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HEAD TEACHER'S NEWSLETTER
It has been a real pleasure for the Depute Headteachers and I to meet a large number of our S4, S5 and S6 pupils and their parents/ carers this week to discuss their attainment in National 5s, Highers and Advanced Highers as we approach the final SQA exams. We have all been impressed with how committed they are to doing their best, and their ambition for next year, whether remaining at school or moving to employment, higher or further education. I’m not sure I was anywhere near as focused as them when I was that age!
We are moving into the last few weeks of school before exams and study leave in April, and have plans in place to support all young people, including an online study support session next Thursday for parents and carers- more details later in in this newsletter.
S1 Tree of Knowledge
We know that the last few years of primary school have been fragmented and challenging for S1 pupils due to Covid, but considering this disruption, we think they have settled pretty well into secondary school. I hope that they are all enjoying the move up to secondary school as much as we enjoy having them here.
That said, we know that it can be difficult to settle into ready to learn routines and new friendships after the difficulties of learning from home so Guidance teachers in S1 PSE (Personal and Social Education) have been working on embedding our school values and ethos, and talking about the importance of our character. This linked in with Empathy fortnight, and leads to a focus on Determination in the first two weeks of March.
We are committed to making sure that everyone has the best possible experience at the Grammar, and so in addition to ongoing work in PSE, all S1 classes will be participating in Tree of Knowledge sessions on either Monday 28 February or Tuesday 1 March.
These double period sessions (Resilient Characters | Tree of Knowledge) focus on resilience and peer relationships as well as aligning with our school values and ethos of bringing your best self to school everyday.
I hope that S1 all enjoy this experience of something a little bit different and I look forward to hearing what they have learned from it.
Ms Hannan
Study Skills and Exam Stress - Virtual Family Learning Event
All parents and carers of S4-6 students are invited to our next virtual family learning event which is focused on study skills and coping with exam stress. The event will take place on Thursday 3rd March (7:00-8:15pm) and information on how to access the virtual event will be provided next week via the School App.
The content of the event is outlined below:
Study Skills and Techniques - Practical Advice for Parents and Carers
Alison Chisholm, Principal Teacher of Geography and History, will provide guidance on using a range of different techniques to equip parents and carers with information on how to support their child in studying effectively.
Coping Strategies for Exam Stress and Anxiety
Joy Burton, Mental Health Youth Worker for the Musselburgh Cluster, will provide advice on coping with exam stress and anxiety, both in the lead up to exams and on the day of an exam.
Q&A Session
This will be followed by a Q&A session on both study skills and exam stress.
Study Support Timetable
Medical - HPV Vaccinations
HPV Vaccination consent forms were distributed to pupils on Thursday 10th Feb for upcoming vaccinations. This applies to the following pupils:
S1 - all pupils
S2 and S3 - catch up for all pupils who didn’t receive a consent form last year
S4-6 - catch up for girls who didn’t receive a consent form last year
Please return the completed consent forms as soon as possible on pupils’ return to school after the February break to Mrs Harvey.
Thank you, Mrs Harvey
ELVIS KIDS
Please see below an extract from an email received from Dr Ramalingam, Consultant Virologist, Children’s Hospital, Edinburgh.
Recently, we published evidence that cells use the chloride from salt to fight viral infections. Also, nasal irrigation with salt water helped reduce the cold in adults. Hence, we are now testing if salt water nose drops helps children fight the cold.
If you have a child under 7 years of age, you may be able to join the fight.
The Children’s Hospital in Edinburgh are doing a study of salt water nose drops to see if it helps get rid of the cold faster.
Your child does not need to have a cold right now to take part!
You can join right now by calling/texting 07973657457 for an appointment to sign up and to be taught what to do the next time your child has a cold.
Your child does not need to attend.
Families completing the study will receive travel expenses and a £30 voucher to compensate for any inconvenience.
Further information is in the attached flyer or at www.elviskids.co.uk ; Twitter: @elviskids; Facebook: Elvis Kids.
Em & Nic's Not-So-Secret Diary
Welcome back everyone! We hope you all had a relaxing February break.
Although this week has been short we have been restarting all of our courses in preparation for exams in April. The SQA exam timetable is now out for all senior students so check it out to see when you'll be taking yours. Exams will take place from the 26th April to the 1st June 2022. Since this is the first year that all of our seniors have taken exams please take advantage of the after-school study support provided by teachers.
Similarly, we as sixth years will be determined to make the most of this term. It's a time of anticipation for what is ahead as well as reflection as we look back on our time at school. We're concentrating on our exams that lie ahead as well as making the last few weeks of school memorable and enjoyable for us considering that the previous few years of school haven't gone as planned.
Today as a whole school we recognised diversity as we celebrated Purple Friday. This is a LGBT Youth Scotland’s annual fundraising day that allows them to provide invaluable support, services and opportunities for young queer people in Scotland. Thank you to all those that donated to the charity!
This week the new toilets and dining hall opened up and we love them! They are very modern and spacious and we are grateful that the school has provided us with these facilities. Also the new sixth year dining hall has been refurbished over the past few weeks and we are very pleased to have our own space back in the school in which we often use for socialising at break and lunchtime as well as studying.
Furthermore, the school has chosen to redesign the housing system and relaunch the new mechanism around how we as students get ‘house points’ following several suggestions. In the near future the senior leadership team will hold assemblies to inform and encourage our junior students to get involved and make the most of their time at school in their assigned house. More on this coming soon!
Due to COVID the school is unable to host a prom for S6 so we have organised one ourselves. We are looking for 5 parent volunteers to assist with the prom so that it can take place. You will receive a three-course meal and a welcome drink at no cost. It will take place on Thursday 9th June 2022 from 7pm. Please get in touch with us if you are interested in helping out by emailing mmccrorie@edubuzz.org.
Just another little reminder to say if you have not already done so please go download our school app as it is now LIVE on the app stores to keep up with the latest news in and around school.
Again as always thank you to all students for abiding by the guidelines and continuing to wear our face coverings throughout the building and applying hand sanitiser at the appropriate times. We really appreciate you going to these lengths to not only keep ourselves safe but also our staff and families at home too.
Have a lovely weekend,
Em & Nic
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