Important Information Out This Week
Save the Date – Supporting your S3 Learner
We will be holding a Google Meet Presentation on Thursday 26th October from 7pm – 8pm. The purpose of this event is to
- Summarise where S3s are at in their learning pathway and highlight upcoming events related to Senior Phase
- Have specific input about supporting English and Maths at home
- Have general information for parents and carers about how to support learning at home
More information and link to follow next week
Annual Data Forms with PC A and Photograph Permission forms were sent out to parent/carers of S1. Please complete and return to school as soon as possible.
How to Pass Evening
We had a bumper turn out of students and parents/carers at our How to Pass Event on Wednesday night. Copies of all of the subject specific presentations can be found here –how-to-pass-information
School Photographs
The school photographer will be in school on Wednesday 11th October for S1, S4 and S6 students. Please ensure that your young person attends in full school uniform.
Calling All Parents – S3 Careers Awareness Day 2023
Dunbar Grammar School are hosting an S3 Careers Awareness Day on Tuesday 21st November 2023 from 9.30 am till 12.30 pm.
We would be delighted to have some parents within our school community involved.
Could you inspire our young people by sharing your career journey, a typical workday, education requirements, details of any apprenticeships/training schemes your organisation offers and more?
This is an opportunity for our students to speak with someone whose career choice interests them and to explore areas they may not have considered before.
The format of the day will be a carousel – informal chats with small groups of students round a table.
We would appreciate your willingness to support and be involved in this event. If you are interested in participating, please contact Andrea Lancaster via the school email admin@dunbargrammar.elcschool.org.uk or school office 01368 863339
DGSA (PTA) Online meeting
The DGSA is a parent/carer fundraising group. There is a meeting to plan Christmas fundraising for DGS online between 7.30pm and 8.30pm on Monday 2nd October, using Google meet. Please email helenschoen@hotmail.co.uk if you would like to attend and the meeting link will be sent
Belhaven Concert – Wednesday 4th October
N5 Assessment Calendar
In order to support students to plan their revision as well as understand what is required of them in terms of coursework for SQA courses we have created an Assessment Calendar. Guidance teachers will be working with students to engage with the assessment calendar and provide support to students as required. The calendar can be found on the year group Google Classroom.
Assessment dates are always under review depending on the ‘live’ progress being made by groups of students. For this reason the calendar is only to be used as a guide and assessment dates may change depending on the judgement of the teacher. Where assessment dates change sufficient notice will be given by the class teacher.
Some assessments are either class tests, SQA units or Assignment deadlines. If there is any uncertainty about what type of assessment is taking place then please encourage the student to speak to their class teacher.
Some assessments will take place during the prelim diet in January. However, for simplicity, these are not listed. Prelim timetables will be issued later this term which will provide more information on the assessments taking place during that two week period
Google Guardian Summaries
Guardian summaries allow parents to receive regular updates by email of assignments posted to students on their Google classrooms. The summaries allow parents to keep track of any upcoming, late or missing assignments and if you have a Google email account you can also manage the frequency of such updates. To sign up for guardian summaries, students must give consent by filling in the consent form linked below. It is important that they supply an email address which matches the stored e-mail address on your school record. To set this up, follow these steps:
- Ask your child to sign into Google using their EduBuzz account
- Complete the consent form by following this link (this has also been shared on the year group Google classrooms)
Mobile Phone Policy Review Group
This term we have introduced a revised mobile phone policy School Policies
As the term progresses, we are keen to establish a working group of parents, students and staff to evaluate this new policy.
We would anticipate meeting every second month, starting in October. Meetings will take place in school from 6pm – 7pm.
If you are interested in joining this group, please email admin@dunbargrammar.elcschool.org.uk and details of the first meeting will be sent to you
Work Experience for S4 Students
The following classes will be on work experience on the week of 6th November 4C1/4L1/4V1/4W1
The following classes will be on work experience on the week of 13th November 4C2/4L2/4V2/4W2
Further information from pupil support will be sent home with young person
Sports Buses Sponsorship
We are extremely proud of the high numbers of young people who participate in extra curricular sports. We really value the opportunities for them to be able to complete against other young people across the county and beyond. At present we charge £3 per student to travel to fixtures. With rising costs of bus hire we are seeking companies to sponsor our sports buses to allow this travel to continue and to be subsidised. If any company is interested in supporting this please contact admin@dunbargrammar.elcschool.org.uk
Extra-Curricular Clubs and Study/Revision Sessions 2023 – 2024 – updated
Please note some of the clubs require students to sign up in advance
Extra-curricular clubs 2023-2024
2023 – 2024 Study Clubs Booklet
Lost Property
Lost property is starting to rapidly build up, we have a number of winter coats to be claimed. Please ensure your young person’s clothes are labelled. If students have lost their property, please ask them to see Ms Smith at break on Tuesday to Friday at the school office.
