventionfor creating the spark which lights the Paralympic Flame. This is proving challenging as we need to provideenoughevidencetoconvincethejudgesthatourinventionswillwork.AlthoughtheSTEM ClubisrunbyMrBlairintheMathsDepartment,STEM Ambassadors are invited into School to help and this wereallyappreciate. The STEM Club is open to everyone in S13. We have great fun and welcome anyone who wants to come along.ThisisthesecondyearthatKnoxAcademyhas run a STEM Club and not only has it proven very popularbutwehavealsobeenverysuccessful,being highlycommendedforourteamworkandresearch. PeterMacaldowie,2G1 ChloeCraig,2L2
RSEChristmasLecture...Virtually!
Onthe12thDecemberaround80StandardGradeHistorypupilstookpartinalivewebcastofthe RoyalSocietyofEdinburghsChristmasLecture.ThelecturewasdeliveredbyoneofScotlands leadinghistorians,ProfessorTomDevine.ThelectureexaminedScottishmigrationintheVictorian era,whichisatopiccoveredintheStandardGradecourse.Thepupilsenjoyedtheexperienceand Iamsurethattheywillnditusefulwhenitcomestotheexams. MsMcPhee HistoryDept
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HigherMusicOperaTrip
On16thand17thNovember,agroupofpupilsfromtheHigherMusicclasswasgiventhe opportunitytowatchRossinisfamousoperaTheBarberofSevilleinEdinburghsFestival Theatre.TheproductionwasputonbyScottishOperaandwasnearingtheendofasuccessful tour. ThestorytellshowayoungcounttrieshishardesttowintheheartofRosina,ayounggirlwhois thewardofDrBartolo,anold,fatanduglyman.AsRosinandsherselftrappedintheDoctors house,itfallsonFigaro,ayoungbarber,tohelpthecountout.Thepairtrydierentdisguisesto getinandrescuethegirl,buteachtimetheirplotisfoiled.FinallyFigarorescuesthegirlandthey alllivehappilyeverafter,apartfromDrBartolo,whoendsupsadandlonely.Afewmembersof thegroupcomparedthestorytothatofSweeneyTodd,exceptitwaslessgruesomeandmore colourful! Onthe16thNovemberwewatchedtheUnwrappedversionofTheBarberofSeville.Thisisan eventwheretheaudiencegetstoseehowthetechnicalaspectsoftheoperawork.Webegan ourexperiencebygettinganexclusivebehindthescenestourbyJennyKempton,oneofthe AssistantStageManagersfortheproduction.Shewasabletotakeusontothestageandtellusa bitaboutwhatherjobentails.Sheshowedushowthesetsttedtogetherandhowshegivesher cuestothesingerstogoonstage,alongtothemusicscore.WewereabletoseehowtheDeputy StageManagerwasabletocontactherandothercrewmembersfromherboothatthesideof thestage.AfterourtourwetookourseatsfortheUnwrappedperformance.Duringthis,we watchedtheunderstudycastperformafewofthewellknownsongsalongtothevoiceofthe StageManagerwhocouldbeheardcuingthelightingandactors.Wealsogottoseethemore humoroussideoftheopera,withyingnunsetc! Thefollowingevening,wewentbacktoseethefullperformance.Astheoperaissungentirelyin Italian,wereadthetranslationoftheoperaonsmallscreensaboveourheads.Alargeproportion ofthemusicwasveryrecognisable,havingbeenusedintelevisionandlms.Thejokingand lightheartedfeeloftheoperakeptusentertainedandwasagreatintroductiontooperafor thoseofuswhohadneverseenonebefore. Theexperiencewasbothentertainingandinspiring.Weallreallyenjoyed thewholepackageofseeingthetechnicalaspectsofhowaprofessional operaisputtogether,andthenseeingthenishedperformance. Personally,Ihopethisoperavisitwastherstofmany. BenNisbet,S5
