Friday 23 March

1. Term ends at 3.40pm on Thursday 29 March
2. Pupils in years 4, 5 and 6 will be working hard for exams during the next few weeks – Easter revision classes timetable is now available on the school website.
3. By contrast, no formal homework will be set for pupils in S1,2 and 3. They are expected to read each day and spend quality time with family and friends in the Scottish sunshine.
4. Our Police Link officer has requested I remind all that in no way should parents/family members attempt or seek to find the perpetrator when pupils have fallen out. School staff will deal with such matters and liaise with the Police as appropriate.
5. Well done to -
1. Catriona Forrest and Evie Tynan, both in S3, who won Class Academy Sailors of the Year 2017 at the RYA Scotland awards ceremony last month.
2. Elena Santoya-Brown who is currently on tour with the Scotland U17 women's football squad at the Elite Round stage of the European Championships.
3. Lucia Montgomery in S4 who won the overall first place medal for JGHS this week in the Edinburgh schools cross country league.
4. the senior girls netball team who WON against Sgoil Ghaidhlig Ghlaschu on Monday to qualify for the finals day which is at the Oriam performance centre at Heriot Watt University on Friday 23^rd March.
6. Fantastic news from the Huntingdon’s association Scotland Poetry writing competition where we have swept the boards in the under 16s category .ALL 5 FINALISTS come from Gillespie’s s2!

a.       Evie Wright

b.       Luke Boyle

c.       Jasper Harris

d.       Lucy Robertson

e.       Elizabeth Mole

Additionally, the following students were commended by the judges:

• Anna Grothey
• Ekke Mottus
• Laila Flores-Rueda
• Alex Moir-Barnetson
• Daniel Rybtsov
• Chayvonne Blue

7. Bon voyage to the 185 S1 pupils and the intrepid 2o staff who are invading Lockerbie this weekend for a couple of days of outdoor activities.
8. We have a group of pupils and staff from Japan joining us next Wednesday afternoon to share practices on recycling and sustainability.
9. This week’s Parent Council was well attended and had two main items on the agenda. 
1. With Parent Council support we managed to persuade the City of Edinburgh Council to consider giving wifi access to senior pupils to CEC whilst in the school building during exam leave.
2. Secondly, the challenges around rising school rolls was discussed. A special meeting may be arranged in May with Council Officers to discuss how an extra 200-500 pupils will be accommodated and provided for at JGHS over the next 8 years.
10. As we go to press I am awaiting confirmation as to whether our French visitors will make it to Scotland or have to postpone as a result of Air Controller strikes in France.

And finally, have a lovely weekend and remember that clocks go forward this weekend so an hour less in bed for all!

Donald j Macdonald

Headteacher

My Quote of the week: “When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.”