HEAD TEACHER'S NEWSLETTER
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MUSSELBURGH GRAMMAR SCHOOL
Friday 07 November 2025
Friday 07 November 2025
Families’ and pupils’ voices are really important in shaping the school’s future and I want to gather as many views as possible from students, staff, families, associated primaries, our partners and the wider community over the next few months.
Parents and carers can contribute your views via this Google survey https://forms.gle/W2TRJEtB4vjgELeNA
Wishing you all a lovely weekend.
Jodie Hannan
Reports
This week S3 pupils received their written report with comments which also included the prognostication for the expected level of study in S4 for each subject.
S2 written reports will be distributed the week beginning Monday 17th November.
Key Dates
Wednesday 12 November: Employability Pathway event 4-6pm
Friday 14 November: Children in Need dress down day with all funds raised going to Children in Need.
Friday 14 November: S4-S6 prelim timetable published.
Monday 1- Friday 12 December: S4-S6 prelims.
Remember you can find all events on our school calendar, and you can add the calendar to your own too.
Study Support
Please click the link to take you to our S4/5/6 Study Support timetable, and our updated Revision Support Guide too:
MGS Revision Resource Poster.pdfPrelim Assemblies
Ms Ryan, acting DHT, will be holding assemblies next week for all S4-S6 students to share information about imminent prelims. This information will also be shared with parents and carers in next week’s newsletter so you aware of the arrangements and expectations.
Uniform reminder
Thank you for your ongoing support of our dress code.
Wearing uniform in school continues to be an important feature in school, not least for a safety aspect, as it allows us to identify who all our pupils are.
As our S5 and S6 pupils have chosen to return to school and are aware of the expectations of uniform and attendance laid out at the beginning of the session, I do expect our seniors to uphold our uniform standards. This is not only for safety reasons but also as role models to all younger students.
To encourage this, uniform wearing will be considered alongside attendance as a deciding factor for seniors attending social events.
Our uniform expectations are:
Trousers/ skirt- black only
White shirt and tie
Black jumper
Blue jeans, ripped jeans, cropped/ belly tops, band t-shirts and joggers/ tracksuits etc are not part of our dress code.
Please get in touch with the school office or your child’s PSL (Pupil Support Leader) if we can support with any uniform items.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our dress code.
Parent Council Meeting Dates
These are the dates for this session’s Parent Council meetings:
Thursday 11th December 7-8pm online https://meet.google.com/idi-dhis-hjo?authuser=0&hs=122
Tuesday 3rd February 7-8pm online https://meet.google.com/csy-mvmg-mtu?authuser=0&hs=122
Wednesday 1st April 7-8pm online https://meet.google.com/csy-mvmg-mtu?authuser=0&hs=122
Thursday 4th June 6.30-8.30pm in school
Message from Parent Council
Earlier this year the Parent Council were approached by a volunteer wishing to put on a new group for parents/carers/families of children with additional support needs – and we are delighted that the Connections Support Group has their first gathering at the Grammar on Friday the 14th of November between 5 and 6pm at the Grammar. It will be in the training room. Come along for a cuppa and a chat in a guilt free supportive environment!
Thank you to our lovely volunteer who has put so much work into this.
If you’d like to start off something at school, perhaps supported by the Parent Council, let us know – we are by and for parents and carers of pupils at this school.
Notes from the office
Notes from the office
We’re your friendly office team - the first port of call for most parents and, often, pupils. We look after pupil records, timetables, attendance, and all communications to and from school.
A gentle reminder that all absences should be reported before 8am by texting 07860 049 075.
Future Pathways
We are delighted to invite you once again to take part in our Future Pathways Afternoon at Musselburgh Grammar School on Wednesday 12th November.
This year, we have introduced a new format, with the event taking place during the school day to ensure that all pupils can participate, while parents and carers are invited from 3:30pm onwards.
The event is designed to:
Showcase the range of opportunities available to pupils as they make subject and career choices.
Highlight the excellent support and services provided by local agencies and organisations.
Bring together partners across the community to share expertise and inspire young people.
