MUSSELBURGH GRAMMAR SCHOOL

THE GRAMMARIAN

Friday 24th April 2026

Welcome back to the summer term! I hope you all had a lovely Easter break.

Exams are off to a smooth start and although I remember exam nerves as though it was yesterday, I hope all S4, S5 and S6 students are feeling well prepared and confident: all staff wish them every success.

Although we only now have S1-S3 in the building, the period of study leave is a busy time of year for staff as we prepare for the new timetable in June, evaluate last year’s work, and plan our school improvement priorities for the next year.

Final preparations are underway for the S3 residential to Berwick, the S1-S3 day trip to Alton Towers , and the S3-S6 trip to Normandy all later in term: we’re all looking forward to them.

And how nice it is to return to school in such a sunny week. Fingers crossed it continues for the weekend.

Jodie

KEY DATES

Monday 4 May: Bank holiday

Monday 18 May: inservice day for staff

Tuesday 19 May: pupils return to school

QUALIFICATIONS SCOTLAND

The SQA is now known as Qualifications Scotland, and the exam timetable for 2026 can be viewed here: https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/nq-2026-exam-timetable.pdf

PARENT COUNCIL MEETING DATES

The last meeting for this session's Parent Council meeting is:

Thursday 4th June: 6.30-8.30pm in school

STAFFING UPDATE

Welcome to Mrs Uttley, acting DHT and Head of Caird House, who joined us Tuesday. Mrs Uttley will be with us until December 2026, covering Ms Ryan’s maternity leave.

Welcome also to Ms La Joice who joins the English faculty covering Ms Dodd’s maternity leave until February 2027.

We are sorry to say farewell to Tom Foley, rugby coordinator, who leaves us on 15 May, and we wish him all the best for the next chapter of his career.

We are also sorry to see Maria Lyle, Active Schools Coordinator leave, and wish her every success in her new role with the Scottish Institute of Sport. The Active School Coordinator role is now being recruited for.

ART DEPARTMENT AT MURRAYFIELD STADIUM

Some of Musselburgh Grammar School’s Art & Design pupils were fortunate to be able to participate in Canon's Young People Event which was held at Murrayfield Stadium just before the Easter break.

Although Canon's programme is worldwide, this was the first time it had been held in Scotland. Canon's belief in promoting the UN's Sustainability Goal 3 - promoting good health and wellbeing, alongside their aim of inspiring, educating and empowering young people through photography meant our budding young photographers took part in hands on workshops with Canon professionals and mentors as well as leading photographer Clive Booth who talked about his latest creative work.

This full day event was an exciting opportunity for our S2 pupils to experience learning outside the classroom and explore their creativity and expression in new ways. A thoroughly enjoyable day was had by both pupils and staff who left feeling inspired and enthused!

TREE PLANTING PROJECT AT LEVENHALL LINKS

Pupils from Musselburgh Grammar School have been helping to shape a greener future for our community with a special tree‑planting project at the Levenhall Links. Under the guidance of East Lothian Council Countryside Ranger Kristian Purchase, the group spent many hours planting a new mixed hedgerow using trees generously donated by The Woodland Trust.

The pupils planted a beautiful variety of native species, including Hazel, Crab Apple, Elder, Dog Rose and Rowan. Each tree will play a part in supporting local wildlife, improving biodiversity and enhancing the landscape for years to come.

In true Musselburgh Grammar spirit, the pupils decided to mark the school’s 400th anniversary by giving the new hedgerow a name of its own: The Quatercentennial Hedge. It’s a fitting tribute to the school’s long history and a reminder that the actions we take today can leave a legacy for future generations.

Staff and Rangers praised the pupils for their enthusiasm, teamwork and willingness to get stuck in. The project forms part of the school’s ongoing commitment to outdoor learning and environmental stewardship, offering young people the chance to learn new skills while making a meaningful contribution to their local area.

S3 RESIDENTIAL TRIP

Thanks to parents who joined us on Wednesday night for a meeting to share important information about the residential. Mrs Hoffman and I are speaking to all S3 residential pupils about the trip on Thursday 30 April at 9.10am and it is compulsory for all pupils to attend.

TIPS FOR HELPING YOUR CHILD WITH ANXIETY

You may feel you have to deal with this on your own but you don’t – we are here to help. So it’s really important to get in touch with your child Guidance Teacher so we can help you and your child.

This video from YoungMinds shows you how to create an ‘anxiety iceberg’ with your child, to help you identify what’s bothering them. Helping your child remember that worries can pass and that things can get better gives them hope.

https://youtu.be/s5I-qvDmJ9I?si=P4B7SiP-VaLlq8dG

The YoungMinds website has more great tips on how to help your child if they are feeling anxious. You can also read more about helping teens with anxiety and helping neurodivergent teens with anxiety here.

YEAR GROUP ATTENDANCE

As a reminder, school absenteeism remains a significant challenge across Scotland. In 2023/24, 31.4% of pupils were persistently absent, missing 10% or more of the school year. While this has since improved, with a 2.9 percentage point decrease to 28.5%, absenteeism continues to impact learning, wellbeing, and attainment.

CHILDREN FIRST

MYPAS BLUEBELL TRAIL RUN

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.

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.

NOTES FROM THE OFFICE

Reminder that all absences should be reported before 8am by texting 07860 049075. Please help us cut down on staff time and costs by notifying us before we have to contact you.

Please also remember to let us know in advance of any healthcare appointments for your young person, to save time at the point they need to leave school. If we haven’t been notified in advance, we will need to call you to verify, which may delay their departure from school.

We would like your help to ensure that all young people arriving in school after 08:30am sign in with the QR Code or office staff to avoid any unnecessary messages home.

PUPIL SUPPORT

If you would like to speak with a member of the Guidance Team (Pupil Support Leaders) please email Pupil Support Admin on: pupilsupport@musselburghgrammar.elcschool.org.uk

STUDY LEAVE FOR S4-S6

Commences: Wednesday 22 April

Ends: Friday 29 May.

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.

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

HPV will take place on Thursday 11th June 2026. Please return all forms to school asap. All S1 Boys and Girls and some catch ups.

Asthma - All pupils who have Asthma please make sure you have an inhaler with you at all times.

Thank you C Harvey

LOST PROPERTY

A few new items in lost property, if you have lost anything, please go and see Ms Harvey after the Easter break.

Our Healthy Respect drop in service runs in school every Wednesday lunchtime. This NHS run wellbeing service is in a discreet area of school, is free and confidential, and offers support and advice to young people on a range of matters including sexual health information for pupils over the age of 13.

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.

Page updated

Report abuse