Dear Parent,

Rotary Club Technological Challenge Competition 2013

Musselburgh were this year’s hosts of this annual competition with 17 teams of 4 from six different schools taking part – Musselburgh Grammar, Eyemouth, Preston Lodge, Penicuik, Beeslack and St Davids. The competition was split into three categories: Junior (S1/S2), Intermediate (S3/S4) and Senior (S5/S6).The teams were asked to design and manufacture a self-propelled vehicle that would climb up an inclined path. They were given four hours to complete the task followed by the testing and judging.

All the pupils were a credit to their Schools and worked extremely well in groups and their achievements were applauded by the judging panel. Although we did not win any categories were came a close second in both the junior and intermediate categories. (Two of our pupils went off to do engineering last year at university reflecting the long history of strong Technology, Mathematics and Science teaching here.)

Our S3 Intermediate team comprised: Danny Gillies, Nathan Thomason, Rowen Davies and Keir Convey. Our  S2 Junior Team comprised: Lauren Hall, Lauren Lees, Eilidh Henderson and Chloe Shankie. Congratulations to all pupils involved.

Successful pupils

Badminton: Congratulations to Jason Cameron S3 on being selected to represent East/Mid Lothian in the Secondary Schools National Under 16 singles Badminton Championships in Perth last weekend. It is some time since we have had representation in badminton, so well done Jason.

Mathematical Challenge: Congratulations to the following pupils in the recent Intermediate Challenge. Gaining a Silver Award : Iona Linford S4, Keir Convey S3.   Gaining a Bronze award: Claire Grossart S4, Seth Allen S3, Amelia Stott S3.

Sean McCann S3 has been asked to attend a Phase 2 Talent Day training camp in Sheffield for GB Boccia – one of a group of 24 players – and the Great Britain team for the Olympics in Rio in 2016 will contain members of this group. Best wishes Sean – you are a glowing example of the successes of disability sport.

Lewis Bain, 5C3 has been picked for the Scottish Golf Academy Team to play for Scotland next week in Southampton.

Lewis Hunter in S1 was runner-up and gauged “Outstanding” in a group of 46 pupils performing in Edinburgh Piano Class last week.

Hospitality and Tourism Academy

I think I have given details about this before in a previous newsletter. We have been part of a new initiative (with Ross High School and Preston Lodge High pupils too) where we work with Queen Margaret University and Jewel College (now Edinburgh College) and firms from industry offering a work placement. The S5 pupils involved are carrying the work for this initiative on top of their 5 subject courses and have shown real commitment over the year. Plans are in place to allow those pupils to continue into Year 2 of the initiative and I know most of them are keen to continue in this area. (I spoke to the current S4 at assembly on Monday as the initiative will be repeated for them in session 2013/14.)

5 pupils from across the 3 schools were asked to show off their new found culinary skills learned at the professional kitchens at the College in the National Culinary Championships at the SECC last week in the Restaurant Flambé class. Lauren Cain and Megan Rush were our pupils involved. They performed exceptionally well and were awarded Bronze medals – outstanding when you consider they were competing against chefs from Gleneagles!

Professor Alan Gilloran of Queen Margaret University and I spoke about the initiative at a conference on Wednesday 13th March called “The Learner Journey” at Dynamic Earth.

S2 Parents

My thanks to parents of S2 pupils for their very positive comments on the reply slip for the recently issued S2 reports – it is nice to hear that pupils are enjoying secondary school, building up positive relationships with their teachers and being encouraged to aim high. It was clear that the reports were read by parents in great detail and the school will pick up some of the minor concerns which emerged in a small number of reports.

We also had an excellent turnout yet again at the S2 Parents’ Meeting on Thursday 28^th February – 78% is the second highest figure in the last 4 years. (Just for comparison –the figure for 2003 was 63%, so this 15% rise is noteworthy and testament to the increasing awareness of parents of the need to stay involved in their child’s education.)

Staffing

Mrs Robertson in Biology has gone on maternity leave and is replaced by Mrs Perez.

