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Update 4 December 2020

Christmas Lunch – Wednesday 9 December

  • £3.50 for students for 2 courses and a drink
  • The Hub will be open as usual
  • The Bistro is only serving Christmas Lunch on 9 December
  • S1/2/3 12.45pm
  • S4/5/6 1.05pm
  • Please remind students that they will need money on their card if they want to buy the Christmas lunch.
  • Please remind them not to spend money at break time and bring in a break time snack instead. Please note that this also applies to students who receive Free School Meals.

Senior Phase Information Evening

On Wednesday 16th December we will host a virtual information evening for the parents’ of S4, 5 and 6 students to discuss updates that have emerged to date from the SQA, East Lothian Council and the Scottish Government in regards to changes to this year’s certification model for National 3&4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses. Whilst there may still be some unanswered questions, we fully recognise the pressure and anxiety our students and families may be experiencing this session and hope that this evening will help to give a degree of clarity of the current context, key milestones and the current and planned supports that will be available to students during this time.

The sessions will be hosted on Google meet and will take place over two slots as detailed below.  This is due to the cap on attendees in any single Google meet – both sessions will contain the same information and therefore parents’ and carers need only attend one of these sessions.  Due to time restraints, we will not be able to address questions directly during the meetings but would invite parents’ and carers to submit questions in advance of the session so that we can do our best to address as many of your concerns as possible.

Please complete the following form if you would like to attend:

Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme – an update

We are operating a very restricted programme through 2020 – 2021.

We will be meeting with students who are currently enrolled in the programme to discuss future plans in the coming weeks.

We are focusing on the completion of awards, where possible, for current Bronze and Silver groups.

The intention in 2021 – 2022 will be to focus on the Gold Award with senior students.

House Captains 2020/21

Well done to our House Captains for this session:

  • Castle– Captains : Caroline Laird and Zola Lorimer Deputies: Maya Gent, Flora Richards, Taylor Wilson, Ross Thomson and Alex Thorburn.
  • Cromwell– Elise Brennan, Poppy Savage, Emily Rhodes
  • Lauderdale– Emily Bird, Mia Wyatt
  • Victoria- Jessica Walker, Elise Allan, Cara Fidelo, Connie Pennycuick
  • Winterfield–  Emily Watt, Mhairi Bell

Higher and Advanced Higher Prelims

The prelim diet for Higher and Advanced Higher candidates will commence on Monday 11th January. A full exam timetable will be published in December. During the exam diet, students studying at Higher or Advanced Higher level will be granted a flexible approach to study.  This means that they will be able to prepare for their exams at home and will not be expected to attend their Higher or Advanced Higher classes.  Students may still come into school for study if they wish. All National 5 classes will run as normal during this period.  If students are studying Higher and National 5, they will still be expected to attend their National 5 classes as normal.

National 5 Structured Assessments

The SQA have released subject specific guidance on the alternative certification model for National 5 this year.  This involves the delivery of key assessments which are tailored specifically for each subject area and planned to give each student the best possible chance to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding through their courses. We recognise the importance of maintaining transparency and a high level of support for students as we deliver this model and are currently in the process of collating the various requirements and timelines so that we can share this with students and parents.  All key assessments will take place from January onwards with students being given clear advice and guidance in their classes prior to any assessment taking place.

For all senior phase students our SQA enquiries inbox remains open for parents’ who wish to contact us with any specific queries or concerns:  dgssqaconcerns@dunbargrammar.elcschool.org.uk

Christmas at DGS

Monday 7th December Day 1 of DHT Christmas Quiz 2
Wednesday 9th December CHRISTMAS LUNCH

S1/2/3  – 12.45pm

S4/5/6 – 1.05pm
Thursday 10th December DHT Christmas Quiz 2 – all classes submit
Friday 11th December DHT Christmas Quiz 2– Santa will visit the winning class
  S1 Try a Sport Morning (Weather permitting)
  FESTIVE FRIDAY!!!!!
Monday 14th December Day 1 of DHT Christmas Quiz 3
Wednesday 16th December After school Wednesday Mile will be a Santa Walk/Run – Staff and students encouraged to join in.
Thursday 17th December DHT Christmas Quiz 3 – all classes submit
Friday  18th December DHT Christmas Quiz 3– Santa will visit the winning class
  FESTIVE FRIDAY!!!!!
Monday 21st December Christmas Treats on sale from Charities Committee
Tuesday 22nd December Dress Down
Christmas Treats on sale from Charities Committee
PERIOD 5 – S6 Christmas Surprises
PERIOD 7 – Gunge a Teacher (Led by Student Council).  Screened live to all classes

