Update 18th January 2019

Open Doors Event at Dunbar Grammar School

On Saturday 26 January we will hold an Open Doors Event from 10am until 1pm. We would like to invite students, past and present, their families and the wider community to pop in and see our new school.

Please see the attached letter from the Head of Education regarding the Common School Day: Parents Common School Day

Common School Day – for DGS

  • We will move to the common school day from June 2019.
  • This involves minimal changes for DGS
  • The 3 period block will be in the morning (as we currently have it)

Monday to Thursday

  • Regi  8.30 – 8.40am
  • Period 1  8.40 – 9.30am
  • Period 2  9.30 – 10.20am
  • Period 3  10.20 – 11.10am
  • Break  11.10 – 11.25am
  • Period 4  11.25 – 12.15pm
  • Period 5  12.15 – 1.05pm
  • Lunch  1.05 – 1.45pm
  • Period 6  1.45 – 2.35pm
  • Period 7   2.35 – 3.25pm

Friday

  • Regi 8.30 – 8.40am
  • Period 1 8.40 – 9.30am
  • Period 2 9.30 – 10.20am
  • Break 10.20 – 10.35am
  • Period 3 10.35 – 11.25am
  • Period 4 11.25 – 12.15pm

S3 Battlefields

Students going to Battlefields have now made their friendship choices.  Letters went home with the students, including the payment schedule.  There are 3 forms to be completed and handed back to the school office, along with 3 passport photographs and European Health Insurance cards by Friday 22 February. Please note that the correct website for European Health Cards is : www.nhs.uk/ehic

Please note that the trip must be paid in full by 29 March 2019.

Scottish Schools Athletics Indoor Competition

Could the parents or carers of students that are taking part in Scottish Schools Athletics Indoor competition at Emirates Arena on 6th & 7th February please email Scott Marnoch at smarnoch@elschool.org.uk

This is to discuss time and travel details.

Study Support 2019

Mrs Slowther has spoken to all S4, 5 and 6 students at assemblies this week about the importance of on-going study in the 11 weeks leading up to the final SQA examinations. Following a review of Easter Revision, we will no longer be able to offer this service. However, Mrs Slowther reiterated to all students that the school offers a wide range of study support sessions at lunchtimes and after school.  Please see the attached booklet: 2018-19 Study Clubs booklet We would like to encourage students to take advantage of these sessions.

How to Pass Information Evening

There will be an information evening taking place at DGS on the 31 January from 6.30-8pm for parents and carers of S4/5/6 students who will be sitting Nat 5 and Higher examinations in May. Students received letters explaining the event in more detail this week: How To Pass Evening. We would be grateful if response slips could please be returned to the office by Friday 25 January. If you would like any further information about the event, please do not hesitate to contact Mr Maxton.

Examination Leave dates

S6 students will finish on Friday 5 April. All other students will return after the Easter holidays on Tuesday 23 April.  Exam leave for relevant students will commence on Wednesday 24 April (the first exam is Thursday 25th).

Parent/Carer Advice Regarding an App

Our Pupil Support team has been made aware of an app called Tellonym which some students have been using. Usage of this app has caused upset and distress for some young people. We would urge you to have a conversation with your son or daughter if they currently use this app.

Invigilator Opportunities

We are currently looking for new invigilators for the SQA exams in May, including a Chief Invigilator. If you are interested, please contact Michael Graven, Business Manager, at the school.

Construction & Build Environment Challenge

Well done to the S2 students who represented Dunbar Grammar School at the national final of the Construction & Built Environment Challenge on Thursday 17 January at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange. The students competed brilliantly completing six challenges including constructing a ‘Twisted’ brick pillar, a wooden garden archway and they even tiled a roof. They had an inspiring day and the experience has given them a pathway to enter the construction industry either through a ‘Modern Apprenticeship’ or a ‘Graduate Apprenticeship’ recently introduced by the Scottish Government. The students were: Gordon, Alexander, Lucy, Serena, Zak, Thomas, Sam, Callum, Catrin and Emily.