There is concern across Scotland about the difficulties schools are facing in filling posts on a temporary basis. Some of this may be to do with the fact that staff covering for a day or so are paid at a much lower rate than if they are covering for a full week and taking on all the duties associated with the class. This is affecting schools in East Lothian as well in both primary and secondary schools – my secondary colleagues and I have discussed it with the authority.

Despite having advertised for a temporary teacher of French and Italian twice, and in good time to fill the post, we were unable to get a teacher to cover Mrs Forbes when she left last month on maternity leave. I have taken the difficult decision to close down the S3 Italian class and pupils have been re-coursed to other subjects following parental notification and discussion. Her other classes have been covered internally within the department.

We are also having extreme difficulty attracting supply cover in Physics owing to the departure of Mr Thorbjornsen and the continued absence of Mr Sneddon. We interviewed for Mr Thorbjornsen’s post but decided not to appoint from the interviewed candidates – we will re-advertise the post with the successful candidate starting in August. Advertising it for an August start will allow the newly qualified teachers to apply. In the meantime, we are managing matters as best as we can from our own resources.

S5/6 pupils

Mr MacKinnon took the assembly for this group last Friday and stressed that the preliminary examinations are completed, so it is now full steam ahead for completing NAB tests (and a pass in these is essential along with a pass in the final examination for a full course award), completing the content of the course and preparing for the final examination.  Revision should be underway by now and the school is running Easter revision classes despite the loss of funding for this as well as the regular revision classes which have run all year. It is essential that pupils do not lose focus at this time of year and we have been giving them clear indications of their progress all year through the tracking and monitoring system. The supplementary reports will be with you later this month. I usually advise senior pupils that the Easter holiday is not a holiday for them – they need to manage their time very carefully. We expect full attendance from now until the examination diet begins in May and we do not accept that pupils claiming to study at home is a legitimate reason for absence. Staff revise and go over past papers right up until the examination diet starts.

Careers Fair for Pupils

The Parent Council approached us seeking our agreement to run a Careers Fair on Friday 7^th June, which we have agreed to and planning for this is now underway and will be part of our induction process for new S5/6 pupils on their return from examination leave. It is being designed to offer advice to pupils of all abilities, not just those who wish to apply for university. More details will follow nearer the time.

Significant Dates for the rest of this term

Wednesday 20^th March – S5/6 Supplementary Reports issued

Friday 22^nd March – school closes at 12.10 p.m. for Easter holiday

Dates in the summer term.

Yours sincerely,

Ronnie Summers

Head Teacher

    

Dear Parent,

Professional Engagement Visit on Health and Wellbeing Wednesday 6^th February

Our two visitors from Education Scotland spoke to the senior management team initially, then embarked on a series of meetings with individual staff holding responsibility for aspects of health and wellbeing in the school, two groups of other staff and two groups of pupils, several parents, and the Kitchen Supervisor.

Feedback at the end of the day to me was very positive. They felt the school knew its community, took very good care of pupils, including those who were most vulnerable, and was very aware of developments in health and wellbeing as laid down in arrangements for a Curriculum for Excellence. Staff were interested in their pupils and knew them well; our pupils liked being here and the younger ones looked forward to coming here and liked all the chances they had to be involved in different events. Pupils and parents knew who to contact if they needed support. They liked the variety of transition events which went beyond the traditional two day visits and handover of information. They felt the school had a strong ethos. There will be no formal individual report although their findings will be included in a document outlining good practice later on in the year.

Behaviour on buses

All schools in East Lothian have received a letter from the Transport section of East Lothian Council asking head teachers to remind pupils about the dangers of misbehaving on or near school buses. I thus remind pupils travelling on buses of the need to remain seated and not distract the driver at any time. Behaviour on the bus should be as good as in school, especially if pupils travel on a service bus shared with members of the public.  Bus passes can be withdrawn temporarily or permanently for poor behaviour and we have done this in the past. For all other pupils, you are asked to be aware of moving vehicles at all times and this especially applies when you are crossing the road listening to music on headphones – make sure you look out for traffic.

Double yellow lines outside school

There have also been concerns expressed in the authority about parking near schools. The double yellow lines indicating no parking have been reinstated after resurfacing works at the turning circle outside the school. Please do not park in the circle – buses cannot manoeuvre safely to pick up passengers when cars are parked.

