Friday 31 August

1.       Parents should email/write to the HT if it is planned for pupils to miss school for reasons other than medical. A decision will then be made as to whether the absence is to be authorised or not. Please give as much notice as possible to allow time for staff to organise work to be completed. Please avoid absences during term time if at all possible.

2.      Parents are encouraged to mark children’s clothing and personal belongings so that the numerous items handed in to our ‘lost property’ can be returned to the rightful owner.

3.      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. The next Maths Circle is on Saturday 15th September, from 13:00 until 16:00, in JCMB 3217 and the Level 3 Café Area. 

a.      More information, as well as travel directions, can be found at: https://www.maths.ed.ac.uk/school-of-mathematics/outreach/maths-circle

4.      The Horticulture club, overseen by Ms Vera Norton in our Science Department, is well supported by pupils and parents and continues to go from strength to strength.

5.      We are currently working on redeveloping the school Website with a view to launching in October/November.

6.      The school’s homework policy is available to view via the following link. http://jamesgillespies.co.uk/documents/

7.      The JGHS Parent Council would like to invite everyone from our school community to the first PC meeting of the new school year.  We look forward to seeing parents and carers from across the year groups, and hope to meet some of our new S1 parents and carers too.  All are very welcome to join us on Tues 11th Sept @ 7pm in the Library in the Malala building. 

8.      Well done to:

a.      Lucy Mulgrew (class 1L2) who, through her successful involvement in musical theatre, has been asked to sing in the Newcastle opera house on September 16. 

b.      Archie Ellen (S3) who continues to make significant progress in cycling. Archie has had a phenomenally successful summer in a variety of competitions across the UK.

9.      Please find attached a list of key dates for the coming session.

I wish all a lovely weekend as we say farewell to the summer of 2018 and prepare for Autumn.