Year group attendance
Improving attendance to improve attainment is one of our school improvement priorities this year and we expect pupils’ attendance to be at least 90%. We are tracking pupils’ attendance carefully throughout the session and more information about our attendance strategy will follow. I hope parents and carers find this weekly update on each year group's attendance useful.
YPI Winners
Aneu, Thea and Lois, winners of the recent YPI (Youth Philanthropic Initiative) presented their cheque to Teens +, a local charity. Congratulations again for winning £3000 for such a worthwhile cause.
Have Your Say on Safer Streets Near Our School!
East Lothian Council is looking for your views on concept designs for Station Road in Musselburgh, which is part of Route 5 in the Musselburgh Active Toun project.
These proposed changes aim to make walking, cycling, and wheeling safer and easier for everyone—including children and families travelling to and from school.
Public Consultation Dates: 3rd November – 15th
December 2025 Drop-In Event: Come along to find out more and share your thoughts!
Date: Tuesday 18 November Time: 2pm – 7:30pm Place: The Venue, Eskmills Business Park, Station Road, Musselburgh, EH21 7PQ (what3words location: robots.glee.divisions)
At the event, you can see the plans, ask questions, and give feedback to help shape the final designs.
How to Get Involved:
• Visit the online consultation page: View proposals and comment
• Attend the drop-in event
• View printed copies of the consultation information at Musselburgh Library throughout the consultation period.
• Contact the project team to provide feedback via email at musselburghactivetoun@eastlothian.gov.uk.
Let’s work together to make our streets safer and more welcoming for everyone!
Edinburgh College applications for January 2026 are now open, please see link below if interested.
https://www.edinburghcollege.ac.uk/
Anyone requiring help to apply, please see Ms Hoffman in Rm B16 to book an appointment.
Respecting Our Community
I have been talking about values in recent pupil workshops and one that continues to be important to us is respect.
Unfortunately, I have had several concerns raised by the Musselburgh Primary Care Centre next to us about MGS pupils either congregating in or traversing through the main atrium area, particularly during lunch time.
There is signage up to discourage this but I am reminding pupils at assemblies and in this newsletter not to shortcut through or congregate within MPCC.
Halloween Dress Up Day Winners
Our school was filled with spooky spirit and creative costumes during this year’s Halloween Dress Up Day!
A big well done to Daniel Tomlins (S6), who took the lead in organising the event as part of his Retailing qualification. The day was a great success.
A big well done to the following teachers who were voted best dressed!
Amanda (First Place)
Mr Anderson
Mr Devine
Christmas Fayre
Join us for our annual Christmas Fayre on Saturday 13th December, 11am till 1pm.
Our talented S1 and S3 Business pupils are crafting unique, handmade products during classes, ready to sell at the fayre! Come along to support their creativity, pick up some one-of-a-kinds gifts and get into the Christmas spirit with family and friends.
Active Schools
SSAA Indoor Track and Field Championships
Entries are open for students to enter the 2026 SSAA Indoor T&F Championships which will take place on Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th February 2026. The event will take place at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.
Age Groups:
Under 14: Born in 2013, 2014
Under 16: Born in 2011, 2012
Under 18: Born in 2009, 2010
Under 20: Born in 2007, 2008
Events:
60m, 60m hurdles, 200m, 300m, 400m, 800m, 1200m, 1500m, 3000m, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Shot Put, High Jump, Pole Vault
MGS can enter two students per age group event
Athlete can compete in a maximum of 2 events per day
U14 athletes can only choose to compete in 60m, 1200m, Shot Put and Long Jump
U16 athletes cannot compete in both the 800m and the 1500m
If your child wants to be entered, please can you email me (mlyle@elcschool.org.uk) or get them to see me in my office (room A45).
School t-shirts will be provided to students competing on the day. Depending on numbers, we will look into transport options. For now, please assume transport will be parental responsibility.
Please express interest to compete no later than Thursday 20th November 2025!
Dance Club
It’s great to see students participating in Miss Emslie’s Dance Club on a Monday after school! If students want to join up, please sign up via our booking page or speak to Miss Emslie.
Dance club is on every Monday during term time from 3.30pm to 4.30pm. It’s a relaxed environment and a great way to exercise with friends.
