All posts by jgourlay

Update 13th September 2018

A reminder that Friday 14th and Monday 17th September are public holidays and the school will be closed to all students and parents/carers.  Please note that the school will open as normal on Tuesday 18th September.

Calendar for session 2018 – 2019: 2018-19 Calendar

Instrumental Music Tuition – Important Information Update for Parents from East Lothian Council

Online Payments

Please note that due to the online payments system being updated, online payments to the school will not be available from 7-25 September.

Attainment & Achievement Awards Evening

We held our annual Awards Ceremony last night.  As always, we were amazed by the range of talent and ability of our students.  Of course this only scratches the surface of the range of achievements we see on a daily basis exhibited by our students.  Thanks and congratulations to all involved!

A reminder that on 4 October we will have a special event celebrating the Sporting Achievements of our students.  More information on this exciting evening will follow shortly.

S1 Lunch and Breaktimes

A reminder that from next week, S1s will have their lunch and break at the usual time (11.20am break and 1.20pm lunch).

Teenage Cancer Trust Talk

As part of our PSE programme at Dunbar Grammar School, we have invited Teenage Cancer Trust to speak to our S2 students on Tuesday 18 September about cancer and health. Please see the attached for more information: Teenage Cancer Trust Parent letter

Dunbar School Council Update

The next Dunbar School Grammar School Council (DGSC) meeting is being held on Thursday 20 September, AGM at 6.30pm, general meeting at 7pm.  Agenda will be published soon.  We would like to extend a very warm invitation to new members of the Parent Forum to come and join us.  Please just turn up on the evening at the school to find out what it’s all about.

S2 Parents – Volunteers Wanted

On Tuesday 25 September we are carrying out some self-evaluation activities looking at the learning experience for S2 students at DGS.  We would be really keen to involve parents and carers to be part of this process. We are looking for S2 parents or carers to attend a short focus group at 3pm on this day.  This will be an discussion group and will last no more than 45minutes.  Teas and coffees will be provided. If you would like to attend, could you please email dunbar.gs@dunbargrammar.elcschool.org.uk

Education Maintenance Allowance

The EMA Application process for the 2018/19 School Session is now open, the application form and guidance notes can be downloaded from here: https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/emaforms

Applications must be received by 30 September 2018 in order for the payments to be backdated to the start of term.

If you have any questions please contact the EMA Team: 01620 82 7581 or email emas@eastlothian.gov.uk

Bistro Price List

S1 Lockers

We are awaiting the delivery of lockers for our S1 students.  Keys will be distributed once they arrive.

DGSA Afternoon Tea

THANK YOU to everyone who helped in any way at the Afternoon Tea event last weekend.  We raised the amazing sum of £2,288.

Also a huge thank you to all the ladies who came and supported this event, we couldn’t have raised this huge amount of money without them.

School of Rugby Update

SOR Results vs Royal High School 08/09/2018 

  • S1 21-21
  • S2 W 61-59
  • U15 W 41-0
  • U16 W 50-0
  • U18 W

U16s Scottish Schools Cup vs Eastwood High School 11/09/2018

  • DGS 50-0 Eastwood

Next fixtures Saturday 22/09/2018 vs North Berwick 

  • S1, S2 & U15 (a)
  • U16 & U18 (h)

Making the most of Higher Educations Conventions Information

Dates for Your Diary

September Holiday Fri 15 – Mon 18 Sep
Modern Studies London Trip Mon 17 – Wed 19 Sep
DofE Bronze 1 Thurs 20 – Fri 21 Sep
AH Biology Kindrogan Trip Fri 21 – Sun 23 Sep
Environmental Science Trip Fri 21 – Sun 23 Sep
Learn To Succeed Day Walk Fri 21 Sep
Bloodwise & Riding for the Disabled Dress Down Day Fri 21 Sep
Geography Rivers Field Trip Mon 24 Sep
Bannockburn Trip Wed 26 Sep
DofE Bronze 2 Thurs 27 – Fri 28 Sep

Parental Consent Forms

Blanket Parental Consent forms have been handed out to students.  This form covers most trips and DGS Sports for the session 2018-2019, so it is important that they are completed and returned as soon as possible: Blanket PC1

 

Update 7th September 2018

Calendar for session 2018 – 2019: 2018-19 Calendar

Instrumental Music Tuition – Important Information Update for Parents from East Lothian Council

Online Payments

Please note that due to the online payments system being updated, online payments to the school will not be available from 7-25 September.

Meet the Senior Management Team (SMT)

This term has seen changes to the Senior Management Team and we feel it is important that parents/carers have the opportunity to come in and meet the new team, find out about the school improvement priorities and ask questions.

We will therefore, be holding an event on Monday 10 September.  There will be a presentation in the assembly hall at 6.30pm where each member of the team will introduce themselves and there will be an overview of the school improvement plan.  Afterwards, tea and coffee will be available in the Social Space and this will provide an informal opportunity to ask any questions.

Staffing News

On Monday Mrs Pamela McIntosh took up post as PT Pupil Support.  We are delighted to welcome her to our team.

Education Maintenance Allowance

The EMA Application process for the 2018/19 School Session is now open, the application form and guidance notes can be downloaded from here: https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/emaforms

Applications must be received by 30 September 2018 in order for the payments to be backdated to the start of term.

