Proposal to Update School Uniform
Following a meeting of our Student Council, a proposal has been made to add a non-braided blazer as an optional extra to uniform for S1-S4 students. Our procedure is that the Parent Forum, staff and student bodies are consulted on this suggestion. We have investigated the cost of a non-braided blazer which is likely to be around £25. Please note that the proposal clearly states that the wearing of a blazer would be an optional extra to the existing uniform policy. All three bodies are required to support the amendment for it to be adopted as uniform policy. To this end, can you take a few moments to vote using the following link:
Current S2 Personalisation and Choice
All personalisation choices were due back on Monday 9th February. Students who did not return their form by this date will be allocated to subjects after all other students have been given their preferences.
Coursing for Current S4 and S5 Students
Letters regarding the S4 and S5 coursing interview times went home with students on Wednesday 25th February.
Course Choice Information for Current S3 Students
S3 Coursing Interviews Coursing interviews have been taking place this week from Monday 23rd – Friday 27th February. If you have any issues regarding the final choices, please contact your son/daughter’s Guidance Teacher.
S5 and S6 Parent/Carer Consultation Evening
This was held on Wednesday 25th February. Please speak to your son/daughter’s Guidance Teacher if you have any questions.
S5/6 Tracking & Monitoring Reports and Likely Levels of Study
S5/6 students were issued with Monitoring and Tracking Reports on Wednesday 25th February. S5 students were also given their forms detailing Likely Levels of Study and any recommendations to withdraw/change level. Please speak to your son/daughter’s Guidance Teacher if you have any questions.
World Book Day
We are celebrating World Book Day in the School Library on Thursday 5th March. At lunchtime we will be running a number of activities, including Boggle, word searches, computer games and design a book token. Everyone, including staff, who takes part will be awarded a house point. Additional house points and other prizes will be awarded to winners for some of the activities.
Music Recital
The Annual Music Department Recital Evening will take place next Wednesday 4th March from 6pm in the Assembly Hall. This is an informal evening of entertainment for Parents/Carers of all exam level Music students. Students will give you a small taster from their exam programme in a relaxed and supportive environment ahead of their practical exam the following week. Please ensure you have returned the pro forma given to students to allow us to arrange seating for everyone. We look forward to seeing you on what promises to be a lovely musical evening!
Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)
Dunbar Grammar School has been randomly selected as one of 100 schools in Scotland to participate in the PISA standardised test. Assessments will be carried out on Wednesday 25th March with a random sample of 40 students which has been chosen for us by the organisers of the assessment. The sample was taken from any students who were born in 1999 (S4/5).
Information packs for parent/carers and students have been issued to the chosen students at registration today (Friday 26th). Please take time to discuss it with your son/daughter and read all the information carefully. There is a parental questionnaire to fill in and hand back to Mr White before the assessment takes place. I have attached an information document which explains more about PISA and what is involved on the day: PISA 2015 – schools. If you have any queries and want more information please don’t hesitate to contact Mr White at the school.
PISA is:
- The world’s largest international survey in education.
- It assesses students’ preparedness for adult life.
- It measures students’ literacy in Science, Mathematics and problem solving.
- It collects context information about educational practices in participating countries.
PISA is important because the results of the assessment can be used:
- To indicate how well prepared students are for learning once they leave school
- By schools, education systems and governments to identify areas for improvement.
- To allow comparison of student performance and the learning environment between different countries.
ALL DATA COLLECTED BY PISA IS KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL. NO PARTICIPATING INDIVDUAL OR SCHOOL IS IDENTIFIED IN ANY REPORT RELEASED BY THE ASSESSMENT PROGRAMME.
Battlefields
Information was given to all S3 students before the February break. A reminder that passport photographs along with the following completed forms are due back to the school office by 4th March:
- PC1
- Additional Information
- Passport Questionnaire
Forms can be collected from the school office.
The Big Pedal
The Big Pedal starts on Monday March 2nd, so now is the time to get your bikes dusted off and pump up those tyres! This year there are some fantastic prizes for the school on offer from Sustrans but we are also delighted that Belhaven Bikes are offering some fabulous prizes for our students as well. During The Big Pedal, Belhaven Bikes will do safety checks on students bikes as well. Sustaining Dunbar are supporting us too! Dr Bike will be available to offer advice on how to adjust your bike for the best performance – look for him at break times! Lastly, as a wee reward for making the effort on the first day (2nd March), all cyclists will get a flapjack supplied by Sustaining Dunbar. More information about the national event can be found here: big-pedal-2015-information-flyer.
