MUSSELBURGH GRAMMAR SCHOOL
MUSSELBURGH GRAMMAR SCHOOL
THE GRAMMARIAN
Embedded Files
Friday 09 October 2026
Friday 09 October 2026
And the term is a wrap!
Hope you all have a lovely break, and we’ll see students back in school on Tuesday 20 October.
Jodie
STAFFING
Welcome to Mx Kirkwood, part time temporary Teacher of English, who joins the Languages and Literacy Faculty on Monday 19 October.
We have also successfully recruited for Mrs Duff’s Biology maternity leave commencing November.
KEY DATES
Friday 09 October: Term ends for October break
Monday 19 October: Inservice Day for staff
Tuesday 20 October: all pupils return to school
Tuesday 27th October: BGE Reporting to parents: S2 Data and S3 Comments
NOTES FROM THE OFFICE
NOTES FROM THE OFFICE
Reminder that all absences should be reported before 8am by texting 07860 049075 as this helps 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.
Thank you!
PARENT COUNCIL MEETINGS
The dates for next session’s Parent Council meetings are now set. Links to the online briefings will be shared next session.
Tuesday 27 October briefing 7-8pm
Thursday 14 January briefing 7-8pm
Tuesday 9 February briefing 7-8pm
Thursday 1 April briefing 7-8pm
Wednesday 9 June 6.30-8.30 in school
COULD YOU BE OUR NEXT PARENT COUNCIL CHAIR?
Our Parent Council is always delighted to welcome parents and carers—whether you would simply like to visit a meeting, become a member or perhaps even consider becoming our next Chair.
The Chair’s role is worthwhile, interesting and not as time-consuming as you might imagine. You’ll work alongside a lovely, supportive group of people who genuinely care about our pupils and school community, while gaining a real insight into what happens at school and the decisions that affect our young people.
You don’t need any special experience—just enthusiasm, curiosity and a desire to help. Come along to a meeting, meet us and find out more. You might discover it’s exactly the role you didn’t know you were looking for!
CHROMEBOOK UPDATE
The rollout of 1:1 digital devices has been really successful, and our pupils and teachers are making excellent use of them. On the whole, pupils seem to be taking great care of them. Of course, with any large scale operation, we would expect a small amount of damage and we know that accidents do happen. Posters are up around the school reminding pupils how to look after their devices. Unfortunately, damage is charged back to the school, so we wanted to remind parents of the stakeholder agreement that was sent out in advance of the chromebook rollout. You can review that here. In this agreement, the requirements for both parents and learners to look after their equipment is clearly set out. MGS follow the ‘Damaged and Lost Devices’ protocol that’s issued to all ELC schools, which means that if a pupil damages their device on more than one occasion, we may contact you to ask you to make a contribution to its replacement. For context, damaged screens cost the school £50 each. Lost devices also come under this protocol - a parental meeting will be organised to discuss how the device was lost, and discuss a contribution to replace the lost device.
S5/6 Geography Field Trip
Higher and Advanced Higher Geographers spent Tuesday IN the Water of Leith gathering data for fieldwork assignments. We spent the day developing data gathering skills including measuring the width, depth and velocity of the river, as well as analysing bedload and land use over several sites. Spending time outdoors also gives pupils a chance to consolidate knowledge from the classroom and apply it to real life contexts. A huge thank you to Ruth from the Water of Leith Trust for her guidance and expertise, and to Mr Mells for driving the minibus!
S3 PHYSICS TRIP
On Tuesday 6th October, a group of 27 S3 pupils enjoyed a successful day out at the Forth Bridges Education Centre, learning more about engineering and taking part in an engineering challenge. The day ended with a lovely walk across the Forth Road Bridge. Well done to all who attended.
SILVER DUKE OF EDINBURGH 2026/27
Application forms for the Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award have been posted on the S4 and S5 year group classrooms.
Forms are to be completed by Monday 19th October. If the number of applicants exceeds 28, participants will be selected based on their application form answers. Applicants DO NOT need to have completed the Bronze award to take part.
What do you need to do to complete Silver?
In order to complete your award, participants need to complete 4 sections of the award (each one for at least an hour a week)
- Volunteering: Give something back to the community (e.g. help with a club, work at a charity shop, community garden, work with rangers, volunteer at Park run)
- Physical: Get your heart pumping and improve your fitness (e.g. sports team, dancing, running, couch to 5k)
- Skill: Expand your mind (e.g. play an instrument, baking, online first aid course, drawing, photography)
- Expedition: You will complete a training and qualifying expedition on foot. (3 days of walking and 2 nights camping for each expedition).