If you have any questions please contact the EMA Team: 01620 82 7581 or email emas@eastlothian.gov.uk

S2 Parents – Volunteers Wanted

On Tuesday 25 September we are carrying out some self-evaluation activities looking at the learning experience for S2 students at DGS.  We would be really keen to involve parents and carers to be part of this process. We are looking for S2 parents or carers to attend a short focus group at 3pm on this day.  This will be an discussion group and will last no more than 45minutes.  Teas and coffees will be provided. If you would like to attend, could you please email dunbar.gs@dunbargrammar.elcschool.org.uk

Uniform

At Dunbar Grammar School we are striving to ensure that all pupils are wearing the appropriate uniform. Our reasons for promoting this can be summarised as follows:

  • Security – uniform allows visitors/strangers in the school to be immediately identified.
  • Equality – uniform provides a level playing field for all students.
  • Identity – uniform reinforces a sense of community and pride in the school.
  • Work ethos – Dunbar Grammar School is a place of work. Uniform helps to create an ethos of purposeful activity.

 You may be aware that we have some new systems in place in order to monitor the wearing of uniform. A uniform check is being carried out every morning in Registration by Register Teachers. If a pupil is not wearing the correct uniform then the following will happen:

  • A discussion will happen between pupil and teacher.
  • It will be marked on the register for the office so that a text message will be sent to notify home.
  • Students will also be given a green uniform slip. This is so they can show it to teachers to avoid being questioned numerous times throughout the day about their uniform.

We understand due to exceptional circumstances and financial constraints some pupils may not be in uniform or are unable to replace uniform this early in the term. If this is the case, please provide a letter for your child to carry and we will not send text messages to you.

If you would like to discuss this further please contact Mr Richard Maxton (Depute Head Teacher) by telephone or email.

Thank you in advance for your support and understanding with this matter.

Water Bottles

It is an educational fact that the drinking of water throughout the day can support the learning process.  Students are encouraged to bring water bottles with them to school, which can be filled up from one of our three chilled filtered units.  However, this should be done before classes or during break and lunchtime, not during class time. Please note that the office cannot provide students with cups or bottles.  The consumption of fizzy drinks or juices is not permitted during lessons.

Bistro Price List

Attainment & Achievement Awards Evening

Students selected for an award were given letters last week inviting them and their parents/carers to the Awards Ceremony on Wednesday 12 September.

On Thursday 4 October we will have a special event celebrating the Sporting Achievements of our students.  More information on this exciting evening will follow shortly.

S1 Lockers

We are awaiting the delivery of lockers for our S1 students.  Keys will be distributed once they arrive.

Parental Consent Forms

Blanket Parental Consent forms are being handed out to students over the next few days.  This form covers most trips and DGS Sports for the session 2018-2019, so it is important that they are completed and returned as soon as possible: Blanket PC1

Progressing Children’s Rights in Scotland – An Action Plan 2018-21: Consultation

On 2 July, the SG published the consultation on Progressing Children’s Rights in Scotland – An Action Plan 2018-21. The link below will take you to a shortened version of that consultation, designed for children and young people.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child – what is it?

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is an international treaty that sets out the rights that all children and young people under the age of 18 have.

What are Rights?

Rights are about making sure people are treated well and get a fair deal.  They set out the sorts of things that must be put in place for this to happen.  Everybody has rights.  Children’s rights are human rights.  The rights set out in the UNCRC include, for example, the right of children and young people to an education, good quality health care, to be protected from being hurt or badly treated and the right to relax and play.

Dunbar School Council Update

The next Dunbar School Grammar School Council (DGSC) meeting is being held on Thursday 20 September, AGM at 6.30pm, general meeting at 7pm.  Agenda will be published soon.  We would like to extend a very warm invitation to new members of the Parent Forum to come and join us.  Please just turn up on the evening at the school to find out what it’s all about.

School of Rugby Update

Saturday 1st September  – Results vs St Leonards & Madras

  • S1 L 30-25
  • S2 L 29-21
  • U15 W
  • U16 W 43-10
  • U18 L 27-14

This weekend’s fixtures vs Royal High School

  • S1 & S2 Friday 3pm KO at Royal HS
  • U15 Saturday 10am KO at Royal HS
  • U16 & U18 Saturday 10am KO at Hallhill

Making the most of Higher Educations Conventions Information

Local Opportunities:

Dates for Your Diary

Meet the Senior Management Team Mon 10 Sep
Literacy Festival Trip Wed 12 Sep
Awards’ Evening Wed 12 Sep
Geog – Rivers Field Trip Thurs 13 Sep / Mon 24 Sep
September Holiday Fri 15 – Mon 18 Sep
Modern Studies London Trip Mon 17 – Wed 19 Sep

All S3 Students – Battlefields 2019

We are finalising the numbers for the 17th Battlefields Experience (2019) with Mercat International.

If you have not yet paid the £100 deposit due and completed the Parental Confirmation Form (attached), can you please do so ASAP (please contact Mrs Gillespie in the first instance if this poses any problems).

All payments should be handed in to the school office. Cheques should be made payable to ‘East Lothian Council‘. There is also a facility for online payments, which can be accessed on the left.