Si Parents' social evening

Thank you to everyone who attended our social evening last night. It was great to see such a large turnout!

It would be terrific to see many new parents coming along to our next Parent Council meeting next Tuesday - 4 September at 7 pm in the school library. As I mentioned last night this is one of the best ways of supporting our school and influencing key changes in the years ahead. Its also a very effective way of finding out what really goes on in school.

A new S1 pupil's perspective

Thank you to Tuesday Rose McDonough for sharing her thoughts on High School after her first week with us.

On the run up to high school I was incredibly nervous. The whole idea of a completely new school with completely new teachers and completely new friends is quite intimidating. I was most worried about finding my way around and not getting hopelessly lost. As I first walked into the school I felt like everyone’s eyes were on me, but soon I was greeted by a couple of my friends, and as the day went on, I started to feel more and more at home. I enjoy the lessons a lot more than the ones we got in primary, especially Science and English, and I think that it’s good to get a variety of classes. 

Before we started, we had a three day transition; I think I would have been a lot more nervous if I hadn’t been to it. It's nice because it means that you don’t go into high school clueless about what awaits you.   The school was one of the most welcoming places I’ve been, and I have made lots of new friends there.

I hope that all of our new charges now feel as settled as Tuesday Rose. If you get lost, need advice or you just want to chat about something that is worrying you then please speak to any of our S6 helpers or any member of staff.

S1 parents' social event

It's now a full week since our pupils returned and in some ways it feels like we've never been away! Staff and pupils are back in their routines and it's great to see how well our new S1 pupils are settling in to the 'Big school'. Our S6 'befrienders' have been superb in supporting our new charges and ensuring that they arrive safely at their intended destinations.

Next Thursday evening (30 August) all parents of S1 are invited to join us at the school from 7-8 pm to meet senior staff and other parents. I hope to see as many there as possible!

Prior to the main event we would like to meet with parents whose children speak more than one language. (details will follow in a letter from Mrs Kinnear). The last survey that was undertaken showed that 47 languages were spoken at Gillespie's. In addition to valuing the diversity that exists at Gillespie's, we also seek to explore how learning can be enhanced by using different languages at home and in school.

History is one for the future

In recent times, learning about History seems to have become very popular and interesting. The TV series entitled 'Horrible Histories' has won various awards and, in our household, it has been compulsive viewing for our two daughters. How then as schools do we follow that?  I am delighted to report that at Gillespie's High School, History is thriving! One example of the wonderful work we do was staged in our assembly hall today when Dave Clarke (a practising teacher of History at Stewart's Melville and a former student at Liberton High School) presented to several enthralled assemblies.  

At the end of the day I set off from my office with the intention of popping into a few classes.  What was to have been a fleeting visit to the hall, as I particularly wished to go and see some of our new S1 classes in action, turned out to be so amazing that I stayed for 45 minutes. Dave Clarke was inspirational and the pupils and staff were transfixed. Amongst other amazing facts we learned about moustaches, polishing buttons, how to use bayonets, Elsie Inglis and the fearsome reputation of the Highland regiments. This was curriculum for excellence at its glorious best.

After a rapturous round of applause several pupils and staff stayed to survey and hold the various items that were utilised during the presentations. A particular favourite of mine was an actual 'dog-tag' from a fallen soldier. As the pupils departed I asked several what they thought of the presentation. Comments included: 'He was amazing - he should be performing at the Fringe' and 'That's how to teach History sir' give an accurate representation of the awe and wonder among the pupils who were there. Many thanks to the History department and Mrs Carruthers in particular for organising such a superb experience.

Back to school

'First day at school. Stomach sinks. Tears well up. Bottom lip trembles - and you're just the parent. First-time parents get more anxious than their little darlings, so let's spare a thought for them and those others new to school this week - the newly qualified teachers.
As with every "ordeal", the waiting is worse. Parents, awake since 6am, look with adoration and apprehension at little darling's new clothes and shiny shoes laid out ready.
Meanwhile, new teacher, shiny of shoe, has been in the school car park since 6am and is desperate for the loo, but the school is not open yet ...' (Source:Guardian newspaper)


 Tomorrow morning (Wednesday 15 August) we will warmly welcome all of our pupils back to school after what I hope has been a fantastic summer holiday. I am delighted that we have a full complement of staff who are all ready and raring to go.  I look forward to congratulating pupils on a superb set of exam results before we roll up our sleeves and continue on our journey to excellence through the new session.

A very large number of new staff (24) have joined us over the summer following the departure of an equally large number of colleagues. I suspect that this very large number of 'new' staff is unprecedented at Gillespie's. Some of  the 'new' staff (3) I refer to are staff returning after a year's break on various adventures including maternity leave and travelling for a year. The past two days has given us time to work with the new staff to prepare for what, I'm sure, will be another busy and wonderful year in the life of James Gillespie's.

The following is a letter written by Abraham Lincoln to the Headmaster of a school in
which his son was studying. It contains advice, which is still relevant today for executives, workers, teachers, parents and students.

A WORD TO TEACHERS

He will have to learn, I know, that all men are not just and are not
true. But teach him if you can the wonder of books… but also give
him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky,
bees in the sun and flowers on a green hillside.
In school, teach him it is far more honorable to fall than to cheat. 
Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him he is
wrong.
Teach him to be gentle with gentle people and tough with the tough.
Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when
everyone is getting on the bandwagon.
Teach him to listen to all men; but teach him also to filter all he
hears on a screen of truth, and take only the good that comes
through.
Teach him, if you can, how to laugh when he is sad… Teach him
there is no shame in tears.
Teach him to scoff at cynics and to be aware of too much sweetness.
Teach him to sell his brawn and brain to highest bidders, but never
to put a price on his heart and soul. Teach him to close his ears to a
howling mob… and stand and fight if thinks he is right.
Treat him gently, but do not cuddle him, because only the test of fire
makes fine steel. Let him have the courage to be impatient. Let him
have the patience to be brave. Teach him always to have sublime
faith in himself, because then he will have faith in humankind.
This is a big order, but see what you can do. He is such a fine little
fellow my son!
- Abraham Lincoln

Exam results

From tomorrow (7 August) pupils  in Scotland will receive details of how they have done in their exams. The anxious wait to find out how they have fared comes to an end as the SQA dispatches the results. Fingers crossed for everyone!

The following link (SQA help) provides a number of very useful links for pupils and parents.

Pupils who wish to speak to their Guidance teacher about changing their courses for the new session will be able to do so on either the afternoon of Monday 13 or Tuesday 14 August. Appeals can be discussed with teaching staff when school resumes on Wednesday 15 August.