Embedded Files
HEAD TEACHER'S NEWSLETTER
Welcome at last to February! The week’s highlight for me was leading the review team for the Communications faculty, observing classes and speaking to pupils: more information below in the newsletter.
The January to March terms are the busiest in school as we approach exam season and the end of one year’s learning and building the timetable for the new session.
Staff keep learning too, and our Friday afternoon today was spent exploring Achieve, an online learning tool which will be rolled out to pupils in class next week with an online session for parents on Tuesday evening.
Have a lovely weekend.
Jodie Hannan
Key Dates
Tuesday 6 February: Musselburgh Learns Achieve resource-online introduction and demo session for parents and S4-S6 pupils 6.30-7pm (further details below) https://meet.google.com/bmd-kxzp-dgi
Monday 12- Friday 16 February: Holiday week
Monday 19 February: Inservice day for staff only
Tuesday 20 February: pupils return to school
Week beginning 26 February: S4-S6 tracking and comment reports sent home
Musselburgh Learns
Curriculum Leader development
Last week, six of our Curriculum Leaders spent the day in Dunbar Grammar working with senior leaders and curriculum leaders in the school. They discussed the purpose of classroom observations and critical feedback, observed a variety of lessons across S1 to S3 and completed tasks and discussions based on the language by HMIe when reporting on school progress.
As part of our self evaluation programme, we spent three days this week in the Communications (English and Media) faculty this week, observing over 50 lessons and speaking to dozens of pupils across S1-S6 about their learning. The review team included MGS staff as well as colleagues from other ELC schools and was a really enjoyable and insightful three days learning about what we do well, and what we can do better. We were particularly struck by the strength and warmth of relationships between pupils and teachers, and how eager the pupils are to learn. Thanks to all the Communications staff for making us feel so welcome.
The last faculty review of the session is Modern Languages in March.
Maths Circle - Edinburgh University
Edinburgh Maths Circle are hosting an event on Saturday 24th February from 1-4pm. This is an opportunity for children aged 5 to 16 and their families to join in with fun and stimulating hands-on mathematics. Please follow the link for more information.
DYW - Employability
DYW - Work Experience
https://www.speakersforschools.org/work-experience-opportunities/
A number of senior pupils show an interest in volunteering and work experience to enhance their skills and application forms. Speakers for Schools offers exciting opportunities for work experience - the perfect place to start your career journey. Please follow the link above to explore the wide range of opportunities available.
DYW - Volunteering
https://www.volunteerscotland.net/
Volunteering is an excellent way to gain skills and support in your local community - and beyond! Volunteer Scotland has lots of exciting opportunities and information about how to get involved, please use the link to find out more.
DYW - College
https://www.edinburghcollege.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/open-days-2024
Edinburgh College applications are open for SCP and full time courses starting in August 2024. They are holding open days and more information can be found using the link above.
DYW - College
https://www.apprenticeships.scot/
Apprenticeships are positive and exciting ways to start your career. Apprenticeships.scot has a wider range of opportunities available. Please follow the link to find out more.
DYW - Graduate Apprenticeships
https://www.gcu.ac.uk/business/graduateapprenticeships
https://www.strath.ac.uk/studywithus/apprenticeshipdegreesatstrathclyde/
https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/business/graduate-apprenticeships.htm
https://www.ucas.com/apprenticeships/scotland/graduate-apprenticeships
Graduate apprenticeships are available in Scotland and allow you to gain a degree while getting industry experience and earning a salary. The links above will show you more information and some current vacancies.
Scientist of The Month
The Science department has chosen the following pupils as January Scientist Of The Month. Well done all!
Mrs Kivlichan - Sophie Malcolm S4
Mr Natta - Evie Borrill S1
Dr Brown - Miya Wilson-Hay S5
Mrs Duff - Jenna Lowrey S4, Holly McNeill S4 and Lauryn Ghori S4
Mr Crawford - Mika Erasmus S4
Miss Rankin - Michael Arthur S3
Mr Jarvie - Ellis Anderson S4
Miss Ferguson - Constance Collins S1
Mr Dewar - Ekin Polat S6 and James Blakeley S6
Mussy does Strictly
Unfortunately this year’s show will not be going ahead next week for a number of reasons, but we are planning on being back with our sequins and fake tans later in the year or next. In the meantime, keeeeeeep dancing!
Active Schools Update
Our Active Schools Coordinator Jade Hall leaves us this week to go on a short secondment. Jade will be joining the Club and Community Sports Development team and is due to return in Spring 2024.
Michael Andrews will be joining us whilst Jade is away. His working days will be Tuesday and Thursdays and we look forward to welcoming him next week!
Author Visit - Stewart Foster
On Tuesday afternoon we were delighted to host a visit from the award winning author Stewart Foster. Stewart has written five children’s books and is often referred to as ‘The King of Empathy’ for his powerful character driven stories. He spoke to a group of S1 pupils from Musselburgh Grammar and Rosehill High School about his journey to becoming a writer and then answered questions from pupils. An enjoyable afternoon was had by all and hopefully he has encouraged some future budding writers amongst us!
This was part of East Lothian School Libraries Service ‘Stand Up and Be Counted’ project, which is funded through School Library Improvement Fund and aims to ensure that diversity, inclusion and equality are recognised and represented in school libraries across East Lothian.
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.
Page updated
Report abuse