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JohnGrayCentreAnimationProject
TheS1Historypupilsfromtherstrotationhavebeentakingpartinanexcitinginterschool competitiontopromotethenewheritagecentreopeninginHaddington. TheyhaveexploredthelifeandtimesofJohnGray,alittleknownministerborninHaddington, whowasveryfamousinhisdayandastrongmoralleader.Theyhaveparticipatedinanumberof DramabasedworkshopstouncoverinformationaboutJohnGrayandanumberofworkshopsto learnhowtousethecomputerprograms. TheS1pupilswerethensetthetasktousethisinformationandtheirnewITskillstocreate modelsandlmananimationforthecentreswebsite. Welldonetoallthosewhotookpartandthankyoutotheorganisersandspecialisttutorswho helpedcompletetheprojectandtheCDTDepartmentforthegluegunsandequipment. Thewinninganimationwillbeannouncedwhenalltheschoolshavesubmittedtheirentries.You willbeabletoseesomeofthemodelsandanimationsondisplaywhenthecentreopensearly nextyear. HistoryDepartment
EcoLife
EcoLife was planned and delivered by the Biology Department on 1st December. Once again, the eveningwasagreatsuccessandwasincrediblywellattended.Theeveningaimedtomakepeople awareofsimplestepsthatcanbetakentoreducetheircarbonfootprint,togetpeoplethinking moreabouttheenvironmentandtostrengthenlinksbetweenKnoxAcademyandthelocalcom munity. Wehadawiderangeofstallssellinggoods,suchasSueRyderCareandTearcraft.Inaddition,we had many exhibitors who delivered messages about the environment, such as the Countryside Ranger,theStopIdlingcampaignandtheScottishSeabirdCentre. Entertainmentwasprovidedintheformofanenvironmentalquiz,runbyMrJappyandastunning performance by Knoxs Venus group! The main event ofthe evening was a fashion show, where pupils and sta modelled clothes from charity shops proving that recycled clothes can be fashionable.ThefashionshowwashostedbyForthOnesMarkMartinandourveryownGraeme Morton(S6). We would like to thank all the sellers and exhibitors, the models and the members of sta who helpedtomakethisahugelysuccessfulevening.Mostimportantly,thankstoeveryonewhocame alongtosupporttheevent.WelookforwardtoseeingyouatEcoLife2012! BiologyDepartment
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MusicExams
Congratulations to the following pupils:
Brass: EilidhWatt1T1TenorHorn,Grade1passwithMerit. AlasdairMacFarlane1T2FrenchHorn,Grade1pass. Strings: JoannaBurgmans RebeccaCole HannahMitchell AngusRiddell 6L2 3G2 6T2 3G2 Violin Grade4 Violin Grade3 Violin Grade4 Viola Grade3 Pass Pass Merit Merit
Itsthattimeofyearagain...Ohyesitis!
YetagaintheDramadepartment,theS6andsomeotherwillingstapulledoutallthestopsandput onaPantoofthehighestqualityohnotheydidnt!ThisyearsawKnoxstakeontheclassictaleof Cinderella.Weseemtohaveaparticularlynebatchofuglysisterstodrawuponthisyear! AseverthePantoshowsoKnoxpupilsattheirbest,havingworkedtogetherandputinlonghours toputtheshowon,allinadditiontotheothernumerousotheractivitiestheytakepartinand,of course,theirstudies.HugethanksalsototheDramaDepartmentandotherstaforallthehard worktheyputinthecastandaudiencesreallyappreciateit. MrIllingworth DHT
ExplodingChristmas!
