Last week Knox Academy held its annual Spring Concert. As always the standard of music on show was very high with many pupils displaying a great deal of talent. This was the second public performance of the Knox Pipe Band. We marched in with Scotland the Brave, Rowan Tree, Bonnie Galloway and then we played The Skye Boat Song and Glasgow Police Pipers. The second being a jig. I was very proud of the band especially as we played the jig very well complete with some fantastic drumming and harmonies and even more so when you consider that many competing pipe bands won’t even try this jig!

A huge thanks must go to Colin Pryde and Carl Williams for all the hard work they have put in to help get the pupils sounding so fantastic.

I am hoping to post the perfomance on here but need to find some way of extracting the sound from the video. If anyone has any ideas as to how I can do this then please drop me a line.

Today saw the annual Alloa Half Marathon. The event has always been of interest to me, as growing up I lived in the street next to the start and finish line which is at Lornshill Academy. This year my colleague and our staff jogging group leader, Jayne Easson, took part in her third Alloa race. Jayne finished in 1 hour 48 minutes which was a fantastic time. She is pictured above (middle) with Sarah and Monise. Huge well done to Jayne, and everyone who took part in the gruelling 13.1 miles route!

Last week we were visited by Matt Roache from Ocean Youth Trust Scotland who delivered a very enjoyable presentation to both parents and pupil involved in the sailing trip. Matt explained what it would be like for the young people from the minute we arrive on the boat until we leave 7 days later. He showed some video clips including a snapshot of a typical voyage. This was a real eye opener to the pupils as they saw what life was like at sea from the people working on deck to people enjoying their time off watch by reading a book or chilling in their bunks. Matt also told the pupil about ‘Happy Hour’ which we will have every morning. This is when the music is put on and we clean through the boat.

I was really pleased when one pupil came up to me the next day and told me that he is even more excited (I didn’t think this would be possible!) than he was before.

I would like to thank Matt for braving the horrendous weather and coming into Knox to give a fantastic presentation.

Yesterday  saw the Sports Relief mile at Knox Academy. The event was organised by the S6 charities committee. At lunchtime a good number of staff and pupils took to the field wearing their red and white Sports Relief socks to run the two laps. After school, some memebrs of the staff running group ran along the river Tyne again showing off our new socks.

Well done to the Charities Committee for organising the event and to all that took part.

Yesterday I met with Colonel J Wilson who is head of the TA is Scotland. He was at Knox to interview both myself and Riki Byers as part of our commissioning process as adult instructors. Colonel Wilson was very friendly and we discussed the ways in which I can use my position as a teacher to promote the CCF at Knox. We also explored the values of the CCF and what I can offer as a commissioned officer. At the end of the session Colonel Wilson addressed the pupils on parade and indicated that he was pleased with my interview and that I can continue with the process.