Congratulations Rebecca Craig
Rebecca Craig competed in the Ishøj Kumite kup 2015 for karate in Denmark and won gold in the Kumite female junior 16-17 years under 59 kilos! Previously she competed in 2014 and won gold in the cadet female over 54 kilos too! Well Done Rebecca!
Well Done Betty Goodall
S2 student Betty Goodall entered some pieces of poetry for the United Press Limited competition for Young Poets, and we are delighted to announce that she was selected as one of their Young Poets of 2014. Congratulations Betty! The poem chosen, Free Life, is displayed on the website www.youngpoets.co.uk
Congratulations Maria Lyle!
S3 student Maria was chosen to represent Great Britain at the International Paralympic Committee’s Athletics Grand Prix in Dubai this week. She improved her own T35 200m world record from 30.71 seconds to 30.53 A great achievement, well done Maria! Please see the see the BBC website for full details: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/disability-sport/31632410
Badminton Update
In the recent Mid & Lothian Schools Badminton Championships at Penicuik pupils from DGS achieved the following successes:
- Lewis Campbell S4 – winner of the U16 boys singles and U16 boys doubles winner with partner Andrew Hall S1
- Alastair Campbell S2 – winner of the U14 boys singles title and U14 boys doubles winner with partner Cameron Pike S1. Cameron Pike was also the winner of the consolation boys singles.
In the RSL Midlothian U14 Open held recently in Penicuik, Alastair Campbell (2c6) was a double winner in the U14 boys open event in January, winning the boys singles and then adding the doubles title with his partner from North Berwick.
For more information on Dunbar students’ and staff achievements, please see our Achievements and Successes Page
Insurance Note
There has been a significant increase in the value of items that students take to school on a daily basis. While the students’ and teachers’ belongings are covered in the event of Fire, Flood or Theft by forced entry while in school, the school does not provide insurance cover for accidental/unknown damage or loss. It is therefore important that parents/carers have the appropriate insurance cover in place. Most items should be covered by a home contents policy but you should check with your insurer that cover is in place for items away from home.
Easter Revision
Easter Revision classes will be taking place this year from Tuesday 7th – Thursday 9th April. A menu of classes available to students sitting examinations this year will be distributed soon. Places will be limited so it is important that students sign up as soon as possible. Watch this space!
PTA
The next meeting is on Monday night at 7pm in the Volunteer Arms in Dunbar. Please come and join our small group where we have fun planning fund raising events.
Stars in Their Eyes
We are looking for a couple of volunteers to complete our line up on the 8th May. If you would like to perform solo or as a group (no experience or talent required), please contact Jane on 860804.
Opportunities
- The Art and Design team at Edinburgh College are holding an open day at Granton Campus on 5 March as part of the Edinburgh College Creative Industries Open Days. More information can be found here: www.edinburghcollege.ac.uk
- Please follow the link for details on a Modern Apprentice opportunity: Modern Apprentice. Application can be made here: Business Admin
Local Information
- Fairtrade Coffee Morning on Saturday 28 February, 10am – 12 noon in Town House, Dunbar High Street. Fairtrade goodies …. and entertainment!
Dunbar SciFest 2015
- Please find the fantastic programme for Dunbar SciFest 2015: Dunbar SciFest 2015 Programme
- Please volunteer to help over the Dunbar SciFest weekend – sign up NOW via our website homepage http://dunbarscifest.org.uk/volunteers/new
Dates for Your Diary
| The Big Pedal | Mon 2nd –Fri 13th March |
| Cooldown Crew | Mon 2nd- Fri 6th March |
| S4 and S5 Coursing Interviews | Wed 4th -Fri 6th March |
| Annual Music Department Recital Evening | Wednesday 4th March |
| Comic Relief Bake Off | Tuesday 10th March |
| S4 Rural Skills | Tues 10th/Tues 24th March |
| S3 Rural Skills | Thurs 12th/Tues 24th March |
| Red Nose Day | Friday 13th March |
| PISA study | Wednesday 25th March |
Electronic Registration and TruancyCall
Please ensure that contact details are up-to-date. If any details have changed, please inform the school ASAP as we may have to contact you at short notice in the case of your child being taken unwell at school.
Other documents of interest:
- 2014-15 Hockey fixture
- 2014-15 Rugby fixture
- Extra Curricular activity book
- 2014-15 Study Clubs booklet
- School Calendar 2014-15
Please also see the Information Sheet which includes updates on lunchtime and after school clubs, plus:
- Raspberry Pi Club/|Drop-In Sessions
- World Book Day
- S1/2 Band Music Club
