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