UCAS 2021 Applications

Students applying to university this year should now be in the process of, or have completed, their UCAS application. They have been supported by a member of staff (their mentor), either their Guidance teacher or another member of the teaching staff.  Mentors are now in the process of writing the reference for the student, some have already completed this. The deadline date for students to have completed their UCAS application is Monday the 14th of December. By this date they should have paid and sent this to allow Guidance teachers to check all parts of the form. When students pay and send it does not go directly to UCAS, it will come to the guidance teacher who can then send it to UCAS after entering predicted grades and the reference.

You can support your child in this application process by:

  • Reading their personal statement.
  • Encouraging them to continue complete all sections of their application
  • Go online to ucas.com/parents where you find lots of useful information, resources and videos.
  • Remind your child to check the UCAS Google classroom where lots of advice and notifications are posted.

EMA

East Lothian Council are now accepting EMA applications for January Starts for 2020/21.

The EMA form is now online:  https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/ema-apply-now

Consultation on Free Bus Travel

The Scottish Government plan to launch a new national travel concession scheme to provide free bus travel for young people under the age of 19. They anticipate that legislation to underpin the scheme would be required to be laid in Parliament in early 2021 and the scheme would come into effect later in 2021.

For the next six weeks (until Monday 7th December), Transport Scotland are running a consultation in regards to this scheme to gather information on the most appropriate ways to provide this free travel to best suit young people. They are hoping the consultation will reach as many members of the public as possible, especially to those who will be impacted by the proposals, including children and young people, their parents and carers and people who work with children in a paid or voluntary capacity.

Free School Meals

The facilities team will deliver free school meals to the homes of students who are isolating to make sure they are still received. Please call or email our school office if this applies to you. Parents/carers with a child who is isolating should not visit the school building.

Stars of the Week

The winners for this week are below:

Staff

Sandra Park (Pupil Support) SUPPORT

  • Mrs Park is the best teacher. she always helps me when I need it . when I make a mistake she politely shows me what I did wrong . I think that Mrs park should be the star of the week
  • she is really nice and she helps you if your down and she’s someone you can talk to
  • she is a caring person and will help you if you are struggling
  • She makes me laugh, we like the dogs.
  • When I was doing the laminating with Charlie, Jack, Heidi, myself and Miss Parks, Miss Parks made sure that we all had a role in the laminating, and despite the fact that someone accidentally broke the laminator, Miss Parks made sure we all laughed it off. It was great fun.

Kaela Mitchell (English) SUPPORT

  • Miss Mitchell has helped my class and myself in preparation for our upcoming folio essay in Higher English.
  • Miss Mitchell is honestly the most supportive teacher; she works insanely hard and has been more than supportive with my work in adv higher this year
  • Miss Mitchell always has such fun lessons and always is funny. she helps me a lot with my work and to make it better. her classroom is welcoming

Students

Jack Vanhegan (S6) SUPPORT

Jack is a really wonderful student. As well as being dedicated to his own studies, he is committed to helping others in his role as Literacy Ambassador. He is particularly patient, supportive and encouraging with the S1 students and they genuinely look forward to a Monday when he is in the lesson with them.

Rachel Barker (S3) SUPPORT

In core PE, Rachel is always using her knowledge of hockey to help others in the class. She displays excellent leadership skills by giving feedback to her teammates and cheering them on throughout.

Other Information

  • 20-12-01 Information Sheet
  • Thanks to everyone for your involvement with the Spaces for People programme to date. We have taken on board your comments and suggestions to propose a series of temporary interventions to reinforce the 20mph speed limits in Dunbar, and to increase space for social distancing on popular routes to schools. The survey will close at midnight on Sunday 6th December:  https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ELC-SpacesforPeople-Dunbar

Online Learning Information

Attendance

Please email attendance@dunbargrammar.elcschool.org.uk  with student absences/appointments.