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HEAD TEACHER'S NEWSLETTER
Friday 31st May 2024
Friday 31st May 2024
There is lots of interesting news from school this week, updating you on our Queen Bee drama, a theatre trip, a rock band competition, volunteering and community work with our Dementia Choir, and particular congratulations for a budding journalist…!
We are looking forward to welcoming our senior pupils back to school on Monday with more details of timetable collection further on in the newsletter.
Have a lovely weekend.
Jodie Hannan
Key Dates
Monday 3 June: new timetable for S2-S6 begins.
Wednesday 5 June: P7 (new S1) Parents’ Information session 6-7pm in school.
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.
Arrangements for Monday the 3rd of June
Our timetable changes on Monday 3 June.
S1 moves up into S2, S2 into S3 and so on. All new S2, S3 and S4 pupils received their new timetables yesterday and new S5 and S6 will receive theirs on Monday morning in registration.
8.15-8.30am: all pupils enter via the main front doors and go to registration. Heads of House will be in reception to let new S5 and S6 pupils know which registration class they are in.
8.30-8.50am: extended registration for all to distribute timetables to S5 and S6.
9-9.20am: Joint S2 and S3 year group assembles with Ms Hannan.
9.40-10am: S4 assembly with Ms Hannan.
10.25-10.45am: joint S5 and S6 year group assemblies with Ms Hannan.
A huge amount of work has been done over the past few months to ensure a smooth transition into the new timetable. There are always a small number of anomalies, and our priority is to make sure that all pupils have a complete timetable. If any S5 and S6 pupils do have blanks on their timetables they should see Mrs Watson or Ms Craigie during that blank period (except at the time of their assembly) so that no timetabled classes are missed.
Please note that:
pupils who wish to change subjects should attend all timetabled classes until exam results are received in August 2024 when further re-coursing can be considered.
S6 pupils who have study periods timetabled in periods 1 and 2, and / or periods 6 and 7 should study at home. They should sign in to school for period 3 and out of school at lunchtime. Timetabled study periods from P3-P5 are in school.
For new S5 & S6 register classes
Our current S4 has nine register classes, with school leavers this will reduce to six register classes from the change of timetable on Monday. Our current S5 has six registration classes, this will reduce to four register classes in S6.
This reduction in registration classes happens each year and means that your registration class and Pupil Support Leader may have changed. When you arrive on Monday please report to your house head in the foyer and they will direct you to the correct registration class to collect your new timetable.
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
Young Science Writer of the Year Award 2024
Young Science Writer of the Year Award 2024
I am delighted to let you know that Jasmin Notarangelo, 3G1, has won the Young Science Writer of the Year Award.
The Association of British Science Writers invites students from non-selective state funded schools, or those who are home schooled with disabilities and who cannot attend school in person, aged 14-16 years, to submit an 800-word essay on any subject in science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics.
This competition is open to students nationally in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
This competition is designed to get young people writing and thinking about the big questions in science, technology, engineering and maths, with a focus on how science impacts on policy making and society.
The Award
The Award
1st prize: £1000 + Visit to BBC Science HQ in Cardiff + 1 year Young Ri membership
In addition, the winning student will participate in an exclusive visit to BBC Science HQ in Cardiff to meet with an experienced Science Journalist. They will receive a coaching session where they will have the opportunity to discover what a career in science writing/journalism entails. They will also be able to observe various types of science media being produced, providing a comprehensive overview of what it is like working in this exciting area of STEM!
The winning essay will be published on the BBC Science news website at the end of 2024 and will include a mention of their school. The two runner-up entries will be published on the ABSW and The Royal Institution websites.
***
I have always had a big passion for reading and writing. When I was younger, I would spend my time reading rather than running about outside. This passion has followed me into my teenage years so when my Biology Teacher, Mrs Duff, told my class about Young Science Writer of the Year, I was very interested.
In the future I would like to study English and History, and go into a career in journalism, so I thought that this would be a great experience and would also be useful for university applications.
The Young Science Writer of the Year is a competition for 14 to 16 year olds from all across the UK. It is designed to encourage young people to think about and get involved in the future of Science.
I chose to write my 800 word essay on insulin pumps, how they benefit Type 1 diabetes and to explore if they are potentially the future of Type 1 Diabetes management. I chose this topic because my mother and grandmother both have Type 1 Diabetes. I have seen just how difficult it can be to manage and how much it affects the lives of those living with the condition.
I began by thoroughly researching the subject and speaking to people who have Type 1 Diabetes. I was also lucky enough to be able to interview GP partners from Prestonpans Group Practice and one of their practice nurses. When I submitted my essay I hoped for the best but I never expected to be runner up, never mind win first place!
When I was told the news I was ecstatic! It didn’t feel real that I had won such a ;prestigious award and I feel very privileged to have the opportunities the prizes give to me. I am really excited to attend a coaching session with an experienced journalist at the BBC Science HQ in Cardiff, and it is a dream come true to be a published writer on the BBC website!¬
I want to say a massive thankyou to Mrs Duff, my Science teacher, for encouraging me to enter.
Jasmin Notarangelo.
Mrs Duff added:
The Biology department is absolutely thrilled for Jasmin winning the Young Science Writer of the Year Award 2024. Winning first place in a national competition encompassing all secondary schools in the UK is a tremendous achievement and Jasmin’s piece of investigative journalism about using insulin pumps to manage type 1 diabetes was outstanding.
