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HEAD TEACHER'S NEWSLETTER
Friday 7th June 2024
Friday 7th June 2024
Our new timetable started on Monday with lots of excitement for new classes and new opportunities, and it’s lovely to have all of our seniors back in school.
Ms Craigie and I met a large number of parents at last week’s Senior Phase information session to set the scene for pupils moving into the senior school, outlining the importance of at least 90% attendance in all classes across the year in order to achieve the best possible results. We also highlighted all the opportunities available to seniors at this stage of their school career and are looking forward to receiving applications for the Head Pupil roles at the end of the week.
It was wonderful to see so many P7 parents at Wednesday’s information session in advance of P7 transition days next week. We are all looking forward to our new S1 pupils joining us in mid June to get a taste of high school life before they officially start with us in August.
With best wishes for a lovely weekend.
Jodie Hannan
Key Dates
Thursday 13 June: Summer dance for new S2 and S3 pupils 6-8pm.
Friday 14 June: S6 Prom.
Friday 14, Monday 17 & Tuesday 18 June: P7 Transition Days.
Tuesday 18 June: Sports Award ceremony 7-9 pm. This date has changed from Wednesday 19 June due to a clash with a Euro match.
Thursday 20 June: Parent Council briefing online 7-8pm https://meet.google.com/oxm-dtdh-rsz?hs=224
Thursday 27 June: Sports’ Day 9am-1pm.
Friday 28 June: term ends 12:25pm for the summer holidays.
New school year
Monday 12 August: Inset Day for staff only.
Tuesday 13 August: Inset Day for staff only.
Wednesday 14 August: all pupils return to school.
Staffing
Welcome to Ms Ritchie, Teacher of Business Management, who joined us on Monday- it’s great to have her on the team.
We have also had confirmation of probation teachers joining us in August in Biology, Home Economics and Maths.
Study and College arrangements for the new Timetable for S5&6
It’s been the first week of our new timetable, and although we have had a small number of tweaks to make, as we do every year, we’ve been working hard with the pupils to resolve these and get everyone’s timetables filled.
For those S5 and S6 pupils who have study periods as part of their timetable, study periods are at the following times:
Mon: 1 & 2, and 6 & 7
Tues: 6 & 7
Weds: 1 & 2 and 7
Thurs: 1 & 2, 6 & 7
Friday: 1 & 2, 3 & 4
If your young person has study periods at these times, they should study from home.
In addition, S4-S6 pupils who have college courses on Tuesdays and Thursdays P6&7 should study at home as college courses do not start until August.
Music visit to Harbour House
Jennifer Marr (brass instructor) and I organised another visit to Harbour House on May 29th. We took 5 of our S2 and S3 talented woodwind and brass soloists; Tom Barrett (tenor saxophone), Daniel Barrett (alto saxophone), Aine Siedlecka (flute), Freyja Melville (clarinet) and Tess Devlin (trombone) to entertain the residents. We had a full and highly enthusiastic audience and several of the residents sang along with our performances; which included 'A Whole New World' from 'Aladdin', 'Somewhere' from West Side Story and the beautiful folk tune 'Londonderry Air' (sometimes known as 'Danny Boy').
We can't wait to perform again there in September, when we have been promised an afternoon tea concert with cake!
Ms Aspley (Woodwind and Piano Instructor) and the MGS Music Team.
SQA Examinations
The SQA examination diet for 2023-24 has now concluded. Well done to all candidates for their hard work and preparation towards these exams. It was noted, several times, that invigilators were impressed by the conduct of our students for the duration of these exams.
Results day is by post on Tuesday 6th August 2024. Pupils who sign up for MySQA will get their results by text or email on 6 August.
The appeals service will be free and available to all learners if they are concerned about theri N5, Higher or Advanced Higher grades. Pupils can appeal directly to the SQA. Learner direct submission deadlines are:
Tuesday 13 August at 11.59pm for priority appeals.
Tuesday 27 August at 11.59pm for all other appeals.
