MUSSELBURGH GRAMMAR SCHOOL
MUSSELBURGH GRAMMAR SCHOOL
THE GRAMMARIAN
Embedded Files
Friday 14 August 2026
Friday 14 August 2026
Welcome back!
I hope you all had a wonderful summer and that your young people have been excited to return. It has been lovely seeing colleagues and young people again, and particularly as we celebrate another very positive set of exam results.
We surpassed several of last year’s achievements in S4 and S5 so sharing this news with staff was a really nice way to start Monday’s Inset day. I also highlighted the results to students at all year group assemblies this morning as the new S5 and S6 students deserve the recognition.
We welcomed a group of very excited S1's to the Grammar and they are settling into new adventures and routines very well.
Jodie
STAFFING
We welcome the following colleagues to the MGS team:
Ms C Dods, CL Languages & Literacy (English, Media, ESOL and Modern Languages);
Mr D Hoyland, CL Mathematics; Ms E Clarkson, Teacher of PE; Ms H Marr, Teacher of Modern Studies;
Ms M Raventos, Teacher of French and Spanish; and Ms H MacKinnon, Teacher of Home Economics.
Mrs Craig, Teacher of RMPS, also returns after maternity leave last session.
KEY DATES
Thursday 27 August: Parent Council briefing online 7-8pm
Wednesday 9 September: Prize giving ceremony 6.30-8.30pm
Friday 11 September & Monday 14 September: school closed for September weekend
Wednesday 16 September: How to succeed in Senior Phase evening for parents of S4-S6 students. 6.30-8.30pm (further information below)
Tuesday 22 September: S1 Parents’ Consultation 5-7pm
Tuesday 29 September: Parent Council AGM in school 6.30-8.30pm
OUR HEAD STUDENT TEAM
I am delighted to formally announce our Head Team and Depute Head Team to our community.
From left to right, Max Elgin, Elsie Wiggins and David Falomo are our Head Students.
From left to right, Jasmin Notarangelo and Anna Zonova are our Depute Head Students. Ella Main is also a Depute Head Student and her photograph will be included in next week’s Grammarian.
The team will be representing the Grammar at community events such the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh anniversary in September, as well as leading various projects within school.
Further details of their roles will be shared in the Grammarian and at the Parent Council.
Max Elgin
My name is Max Elgin, and I am a member of the head team at Musselburgh Grammar. I am currently studying Mathematics and Science at school and wish to pursue my interest in maths further by going to university to study finance. Out of school, I play for the Musselburgh Rugby Club under-18 team. We compete against great teams every week as we travel down to the Borders and into England to play our games. I also compete in golf tournaments, which have allowed me to play against international players and teams, including a college team from the United States. As a member of the head team at Musselburgh Grammar, I am looking forward to working with other students and helping to address issues around the school that affect other students. I would also like to leave a positive impression on others and inspire the younger students to follow in my footsteps by putting themselves forward for opportunities to apply themselves to better the school and the local area.
David Falomo
I’m David Falomo, an S6 pupil and now Head Boy at Musselburgh Grammar School. This year I am studying three Advanced Highers in Mathematics Physics and Chemistry alongside Higher P.E.
After school I'm hoping to study Software Engineering in university. Outside of school I've played basketball for just under four years and have been a member of the Scottish Academy for 3x3 basketball. As Head Boy I want to create a positive impact in the community that will last for years.
Elsie Wiggins
I am very excited to be Head Girl this year as it’s been an aspiration of mine since S1! My favourite subjects are Spanish which I am sitting at Advanced Higher as well as History and Philosophy which I'm studying at Higher.
I’m an eager basketball player for City of Edinburgh Kats with my proudest achievement being winning the Under 18 Scottish Cup in 2024. I am also a community coach at local primary schools where I’ve developed my leadership skills.
I have a part time job at Musselburgh racecourse and enjoy interacting with Musselburgh community. I’m looking forward to all me and the head team will achieve this year! When I leave school I plan to Study Mass Communications, Advertising and Public relations at Edinburgh Napier University.
Jasmin Notarangelo
This year, I am studying four Advanced Highers in History, Modern Studies, English, and Business, and am planning to study History and Politics at university.
Having been involved in Pupil Voice previously, I am excited to make a positive difference in the school through my involvement in the Deputy Head Student team.
Anna Zonova
I’m Anna Zonova, an S6 pupil at Musselburgh Grammar School. Currently I am studying Higher Physics and Chemistry, Advanced Higher Maths and Geography. I would like to pursue a career in civil engineering as I aim to help make the planet a greener place.
I’ve been playing golf since I was 6, since then I’ve been playing competitively across national and international events. I am a proud ambassador of Junior Tour Scotland and a member of Royal Musselburgh Golf Club. As a Deputy Head Girl, I am looking forward to working as a team with other deputies and the head pupils to provide an environment that everybody can strive in. Furthermore, I would like to encourage all pupils to take on the opportunities they have ahead of them in school.
HOW TO SUCCEED IN THE SENIOR PHASE
Save the date!
