Friday 2 February 2018

1. Later this evening, we will welcome 32 pupils from our link school in Tenerife. They will be with us over the coming week.
2. Our South Africa group leaves on Tuesday (42 pupils and 6 staff). We wish them well on their journey and congratulate all who have raised over £5000 for our SA projects/links.

3.       Well done to the following pupils who won 2 gold medals at the Scottish Schools Swimming Championship on Saturday the 27th of January at Dollan Aqua Centre, East Kilbride.

o    Thomas McSkinning First (gold) for 200m breaststroke

o    Liam McLaughlin First (gold) for 100m Freestyle

4.       We had a great turn out on Wednesday morning for the bicycle breakfast. Thanks to Tesco's for providing the pastries and snacks free of charge and to the police for marking the bikes. We had a very good (discounted) sale on the locks and lights but there are still some available. If you would like a high quality D-lock for £10 (subsidised by funding) please contact Deborah.Dickinson@jamesgillespies.edin.sch.uk

5.       Our Gardening club has new resumed and takes place on Monday’s after school 3:45 – 4:30pm in Science Lab 1.

6.       There is a careers event organised by Boroughmuir HS happening on 27 February to which JGHS families are invited. (See attached flyer).

7.       Bookings for the S4 consultation evening are now ‘open’, go to http://www.parents-booking.co.uk/jamesgillespies

And finally, Thursday 1 February 2018 marked the 100 anniversary of the birth of Muriel Spark – one of our most famous former pupil. Dame Muriel Spark DBE, CLit, FRSE, FRSL attended JGHS from 1923 -35. From a very early age, teachers and parents recognised and nurtured her talent as a writer. Muriel Sarah Camberg flourished as she grew up in Bruntsfield and came to be regarded as one of Britain’s most accomplished and finest novelists. Later this year on Friday 18 May we will celebrate Muriel Spark’s achievements on Founder’s day, when we reflect on the remarkable history of James Gillespie’s HS since it was founded in 1803. A main theme this year will be the contribution JGHS women have made to society.

A couple of quotes from Muriel Spark I particularly like:

‘To me education is a leading out of what is already there in the pupil's soul’ and ‘Beware of men bearing flowers’.

At Gillespie’s we believe that each and every one of our pupils has at least one special talent.  With your continuing support and encouragement they will be the next generation of writers, mathematicians, explorers, scientists, designers, musicians, politicians, captains of industry, academics, sportsmen and women, chefs, stage performers  etc.  They are all our ‘crème de la crème’!

Have a lovely weekend.

Donald j Macdonald

Headteacher