I have so much to tell you:

Last Thursday some S6 pupils caught a performance of “All My Sons” at the King’s Theatre in Edinburgh. Mrs Maxwell said, “We had a great night last night - food then theatre. Staff and pupils loved the play, and the pupils did Knox proud in terms of conduct and enthusiasm. In their words, All My Sons was intense, engaging and affecting, and wrapped up with a dramatic ending which had us jumping in our seats!”

Last Friday afternoon, a group of Science Club members joined schools from across Scotland at Edinburgh Zoo for the first Explorathon organised by Heriot Watt University. Pupils visited a whole host of drop-in activities around the zoo including ones on DNA, using stem cells, how invertebrates can be used for testing water quality, and they also took part in a Smartphone Safari. I believe that everyone had a fantastic afternoon even though the penguins decided they weren't up for coming out to see us on the Penguin Parade!

Last Saturday one of our S5 pupils, Georgia Herriott abseiled down the Barns Ness Lighthouse in aid of the Bethany Trust. She was raising money to fund a shelter over the five coldest months of the year. We encourage all our pupils to get involved in fundraising, and I hugely admire anyone who takes such an extreme approach. Georgia’s efforts have raised nearly £300 so far and she is still taking donations.

On Sunday I had the pleasure of attending the concert that was the culmination of the East Lothian Orchestra Intensive Rehearsal weekend. It was brilliant! The orchestra played two pieces: the music from the film Apollo 13 and Sibelius’ Finlandia. I cannot commend the pupils more highly and would like to thank all the staff who gave up their evenings and weekend to make it happen.

On Wednesday of this week, two of our senior pupils: Lucy Couperwhite and Adam Linton-Main took part in the Holocaust Education Trust visit to Auschwitz in Poland. Lucy described the visit as very “hard-hitting” and has really affected her and her way of thinking. She’s going to be presenting to some classes on her experience and I look forward to hearing her.

Two of our pupils have excelled recently on the football pitch. Jade Stenhouse in S3 is currently training with Hibs three times a week and Scotland once a week as well as playing her games on Saturday. Harry Bowles (our Head Prefect) has just been selected to play for the Edinburgh and Lothians Under 18 Football squad. Both of these young people make me very proud with their ability to manage both their work and studies and I wish them all the best for their upcoming matches.

School of Rugby is going well and players are avidly watching the current Rugby World Cup. They really enjoyed watching Scotland getting their first victory against Japan last Wednesday. This did not, however, inspire our own teams at the weekend, with only the Under 15 team being victorious. On the plus side, we are seeing more pupils attending rugby now and are happy to see more come along so if pupils are interested they should come along on Monday or Wednesday after school. This week Knox takes on Boroughmuir.

Last night we had a great S1 Settling-In Evening. I was a bit worried that, with the very fine weather, parents would find other ways of spending their Thursday night, but it was well attended. Each of the deputes talked about one of our school values (from wisdom, engagement and respect) and then parents were treated to a film about their children and how they are enjoying their first year at Knox. Thanks to everyone who came along and also to Chloe Craig and her team for making the film.

Next week we have the Parent School Partnership meeting on Wednesday, at 6.15pm in the Library, and the KASG Blingo Evening on Thursday. School shuts at 12.05pm on Friday and re-opens on Tuesday 20th October for business as usual.

Have a great week.

S Ingham