This event is on Wednesday 16 September 6.30-8.30pm for parents of S4-S6 students.
It is the first year we have held this session and our aim is to give parents and carers the opportunity to find out more about the requirements of the exam subjects their child is taking; and to build parents’ and carers’ confidence in supporting their child to achieve to the best of their ability across the year, and in prelims and final exams.
Further information to follow.
SENIOR PHASE REPORTS
The first of four reports for Senior Phase students will be sent home before the October break.
PHONE FREE LEARNING
Staff spent considerable time on Tuesday’s Inset discussing our phone free learning policy to ensure staff consistency of approach for maximum impact on student wellbeing and learning.
The policy, process and expectations were then shared with all students at Wednesday’s welcome back assemblies and they have responded very well: only 19 phones needed to be removed on Wednesday, 24 on Thursday, and 14 today. We will continue to monitor the process and keep you updated.
Thank you for your support of phone free learning in discussions with your child/ren before their return to school.
PARENT COUNCIL MEETINGS
The dates for next session’s Parent Council are now set.
Links to the online briefings will be shared next session.
Thursday 27 August briefing 7-8pm
Tuesday 29 September AGM 6.30-8.30pm
Tuesday 27 October briefing 7-8pm
Thursday 14 January briefing 7-8pm
Tuesday 9 Feb briefing 7-8pm
Thursday 1 April briefing 7-8pm
Wednesday 9 June 6.30-8.30 in school
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR WORK EXPERIENCE, EMPLOYMENT OR A MODERN APPRENTICESHIP?
The job vacancy links below highlight a range of opportunities. Please follow the links for further information and application details.
If you require assistance to complete the application or would like to chat it over, please see Ms Hoffman B16.
Job vacancies - East Lothian Works | East Lothian Council
https://rscfortkinnaird.co.uk/
https://www.jobs.service.gov.uk/
https://careers.nhslothian.scot/
https://www.edinburghguarantee.org/support-job-seekers/find-a-job
MGS PUPILS AND MUSSELBURGH LOOP
Well done to Grammar students for getting out and about in our community over the summer as part of the Musselburgh Loop programme. Their efforts to brighten up Musselburgh were much appreciated by residents and have made a visible difference to how various areas look.
ACTIVE SCHOOLS
ACTIVE SCHOOLS
Welcome to Nadia, new Active Schools Coordinator at MGS.
Nadia’s background is in Active Schools in Edinburgh and the Borders, and she has also lived and worked in the USA coaching soccer.
Nadia is passionate about all things active and sporty and encouraging young people to feel the same.
Nadia is working on the Active Schools Programme so watch this space!
OUR VERY OWN ARTIST AT MGS
We would like to say a huge well done to one of our ASNA’s, Mr Bissett, who has been working over the summer with S2-S6 pupils in Falkirk on an art project that includes a mural that will now sit pride of place in Falkirk town centre. Mr Bissett and his 12 budding artists spent a fortnight working on this mural and they made it into the local newspaper. Mr Bissett has been involved with many art projects within the school and in the Falkirk community and we look forward to seeing what he does next. You can follow this link to hear his interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABZ58XBvGSY
WEEKLY ATTENDANCE
WEEKLY ATTENDANCE
Regular attendance is vital for our students’ success and wellbeing. Last year, 32.78% of our pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of the year). We are committed to working together with families to improve this; if you are facing challenges in getting your young person to school, please reach out to our Pupil Support team at pupilsupport@musselburghgrammar.elcschool.org.uk so we can help.
NOTES FROM THE OFFICE
NOTES FROM THE OFFICE
Reminder that all absences should be reported before 8am by texting 07860 049075. We have noticed that there are a few parents leaving pupil absence messages on out staff absence line. This line is not always manned after 8am therefore pupil absences will not be pick up in time. 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.
BREAKFAST CLUB
MGS welcomes all our young people to our Breakfast Club that runs daily from 8am -8:25am in the Nurture room in B24. There is no cost for breakfast at Breakfast Club and we offer toast, fruit, cereals and juice. This is a good chance for young people to have a positive start to their day as well as getting to know some of the staff and other young people who attend. We look forward to welcoming lots of new faces over the next few weeks.
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://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdLWNNtGnzNn3l9
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.
LOST PROPERTY
LOST PROPERTY
One black jumper, brand new possibly belongs to a new S1. Please See Ms Harvey in the Medical Room
SCHOOL UNIFORM
Thank you very much for your support of our dress code: the standard of uniform this week is exceptional.
Please note that items such as coloured t-shirts, band t-shirts, crop/ bra tops, tracksuits etc are not part of the dress code, and pupils may be asked to return home to change or wear clothing items from our store.
Please do let us know if we can help with uniforms from our store, and if families have any used uniform items in very good used condition such as blazers, trousers, jumpers and shirts, we would welcome adding these donations to our store.
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
Asthma - All pupils who have Asthma please make sure you have an inhaler with you at all times.
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.
Our Healthy Respect drop in service runs in school every Wednesday lunchtime. 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.
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