S2 reports and Parents Evening

Parents of pupils in S2 will now have received their S2 reports. I am very pleased with the vast majority of the reports, but do intend to see a number of pupils who are falling behind our expectations in terms of their effort, behaviour and academic progress. I am also sending out a letter of commendation to a number of pupils who are working and achieving very well indeed.

S4 pupils

Our S4 pupils received their report cards in late January and should now be very clear about what they still have to do to improve their grades before the final examinations occur in May and June. This is a time of year when pupils will be pushing on with coursework in various subjects which must be completed to achieve a final award. Everyone should be aiming to hand in the best work he or she can manage. Revision classes are already running in many subjects and we plan to run Easter Revision classes as usual – but all pupils should already be revising their work, not leaving it until Easter, as work from S3 as well as S4 needs to be revised.

Champions at Musselburgh Grammar

The Champions in Schools programme has been very successful in all our secondary schools, but last week a session was spiced up by adding a cookery demonstration to the mix!  Kris Gilchrist, Scottish Olympian and former world champion swimmer, visited Musselburgh Grammar to deliver a workshop to a group of enthusiastic S2 pupils.  He was then joined by chef Steve Craik and the group joined in preparing (and enjoying) scotch beef fajitas, courtesy of Quality Meat Scotland.  The visit was doubly successful as Steve was then invited to speak to a hospitality class about a career as a chef. 

Mr Colin Parry OBE

We were privileged to host Mr. Colin Parry, OBE on Friday 1 February.  Mr. Parry’s son Tim and three year old Jonathan Ball were victims of the fatal Warrington bombings in February 1993, with over fifty more injured.  The event triggered a campaign for peace, with Mr and Mrs Parry working tirelessly to promote greater understanding between Britain and Northern Ireland.  They set up a Peace Centre in the town and played an active role in the Peace Process in Northern Ireland, for which Mr Parry earned an OBE in 2004.  Their centre challenges extremism and those who support acts of terrorism.  They have travelled the world convincing politicians and youngsters to learn from their tragedy and help prevent further atrocities and challenge racism, in all its forms.  An incredibly inspirational morning was had by students and teachers.  Further information and a summary of the Q&A can be found at http://edubuzz.org/blogs/mgsmag/.

And finally….

Congratulations to Sophie Bain S3 on her selection to attend the Scottish Golf Academy Development Centre where she will receive 30 hours of golf coaching and an additional 10 hours of non-technical coaching in the areas of fitness, nutrition, psychology etc. Also congratulations to Daniel Gaines S1 on finishing runner up and best handicap score at a recent Under 14 Scottish Junior Golf Tour event.

Talented footballer Lewis White in S4 has been attending Scottish football squad training sessions this year and will soon be travelling to Italy to participate in an international tournament for the A Squad – congratulations on this recognition.

Yours sincerely,

Ronnie Summers

Head Teacher

    

Dear Parent

Cluster Professional Engagement Visit

We have been notified that schools in the Musselburgh cluster, including ourselves, are to receive a Professional Engagement Visit on the topic of Health and Wellbeing from members of Education Scotland Inspectors and an Inspector of Nutrition will also attend. They will be in the school for one day in the week beginning 4^th February. This is a new type of visit to schools and one that should be quite interesting to be part of. I expect them to talk to members of staff and to pupils and I have alerted the Parent Council chairpersons to the meeting. They are visiting clusters in several authorities in Scotland to discover good practice and good support for pupils.

Medicines and Medical attention

The secondary head teachers recently had informal discussions about how we handle medical issues in our schools. As a result, I think it would be helpful if I clarified a number of matters around medical matters for parents and pupils.

The blue mailshot book sent to all parents by post in September has a section on this, about what to do if your child has a serious medical condition which requires the storage of and access to prescription medicines. You need to complete the paperwork for this and send it to the school along with the medication in question. Mrs Harvey can then allow your child access to medication at the correct time of the day. Mrs Harvey is not a nurse or a pharmacist, but a qualified first aider. If she is absent from school, another qualified person steps into her role.