S1 Football Training
Just a reminder that S1 boys from both football teams (EMSFA or our East Lothian Tournament Team) can attend our Monday training at Pinkie 3G from 4-5pm. It’s a great way to improve your skills whilst socialising with your peers.
If your child hasn’t signed up to our football programme and wants to train, please get in contact!
School Football
Kit:
This is a reminder that all students who currently have a school football kit must return their kit after games. This kit is used for different teams and it’s getting to a point we don’t have enough for a full team.
If you have a kit at home now, please return it to A45 or the PE base ASAP!!
Attendance at Games:
This is a plea to all our football teams. If you are able and want to play at a match, please can you let us know asap. There have been different occasions we have had to cancel games as students haven’t let us know if they can take part or not.
A lot of time is gone into organising match games, booking venues and sorting referees. The small act of responding to a message or letting us know would be greatly appreciated.
Referring:
We would like to thank S6 students Calum Weir and Finlay Reid for volunteering their time to referee our football games. Without referees, our teams wouldn’t be able to host games at home.
If any other students would like to referee and haven’t said so, please can you see Maria Lyle our Active Schools Coordinator.
Contact Musselburgh Grammar Active Schools
Please feel free to contact MGS Active Schools in regards to our activities, queries, volunteering or anything else with the links below:
Maria Lyle (MGS Active Schools Coordinator)
Email: mlyle@elcschool.org.uk
Website: https://eastlothian.bookinglive.com/home/active-schools/active-schools-musselburgh-grammar/
Our school’s vision and values
You may be aware that one of our School Improvement Priorities this year is to refresh and reset our school’s vision and values.
Between recording our best exam results in almost a decade at S4 and S5, experiencing quite a lot of change with our school roll, and approaching our 400th anniversary next year, it feels like the right time to revisit our vision for our school, the values we hold dear and discuss what we want our school to give our young people.
Your voice is really important in shaping the school’s future and I want to gather as many views as possible from students, staff, families, associated primaries, our partners and the wider community over the next few months and will be emailing all families with further details about how you can be part of the discussion.
The Honest Thread
Our Honest Thread, “free to a good home” initiative is a new way to share gently used school uniforms within our school community. Anyone who is in need of these items are welcome to request them free of charge.
If you would like to receive any uniform items, please complete the short Google Form below. This allows us to organise requests and prepare your order for collection from the School Office.
https://forms.gle/8NGk3eGnr5M9bMd56
The form will be added to on a regular basis and we hope that we will be able to include items other than schoolwear; this scheme is entirely donation based, so families are always invited to donate clean, good-quality items they no longer need. All donations are much appreciated and can be dropped off at the School Office FAO Ms Ritchie.
Head Team
Grace is busy planning the Children in Need event which will take place in school on Friday the 14th of November. We are asking if people could please bring in some home baking to contribute to the bake sale to raise money. You can also wear your funniest pyjamas and bring in a donation.
Please note that all dress down outfits must be appropriate for school: pupils may be sent home to change if not suitable for school.
Holly is going to be laying a wreath this Sunday at the memorial service at the WWII War Memorial opposite the Caprice on Musselburgh High Street at 12:30.
Grace, Libby and Holly
Car park safety
A safety reminder to all families who drop children off at school in the morning that they should be dropped off in the turning circle outside
the main gates and then use the footpath to the main doors, not walk through the car park.
This is due to a few near accidents recently with the volume of cars in the car park and pupils walking through it. If it is essential to come into the car park then the one way system must be used, again, to prevent accidents.
In addition, any S6 pupils having driving lessons should not be using the school car park for any part of the lesson due to the amount of cars in the area including narrow lanes and parking bays.
Thank you for your support.
Medical
Medical
Flu vaccinations will take place on Wednesday 17th December and Thursday 18th December 2025. Please return your form if you have not already done so.
School Toilets
Our pupil toilets are checked on a regular basis to ensure everyone’s comfort and safety. These checks may be done by male or female staff members, and signage is in toilets to make pupils aware of this.
MGS website and School Handbook for parents
Our website has lots of useful information for parents, and includes our School Handbook and School Policies. Have a look! We welcome your feedback.
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