OnTuesday13thDecember,theChemistryDepartmenttookagroupof45S3pupilstotheRoyal SocietyofChemistryXmasLectureDr.BunheadsExplodingChristmas.Dr.Bunheadinvestigated theammabilityofcustard,explodinghotwaterbottles,spontaneouslycombustingjellybabies andmanymoreChristmasconundrums.Therewaslotsofsmoke,bangsandexplosionsandthe pupilsthoroughlyenjoyedtheshow. MsMcIntyre ChemistryDepartment
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Trampolining
KnoxAcademycontinuestohostsevenActiveSchoolstrampoliningclassesaweekforSecondary &PrimarychildrenintheHaddingtonCluster.Theseclassesremainpopularandhavebeenasource ofnewtalentprogressingontotheScottishCompetitionCircuit. Inlightofthis,CityofEdinburghTrampolineClub(CETC)haslaunchedtheirrstsatellite DevelopmentClass(inpartnershipwithActiveSchools)atKnoxAcademyonWednesdayevenings, 7.158.45pm.Thisclassisdesignedforthosewishingtoprogressintocompetitivetrampoliningand spacesarecurrentlyavailable. Detailsonclassescanbeobtainedfromsecretary@cityofedinburghtrampolineclub.co.uk. CongratulationstoLloydConnelwhoisnowranked28thinScotlandfortrampolining.He successfullyqualiedforthe2011ScottishNationalTrampolineChampionshipsafteramedalwinin September.Lloydstrampolinecareerislookingpromisingashehasnowattainedqualicationinto thenextlevelforScottishTrampolining,RegionalF,tostartnextseason.Recentlyhehasbeen pairedwithBritishmedallistCallumConnarty(fromEdinburgh)toformasynchropairingfor Scottish&BritishCompetitionsnext season.HewasalsoawardedBestSenior MaleNewcomerattheCETCAwards Nighton26thNovemberatEdinburghCorn Exchange. Therearefurtherplanstodeveloptrampo liningatKnox,sokeepaneyeoutforexcit ingnewsinthefuture. CityOfEdinburghTrampolineClub www.cityofedinburghtrampolineclub.co.uk
BusinesseducationseniorTeambuildingEvent
OnThursday15December2011,58pupilsand12membersofstagatheredtogetherinanticipation of what was to be an exciting teambuilding event. The 58 pupils included members of the Intermediate2,HigherandAdvancedHigherBusinessManagementclassesaswellasotherguests from S5/6. Sta from Biology, Computing, Geography, Mathematics and the Oce joined the BusinessEducationstaforthisfantasticevening.Downinthestallsthefewpeoplewholatewere initially heckled by the cast who then reappeared with torches, pointing at them and further embarrassingthem.ThankfullyKnoxAcademywasseatedintheGrandCircleandeverybodywas on time. Plenty of audience participation saw it snowing within the Kings Theatre Scottish weather is continuing to get worse! Well done to all who behaved impeccable and made the eveningagreatsuccess. MrDempster BusinessEducationDept
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ThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyouThankyou
KnoxAcademycouldnotprovidesuchvarietyofexperiencesforourpupilswithoutthe generosityandassistanceofothersandwearefortunatetohavesuchavibrantandhelpfullocal community.Weareextremelygratefultothoselistedbelowfortheircontributionstothe schoolthisterm. OnbehalfoftheschoolI'dliketosayabigMERCItotheHaddingtonTwinningAssociationfor itscontinuedsupportforKnox'slinkswithAubigny,ourtwintown. Thisyear,aswellasliaisingwiththeircounterpartsinAubignytowelcomeourpupilsduring thevisit,theHTAisgivingverygenerousfundingforouraccommodationinAubignywhile19of ourS3/4pupilswillbeinFranceduringtheActivitiesWeektriptoParisandAubignyin2012. AsareciprocalgestureIwouldencourageparentstosupportHaddingtonTwinningAssociation's fundraisingceilidhinFebruaryandeventsduringtheHaddingtonFestival. PHutchinson AhugethankyoutoKayleigh,Kirsty&LaurenM,theCoachesfromCityOfEdinburgh TrampolineClub.TheydoafantasticjobofcoachingtheActiveSchoolsclassesatKnoxon WednesdaysandFridays. LJeffrey WewouldliketothankJennyKempton,AssistantStageManageratScottishOperawhogave someHigherpupilsabackstagetouroftheFestivalTheatreinEdinburghbeforeanoperatrip. EOrr ThankstoJenniferMacRaeforvisitingtheschooltospeaktopupilsandallowingustocome downandvisittheChurch. Also ThankstotheparentsandcarersofpupilsfromtheAmnestyGroupforprovidinghomebaking TorquilMacLeod,RosieMurray,KatieHolton,MatthewMoore,BethRevuelta,LiskaCrofts, EmmaMurrayandMaryBethMcFern. LMontgomery ThankstoJoeForte,CouncillorTrotterandJoLocheadforspeakingattheschoolsCommunity Assemblies. RFlood