Motor Neurone Disease Week

We are holding a week of events to support the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation which raises funds to aid research into Motor Neurone Disease. This will be from Tuesday 22 – Tuesday 29 of January including:

  • Bake Sale – Tuesday 22 Jan
  • Dress Down Day – Friday 25 Jan
  • Doddie Weir visit – Tuesday 29 Jan

Current S4 & S5 Subject Choice Parent/Carers’ Information Evening

This is on Tuesday 22 January at 6pm; letters will be going home with current S4 & S5 students: S4 S5 Subject Choice Evening

S4/5 Selection Process Timeline:

  • January/February – Information in PSE
  • Tuesday 22 January  – S4/5 Parent/Carers’ Information Evening
  • Course Choice Booklets available on our website and Likely Levels of Study issued on 8 February
  • Thursday 21 February –  S4 Parent/Carer Consultation Evening
  • Tuesday 26 February –  S5 Parent/Carer Consultation Evening
  • Monday 25 – Wednesday 27 Feb – S4 Coursing Interviews
  • Thursday 28 Feb – Fri 1 March – S5 Coursing Interviews

Current S3 Course Choice Parent/Carers’ Information

The Information Evening is on Thursday 24 January; letters have been given to students: S3 Subject Choice Evening.  It is an opportunity for students/parents/carers to find out more information regarding the selection of courses for the senior phase. The evening will include some presentations.

Students and their parents/carers are being invited to an interview where they will have the opportunity to ask any final questions and make final selections.   Letters regarding these S3 coursing interviews went home with students on Friday 18 January:  S3 Subject Choice Parent Interviews.  It would be very helpful if parents/carers could ensure that returns indicating your preference for interview times are back no later than Thursday 24 January.

S3 Selection Process Timeline:

  • January/February – Information in PSE
  • 24 Thursday January 6pm – S3 Parent/Carers’ Information Evening
  • Course Choice Booklets available on the school website and Likely Levels of Study issued on 25 Jan
  • Wednesday 6 February –  S3 Parent/Carer Consultation Evening
  • 19 – 22 February – S3 Coursing Interviews

The Scottish Schools Athletics Event

All students who are entering The Scottish Schools Athletics Event in February, please can they hand their entry forms to Mr Marnoch, DGS Active School Coordinator, or email them to smarnoch@elcschool.org.uk

Instrumental Music Service

Unfortunately our guitar Instructor, Mr Day, is currently absent from work and will not be in school for the next month.

Please note; if a student misses an instrumental lesson due to the absence of the instructor, enquiries regarding the refunding of payment should be made to Andrew McCulloch, East Lothian Council Business Support Officer, tel: 01620  827491.

Information Update (URGENT)

We still have several outstanding Seemis forms, which are required to be checked by parent/carers, updated as appropriate, signed and returned, with email addresses.  We also need the Emergency Closure form.

We also have several outstanding PC1s which were due back for each student; copies can be downloaded here: Blanket PC1

DGS calendar for the year: 2018-19 Calendar

Assemblies Next Week

  • Monday –Castle in Games Hall
  • Tuesday – Winterfield in assembly hall
  • Wednesday –Lauderdale in assembly hall
  • Thursday –Cromwell in assembly hall
  • Friday –Victoria in assembly hall

Dates for Your Diary

Prelim Examination Mon 21 Jan
S4/5 Parents’ Course Choice Evening Tues 22 Jan
Transition Event at DPS Thurs 24 Jan
S3 Parents’ Course Choice Evening Thurs 24 Jan
Open Doors Event Sat 26 Jan
S4 – S6 “How To Pass” Evening Thurs 31 Jan
Safer Internet Day Tues 5 Feb
S3 Parents’ Consultation Evening Wed 6 Feb
Break for February holiday Fri 8 Feb
S3 Coursing Tues 19 – Fri 22 Feb
S4 Parents’ Consultation Evening Thurs 21 Feb
S4 Coursing Mon 25 – Wed 27 Feb
S5/6 Parents’ Consultation Evening Tues 26 Feb
S5 Coursing Thurs 28 Feb – Fri 1 March

Local Opportunities/News 

Please find attached an updated leaflet promoting 1st Response which offers support to those in distress or in crisis.  They provide face-to-face support throughout East Lothian, Monday – Friday.

Please note that how people access this support has changed from a drop in service to an appointment system. An appointment can be made by phoning 07966 526 452.