I think most parents are aware that the school’s medical room does not stock painkillers like aspirin or paracetamol for general pupil use, but I might not have mentioned this in a newsletter for some time. Mrs Harvey will thus not give out such painkillers if pupils have headaches. Parents may choose to allow their child to carry painkillers during the day if they wish, but the school will not hold them for the pupil. (If you do want your child to carry painkillers, we would suggest that it should not be routine, and we would advise any parent only to allow their child to carry one day’s supply of painkillers. It would be prudent to have discussed with them the time intervals between taking tablets and the importance of following advice about safe daily dosages.) We are however aware that some girls can struggle with bad period pains or some pupils struggle with migraines which might mean them being sent home regularly if they are unable to take medication. We would advise parents in this position to have a discussion with Guidance staff if extensive pain will affect attendance on a regular basis. If so, we think the best way forward on this is for the procedure for prescription medicines outlined above to apply.

I would like to remind once again the importance of parents keeping emergency contact numbers up to date. We must be able to reach you in an emergency, as we may advise you that a pupil needs more professional medical advice than we are able to give, and ask you to come and collect your child to take them to the doctor or to hospital. We do not call for an ambulance routinely for a child.

My thanks as ever to parents for their prompt response to a call from Mrs Harvey about their child.

Communication with the school

Several members of staff have contacted me recently expressing surprise and concern after receiving email messages directly from parents expecting instant answers to issues. We do not publicise the individual emails of staff at the school as emails are not the preferred form of communication with the school. I know that for many people this is the normal means of communication now but this creates difficulties for us as a school and I would ask parents not to do this please. Allow me to explain why we’d like parents to approach us in a particular way.

Emails can go astray and not reach the person intended. Emails can be sent in the heat of the moment and later regretted where a letter tends to be more considered. I have also clarified with the authority that an email is regarded in exactly the same way as any other correspondence so we will respond to your concerns as we do a letter – it will not be a same day reply.

If your concern needs to be addressed by a promoted member of staff, then telephone the school and the reception staff will try to connect you to the right person – but remember that such staff have teaching commitments and prearranged meetings and may not be able to take your call. You can leave voicemails and ask reception staff for our staff to return your call, however.

If you require to communicate with us on other matters, please write to us so that letters reach the right person and that school management can monitor and log parental complaints and concerns. (There is a formal authority complaints policy and the school has to be given the chance to respond to a complaint. The matter can be raised in the first instance with a PT Subject or Guidance or with one of the Depute Heads – and then with me as Head Teacher if you are still dissatisfied. If I am unable to resolve the matter with you, it is at that point you should contact the local authority. )

Good communication between parents and school is really important – which is one reason why I try to send out general newsletters on a regular basis – and we really want to deal with issues promptly and to the satisfaction of all parties. Please help us to get it right.

Dates for term

Wednesday 23^rd January – S4 reports issued to parents

Thursday 24^th January – S5/6 preliminary examinations begin and study leave begins.

Wednesday 30^th January – 7-8pm Personalisation and Choice Information Meeting for S2 Parents

-          8-9pm Course Choice Information Meeting for S4 and S5 Parents

Monday 11^th February to Friday 15^th February inclusive – holiday week for pupils and staff

Wednesday 20^th February – S2 Personalisation and Choice package issued

Thursday 28^th February – S2 Parents’ Meeting 5-7pm

Wednesday 20^th March – S5/6 Supplementary Reports issued

Friday 22^nd March – school closes at 12.10 p.m. for Easter holiday (amended time)

Monday 8^th April – school resumes at 8.45 a.m. for pupils and staff

 Yours sincerely,

Ronnie Summers

Head Teacher

    

Have a look here at our most recent newsletter.  Thank you.

MGS December newsletter PDF

    

I invited parents of S3 pupils to come to a presentation about S3 Broad General education and how it would link into qualifications for S4. About 80 people attended and I said I would post the presentation when the edubuzz site came back. Here it is – it may take a little time to upload.

 CFE S3 Sept 2012screen

Mr Summers

Head Teacher