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TheEcoLifeeventwasagreatsuccessandmadepossiblebythecontributionofthefollowing: EcoLifeSellers&Exhibitors: TearFundRuthGordon SueRyderCareShonaMacLean KilcheranFionaMacPherson StopIdlingTomBur ScottishSeaBirdCentreJennyMcAllister LoveFoodHateWasteIsobelKnox CapabilityScotlandClarissaFord CountrysideRangerRogerPowell Fordonatingclothesforthefashionshow,theHaddingtonbranchesof: Oxfam Chest,HeartandStrokeScotland CancerResearch CapabilityScotland SueRyderCare Many,manythanks CSlowther,GWilsonandLWard Thankyouforamuchappreciatedandvaluablecontributionfromthefollowing,fortheirhelpgiven totheAdvancedHigherModernStudiesclasswiththeircourseworkandDissertations. HaddingtonCommunityPoliceOfficers GraemePearsonMSP MrsLowefromHaddingtonSherriffCourt KBulloch TheBusinessEducationDepartmentwouldliketosayaverybigthankyouto: RobinStenhouse,BaguetteExpressforaninspiringdiscussionwithS3BusinessManagmentpupils. Scotprintforinvitingseniorpupilstovisitandlearnabouttheiroperationsfunction. RobertDuncan,TeamVedanaandFinlayMarshall,LightoftheLothians.Thankforyourweekly visitstoadvisetheYoungEnterprisecompanies2011. Thankstoalltheparentsinvolvedinthebacktoschooldisco,itwasafantasticevent,enjoyedbyall. LWoolley
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CurriculumforExcellence
Likeallschools,KnoxAcademyisimplementingtheCurriculumforExcellence,aninitiativeto refreshandrevitalisethecurriculuminScottishschools. Thecurriculumisbasedondevelopingyoungsterstobesuccessfullearners,condentindividuals, responsiblecitizensandeectivecontributors.Itcoverseightcurriculumareas:ExpressiveArts, HealthandWellbeing,ReligiousandMoralEducation,Sciences,LanguagesandLiteracy,Social Subjects,MathematicsandNumeracyandTechnologies.Eachpupilisentitledtoacoherent curriculumfrom318years,abroadgeneraleducationfromS13,opportunitiestodevelopskills forlearning,lifeandworkandtoachievetothehighestlevelstheycan,aseniorphasefromS46 andapositivedestinationpostschool.DevelopmentsatKnoxreecttheprinciplesandentitle mentsoftheinitiative. Whilstinformationhasbeensenthomeandpresentationsmadeatparentsevenings,assemblies andtotheParentSchoolPartnership,Iamsuresomeparentswillbeconcernedabouthowthe changesaecttheiryoungster.Inparticular,whathappensattheendofcurrentS2(June2012)? KnoxAcademyplanstomaintainabroadcurriculum,pupilswillbetimetabledintoalltheFacul ties(thatcovertheeightcurriculumareas)toensurethebreadthismaintained.Whathappensin S4?DuringS3,pupilswillhavetheopportunitytochoosethesubjectstheywishtospecialisein andthattheyrequirefortheircareerchoice.Weenvisagethatpupilswillbeabletotakeupto8 subjectsatLevel5(equivalenttoCreditStandardGrade),althoughthearrangementswillbe tailoredtomeettheneedsofindividualpupils.Staareworkinghardtodevelopcoursesand structurestomeetthedemandsofthecurriculumchangesandwewillholdanopenevening earlyinthenewtermtopresentthedetailstoparentsforcommentandclarication. Inthemeantime,DONTPANIC;alltheplansforKnoxAcademyareaimedatimprovingthe educationalprovisionandexperienceforpupils.Wewillnottakeriskswithyourchildsfuture, everythingwillbemonitoredclosely. JBCraig
NativityProjects
