Friday 27 April

1.      All the very best to our S4, 5 and 6 as they embark on this year’s SQA national examinations from Monday 30 April.

2.      Best wishes to the party of 50+ who are heading to the continent today to visit various WW1 battle sites.

3.      Best wishes also to all going to Tenerife next week as part of our annual exchange with our partner school.

4.      In the coming weeks we will share details about this year’s visit to our Partner school in Hong Kong.

5.      Well done and thanks again to those who hosted pupils from our partner school in Germany this week.

6.      Bike marking by police Scotland will take place from 8 o’clock on Tuesday 1^st May at the bike breakfast at the front of the school. All cyclists welcome!

7.      JGHS was well-represented by swimmers  in the Scottish National Age Group Swimming Championship 2018 at Glasgow. Amongst the prize-winners were:

·         David Kernohan (S1)

o   second in the 200 IM for the 11-13 age group - silver medal

o   and a gold and a silver for team relays

·         Taylor Finlayson (S5) 

o   silver for the 17-18 years old team relay

·         Liam McLaughlin (S4) 

o   gold and 16 years old Scottish Champion  for the  400m, 800m and 1500m freestyle  

o   second for the 100m and 200m freestyle - silver medal, 

o   and 2 gold and one silver for team relays

·         Thomas McSkimming (S6)

o   finalist for the 17-18 years old 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke.

8.      Well done to Max Bloor of Class 6R1 who, in a highly competitive and experienced field, triumphed at last weekend’s Hidden Glen 10km Race in an astonishing 41 minutes and 41 seconds. https://www.stuweb.co.uk/race/1Ry

9.      Around 120 S3 Modern Studies and Psychology pupils will attend 'Festival of Fast Forward' on Monday 30 April at the Traverse Theatre. This event is a series of short plays and workshops presented by peer theatre around relevant topics and issues that young people may face in their lives today. Pupils will be given the opportunity to explore these topics and participate in discussion after each play - we hope that this is an enjoyable and rewarding experience for them all.

10.  Congratulations to Mollaidh Nicholson who helped Midlothian beat East Lothian and make it through to the final of the Cuthbertson Cup for under 18's at Baberton on Sunday but unfortunately they lost to Fife in the final. 

11.  We had 40 keen S1 and S2 students who took part in the UK maths junior competition on Thursday 26^th April.

12.  The next Edinburgh Maths Circle will be held on Saturday 19 May, from 13:00 until 16:00, in JCMB 3217 and the Level 3 Café Area. The Edinburgh Maths Circle, organised by the Maths Outreach Team, is a free drop-in session where children aged 5 to 16 and their families can join in with exciting mathematical activities, games and puzzles. More information can be found at:http://www.maths.ed.ac.uk/school-of-mathematics/outreach/maths-circle

13.  Many thanks to the parents who have supported the school towards gaining access for senior pupils to the Council’s wifi network. I’m hoping that we will have some good news to share on this in the next week or two.

And finally, I hope all have a lovely weekend in the Spring sunshine.

Donald j Macdonald

Headteacher

Friday 20 April 2018

1.       Welcome back to everyone after what I hope was a super Easter break.

2.       Well done to all those who took part in last night’s inaugural Dance Show and also to all who supported the event in various ways.

3.       A South Africa Information night was held last night for those wishing more information in regard to the South Africa Project in February 2019

4.       An information night for pupils going on the (Geography) Arran field trip took place on Wednesday evening.

5.       S1's will be allowed out of school at breaks and lunchtimes from Monday 30 April. The expectations around this will be discussed at an S1 assembly next week.

6.       Easter Revision classes were well attended. Thanks to staff for giving up part of their Easter break to support pupils.

7.       Exam leave for S4 and S5 begins next Friday 27 April and for S6 on Monday 30 April. Best wishes to all for the forthcoming examinations.

8.       Welcome to pupils from our German partner school in Bavaria who arrived on Thursday 19 April. Sincere thanks to our host families.

9.       Warmest congratulations to our senior girls who won their Netball final just prior to the Easter break and were crowned Scottish Schools’ bronze champion 2018. This is a fantastic achievement given that our club just started this session.

10.   Well done to the following students who graduated from ‘Careers Ready’ completing a two year programme.

a.       Adam Al Bulushi

b.       Yahyaa Saddique

c.       Amber Ali

d.       Salmaan Ali

e.       Kosta Herman

Careers Ready is a two year voluntary programme run in conjunction with local employers. E.g. Blackrock, Royal Bank of Scotland and The Scottish Parliament. Working directly with employers S5 students work with their own industry mentor who helps them fulfil their career aspirations.  During the programme each student receives Professional mentoring  every 4-6 weeks and a paid internship at the workplace of their mentor’s Workplace. Masterclasses on skills career success are also offered. Thanks to Ms Forrester and Ms Wilson for coordinating this programme on behalf of JGHS.

11.   On the afternoon of Thursday 26 April I look forward to welcoming Cllrs Perry and Dickie to JGHS. They will be meeting with pupils and staff and are keen to find out more about how we operate as a school.  

And finally, I take this opportunity of wishing all a lovely weekend. Here’s hoping the Spring sunshine continues!

Donald j Macdonald (Ceannard/Headteacher)