1.
Well done to:
a. The
S6 involved in the recent Bag packing fundraiser for the South Africa project
where £700 was raised.
b. Elena
Santoyo-Brown for finishing the season with premier league team, Spartans, as
their top goal scorer and coaches' Player of the Year. It's a huge achievement
for any player, but for a 17-year--old, it's amazing!
c.
Henry
Millar (S1) who has just passed his Grade 5 Piano exam. This is the level we
would expect S6 pupils studying for Advanced Higher to achieve!
d. Theia
Donnelly (S3) who, as part of her Pentland Team and representing Scotland, won
Gold at last weekend’s national Rhythmic gymnastics event.
e. Kirsty
Johnson (3S1) who won the silver medal in the under 16 girls Scottish National
Madison Championships at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome on Saturday 1 December. On
the following Sunday she won bronze in the under 16 girls Scottish National
Cyclocross Championships in the mud of Fife College.
i.
The JGHS team who swam incredibly well in the
Edinburgh and Midlothian Schools Swimming Championship; they came back with an
impressive 3 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze medals.
ii.
Anna Green - two Bronze (100m and 200m
backstroke)
iii.
David Kernohan - two gold (100m backstroke and
200 IM)
iv.
Ross Kerr - silver (200m breaststroke) and bronze
(100m breaststroke)
v.
Liam McLaughlin - gold (400m freestyle) and
silver (200m backstroke)
2.
Around 150 S6s are currently busily completing
their UCAS applications. Thanks to all who support them in this.
3.
A reminder that there will be a staff/parent BBQ
on Friday 26 April 2019 – save the date!
5.
A large number of S5/6 are involved in a
Higher/Advanced Higher immersion event at Napier University (Craiglockhart
Campus) this afternoon from 1:30pm
6.
A reminder to all to drive with great caution in
the vicinity of the school. We have had some concerns expressed in recent
weeks.
7.
I would request that those who are
collecting pupils by car at the end of the day, park in nearby streets rather
than directly opposite a school exit/entrance. This will help in reducing
congestion and increasing visibility for pedestrians.
8.
A group of pupils from S1-6 will be out of
school all day on Wednesday 12 December to attend the First LEGO League
Challenge event. Those involved are part of the school’s Sciences, Technology,
Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) group which was formed to
promote and stimulate interest in applying multidisciplinary approaches to
everyday challenges and experiences.
9.
Due to
our ‘Sleep out’ being the largest and highest earning in Scotland, Esther
Silverton, Anna Mantle, Phoebe Burke and Louis Mackintosh have been awarded
“creative star” awards and have been invited to appear on stage at Edinburgh’s
‘Sleep in the Park’ on Saturday 8 December to introduce the concept of the Wee
Sleep Out to all of the Sleep In The Park participants. They will introduce a
video about it (some of which was filmed at our sleep out) and then participate
in a Q&A session. They will also be presenting Alice from social bite with
the notes of encouragement, origami and mural that were made at our sleep out
on the evening of Friday 16 November. Well done and thanks to Mrs Sturm
(English Faculty) for coordinating our school’s efforts.
10.
Following
the success of the No Knives Better Lives play, “Balisong”, which was
performed to several assemblies, plans are afoot to stage new play at
assemblies in the Spring of 2019 that looks at and raises awareness of
issues related to youth gambling
11.
During
this past week, a group of less confident pupils in S1-3 were accompanied by S6
pupils (Katie Haley; Emily Deng; Rishikaa Ravi; Sheena MacGregor; Nadya
Clarkson; Shiisa Booth and Maeve MacLullich) and a member of staff to the
National Museum. So pleasing to see our accomplished senior pupils involved in
this nurturing role.
12.
On the
afternoon of Tuesday 4 December a number of our senior pupils took part in a
free careers event at Edinburgh’s Central Hall, Tollcross.
13.
On the
morning of Tuesday 18 December a large number of our Gaelic pupils will take
part in the Christmas service at Greyfriar’s kirk.
14.
Our
senior Drama Production takes place this evening at 7 Pm in the Muriel Spark
Building. Tickets at the door.
15.
A final
reminder that a South Africa Fundraiser is this Sunday evening at Spoons café
Bistro on Nicolson Street 6-8pm for £10 a ticket. It is a wine and cheese
tasting evening. All of the money raised will go towards the South African
projects 2019.
16.
We are
currently revising our school’s Vision Statement and Values. An opportunity to
contribute views on these will be made available to all parents/carers next
week.
17.
Our
school website is currently being redesigned and refreshed. We will let you
know when the new website is operation in 2019.
18.
Allied
to the development of our website we are currently working with an ‘App’
provider to develop an App that will allow for easy access to key parts of our
school website. Launch will be in early 2019.
And finally, how
wonderful it was earlier today to hear about a group of 50+ S1 pupils who,
independently, arranged their very own ‘secret Santa’ event. Gifts were
exchanged amidst polite and respectful applause at break time today.
I wish all a lovely
weekend.
Donald j Macdonald
Headteacher
