11 May 2018

1. The SQA exams are now in full swing and are running smoothly.
2. The school will be hosting the  Anne Frank Exhibition in the library between Monday 14th May and Friday 25th May. Twenty S2 pupils will be trained as guides, and will subsequently be conducting tours of the exhibition for other Gillespie's pupils, visiting P7 classes and possibly other interested groups from the wider community.
3. Best wishes to all those who are off to Marseilles on Friday morning as part of our annual French exchange. Mrs O’Brien and I will be accompanying the group over the weekend to meet with French colleagues and plan for future partnership working.
4. Best wishes also to those who are going to Madrid next week to take part in our first international PE multi sports excursion.
5. Huge thanks to members of our Parent Council who provided catering and refreshments for staff on the in-service day earlier this week.
6. Please take time to visit our new online platform for sharing information about Modern Languages and 1+2 in the James Gillespie’s High School Cluster with families from across the cluster.
   https://leadinglanguagesinjghscluster.wordpress.com/ The website provides details of a new Transition Event which will take place on Tuesday 22nd May 2018 at James Gillespie's High School for Primary Six pupils in each of the cluster primary schools.
7. Well done to Archie Ellen who enjoyed a challenging and satisfying weekend  of racing in the prestigious Isle of Man Youth Tour, a 3 day cycling stage race that attracts the best riders from across the UK. Archie was delighted to come away as the top ranked Scottish rider by the end of the event.
8. Well done to Milena Zadora (2T1) who was crowned 2018 British Champion in the U14 Girls Foil. Even more impressive is that this is her third year in a row of winning that title.
9. Parents are reminded to ensure that payments are made for the Alternative Timetable activities using our online payment system.
10. I’m delighted to learn that 5 parents have come forward to work with Mrs Vera Norton (Sciences Technician) in developing our gardening allotment over the coming weeks.
11. James Gillespie’s High School Parent Council is hosting an event at the JGHS Forum on Wednesday 6th June 7-9pm to engage with parents and our school community on the issue of capacity and rising rolls. Please come along and find out what is going on.
12. This year’s S1 sports day will take place on Friday 25 May. Fingers crossed for a warm dry day.
13. I’d welcome feedback from parents on the timings of events in last session’s calendar. We are currently building the calendar for session 18/19.

14.   S3 Parents’ Evening is on Wednesday 30 May - online booking will open on 16 May, details to follow next week.

I wish all a relaxing and enjoyable weekend.