Curriculum for Excellence

This BBC link helps demystify much of what has been said about Curriculum for Excellence and why schools are different across the country.

Click here to access.

Budget proposals

Message from our Parent Council to all parents:

You may be aware that the Council is currently running a consultation on its future budget. We are very concerned at proposals to cut school business managers and thus add to the administrative burden on senior teachers, and to cut music instrumental teaching by 75%, amongst other proposals. Please review our draft response http://jghscouncil.btck.co.uk/News and let us know any comments or changes. Please also send your own individual comments by filling in the Council's online survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VJL6J5G before 17th December. It will only take you a few minutes and this is very important for our school. If possible, please also send copies of your responses to your local councillors. You can find out who they are, and their email addresses, at this link: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/councillors/search

Please get involved and share your views.

Senior course choices

Our new S5/6 Course Choices booklet is now on our school website.
S5/6 Course Handbook

Iris Ititiative and Township Voices

On Thursday 3 December, Niall Dolan (Chief Executive) from the Iris Initiative (Edinburgh based charity) presented me with a cheque for a considerable sum of money towards supporting young people in our partner schools in South Africa. The proceeds arose from two very successful 'Township Voices' choir tours in both the summer of 2014 and 2015. Huge thanks to the Iris Initiative for supporting such a worthy cause.

Defibrillator arrives at JGHS

Following a decision by City of Edinburgh Council to supply to all secondary schools in the city, I was delighted to have taken custody of this brand new Defibrillator today. Training to follow in the coming days.

State School of the Year 2015

Great to see the Edinburgh Evening News carrying this story in today's edition. Huge well done to everyone asociated with the vibrant community that is James Gillespie's High School.

St Andrews Celebration

The S6 Pupil Voice will be organising some activities next Friday 4^th December in order to raise money for the Syrian Refugee crisis.

SLT have agreed that classes can be involved in a giant ‘Strip the Willow’ outside the Malala building during periods 1 and 2 next Friday.

During interval, there will then be a range of activities such as face-painting and a bake-sale.

 

The ‘Strip the Willow’ will be organised by year groups, (sets will be in communities) and class teachers are asked to come and support their class with this – and even join in if you wish!

All classes are to meet outside Malala reception at the following times: (a tannoy announcement will also be made)

9.30                        S1

9.55                        S2  (pupils will register first)

10.20                     S3

Please read out the bulletin to alert pupils to this – S6 will also speak at the year assemblies.

If it’s raining, the event will be cancelled and a tannoy announcement will be made to that effect.

Scottish State School of the Year 2015

We were delighted to learn that the Sunday Times named us as Scottish State School of theYear for 2015. This is a wonderful achievement and fitting testament to the efforts of so many. Sincere thanks to all staff, parents and pupils who continue to work so hard to make a difference for all of our young people.

Foyle Young Poets of the Year

Letter from judging panel:

'Warmest congratulations to Mikaela Carmichael who was selected as one of 85 commended Foyle Young Poets of the Year 2015. Mikaela was selected from nearly 6,000 entrants from across the world, a truly impressive achievement.

Congratulations also to all at James Gillespie's High School, especially your English department and any other members of staff who have helped inspire, develop and nurture Mikaela's poetic talent.'

Kirkland Ciccone visit

Prize winning young adult author, renowned speaker, and general all round character Kirkland Ciccone will be at James Gillespie’s High School as part of their Book Week Scotland celebrations on Monday 23^rd November. Kirkland is the author of ‘Conjuring the Infinite’ and ‘Endless Empress’. He will address the entire of the school’s third year about his own writing and what it takes to be an author, and why reading is important. This has come about largely due to the enterprising efforts of one of the school’s own pupils, Jasna Deas Morgan, who may be Kirkland’s biggest fan! Kirkland is fast gaining a reputation throughout Scotland for being a unique and inspiring speaker, with an amazing ability to engage and enthuse teenagers about reading.

Here is why Kirkland is doing the event in his own words:

Book Week Scotland is like Christmas to authors, or in my case Halloween. My first event during a week crammed full of amazing events is James Gillespie High School. And it was organised by a fan! That's proper people power isn't it? When Jasna asked if I would stop off at James Gillespie High School during my book tour, of course I said yes. My next step was to ensure the teachers and the school librarian received my list of demands for this event which include tea and a packet of McVitie's Fruit Shortcake.