All posts by jgourlay

Update 16 August 2019

A very warm welcome back.  In particular, welcome to our new students and staff!

Change to your son/daughter’s Guidance Teacher

Mr Darren Martin has joined the Pupil Support Faculty from 14 August. He has taken over the following classes, as their Guidance Teacher:

  • 1C7       (Previously with Mrs Wood)
  • 1C8         (Previously with Ms McDonald)
  • 2C6        (Previously with Mrs Scott)
  • 2C7         (Previously with Mrs Wood)
  • 3C7        (Previously with Ms McDonald)
  • 5C5        (Previously with Ms McDonald)

This arrangement will be for the 2019/20 session. Mr Martin is looking forward to this new role and will work closely with the other Guidance teachers to ensure continuity of support for all students.  Mr Martin can be contacted by email at dmartin@dunbargrammar.elcschool.org.uk or by calling the school on 01368 863 339. The voicemail messages are in the process of being updated.

New S1 Parent/Carer/Students

Hopefully the first few days went well for all of our students.  Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact your so/daughter’s Guidance Teacher in the first instance:

  • 1C1, 1C4  – Mrs Wood
  • 1C2, 1C5 – Ms McDonald
  • 1C3, 1C6  – Mrs Scott
  • 1C7, 1C8 – Mr Martin

Staffing Update

We have the following new members of staff:

  • Kenny Beaton, Teacher of PE
  • Gillian Carnie, Teacher of PE
  • Valerie Chapman, Teacher of Music
  • Marie Devillers, Teacher of Biology
  • Giuliana Di Rollo, Teacher of Modern Languages
  • Katharine Duguid, Teacher of Modern Languages
  • Emily Kirkness, Teacher of Chemistry
  • Aimee Macdonald, Teacher of Biology
  • Calum Mackie, Teacher of English
  • Natalie McGhee, Teacher of English
  • Morag McEwen, Teacher of Geography
  • Emma Reid, Teacher of History
  • David Robertson, Teacher of Maths
  • David Ross, Teacher of Drama
  • Danielle Smith, Teacher of Computing
  • Morag Sutherland, Teacher of Art
  • Amanda Young, Teacher of Business

At the end of June, we said goodbye to:

  • Caitlin Mackenzie, Teacher of PE
  • Sarah Rolland, Teacher of Physics
  • Lauren Stalker, Teacher of Computing

NIGEL KUHN EVENTS – Monday 19 – Friday 23 August 2019

Nigel Kuhn (conservationist, photographer, filmmaker and adventurer) will be visiting Dunbar Grammar School. Nigel has worked in front-line conservation for more than 6 years in Mali and Zimbabwe, laterally with Chengeta Wildlife Trust – in addition to many other projects. During his week with us, we have a number of exciting events for our pupils and the local community to get involved with! In addition to senior workshops, there will be presentations, Q&A sessions and workshops for pupils from a variety of ages and subject areas.

Community Presentation (all welcome) *not suitable for young children
Monday 19 August – 5.30-6.30pm-  DGS school Hub
An opportunity for the Dunbar community and local area to hear about Nigel’s life and work: stories of his travels; discuss his conservation work; sharing photographic and film work.

Pupil Showcase (all welcome)
Friday 23 August -3pm-4pm – DGS school Hub
Join us to celebrate and share the work of our pupils undertaken this week.

More information on Nigel Kuhn:

Library Books

Parents and Carers: can you help? A large number of DGS library books are overdue or missing. We would very much appreciate it if you would help find them (under beds is a common place to do so!) and hand them in either to the school office or at Dunbar or East Linton Library. Thank you!

DGS Sport Extra Curriculum Clubs

For all info on DGS Sport Extra Curriculum clubs please click on link

Or look on our DGS Sport page on DGS website.

For more details contact our Active School Coordinator Scott Marnoch on smarnoch@elcschool.org.uk

Additional In-Service Days

Two additional in-service days have been granted for session 2019/20 as part of the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers’ pay negotiations. The dates for these are: Tuesday 22 October 2019 and Tuesday 7 January 2020. Pupils will not attend school on these dates.  All school holidays for session 2019-20 and 2020-21 can be viewed on East Lothian Council’s website.

Dates for Your Diary

S1-S3 Book Festival Visit Tues 20 Aug
What Girls are Made Of Drama Trip Tues 20 Aug
Battlefields Eve Tues 27 Aug
Awards’ Eve Wed 11 Sep
DGSA Prosecco Afternoon Tea Sat 21 Sep

Also, see our latest information sheet for students: Info Sheet

Raising Teens with Confidence  Course

Please see : RTWC leaflet DGS sept19

Battlefields 2020

We launched Battlefields 2020 at assembly before the summer break.  Information went home with new S3 students:

School Uniform

We are aware that over the summer break many families may be purchasing new uniform. With that in mind, we would like to take the opportunity to remind all students of the uniform policy: School Uniform Description 19-20

We would like to highlight that all footwear, including trainers, should be completely black. The following presentation was given to all students this week during assembly: Uniform Slides – assembly June 2019

Please follow this link to order new uniform: https://www.border-embroideries.co.uk/schools/dunbar-grammar-school.html

SchoolPay

Schoolpay is an easy and convenient way of paying for school meals

Medicines Held in School

If your child still requires to have medication in school please complete the appropriate form from the links below and send it in  along with the medication:

Other News/Information

PANTOMIME CHORUS AUDITIONS 2019 – CINDERELLA

  • Friday 30 August, 1.30-3.30pm at The Brunton, Musselburgh
  • Each year a chorus of local performers support The Brunton’s professional pantomime cast. Working in rotation, these groups play a crucial role in the show.
  • Successful performers must commit to ALL rehearsals on a Monday and Tuesday from September (times to be confirmed on audition date), October holidays, dress rehearsal dates from w/c November 18th and show dates from 26 November 2019 – 4 January 2020.
  • Who can audition? Young people in P4-S4, resident in East Lothian who can sing, dance and act.
  • Audition places must be booked on 0131 665 9900 / info@thebrunton.co.uk by Thursday 29 August at 4pm, leaving the participant’s name, DOB, address, telephone number and school.

