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.