Friday 21 September

1.      We held a very well attended P7 Open Night last night. It was great to see so much interest being taken in our school. We recognise that Edinburgh has many excellent schools and we seek to continue to improve to maintain our strong standing and appeal to families.

2.      We currently have vacancies being advertised for teachers in Gaelic, Social subjects, Support for Pupils, Business Education and Performing Arts.  In the interim we have reorganised classes across the school to try to ensure minimal disruption to learning.

3.      Our annual ‘Musicfest’ takes place on the evening of Thursday 4 October.

4.      Rehearsals are now underway for the Annual Christmas Concert on Tuesday 18 December. As in previous years, this will be staged at the Usher Hall.

5.      The school will be supporting this year’s ‘Show Racism the Red Card - wear red day’ on Friday 5 October. We aim to raise awareness and demonstrate publicly that we celebrate diversity at JGHS. . Staff and pupils are encouraged to participate by wearing something red on that day.

6.      Our senior pupils are organising a Model United Nations (MUN) conference on Friday 5 October. Pupils from across Scotland will be attending.

7.      Best wishes to senior pupils and staff who will be visiting Ireland over the next week as part of their Gaelic studies.

8.      We encourage as many staff and pupils as possible to walk or cycle to school. Cyclists are reminded to use a high quality lock.

9.      All are reminded to mark personal belongings so that ‘lost’ items can more easily be returned to their owners.

10.  We look forward to welcoming pupils from our partner school (Law Ting Pong) in Hong Kong in November. Details will follow on this and plans for our pupils to visit Hong Kong in October 2019.

11.  Arrangements are progressing well for the S6 annual visit to partner schools in South Africa in February 2019.

12.  Pupils in S1-3 have, this morning, had presentations from ‘Social Bite’, the social enterprise set up in 2017 to raise awareness of homelessness.

13.  Well done to:

a.       Kirsty Johnson, 3S1, who came second in the under 14 girl category in the Scottish National Youth Road cycling Race Series 2018. 

b.      Mollaidh Nicholson (S3), who recently took part in the Scottish Seniors Pro-am at Craigielaw Golf Club. Mollaidh finished a very creditable 20th in the Pro-Am event at 8 under par.

c.       Dorin Whitelaw (S4) and helpers who, this morning, ran a bake sale and raised over £100 for Cancer Research.

14.  I was very pleased at how sensibly our pupils conducted themselves during the stormy weather on Wednesday.

I wish all a lovely weekend.

Donald j Macdonald

Headteacher

Friday 14 September 2018

1.      Thanks to everyone who attended our Parent Council meeting on Tuesday evening. It was great to see so many coming along and sharing views.

2.      A reminder for those who would like some Maths fun tomorrow: 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. More information, as well as travel directions, can be found at: https://www.maths.ed.ac.uk/school-of-mathematics/outreach/maths-circle

3.      Mr Andrews from our Support for Learning department, is running a homework club with input from S6 and staff helpers on Thursdays in the library after school. Pupils needing help with homework or advice on revision are especially welcome.

4.      In response to feedback from parents, I have reminded staff that homework tasks for S1,2 and 3 should not be scheduled for completion over holidays periods. Neither should assessments be scheduled immediately after holidays for pupils in Years, 1,2 and 3. We would much prefer that pupils read for pleasure and spend quality time with family and friends and get fresh air. We recognise that pupils in S4, 5 and 6 have increased pressures and a heavier workload. They are expected and encouraged to manage their study schedules so as to develop a healthy work/life balance.

5.      We are holding a P7 Open Night from 6-8 Pm on Thursday 20 September from 6 Pm. Our 6 ‘Feeder’ primaries have assisted in contacting the P7 families.

6.      Please continue to share your child’s success stories with us. We share these with staff. It goes without saying that pupils are happier and better placed to learn effectively when, as individuals, they are known and appreciated

And finally, all are reminded that Monday 17 September is a holiday. School resumes from 0830 on Tuesday 18 September.

Donald j Macdonald

Headteacher

Friday 7 September

1.      Our first Parent Council meeting will take place on Tuesday 11 September from 7 pm in the school Library. Please do come along and contribute to the running of the school. http://jghscouncil.btck.co.uk/ Agenda items will include:

a.       Wifi for pupils

b.      Exam results overview

c.       Website Update

2.      We strongly encourage pupils and staff to walk or cycle to school. I take this opportunity of reminding cyclists to use a good quality lock to secure bicycles. The reinforced ‘U‘ variety has proved to be the best deterrent thus far.

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

4.      I attach a copy of planned excursions for this session.  A copy has also been placed on the school website. http://jamesgillespies.co.uk/excursions-booklet/

5.      Assemblies were held this week to share arrangements for various rehearsals start next week for:

a.       Senior String Orchestra

b.      Clarsach Ensemble

c.       Senior Wind Band

d.      Senior Choir and

e.       Guitar Ensemble

6.      Well done to:

a.       Chirag Shetty (S2) who continues to excel in Mathematics. During the Summer Chirag participated in the World Maths Olympiad finals in Stanford University where, in the company of 11 other children from the UK and many children from a variety of other countries, Chirag was awarded a very creditable Bronze medal.

b.      Higher Geography pupils Holly Bruce, Adam Chambers, Automne Calder Mackay and Bradley Morrison who, yesterday, won the Design Smash at Herriot Watt University yesterday where they had to design an eco University campus to be built in Malaysia.  

c.       Ali Shippey, S1, who recently travelled as a member of the Caledonia Boys Under 13 water polo squad to Lloret de Mar in Spain to participate in the BWMF Cadet Cup, a tournament involving 16 clubs from across Europe. Matches were hard-fought, but the team did very well and Ali was pleased to contribute to the scoreline by scoring a goal in the final match.

7.      All pupils who are still to receive certificates from the different Maths Challenges in 2017/18 are invited to an informal gathering in room 2.07(maths) on Tuesday 11^th September between 1.15pm and 1.30pm.  

8.      May I remind you all that Monday 17 September is holiday.

I wish all a lovely weekend.

Donald j Macdonald

Headteacher