Last Friday evening Mr Simpson and I joined our Community Police Officers for part of their cover shift.  It’s  part of the school’s reciprocal working with the community – the police support us hugely and it’s only right that we give a little back and show our support for them.  It was a fairly uneventful shift (thank goodness), but we did get to speak to some pupils who were out and about.  Thank you to Lynn and Debbie for looking after us so well.

On Monday I received a lovely email from a former pupil (Joe Hall) who has just completed his PhD at Cambridge. He wanted me to pass on his thanks to the school for giving him opportunities to follow his passions, and to particular staff who inspired him.  As a school, we send our warmest congratulations to Joe and wish him all the best in the future.

The School of Rugby has been a particular jewel in the crown of our sporting and extra-curricular life this session.  The pupils have turned up regularly for their training and have been impressing Scott Marnoch (SRU & Haddington Rugby Club)with their determination and resilience.  The S1 School of Rugby group were invited to lead a number of Health and Wellbeing events in the local community over the last week.

• ‘Getting Ready to Learn'. An event run by the NHS and East Lothian Council at Neilson Park Pavilion aimed at getting toddlers involved in physical activity.
• Followed by a series of ‘Active play sessions’ At Haddington Infant School as part of their Health Week.

During these events the pupils planned out and delivered a number of sessions to promote the importance of leading an active lifestyle to parents, staff and young people across the Haddington community. Using an array of games and equipment the group took to the task and it was clear that all participants enjoyed the sessions delivered by the pupils. The parachute games went down particularly well.  The feedback from organisers was brilliant – many of whom could not believe that the pupils were so young and praised them for the maturity that they displayed.

In a follow up to part of last week’s posting congratulations go to Josh Marsh in S4.  At the tender age of 16 he is now a qualified Piping Instructor and Pipe Major for the ACF UK and Northern Ireland Pipes and Drums.  He has to manage 50 pipers and 15 drummers.  Josh was also asked to go to the Moscow Tattoo but had to decline owing to other piping commitments.  We wish him well in his endeavours and hope that he goes from strength to strength.

On Tuesday Knox hosted the first heat for the “Little and Large” cookery competition.  Pupils from Knox team up with teams of two pupils from our associated primary schools.  In these teams of three the pupils had to produce a pasta dish and a multi-layered, cream and vermicelli covered, chocolate sponges.  Whilst it was Yester’s day, all the pupils did exceptionally well and were a credit to themselves and their schools.  Speaking of which, I was very impressed with Shaun Lund’s progress in Chef’s Protégé.  Sadly he didn’t make it into the final three with Tom Kitchin.  Shaun showed great strength of character under a lot of pressure and was very gracious in defeat.  I suspect cooking for Michel Roux Jr and Theo Randall is something that he will never forget.

Finally, we promoted fifteen S3 pupils to Prefect status this week.  I am sure that they will be a credit to us and will be ably led by Harry Bowles and Louise Kirkpatrick.

Next week the school is closed to pupils on Monday and Tuesday (unless they have exams) and everyone resumes on Wednesday.  There is a PSP meeting on Wednesday at 6.15pm and all parents are welcome to attend.

Have a good weekend.