MUSSELBURGH GRAMMAR SCHOOL
MUSSELBURGH GRAMMAR SCHOOL
THE GRAMMARIAN
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Thursday 2nd April 2026
Thursday 2nd April 2026
We celebrated our wonderful S4, 5 and 6 leavers this morning with shirt signing and a certificate ceremony followed by a bouncy castle!
It has been a pleasure and privilege to watch them grow and thrive here at the Grammar, and I know that whatever they choose to do, they will do it brilliantly.
Go well, and be happy.
Wishing you all a wonderful Easter break.
Jodie
KEY DATES
Tuesday 21 April: all students and staff return to school
Wednesday 22 April: first day of exams
Wednesday 22 April: meeting in school for parents of S3 Residential 6-7pm + online Parent Council briefing 7.30-8.30
QUALIFICATIONS SCOTLAND
The SQA is now known as Qualifications Scotland, and the exam timetable for 2026 can be viewed here: https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/nq-2026-exam-timetable.pdf
PARENT COUNCIL MEETING DATES
These are the dates for this session’s Parent Council meetings:
22nd April 7.30pm-8.30pm online
https://meet.google.com/csy-mvmg-mtu?authuser=0&hs=122
Thursday 4th June: 6.30-8.30pm in school
S1 Maths
This week in maths, S1 students across all classes have been putting their probability work into practice, designing and running carnival games for their class mates to play. Students had to design a fair game with the chance of winning and losing, a cost to play and how much could be won.
S2 Maths
This week in maths, Mr Harpham’s S2 class were putting their understanding of tolerance into practice and being biscuit inspectors. Students had to decide on a target weight and length for the biscuits and then measure and weigh them to see which were in tolerance and which were out.
SCQF Ambassadors
Our SCQF Ambassadors have had a fantastic year promoting SCQF courses at Musselburgh Grammar School. The SCQF team has worked hard to ensure that everyone (pupils, parents and staff) are aware of, and interacting with, alternative courses. We have recruited 3 new ambassadors and have had many opportunities to spread awareness of SCQF/alternative coursing in MGS.
Earlier this school year, as a team, we spoke in morning house assemblies. This was a great opportunity to get the chance to address all classes to spread awareness about the SCQF courses, how they work and why they might be right for students.
Led by Anna, the ambassadors also presented to PSE classes from S2 upwards to go further in depth into the courses which will be available to each year group as
they make their course choices for the next school year. For many year groups, this was their very first exposure to SCQF courses and the ability to educate those on alternative courses meant that more people could choose the right path for them when it comes to their education.
The team also had a table at several parents’ evenings where ambassadors had the opportunity to speak to students, parents and staff about SCQF which allowed us to answer any questions or sort any misconceptions about alternative courses.
In November Mrs Neill spoke to parents at the Parent Council meeting to explain the SCQF course model and how it differs from traditional routes. There was a lot of discussion around the rationale behind adopting a more flexible curriculum and the impact this will have across the school. Parents were very interested to hear about the need for a developing curriculum and providing greater flexibility for pupils.
We are very proud of our achievements this year and are well on our way to achieving the SCQF Silver Award.
The winner of the competition was the Carrot Cake Cookie by Evie Borrill, Zachariah Ng and Lacey Kerr. The cookie will be available Easter weekend.
If you are in the area over the weekend, please support the new product and pop in to purchase.
With special thanks to Hollie and the rest of the staff at Company Bakery for such a great opportunity for our pupils.
S3 Business Company Bakery Challenge
Monday was a big day for the S3 Business class as they delivered their Easter product presentations to Hollie, co‑owner of The Company Bakery in Musselburgh. Each group stepped up with confidence, showcasing their ideas, branding, and marketing plans. The standard was genuinely impressive; every team brought something unique to the table, from creative product concepts to thoughtful pricing strategies.
Hollie was full of praise for their professionalism and creativity, and it was clear just how much effort had gone into preparing for the day. A fantastic experience all round and a brilliant insight into real‑world business pitching.
BGE FFC - Food Tasting
Pupils in S1, S2 and S3 thoroughly enjoyed a food tasting experience that allowed them to explore a wide range of flavours and textures. They sampled a variety of meats, cheeses and fresh fruits, encouraging curiosity and discussion around taste, nutrition and personal preference. The session was well received, with pupils engaging positively, trying new foods and developing greater confidence in making informed, healthy choices.
Thanks to our local Tesco for the very kind donation towards this.
SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS - we want to hear from you!
At Musselburgh Grammar School, we want to celebrate the successes of our young people. If you want to share the achievements of your child with the school, please email mlyle@elcschool.org.uk
S3 Residential
There will be a parent information session for those who are attending the S3 Residential in May to go over key information. This will be on Wednesday 22nd April 6pm - 7pm.
Please use the Google Form to confirm attendance https://forms.gle/usxzGvQSo8mpewxz9
This session will be limited to one parent/guardian per child.