It all started when I posted an announcement on Google Classroom announcing the competition and calling on all learners passionate about STEM with a flair for writing. Jasmin quickly took up the challenge and set out to decide on a topic. Given her personal connection with Diabetes, it only seemed appropriate when she decided to investigate the effect of insulin pumps. I was blown away when I read Jasmin’s work for the first time and I learned a lot from her essay. Jasmin – you are a real talent, stay passionate and keep on writing!
Congratulations Jasmin, we are so proud of you.
Wider Achievement Meeting Centre Final Visit
On Friday 24th May, the Wider Achievement ‘Dementia Choir’ group went to the Meeting Centre one last time this session. Over a coffee and cake, pupils shared their plans for the next year; some are heading to university, others to college and few staying at MGS. The members shared their stories of when they left school, some of them were no older than 15!
The members presented pupils with good luck cards and a gift which consisted of oatcakes and sardines. The reason behind this unusual gift was that a Musselburgh tradition going back at least 300 years, was that any ‘youngsters’ leaving the town to go to work, college or University would receive a package of porridge oats and pickled herring as a goodbye present. This was to ensure that they would always have a full belly during their future studies or work.
This year has been a huge success working with the Meeting Centre and it has been an excellent opportunity for intergenerational friendships to be formed. While we are saddened to see the current pupils move on, we are looking forward to the next session when the course will be running again with a new cohort!
Haddstock Battle of the Bands 2024
Over the weekend, two student-formed rock bands represented MGS at the Haddstock 2024 Battle of the Bands. Scene One and About ‘08 competed with a strong line-up of young bands, performing before a panel of judges and an enthusiastic audience.
Scene One comprises Evie Bastiani, Roxi Adjodani, Zofia Kulczycka and Sophie Davidson.
About ‘08 comprises Isla Dowdeswell, Mia Halliday, Isla Grierson, Ursula Wells and Sophie Davidson.
Scene One performed Steady as She Goes and Take Me Away while About ‘08 performed Crash and Are You Gonna Be My Girl? Both bands received positive feedback from the judges and were each awarded with another gig! About ‘08 received a spot at Fringe by the Sea in August and Scene One will be appearing at Hops in the Garden in October.
Both bands will also be performing alongside a host of others at the MGS Summer Jam in June.
The Music Team were there to support and are incredibly proud of both their performances and their achievements. The future of Rock and Roll is safe. Thank you to Neil Bastiani for the fabulous photographs.
Beekeeping
The bees have been busy at MGS this week! Miss Rankin, Mrs Watson and Mrs Dias had to step in to stop one of the hives swarming on Monday. The photograph below shows the bees getting ready to swarm. A hive can swarm for a variety of reasons including: the colony has grown too large for the hive; the colony has produced a new queen and the old queen is leaving with some of the bees to set up a new hive elsewhere. The hive was split and a queen was placed in a new hive with some of the colony and the other queen remains in the original hive. We now have 4 hives for the new beekeeping classes to look after when the new timetables start on Monday!
Our other exciting news is that our hive rescue a month ago was successful and the bees reared a new queen and she is now successfully laying eggs and the colony is growing. The photo above shows the new queen - next job is to mark her with a Green dot so that she is easier to spot and we know that she was born in 2024.
Traverse Theatre
30 S2 pupils attended a performance of TRASHedy as Part of the Edinburgh International Children's Festival at the Traverse Theatre along with Mrs Wood, Miss Ganson and Mr Jordan. We thoroughly enjoyed this performance and were challenged on environmental issues. We had a Q&A with the performers and the pupils all participated and asked a variety of questions based on the issues in the play as well as How to become an Actor! They were a credit to the school!
What a pleasure to take pupils out and about and let them experience the wonder of Theatre. I hope we can make this an annual event! to the Edinburgh International Children's Festival!
Summer Disco
Carers week 2024
Carers week 2024 – putting Carers on the map
Do you care for a relative or friend who due to illness, disability or mental health condition couldn’t cope without your support? Caring for someone with additional needs can be tough without the right information and support.
East Lothian has advice, information and support services for both young and adult carers.
Visit Carers of East Lothian – Supporting people who care for family and friends (coel.org.uk) or call 0131 665 0135 or Young carers | East Lothian Council to find out more about support available.
P7 Parents’ Information evening Wednesday 5 June.
Mr Scott, DHT Pupil Support, and I will be holding an information session for all parents and carers of our new S1 pupils on Wednesday 5 June 6-7pm in advance of the primary transition days on Friday 14th, Monday 17th and Tuesday 18th June. Pupils are very welcome to attend with their parents and carers.
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 .
Powering Futures
S5/6 learners have the opportunity to take part in the ‘Powering Futures’ course as part of the wider achievement column. The course is an SCQF level 6 (higher level) and focuses on developing the meta skills needed beyond the classroom, as well as being given the opportunity to solve real world problems set by partner industries. Mrs Dias attended a training course last week to look at changes to the programme and share her experiences with schools that will be delivering it in 2024/2025. Click on the video below to find out more about what the course has to offer and see Mrs Watson if this is something that you/ your child is interested in taking part in.
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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