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HEAD TEACHER'S NEWSLETTER
Welcome back to 2024!
I hope you all had a lovely break and wish you all the best for 2024.
My Headteacher assemblies this week focused on resolutions and starting the new year with positivity. I asked our young people to think about what we can all do differently to make this year successful, whether that’s a school based resolution or not, as school is one part of their lives, albeit an important part!
It was great to meet so many families at last night's Senior Phase parents' evening to discuss their childs’ progress at this pivotal point in their school career. We all value and enjoy building relationships with parents and carers to support our young people to success, and as there are only 10 teaching weeks until the SQA exams, every school day really does count.
With best wishes for your weekend.
Jodie Hannan
Key Dates
Monday 15 January: Senior Phase parents evening 5-7pm
Tuesday 16-Thursday 18 January: Pupil Voice assemblies
Wednesday 17 & Thursday 18 January: coursing appointments for new S5 and S6
Tuesday 23 January: Parent Council full meeting 7-9pm in school
Thursday 25 January: S2 Parents’ Evening 5-7pm. Further information on how to book these appointments will be emailed to S2 parents and carers next week.
Staff
Welcome to the following colleagues who joined Team MGS on Monday:
Mrs Osuolale- Olaiya in English: temporary post until the end of March
Ms Thompson in PE while Ms Holmes is in Pupil Support until the end of June 2024;
Ms Marshall in Pupil Support as Pupil Support Worker with an attendance focus (temporary PEF (Pupil Equity Funding) post); and
Ms Dalton, SDS (Skills Development Scotland) careers advisor.
SCQF (Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework) Ambassador Programme
Wednesday of this week had Donnie Wood from SCQF Partnership in school for an afternoon to train our new SCQF Ambassador Pupil group and talk to the school’s Extended Leadership Team.
The introduction of this ambassador programme at MGS is to raise awareness between staff, pupils, parents and the wider school community (including employers) to recognise the vast amount of alternative qualifications and courses that are achievable within a young person’s time at school.
The main aims of our ambassadors are Peer Advocacy: Our ambassadors will serve as peer advocates, sharing their knowledge about the SCQF and encouraging fellow students to explore a diverse learning pathway. Community Engagement: Ambassadors will engage with the broader school community, including teachers, parents and fellow students, fostering a culture that values education and recognising various skills and talents within our community.
The ambassador programme will see the school move through Bronze, Silver and Gold accreditation as we - a school community, learn more about the framework and how we can use it to meet the needs of Young People at MGS.
A useful diagram for Parents/Carers on the evolution of Scottish Qualifications and Levels is shared below.
Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP)
Over the next two weeks (15th-28th January) all young people in East Lothian have the chance to vote in the rerun of the SYP elections. Voting in these elections means you are playing a part in democracy; enabling you to vote for a candidate who represents your beliefs! Not all young people in the world have this opportunity - it is important that you take it.
Read the information about our representatives by scanning the QR codes below.
Max McKenzie
Olivia Brown
When you have decided who you want to vote for (you can only vote once). Scan the QR code below and demonstrate your democratic right!
S4/5/6 Parents’ Evening Monday 15th January
During our parents’ evening on Monday 15th January we will be holding presentations that parents/carers are welcome to drop-in to, in the Training Room. These presentations will relate to the LEAPs transition course, Foundation Apprenticeships, School College Partnership and Employability. The presentations will take place as follows:
5.00pm – 5.15pm LEAPS Transition Course with Megan McCulloch
5.15pm – 5.30pm Foundation Apprenticeships with Alice Kerr
5.30pm – 5.45pm SDS School College Partnership and Employability with Shereen Dalton
6.00pm – 6.15pm LEAPS Transition Course with Megan McCulloch
6.15pm – 6.30pm Foundation Apprenticeships with Alice Kerr
6.30pm – 6.45pm SDS School College Partnership and Employability with Shereen Dalton
Mrs Watson
Medical
All S3 students will be vaccinated for polio/dip/meningitis on Monday 4th March 2024. Those who received a form for a catch up will also be vaccinated. Please return forms ASAP to C Harvey.
All S1 students will receive a form soon for HPV vaccinations. Forms will also be given to those who have not yet been vaccinated. The vaccination is on Thursday 21st March 2024.
Newsletter Archive
There's an archive section on the newsletter site with all of the previous newsletters organised by date. It can be viewed by clicking on 'Archive' in the menu or using this link: https://bit.ly/ht-newsletter-archive.
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