MUSSELBURGH GRAMMAR SCHOOL
THE GRAMMARIAN
THE GRAMMARIAN
Our S6 students are off to Dalguise this weekend for the annual residential. It looks like beautiful early autumn weather for them and we’re looking forward to hearing all about their adventures.
We’re also looking forward to welcoming all our prize winners and families to school on Wednesday to celebrate their success, followed by a long weekend!
Best wishes,
Jodie
KEY DATES
Wednesday 9 September: Prize giving ceremony 6.30-8.30pm
Friday 11 September & Monday 14 September: school closed for September weekend
Wednesday 16 September: Musselburgh Learns: 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
Friday 25 September: Alumni Afternoon 1-2.30pm
Thursday 1 October: Parent Council AGM in school 6.30-8.30pm
STAFFING
Ms Guillaumin, currently covering Ms Kinninmont’s maternity leave, is leaving us on 21 September for a permanent post elsewhere so this post is currently being advertised.
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.
Alumni Afternoon
As part of our year long 400th anniversary celebrations we are inviting our alumni and former colleagues into school on Friday 25 September 1-2.30pm.
Please scan the QR code to RSVP.
There will be short introductions in the Hall, followed by tours of the school led by our students
PARENT COUNCIL MEETINGS
The dates for next session’s Parent Council are now set. Links to the online briefings will be shared next session.
Tuesday 29 September AGM 6.30-8.30pm
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
PUPIL VOICE
Pupil Voice Team Leaders Zoa Strachan, S4, Rhea-Leigh Hardie, S4, and Lauren Hollingsworth, S6, led this week’s House Assemblies to share information about the work of Pupil Voice and encourage everyone to get involved.
And congratulations to Noah McBirnie, Ava Menzies and Euan Thompson, all S3, for being appointed to the role of junior Team Leaders.
SPORTS AMBASSADORS
Delighted to introduce Lois Cunningham and Lauren Davidson as our young Sports’ Ambassadors this year. The girls will be helping to drive and promote sports opportunities across the school, working alongside Fit for Girls ambassadors, PE staff and our community partners to help make sport and physical activity more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
We’re really excited to see the ideas, energy and enthusiasm Lois and Lauren bring to the role!
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
ARMY LEADERSHIP EVENT FOR S1's
On Tuesday, our S1’s attended a leadership event run by Lance Corporal Turnbull and his team from the British Army. They participated in a number of team building events, assisted by some of our prefects and senior leaders.
Here’s what a few of our pupils had to say
“Our S6 prefects were fantastic role models. They made us feel welcome, listened to our ideas and helped us work together as a team. They were kind, encouraging and made every activity enjoyable.”
“The leadership shown by the S1 pupils was outstanding. They guided us through challenges with confidence, communicated clearly and always made sure everyone felt included and supported.”
“My leader of the group brought energy, enthusiasm and positivity to every activity. Their encouragement helped us believe in ourselves, work together and have fun while learning valuable leadership skills.”
“We were lucky to have such supportive student leaders. They led by example, showed patience and respect, and helped create a positive atmosphere where everyone could succeed.”
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.
S6 Prom Committee 2027
Would you like to be part of the S6 Prom Committee?
The committee will organise the 2027 Prom next June and you will organise fundraising, decorating, transport and other activities. S6 prom needs you!
If you're interested please write to Jac and Jo on mgsprom2027@gmail.com
The MGS S6 Prom Committee 2027 are pleased to announce this year’s S6 Prom will be held at SKYbar in Edinburgh on Friday 11th June 2027.
The total cost of a ticket will be no more than £70 (+ travel to be agreed). We aim to bring down this cost through fundraising activities over the next few months, and we will keep you informed of this as we go. A ticket includes a 3-course meal, a welcome drink, DJ until 1am, a photobooth and more!
To secure a ticket a non-refundable deposit of £15 should be made by Friday 11th September 2026. Payment should be made online through Collctiv, a secure group payments app, using the following link
https://pay.collctiv.com/mgs-s6-prom-2027-63541
NB Tips for making a payment through Collctiv:
· Leave a message – please insert your child’s name here so we can keep track of payments for each individual.
· Please click on ‘Don’t support Collctiv’ or you will be charged a ‘tip’ by Collctiv
The remaining balance, which will be advised on completion of fundraising, should be paid by Friday 30th April 2027
If you have any questions, please contact mgsprom2027@gmail.com
Warm wishes, MGS S6 Prom Committee 2027
The Scottish Racing Academy will be holding a
Community Day at Musselburgh Racecourse on Monday 12th October. The day will begin at 11am and finish at around 1.30pm before the first race, complimentary tickets to stay and enjoy the racing will be offered to attendees.
This day will be focussed on career opportunities and pathways in the racing industry. If you would like to sign up a group or individual for this event, please use the registration form linked here- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScVI3elByT1T6DPdaYpATdBtQqnOcrZiFRfaQtNnCGMveukwg/viewform?usp=dialog
I also attach a video which may inspire some young people to come along for the day. https://youtu.be/_xzNhqt-2YA
Please direct any enquiries about the day directly to Alex, alex@scottishracingacademy.scot”
Reminder that all absences should be reported before 8am by texting 07860 049075. Please note that while we wait for our telephone systems to be fixed, there is currently no option to leave a telephone message, so please text instead. 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.
Thank you!
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.
Who Cares Scotland - The Champs Group
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)
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.
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.