Update 28 June 2019

Have a fabulous summer break and we look forward to welcoming you back on Wednesday 14 August 2019!

Thank you to all staff, students, parents and carers for your hard work and support over the last year.

SQA Results and Post-Results Service

A letter was given out to all new S5 and S6 students regarding SQA results and the post-results service: SQA Results and Post-Results Service

Reminder that the results are due for publication on Tuesday 6 August.

Recoursing for new S5 and S6 Students

Students will have the opportunity to recourse post exam results in August. This service will allow students to meet with a member of the SLT to recourse prior to coming back to school on Wednesday 14 August. This will be at the following times:

  • Thursday 8 August 10am-2pm
  • Friday 9 August 10am- 2pm
  • Tuesday 13 August 1.30pm- 3.30pm

This will be a drop in service so no need to make an appointment. However please be aware that it could be busy and you may have to wait to meet someone. Letters were given to S5 and S6 students on Wednesday 26 June: Letter

House Competition

Students in Castle, the winners of the House Competition, enjoyed a great day at ‘Jump In’ on Monday 24 June.

Saying Goodbye to Members of Staff

We will be saying our fond farewells to the following staff:

  • Caitlin Mackenzie, PE
  • Sarah Rolland, Physics
  • Lauren Stalker, Computing
  • Euan Gray, Biology
  • Karen Whyte, Chemistry

We would also like to congratulate the following teachers who have successfully completed their initial teacher training:

  • Struan Macdonald, PE
  • Calum Mackie, English
  • Morag McGee, Art
  • Stephen McRobert, Modern Studies
  • David Ross, Drama
  • Laura Sinnott, German

Our sincere thanks to all of them and best wishes for the future!

Battlefields 2020

We launched Battlefields 2020 at assembly this week.  Information went home with new S3 students:

NIGEL KUHN EVENTS – Monday 19 – Friday 23 August 2019

Nigel Kuhn (conservationist, photographer, filmmaker and adventurer) will be visiting Dunbar Grammar School. Nigel has worked in front-line conservation for more than 6 years in Mali and Zimbabwe, laterally with Chengeta Wildlife Trust – in addition to many other projects. During his week with us, we have a number of exciting events for our pupils and the local community to get involved with! In addition to senior workshops, there will be presentations, Q&A sessions and workshops for pupils from a variety of ages and subject areas.

Community Presentation (all welcome) *not suitable for young children
Monday 19 August – 5.30-6.30pm-  DGS school Hub
An opportunity for the Dunbar community and local area to hear about Nigel’s life and work: stories of his travels; discuss his conservation work; sharing photographic and film work.

Pupil Showcase (all welcome)
Friday 23 August -3pm-4pm – DGS school Hub
Join us to celebrate and share the work of our pupils undertaken this week.

More information on Nigel Kuhn:

Additional In-Service Days

Two additional in-service days have been granted for session 2019/20 as part of the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers’ pay negotiations. The dates for these are: Tuesday 22 October 2019 and Tuesday 7 January 2020. Pupils will not attend school on these dates.  All school holidays for session 2019-20 and 2020-21 can be viewed on East Lothian Council’s website.

The Draft East Lothian Climate Change Strategy

There is currently a consultation underway on the Draft East Lothian Climate Change Strategy. Key Points for Young People have been placed on the Consultation Hub among the downloads for the consultation https://eastlothianconsultations.co.uk/policy-partnerships/climate-change-strategy/

A survey for children & young people has also been produced, to hear the views of children and young people on what they think are the most important things we should be doing here in East Lothian to tackle climate change: eastlothianconsultations.co.uk

Dates for Your Diary

Morocco Expedition 21 June – 6 July
Break for summer Fri 28 June
In-Service days Mon 12-Tues 13 August
Students resume Wed 14 Aug
Duke of Edinburgh Awards Eve Tues 13 Aug
Battlefields Eve Tues 27 Aug
DGSA Prosecco Afternoon Tea Sat 21 Sep

Also, see our latest information sheet for students: Info Sheet

School Uniform

We are aware that over the summer break many families may be purchasing new uniform. With that in mind, we would like to take the opportunity to remind all students of the uniform policy: School Uniform Description 19-20

We would like to highlight that all footwear, including trainers, should be completely black. The following presentation was given to all students this week during assembly: Uniform Slides – assembly June 2019

Please follow this link to order new uniform: https://www.border-embroideries.co.uk/schools/dunbar-grammar-school.html

Duke of Edinburgh

Any student who missed Assembly on Wednesday 19 June and is interested in applying for the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award must see Miss Williams asap.

Morocco Trip

Please follow the trip on twitter @DGSMorocco19

SchoolPay

Schoolpay is an easy and convenient way of paying for school meals

Medicines Held in School

As we are now nearing the end of the school year, any unused medication held in the office on behalf of students should be taken home.

If your child has medication in the office it should be collected by Thursday 27 June, any medicines left after this date will be destroyed.

Please note that this excludes allergy medication, Epi-pens and glucose etc. held on behalf of diabetic students. These items will be retained until their use by dates.

If your child still requires to have medication in school please complete the appropriate form from the links below and send it in at the start of the next term along with the medication:

Duke of Edinburgh

Any student who missed Assembly on Wednesday 19 June and is interested in applying for the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award must see Miss Williams asap.

Other News/Information