Your appeal can only be prioritised if you have a conditional place at university or college, or in training or employment that depends on your grade.
What is the Appeals Service?
What is the Appeals Service?
If you appeal your grade, a senior appointee will carry out a marking review of your SQA-marked assessments.
This is not a re-mark.
A marking review checks that:
all parts of your SQA-assessments have been marked
the marking is in line with national standards
the marks given for each answer have been totalled correctly; and
the correct result has been entered on our system.
Please note that after being reviewed, your result could stay the same, go up or go down.
Please use the following link for more information: https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/78137.10471.html
MGS website and School Handbook for parents
Our website is still being redeveloped and we aim to have all content updated by the end of June 2024. It can be accessed here MGS (google.com).
The School Handbook for Parents for 2024-25 is now available, with a few sections till to be updated for the new session School Handbook 2024-25.pdf - Google Drive
Carers Week
Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don't think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.
Being someone's carer may only describe part of your relationship with them. You could be their parent, partner, sibling, child, grandchild, friend or other relative. This relationship can be just as, or more, important to you.
It’s so important that as a carer you look after your own health and well being, we can’t share with others a resource that we lack ourselves! Caring can be really rewarding but it can be mentally and physically exhausting and have impacts on all aspects of our lives, looking after someone without the right information and support can be very tough and many carers find they are less able to look after their own health and well being and achieve a balance between caring and other things that are important to them. Many carers feel isolated and find it difficult to keep up with other friends and family.
In East Lothian there are advice information and support services for both Adult and Young Carers.
Carers of East Lothian can support all adults in East Lothian to get information and services to support their individual caring role, enhance their well being and strengthen their collective voice to improve services. They offer carer support, Adult Carer Support Plans, help with benefits and welfare rights, Short breaks through their Time for me grants programme, peer support, workshops training and events, counselling, befriending and advocacy. Visit coel.org.uk or call 0131 665 0135 to find out how they can help you.
East Lothian Councils Young Carers Service work in our schools to; identify young carers, support them to complete Young Carers Statements, get Young Carers views on issues that affect them, raise awareness of young carers rights with staff and pupils, set up local support/activity groups, provide advice and support and offer young carers opportunities for breaks from caring. Visit www.eastlothian.gov.uk/info/210649/young_carers for more information.
New Ipayimpact App
Summer Disco
PE Department
The PE department is currently doing athletics and putting together a team for the Eric Liddle 100 county athletics championships on Tuesday 11th June. If any pupil competes at any level out with school and wishes to represent the school can they please come and see any of the PE teachers to register their interest .
East Lothian Police Scotland Youth Volunteers are recruiting!
East Lothian Police Scotland Youth Volunteers are recruiting!
Throughout this week, Senior Youth Volunteer Keir Mitchell (S4 pupil) from the East Lothian Police Scotland Youth Volunteers (PSYV) visited classes of S1-S3. The PSYV is an organisation within Police Scotland dedicated to fostering a positive relationship with young people and breaking down barriers. The PSYV programme offers young individuals (aged 13-18) the opportunity to volunteer within their communities, learn new skills, and promote safety and well-being. Participants engage in various activities, from supporting local events and assisting with community safety initiatives to national PSYV events. Through these experiences, they develop valuable skills such as teamwork, leadership, and communication, whilst also gaining a deeper understanding of the role of the police in society.
Please follow this link for more information: https://www.psyv.org/
Wellbeing
For all young people.
If you’re in need of a bit of support for general health and wellbeing. Our NHS school nurse will be in our wellbeing room on Wednesdays from 9-12. For more information come to your Pupil Support Leader.
Medical
MMR Vaccine will be given to pupils on Monday 10th June 2024. You will only be vaccinated if you received a form. This will take place in the training room, see me if you have any questions.
If you have Asthma please carry an inhaler with you at all times.
Thank you C Harvey
School Welfare Assistant
Lost Property
Please come along and have a look at the lost property in the medical room, to see if anything belongs to you. Any items remaining will be recycled just before the Summer break .
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