Monday 20 March 2017

Edinburgh Architectural Association unveils 2017 awards shortlist


The Edinburgh Architectural Association (EAA) has announced the shortlist for the 2017 EAA Awards following a record number of submissions.
All projects are designed by registered architects and built within the chapter area, with exception to the Ambassador Award which is built out with the chapter.
This year the format of the awards has been changed to enable all entries built within the chapter area, Large, Small, Regeneration & Conservation and Wood to become eligible for the highest accolade of Building Of The Year. The awards are now also open to chartered architects working in other areas of the UK, who have completed projects within the chapter area.
2017 EAA Awards shortlist 
Large Project:
  • Dunfermline Carnegie Library & Galleries – Richard Murphy Architects
  • Holyrood North Student Accommodation & Outreach Centre – Oberlanders Architects / JM Architects
  • James Gillespie’s High School – JM Architects
  • The Spens Building – Page \ Park Architects




Friday 17 March 2017

Friday Update



1.      The James Gillespie’s Trust is organising an Alumni open day at JGHS on Saturday 22 April 2017
2.      Sincere thanks to our Parent Council helpers, senior students and staff who contributed to the outstanding Piping Championships at JGHS last weekend.
3.      James Gillespie’s has registered for the upcoming ‘Big Pedal Week’. Details were shared at assemblies with pup
ils.
4.      There are two Cycle to School days that we are promoting to all pupils and staff. They are: Monday 20 March and Wednesday 29 March. There will be hot rolls on arrival for the first 60 who either cycle or scoot.
5.      Ishbel Taromsari (World bike girl) will be with us on Monday 30 March to share some of her amazing cycling stories with pupils.
6.      Our school won the award for Architectural Excellence in last week’s Scottish Property Awards.
7.      There is a Parent Council meeting on Tuesday 21 March in the School Library. All welcome for 7 pm.
8.      Our annual Spring Fling music concert takes place in the Spark Theatre on Wednesday 22 March.
9.      There are still tickets left for next week’s inaugural showing of ‘I, Daniel Blake’ in the Spark Theatre on Thursday 23 March.
10.  Our annual Health Promotion week will take place in the last week of May. Details will follow in due course.
11.  Congratulations to the following:
a.       Joseph Carlyle who is now Scottish under 14 Boys’ singles champion after last weekend’s badminton finals
b.      Joseph Carlyle and Joseph Munt who were runners up in the under 14 Boys’ doubles badminton finals.
c.       Our boys’ volleyball team defeated both Belmont Academy and The Gordon Schools this week to go through to this year’s final against Queensferry HS. Having won this competition last year we are seeking to retain the trophy.
d.      Aaliyah El-Salahi and James Ingle who have been selected as two of the ten Scottish winners of The Pushkin Prizes for creative writing. Both will now spend a week in the majestic and idyllic Highlands of Scotland working with other young people and writers in residence.
e.       All those to took part in last weekend’s Model United Nations conference at George Watson’s College – Jasmin Dorr, Charlie Sun, Adam Paton, Paul Tiplady, Sam Paechter, Toby Ward, Callum Stark, Finn Thomson, Jasper Harris, Dhoha Muhammed, Natalie Cameron and Myada Eltiraifi. Linus West and Julia Follan were commended for their outstanding contributions for their knowledge of International Affairs and Public Speaking.
12.  The South Africa project visit in February 2018 to our partner schools In Umlazi was officially launched with the current S5 at assemblies this week.

And finally, happy St Patrick’s day to all and I wish you all a wonderful weekend.

Thursday 16 March 2017

Healthy Eating



The Food, Health and Technology department were very impressed with the creative efforts of the second year who took part in the annual Master Chef cookery competition. There were 200 entrants who made a healthy main course suitable for a teenager. It was a hard job to find the 10 finalists, but the following pupils impressed most–

Martyna Zakrkrewska 2S2
Jared Birch 2L2
Emma Naylor 2S1
Catriona Forest 2L1  overall winner
Hazel lord Wilson 2W2
Olivia Brandie 2T2
Mia Duisse 2W1
Stella Hughes 2R2
Jacques Dhalenne-Hanger 2R1

Well done to all!

 

Friday 10 March 2017

Supreme Court to sit in Edinburgh



Following an approach to the Council, it has been agreed that the UK Supreme Court will sit in the Edinburgh City Chambers in June. This is the first time that the UK’s highest court has sat outside London.

Several appeals will be heard during the week commencing 12 June, with at least five of the Supreme Court Justices sitting over the course of the visit. The list of cases to be heard during the visit are in the process of being finalised.

Provision will be made for extensive public seating for those interested in observing proceedings at first hand while court staff will also use the opportunity to offer public talks about its work when the Justices are not sitting. Further information will be available from their website in due course.