YEAR GROUP ATTENDANCE
As a reminder, school absenteeism remains a significant challenge across Scotland. In 2023/24, 31.4% of pupils were persistently absent, missing 10% or more of the school year. While this has since improved, with a 2.9 percentage point decrease to 28.5%, absenteeism continues to impact learning, wellbeing, and attainment.
ATTENDANCE MATTERS
Talking to your child's school
Talking to your child's school
Worried about your child’s school attendance?
If your child’s unable to go to school for any reason, it’s really important to speak to their school as soon as possible. Whether that’s speaking to their class teacher at the gate, a note in the bag, a phone call, an email. There's always somebody there to listen.
In this short video, Acting Deputy Head Clare Casey explains more
If you are concerned about your child’s attendance, please reach out to the schools Attendance Officer or your child's Pupil Support Leader for support.
Have a look at the Parent Club website, there is a lot of useful information on here to help. Whether it’s managing anxiety, easing stress, or working with the school, Parent Club has practical advice and support for you.
In this short video, Acting Deputy Head Clare Casey explains more
THE HONEST THREAD
Our Honest Thread, “free to a good home” initiative is a new way to share gently used school uniforms within our school community. Anyone who is in need of these items are welcome to request them free of charge.
If you would like to receive any uniform items, please complete the short Google Form below. This allows us to organise requests and prepare your order for collection from the School Office.
https://forms.gle/8NGk3eGnr5M9bMd56
The form will be added to on a regular basis and we hope that we will be able to include items other than schoolwear; this scheme is entirely donation based, so families are always invited to donate clean, good-quality items they no longer need. All donations are much appreciated and can be dropped off at the School Office FAO Ms Ritchie.
UNIFORM REMINDER
Thank you for your ongoing support of our dress code.
Wearing uniform in school continues to be an important feature in school, not least for a safety aspect, as it allows us to identify who all our pupils are.
As our S5 and S6 pupils have chosen to return to school and are aware of the expectations of uniform and attendance laid out at the beginning of the session, I do expect our seniors to uphold our uniform standards. This is not only for safety reasons but also as role models to all younger students.
To encourage this, uniform wearing will be considered alongside attendance as a deciding factor for seniors attending social events.
Our uniform expectations are:
Trousers/ skirt- black only
White shirt and tie
Black jumper
Blue jeans, ripped jeans, cropped/ belly tops, band t-shirts and joggers/ tracksuits etc are not part of our dress code.
Please get in touch with the school office or your child’s PSL (Pupil Support Leader) if we can support with any uniform items.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our dress code.
NOTES FROM THE OFFICE
NOTES FROM THE OFFICE
Reminder that all absences should be reported before 8am by texting 07860 049075. Please help us cut down on staff time and costs by notifying us before we have to contact you.
Please also remember to let us know in advance of any healthcare appointments for your young person, to save time at the point they need to leave school. If we haven’t been notified in advance, we will need to call you to verify, which may delay their departure from school.
We would like your help to ensure that all young people arriving in school after 08:30am sign in with the QR Code or office staff to avoid any unnecessary messages home.
PUPIL SUPPORT
If you would like to speak with a member of the Guidance Team (Pupil Support Leaders) please email Pupil Support Admin on: pupilsupport@musselburghgrammar.elcschool.org.uk
SCHOOL TOILETS
Our pupil toilets are checked on a regular basis to ensure everyone’s comfort and safety. These checks may be done by male or female staff members, and signage is in toilets to make pupils aware of this.
MEDICAL
MEDICAL
HPV will take place on Thursday 11th June 2026. Please return all forms to school asap. All S1 Boys and Girls and some catch ups.
Asthma - All pupils who have Asthma please make sure you have an inhaler with you at all times.
Thank you C Harvey
CAR PARK SAFETY
A safety reminder to all families who drop children off at school in the morning that they should be dropped off in the turning circle
outside the main gates and then use the footpath to the main doors, not walk through the car park.
This is due to a few near accidents recently with the volume of cars in the car park and pupils walking through it. If it is essential to come into the car park then the one way system must be used, again, to prevent accidents.
In addition, any S6 pupils having driving lessons should not be using the school car park for any part of the lesson due to the amount of cars in the area including narrow lanes and parking bays.
Thank you for your support.
LOST PROPERTY
LOST PROPERTY
A few new items in lost property, if you have lost anything, please go and see Ms Harvey after the Easter break.
A few new items in lost property, if you have lost anything, please go and see Ms Harvey after the Easter break.
Our Healthy Respect drop in service runs every Wednesday lunchtime in the Training Room. This NHS run wellbeing service is in a discreet area of school, is free and confidential, and offers support and advice to young people on a range of matters including sexual health information for pupils over the age of 13.
MGS WEBSITE AND SCHOOL HANDBOOK FOR PARENTS
Our website has lots of useful information for parents, and includes our School Handbook and School Policies. Have a look! We welcome your feedback.
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