InRMPStheS1classesweregiventhetaskofcreatingtheirownNativityscene. Pupilsdidafantasticjobandsurpassedallexpectationsbyhandinginbeautifuldrawings, paintings,cards,cakes,3Dscenes,afelttapestry,origami,lego, plasticineandevenalampshade!Welldonetoallpupilsinvolved fortheirhardworkandcreativity.Theentrieswerejudgedby JenniferMacRaeandtheHeadTeacherMrsCraig.Welldonetoall pupilswhotookpart. MrsMontgomery,MrWoolleyandMrsBaird RMPSDepartment
BoxingcleverforChristmas
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EveryyearIlookforwardtothenedisplayofChristmasboxesthatTutorGroupsdecorateand generouslyllwithgoodies.Theseboxesarethendistributedtosomeoftheoldermembersof ourcommunity. ThisyearIwasnotdisappointedastherewasanexcellentvarietyofboxeswiththethemeof simplyChristmas.Thisgaveeveryonetheopportunitytolettheirimaginationsrunwild!The eortandthoughtwerethereforalltosee.Ihaveoftenbeenaccusedoftakingthebox decoratingalittletooseriouslybutasamathematicianitisniceformetobeinvolvedwithsome thingartistic.IreallyenjoyhelpingtheTutorGroupdecoratethebox,whichtheygenerouslyll withtea,coee,chocolate,Christmaspuddingsetc.Iwasveryimpressedbytheenthusiasmofmy S1groupthisyear.ManyTutorGroupsalsoincludedacardfromtheclass.ThisyearMrDuddin kindlyagreedtojudgetheboxesanditwaslovelytoseehimbackatKnoxAcademy.Rumourhas itthathemaybeofanagetoreceiveaboxhimself,butImsurethatsnottrue. Welldoneeveryoneforallyoureortsandthelovelydisplayoftheboxes.Theycertainly brightenedupmyday. Thejoythattheybringtothosethatreceivethemmakeseveryone'seortssoworthwhile. MrsMcInnes MathsDepartment
Science,TechnologyandEngineering
AgroupofS2pupils(ChloeCraig,SophieHay,HarrietLomholtWelch,AlexaHayandMegan Sproule)tookpartinanexcitingScienceandTechnologyprojectonWednesday13thDecember withsixothersecondaryschoolsatHeriotWattUniversity.Intherstworkshoptheymade slimeinafunbutscienticway,ndingoutallaboutitsgooeyproperties.Afterlunchthegirls tookpartinanelectronicengineeringlecture,thisthenleadontoasecondtask,tosolder componentstoaprintedcircuitboard,makingamusicalorgan.Allthegirlsworkedvery accuratelybutquicklyinthistask.KnoxAcademywastherstschooltocompletethe assignment,Harrietbeingtherstwithintheschool.Allthegirlshadafunbuteducationalday. Theydiscoveredallaboutpossiblecoursesandcareerswithinengineering.Ofparticularinterest wasthefactthatwithinChemicalEngineeringatHeriotWattUniversitythisyear,allthestudents foundjobsandthesejobsareallwellpaid.Thedaycertainlyopeneduptheireyestodierent opportunitiesforgirlsinScience,TechnologyandEngineering. MrsMoore CDTDepartment
S4WorkExperience
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ThisyearsawS4pupilsexperienceplacementsfromDublintoInverness;theywereinT.V.studios andlaboratories;theysweptoorsandwipednoses,toldstoriesandtaughtclasses.Therewere 136pupilsonplacementandtherewere136dierentexperiences.Feedbackfromthefourth yearhasbeenexcellentandthevastmajorityhavehadagreattime.Afewhavelandedthem selvesparttimejobsandafewhavelearnedthevaluablelessonofwhattheyDONTwanttodo whentheyleaveschool.KnoxAcademywouldliketothankthemanylocalbusinesses,including thecouncilwhowelcomedouryoungpeopleintotheircompaniesandhelpedshowthemwhat beingatworkisreallylike.Gateway,thecompanythatchecksthateachandeveryplacementis safe,didapowerofworkandmythanksgototheirstawhosurelyhavemeontheirfriends andfamilyduetothenumberoftimesIspoketothemonthephone!Ahugethankstoallthe parentsandcarerswhodidamagnicentjobinmakingsurethepupilswerewellpreparedfor theweekandwhofetchedandcarriedthemthroughouttheauthority.Belowarejusttwo impressionsofworkexperience: FormyworkexperienceplacementIwenttoCharlesRiverLaboratoriesatElphinston.Ichoseto gotoalaboratorybecauseIwantedtolearnmoreaboutthekindsofscienticworkthatgoeson