Assembly – in Assembly Hall
Assemblies next week will be led by Ed Offer and will focus on Black History Month.
Monday – S1
Tuesday – S2
Wednesday – S3
Thursday – S4
Friday – S5
The STARS of the week are……..
Staff – Callum Craig
Nominations said…….
‘Callum has been very supporting these past couple of weeks, he has not only been creative producing bespoke awards for the awards ceremony but he has been producing personalised keyrings for students in his own time using the laser cutter, well done Mr Craig’
‘Mr Craig is so underappreciated, he is so hardworking and is so kind and selfless. He made myself and my friend Barbie keychains in his free time which we love so much!! and he also made all the trophies for the awards ceremony this week! if anyone deserves this its 100% him he works so hard and I think he definitely deserves some recognition for all he does for the school! Mr Craig is a true STAR!’
Callum– you are a DGS Star, thank you for all you do
Students
Timotej Dolan (S4) and Matthew Totten (S3) Effort
Tim and Matthew are valued members of the tech team and can always be relied upon to support school events. They also recently took time out of their own lunch time to fix both lighting boards in the Drama studios (which both needed to be re-patched). They were knowledgeable in what they were doing, and respectful and polite to staff as they worked. A credit to the school.
Student Information Sheets 23-09-26 Plasma Info Sheet
Dunbar Grammar School Council
The DGSC is a group comprising parents, the Headteacher, Deputy Head teacher and Teacher representatives, Pupil representatives, Local Councillors and Clerk. Meetings are open invitation and take place either in the school or online. See school e-mails for further information and consider attending to become involved with your school community. This is not a fundraising group.
The next meeting is on Monday 30th October, more details to follow
Free school meals and school clothing grants
If you are unable to complete online application forms please ask for a paper application at the school office. If you have any queries or having difficulty completing the form please email freeschoolmeals@eastlothian.gov.uk
Active Schools
We have teamed up with KOSA Yoga and one of their instructors is offering a 4 week introductory block for DGS pupils.
All teenagers can benefit from coming along to a regular yoga class designed specifically for their needs. Teen bodies are going through a lot of changes – both physically and mentally. Join us for these 4 week taster sessions to experience what yoga is and how it can help you deal with the ups and downs that life throws our way (especially in the teenage years!). The sessions will be varied (boredom free zone!) – both active and restorative. Led by Diane Christopherson, an experienced certified Iyengar Yoga teacher.
Sessions run on 24th & 31st of October & 7th & 14th November 3.40- 4.30 here at DGS Small Gym Hall
To book a place please use this link: https://eastlothian.bookinglive.com/home/active-schools/active-schools-dunbar-grammar/dgs-yoga/
All our other DGS Sports Clubs are up and running, to book your child’s place at a club use link below:
https://eastlothian.bookinglive.com/home/active-schools/active-schools-dunbar-grammar/
For any questions on this please email our Active School Coordinator Scott Marnoch smarnnoch@elcschool.org.uk
BE Uniforms
Reduced price ordering windows:
1 October to 15 October
15 December to 7 January
22 April to 19 May
Careers/Opportunities
East Lothian Works Vacancies East Lothian Job Vacancies
Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks Early Career opportunities at SSEN Transmission
Scotland’s Rural College SRUC | Open Days
Borders College Applications for full-time courses starting in August 2024. Applications will open from 12 January 2024
DYW Roadshow Wednesday 4 October 9:30am-2:30pm at the O2 Academy Edinburgh If you’re 16-24 and looking to find your next step, provides face to face interactions with employers and education/training providers offering jobs, apprenticeships, training, volunteering, college and university courses https://buff.ly/3PryPi2
Community Information
Wondrous Woods Are offering 200 discount codes to get 10% off on Fridays and Sundays using the code DUNBARGRAMMER (we are aware this has been mis-spelt)
What to do if you are worried about a young person
If you have any safeguarding or child protection concerns about any young person please contact one of the Designated Members of Staff (DMS) for Child Protection.
DGS Child Protection Poster
Contacting teachers/Queries
Please email admin@dunbargrammar.elcschool.org.uk or pupilsupport@dunbargrammar.elcschool.org.uk
Getting in touch
We are really keen to chat to our parents and carers. If you would like to discuss anything with a member of the Senior Leadership Team, we are happy to chat over the phone, via Google Meet or in person. Please email admin@dunbargrammar.elcschool.org.uk and we will be in touch to arrange a meeting
Senior Student Study Resources
- Scholar UK
- Achieve
- e-Sgoil/NeLO Study Support 2023 Home Page | e-Sgoil
- National E-Learning-Education Scotland | Education Scotland
- SQA website
