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HEAD TEACHER'S NEWSLETTER
Friday 22nd November 2024
Friday 22nd November 2024
It's almost the end of November - we have a bumper edition of this week’s newsletter, with lots going on in school.
Prelims begin on Monday for a fortnight and I hope that all seniors with exams are feeling prepared and confident. By the time they finish these exams school will be feeling very Christmassy indeed!
Enjoy your weekend.
Jodie Hannan
Key Dates
Term ends: Friday 20th December 2024
Remember you can find all events on our school calendar, and you can add this calendar to your own too.
Staffing
Monday’s Art interviews were successful and an appointment has been made. Ms Lynch will join the Expressive Arts faculty after the Christmas holidays.
Parents’ Evenings dates
All Parents’ Evenings are in person 5-7pm. We will notify parents nearer the time to allow you to book appointments with teachers.
Wednesday 11 December: S3
Tuesday 21 January: S2
Prelim Timetables
Our preliminary examination diet begins on Monday 25th November for pupils in S4, S5 and S6 sitting N5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses.
Pupils have been issued individual exam timetables and those with additional arrangements should have already collected the additional time timetable from the school office.
All S4-6 pupils were invited to an assembly last week about the exam diet, and this has also been posted to their year group google classroom. In this assembly, pupils were told:
If pupils have an exam in the morning only - they should attend their exam and then go to their normal classes, where they will be registered. Pupils may study for their next exam or continue the learning of the usual lesson, as they wish.
Pupils with an exam in the afternoon only may choose to study at home before their exam, and they will be registered in the exam room. Alternatively, they may come into school earlier in the day and attend classes as normal. In this case they should sign in at the main office. Pupils with an afternoon exam may leave for home directly after the exam, if their parents permit. If not, they should return to their timetabled classes until the end of the school day.
Pupils with an exam in the morning and the afternoon may choose to leave school between exams to eat/study - they should sign out at the office if they choose to do this. Alternatively, pupils may choose to remain in school between exams, but must attend classes if doing so. Again, pupils may return home directly after their afternoon exam, if their parents permit.
Pupils are reminded to arrive at the exam room 10 minutes before the exam starts. Late arrivals can disrupt other pupils.
Parent Council Meetings - a word from the Chair of the MGS Parent Council
Are you interested in staying up-to-date with what’s happening at Musselburgh Grammar School and having a say in decisions that affect our children? Parent Council meetings are an excellent way to do just that.
These meetings are a hub for important discussions about school life, including updates on policies, events, and initiatives that impact our pupils. While meeting minutes are shared afterward, they can only capture so much detail and actually who ever reads them?!
The best way to understand the full context and have your voice heard is to join us in person.
Parent Council meetings are informal and welcoming, designed to encourage open conversation and collaboration between parents, carers, and the school. There’s no pressure to speak or take on tasks unless you wish to—just being present helps you stay informed and connected.
Whether it’s learning about upcoming school plans, sharing your ideas, or simply listening to updates from the school leadership, your involvement can make a difference. It’s also a great opportunity to meet other parents and carers who are equally passionate about supporting our school community.
We’d love to see you at the next meeting – all the dates are in the school calendar, and also shown below.
Shona Blakeley
Thursday 23 Jan: MGS PC Online briefing 7-8pm meet.google.com/vnh-jkwe-kkd
Thursday 13 Mar: MGS PC full meeting – in person, in school 7-9pm
Tuesday 20 May: MGS PC Online briefing 7-8pm meet.google.com/tkd-rakc-dor
Monday 16 June: MGS PC full meeting – in person, in school 7-8pm
Pupil Voice
The second Pupil Voice Class Rep meeting of the session was held on Tuesday. 44 pupils attended this session along with Mrs Hamilton-Wylie and Mr Donnelly. Each pupil has chosen to join one of the following pupil-led groups; Learning and Teaching, Equality, House, School Improvement. Each group used the time to focus on their team's vision and priorities for the session and outlined one goal they would like to achieve by February 2025.
By February 2025
Equality - to have their respect campaign up and running
House - to make house points more consistent and improve how they are given out
School Improvement - to have updated and improved Pupil News
Learning and Teaching - to have collated a survey from the whole school and use it to action at least one measurable area by March 2025.
Well done to Nyx Chapman, Rebekah Exley, Alexandra Costin and Kaiyla Grant who were all awarded their first service coin from their team leaders this week.
