Well, it might be a short week, but it’s not been a week that’s short on news.

As I write there are senior pupils at the Hydro in Glasgow, taking part in a massive Referendum debate.  Looking at their Tweets it seems that they are anticipating a good discussion.

On Monday the Advanced Higher History class ventured to Stirling to visit sites associated with their course.  Ms McPhee told me that whilst she felt a bit at sea in the “Battle Game” at the Bannockburn Centre, we have some budding military tacticians in the S6.  She kindly and selflessly stepped aside to let the pupils be dressed as mediaeval knights (I await those photos for the Year book!).  It seems that good company, interesting sites and fine weather made for a very enjoyable day.

Also on Monday, our pupil representatives on the Haddington and Lammermuir Area Partnership met up to discuss their input at further meetings.  I am delighted that Hamish Hastie, Lois Finnie, Abbi Robertson and Emma De Costa are making the voice of young people heard in our Ward, and thank them for giving up their own time to attend meetings.  I am even more delighted to report that Hamish has been asked to be a National Adviser for “Scottish Youth Arts Voice”.  He is only one of 14 young people in Scotland who were selected to play an important role in defining the future of the performing and creative arts.  I think Hamish will have a fascinating time working with Creative Scotland and Young Scot on this venture.

Further delight came with the news that Stuart McInnes has graduated from Edinburgh University with an MA (Hons) in Architecture. 

Finally, I would like to publicise a new venture for Knox Academy.  We are going to be running an extra-curricular study opportunity at the Nungate Community Centre.  The sessions will be every Tuesday between 5.15pm and 6.15pm, and will start on the 23rd September.  Pupils from S4 to S6 are invited to come down (not necessarily for the whole hour) to get help with study, homework, UCAS statements etc.  The sessions will be manned by volunteers from the school and the community.  There will be light refreshments available along with whatever support we can offer.  The sessions will run as long as there is demand, so encourage your youngsters to “use it” or they will “lose it”.

School will be closed on Friday 12th and Monday 15th September.

Have a very good (long) weekend.
S Ingham