Expeditions will take place in June and September 2027 during the school week.
See Mrs Dias, Mrs Orsi, Miss Ferguson or Mr Natta for more information.
APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Below is a list of employers currently advertising apprenticeships in Edinburgh and Lothians. There is a wide range of apprenticeships available in Childcare, Accountancy, Healthcare (Dental), Motor Vehicles, Hairdressing, Hospitality, IT, Joinery. Some have a deadline closing in October, some are hiring for Autumn 2027. Apprenticeships are competitive, so if you are interested in any of these vacancies, apply early to avoid disappointment.
MGS FUTURE PATHWAY EVENT TUESDAY 3 NOVEMBER 2026
Callout for Local Businesses:
Are you a local business owner or employer? We are currently planning our annual Future Pathway Event and would love to showcase the diverse talents and businesses within our own school community.
Hosting a stall is a fantastic opportunity to inspire the next generation, raise awareness of your sector and share insights about career pathways, apprenticeships, or work opportunities with our pupils. Whether you run a local trade, a creative agency, a shop, or a professional service, your experience is invaluable to our pupils.
If you are interested in securing a stall or would like more information, please get in touch with us at employability@musselburghgrammar.elcschool.org.uk alternatively call the school on 0131 665 4278.
We would be delighted to have you join us!
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.
S1 FRIGHT NIGHT
S1 Fright Night is on Thursday 29 October 6.30-8pm. This is an incredibly popular and long running tradition whereby S6 pupils organise a spooky experience and disco in school for S1 pupils. Tickets are £3 each and will soon be available to purchase via Parentpay.
HALLOWEEN DRESS DOWN DAY
Friday 30 October is a whole school dress up for Halloween day, with prizes for the best teacher costume, the best S1-S3 pupils, and for the best S4-S6 outfit.
Cash donations at the door for the Pennypit Food Bank are welcome.
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY - MGS CHRISTMAS FAYRE Saturday 11th December - 10:30am- 12 pm
MORE INFO TO FOLLOW SOON!
BREAKFAST CLUB
MGS welcomes all our young people to our Breakfast Club that runs daily from 8am -8:25am. There is no cost for breakfast 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. From Monday 24th August we will be at the front of the school at the old nursery/creche instead of the Nurture room on B floor and young people can access from the side door. We hope this makes it more accessible to young people.
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.
SCHOOL UNIFORM
Thank you very much for your support of our dress code: the standard of uniform this week is exceptionally high.
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.
PE KIT
All pupils/parents/carers are reminded that all pupils must have a change of kit for PE.
This should consist of;
T shirt/long sleeved top
Sweatshirt or similar for outdoor activities
Shorts/leggings/tracksuit trousers
Trainers(no Uggs/Crocs)
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
STREET LEAGUE
ACTIVE SCHOOLS
Extra-Curricular Timetable
-All participants must sign up for activities via the link.
Link: East Lothian Council events booking service
For further details contact Active Schools Coordinator - Nadia
nelbekhti@elschool.org.uk
For further details contact Active Schools Coordinator - Nadia
nelbekhti@elcschool.org.uk
UCAS DEADLINES FOR UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS 2027
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.
MEDICAL
MEDICAL
Flu vaccines - these will take place in school on Thursday 12th November 2026. Please remember to return these as soon as possible. If you require a replacement form, please go and see Ms Harvey in the Medical room - (working days are Tuesday to Thursday)
Flu vaccines - these will take place in school on Thursday 12th November 2026. Please remember to return these as soon as possible. If you require a replacement form, please go and see Ms Harvey in the Medical room - (working days are Tuesday to Thursday)
A timetable for the vaccines is displayed outside the Medical room please check your class for the time of your vaccination.
Asthma - All pupils who have Asthma should make sure they have an inhaler with you at all times.
If your child has a sickness/diarrhoea virus, they should remain off school for at least 48 hours.
LOST PROPERTY
LOST PROPERTY
We already have quite a few items in our lost property. Please go and see Ms Harvey in the Medical Room if you are missing any items of clothing.
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..
Page updated
Report abuse