Well done to Adnan Al Ghoush and Molham Al Jehmani who were awarded their first service coin from Pupil Voice for their enthusiasm and work ethic in Pupil Voice this week.
Pupil achievements
Pupil achievements
Safiyeh Pearson
We are delighted to share Safiyah’s achievement with you all.
Safiyah Pearson is in S2 and a Rights Detective. She has been selected for the ‘30 under 30’ list for her Rights campaigning work with full details of her work and achievement in the two articles below.
Huge congratulations Safiyah, we are really proud of you!
https://www.youngwomenscot.org/30-under-30/safiyah-pearson/
https://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/24727042.two-young-women-musselburgh-named-30-30-list/
Leo Burton
Leo is in S2 and recently had an amazing adventure in Nepal, reaching Everest Base Camp! He shared the following photographs with us and the Courier article can be read below. Well done Leo, it’s a tremendous achievement!
https://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/24723739.musselburgh-family-trek-mount-everest-base-camp/
Young Scot information and benefits
Young Scot information and benefits
Emma Laverie, Youth Development Officer from Connected Communities, led our House Assemblies this week, sharing all the benefits of the Young Scot card and I thought sharing the information with you would also be useful.
University Guide for Parents
Thanks to Jacqui Stark, a parent at James Gillespies’ High School for allowing us to share with you a guide she has written for parents and carers who are supporting their child's UCAS applications.
The guide is updated every June and September and can be accessed via this link as well as here on our website in the 'Parents & Carers' tab.
Vaping and smoking in school
I’m sorry that in the midst of all our positive news I have to remind all pupils, parents and carers that vaping and smoking in school is strictly prohibited. Both are illegal for young people of school age, and a breach of health and safety regulations anywhere on school grounds. And although vaping appears to be more popular, cigarettes are still being smoked in school.
In Scotland, it’s illegal to sell vapes or e-cigarettes to anyone under 18, or to buy them for someone who’s under 18. - but this doesn’t stop young people from getting hold of them and bringing them into school.
Young people are particularly vulnerable to nicotine addiction and are more likely to take health risks and discount the future consequences of this behaviour. Nicotine addiction can impact mental health, resulting in being tired, stressed and anxious, and it can affect concentration and impact the ability to learn and study.
E-cigarettes contain some potentially harmful chemicals, similar to those found in cigarette smoke. While the long-term effects of vaping are still being researched, it’s thought they could have negative effects on the health of the heart and brain but there is currently insufficient evidence to assess this because vaping is relatively new.
All pupils from S1 to S6 are taught about the dangers of vaping, and action is taken by Senior Management when pupils are found vaping or have vapes in their possession. This action can include being formally excluded from school.
The dangers of vaping were recently highlighted when a pupil took a few drags of one, and reacted very badly to it, resulting in losing consciousness and being taken to hospital. He is thankfully now fully recovered but it was a huge shock for him, his parents and the school.
I do ask for parents and carers support in discussing with their child the dangers of vaping and not bringing vapes into school.
Getting help and support
If you are concerned about vaping, you don’t have to cope with the situation on your own. You can talk to your GP or call Quit Your Way Scotland on 0800 84 84 84 for advice and support. For more information visit nhsinform.scot/vaping
SQA school engagement meetings
Jean Blair, Director of Operations, Robin McKenzie, MGS Liaison Manager and Theresa McGowan MGS Regional Manager visited us on Tuesday to speak to pupils, SLT and teachers to get feedback on a range of items including our views on coursework and exams. This is part of SQA’s schedule to visit a number of schools this year.
Thanks to Summer Stirling, Charlie Harrison, Alexander Sayers, Angus Murray. Summer Gargaro, Jacob Ng, and Mia Robertson for being the pupil focus group with the SQA. Mrs Blair commented that our pupils did us proud in asking questions and offering opinions on topics, such as wider achievement, coursework, appeals and the exam timetable, and that it was lovely to meet them.
Thanks also to Mrs Walker, Teacher of Art, and Mrs Orsi, Teacher of Geography, who were the teacher focus group representing the views of educators.
College places for January starts
If you require help in applying for any of the above courses, please call into B16 to make an appointment with A Hoffman or S Dalton.
Save the Children Christmas Jumper Day
Time to look out those Christmas Jumpers, dust off the antlers and fluff up your Santa hats!