inthatkindofenvironment. OntherstdayIwasreallylookingforwardtoitbutIwasaweebitnervoustoo.WhenIarrived, andafterwehadhadatalkfromtheheadofHR,wewentonasitetourtoseeallthedierent departments.IwasamazedbyallthedierenttypesoflabsthatIsawanditalllookedreally exciting. OnTuesday,rstthing,wehadasessionwiththevet.Wewenttothedogsareaandsawsome ofthedogsreceivinganultrasound.Itwasastonishingtoseeallthelittlepuppiesinsidethe motherdog.OnthesamedaywewenttothePathologyDepartment,whichendedupbeingmy favouritepartofmyvisit.InPathologytheycutupdeadanimalsintosectionsandpreparethem onslidessothattheycanbeexaminedundermicroscopes.Wehadabitofpracticaltodoandwe gottocutuppartsofadead,andpickled,mouse! WednesdaywasthedaythatwelookedatInVitro(inglass)experiments.Wemadeamodelof thekindofexperimentthattheymightdototestproductsonskingrafts.Ialsogottolookat mucusunderamicroscopeandwatchedashdissection. OnThursdaywecheckedastudyoutsideontheeectsofweedkillers.Itinvolvedcountingall theplantspeciesinacertainareaandseeinghowmuchthepercentagecoveragechangedwith dierenttypesandconcentrationsofweedkiller.Wesawhowtheydotheirtestsonthe metabolismsideofthingsandsawhowtheycarryouttheradioactivityexperimentswithslicesof frozenrats. Onthelastdaywewerewiththescientistswhodoclinicalchemistry.Wesawsomeexperiments withbloodandurinesamplesandevengotanopportunitytoattempttodosomeofitourselves. Themostinterestingthingwesawwasthecentrifugalmachineseparatingtheplasmaandthe cellsinthebloodsamples. OverallIhadanamazingweekduringworkexperienceandIknowthatthatisthekindofwork thatIwanttodoinlaterlife.Ihadalotoffunandlearnedloadsofnewinformationaswell! KirstyWallace4G1
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WorkExperiencecontinued
InthemorningsIhelpedMrPlaintheLibrarian.Iputsomelabelsneatlyinapileofbooks withglue.Iscannedthebooksontothecomputer.Itidiedthebooksontheshelves.Iliked workingintheLibrary. LaterinthemorningIworkedintheFoodCourt.Icleanedthetablesandmadethemnice andclean.Ihadtowearanapronandahat.Isetthetablesforthestawithknivesand forks.Ialsosortedoutthecutleryforthepupils.Ihadanearlylunch. AfterlunchIwenttoworkintheSchoolOce.IntheOceIdidsomeshredding.Ihadto becarefulnottoshredmyngersbecausethatwouldhurt.Ialsosortedthemailandputit intotheteacherspigeonholes. ThefollowingweekIworkedwithMrBruntontheJanitor.Ihelpedtoclearuptherubbish. IsetuptheHallforEcoLifeandhelpedwiththelightingforthefashionshow. IenjoyedmyworkexperiencebuttheLibrarywasthebest. DanielSmith,4T1 MsEasson GuidanceDepartment
HaddingtonChristmasLightsArtCompetition
CongratulationsgotoJohnMcFernandRachelWatsonfortheirwinningdesigns.
KnoxAcademyChristmasCard
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DATESFORTHEDIARY2012
Monday9thJanuary Tuesday10thJanuary Wednesday11thJanuary Tuesday17thJanuary Thursday19thJanuary Monday23rdJanuary Wednesday25thJanuary Friday27thJanuary Tuesday7thFebruary Wednesday8thFebruary Thursday9thFebruary Friday10thFebruary Monday20thFebruary Thursday1stMarch Wednesday7thMarch Tuesday13thMarch Tuesday20th&Thursday22ndMarch Monday26th&Wednesday28thMarch Wednesday28thMarch Friday30thMarch StaReturn PupilsReturn Pantomime(79pm) ParentSchoolPartnership(6.15pm) DanceAnotherDayDisco S3ParentsConsultationEvening(57pm) S5/6PreliminaryExamsbegin S5/6StudyLeavebegins KASGBurnsSupper(6pm) EndofS5/6StudyLeave SchoolProduction(79pm) ParentSchoolPartnership(6.15pm) SchoolProduction(79pm) SchoolProduction(79pm) EndofTerm AllResume S6Cabaret(69pm) ParentSchoolPartnership(6.15pm) S4/5ParentsInformationEvening(6.30pm) S4Coursing S5Coursing SpringConcert(7pm) EndofTerm
KnoxAcademy PencaitlandRoad Haddington EastLothian EH414DT 01620823387 knoxacademy@knox.elcschool.org.uk www.kanet.org.uk