The theme for me this week has been self-evaluation (Alison Wishart, our Quality Improvement Officer visited on Wednesday for an Evaluation Visit, and that got me thinking):

It has been a week when some things have gone extremely well – S3 coursing, pupils going out to the East Lothian Cross Country Championships (despite the dreichest day we’ve had this month), and author visits as part of World Book Day.  However, there have been things that have not gone so well: most majorly (and embarrassingly) not getting information out to parents quickly enough for coursing S4 and S5 for next session.  That said, we are doing our best to rectify that, and information should have come out to parents ready for meetings next week.  Please remember, that we are starting a long process of coursing with these pupils and, for some, their coursing won’t be complete until the end of August (as some will have to change courses because of their exam results).  My advice is to hang in there and not to hesitate in contacting the school if you have concerns.

We have been trying our best to contact parents whose children have been absent for more than 15% of the year so far.  I know that some people have been put out by receiving these letters, but there is a link between how a child attains and their attendance.  We wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t flag up to parents that their youngster’s progress might be hindered by not being in school.  At the minute 85% attendance means that a pupil has been absent for more than 15 days already this session – 3 whole school weeks.  Roughly 10% of our pupils have fallen into this category, so we can’t sit by and do nothing.

On a more upbeat note - congratulations to Paul McClung, Mark Robertson and Nick Stewart for getting into the U17 Edinburgh Rugby Squad.  I think that we’ll be hearing more of their success in the future as I believe that Scotland trials are looming.

On Sunday I will be attending the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships at Broughton High School.  For the first time, Knox will have an entry and they have been sounding mighty fine in their rehearsals.  Good luck to them.

Next week we start with a “wear your trainers to school” day to support the 2014 Commonwealth Games.  So don’t worry about your child wearing non-Dress Code shoes on Monday!  On Monday evening there will be a cabaret performance by some of our seniors as part of their music and drama courses.  I am looking forward to a feast of song and dance.
The East Lothian Showcase Concert takes place next Wednesday, 7.30pm at The Brunton.  Our pupils have been rehearsing really hard and they will do themselves and us, proud.  On that note (geddit!), remember that the school's Spring Concert will be taking place on the 20th March at 7pm.
We have rescheduled the disco that should have taken place near St Valentine’s Day, and we are hoping to get enough interest to hold it on the 14th March.  Keep an eye on the website for more information about this.

Have a very good weekend.