MGS is linking with Save the Children for Christmas Jumper Day. Ours will be on Monday 9th December. Pupils will be asked for a small donation on the day: one third will be donated to our school hardship fund, one third to the Trussel Trust foodbank and the remainder to Save the Children.
The last day of term will be a Christmas themed dress down day. Again, we will ask for a donation to go towards the places named above.
To all our school community: if you have any teen or adult sized jumpers which are no longer needed, we would be most grateful for any donations which can be offered/passed on to pupils in school.
Please hand in to the school office, Ms Craigie (SLT) or Mrs McElhaney (C9) before Friday 6th December and help to spread a little Christmas cheer. Jumpers can also be dropped off at the Christmas Fayre on the 7th December.
Pupil Sporting Achievements
Last sunday the East Lothian and Borders Scottish Schools Swimming qualifiers were held at Mercat Gait pool in Prestonpans.
In order to enter this competition, swimmers have to have minimum entry times for each event. Dan Barrett (S3), Tom Barrett (S3) and Alice Finlay (S5) represented Musselburgh Grammar. Dan was 1st in 100m Breast and 3rd in 200m Free. Tom was 2nd in 200m Back and 3rd in 100m Back. Alice achieved 3rd in both 100m back and the 200m IM. Well done on your fantastic performances and best of luck in the next stages!
Extra Curricular clubs and Study Support Sessions
Extra Curricular clubs and Study Support Sessions
We have added links to our website with information on all lunchtime/after school clubs, and also our Study Support sessions. You can find it all in the ‘Student’ section of our school website.
Candy Cane Kindness
Send a festive message to your friends or your teacher, to be delivered by Santa and his Elves the last week of term.
Send your message via the link (or QR code on the poster) and pay at the desk in the Canteen every Monday / Wednesday / Friday breaktime. You can also give money to Mrs McElhaney (C13)
Payments taken from 27/11/24
Money made will be split evenly between a chosen charity and school funds.
Link to send a candy cane:
Travel and Tourism trip to Edinburgh College
Travel and Tourism trip to Edinburgh College
The National 5 Travel and Tourism classes visited Edinburgh College this week to complete the Employability unit of the course. The pupils are required to undertake work based experience and completed a day of Cabin Crew training in the Edinburgh College plane! The students could choose to either greet and seat passengers (including some awkward clientele), carry out the safety demonstration or run the trolley service with snacks and drinks. The group all worked hard to make sure that their flight ran smoothly. Thank you to the staff at Edinburgh College for their enthusiasm, humour and answering endless questions about life as cabin crew and ground staff.
Head Team
Head Team
Hey everyone!
Hey everyone!
Firstly we wanted to wish luck to all the seniors whose prelims start next week, we are rooting for all of you.
Firstly we wanted to wish luck to all the seniors whose prelims start next week, we are rooting for all of you.
This week our trip round the primary schools continued as we attended Stoneyhill Primary School. We enjoyed getting to chat with the P7s that will be coming up next year and answering all of their questions.
This week our trip round the primary schools continued as we attended Stoneyhill Primary School. We enjoyed getting to chat with the P7s that will be coming up next year and answering all of their questions.
We also held the first joint prefect and pupil voice meeting on Thursday. We felt it was important to get these groups together to improve communication between them and to be able to work together more effectively.
We also held the first joint prefect and pupil voice meeting on Thursday. We felt it was important to get these groups together to improve communication between them and to be able to work together more effectively.
Busy few weeks coming up!
Busy few weeks coming up!
Talk to you guys next week.
Talk to you guys next week.
Katie, Ailsa and Summer
Katie, Ailsa and Summer
Medical
The Flu vaccination will take place on 12th and 13th December 2024. If you did not receive a form please go and see Ms Harvey in the Medical room. All forms must be returned to school as soon as possible.
All pupils who have Asthma please have your inhaler with you in your school bag at all times
If you are unwell during the school day please go and sign out with Ms Harvey. As a school we have a duty of care for pupils. Do not leave the school building on your own and go home without permission. I will call your parent/carer
C Harvey
School Medical Assistant
Reminder
If you don't already, please encourage your child to bring a water bottle with them - there are water fountains around the school for pupils to refill bottles.
MGS website and School Handbook for parents
Here is the link to our website, and it also contains our School Handbook.
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