1.
Work
continues apace on upgrading our school website. Thanks to all who have
contributed suggestions on what changes we should make. We are also
looking at how we can utilise the evolving technologies available to us to
improve communications with parents and carers.
2.
A
number of S4-S6 pupils attended Edinburgh College Open Days during this
past week. The Edinburgh College comprised of Jewel
and Esk, Telford, and Stevenson colleges was formed on 1 October 2012 as
part of the merger of Edinburgh's. This Further and Higher education
institution has 4 campuses across Edinburgh and Midlothian.
3.
Our
Gardening club held a plant sale today in the forum at break time.
4.
A group
of pupils involved in studying Business are attending an event at Lloyds
Banking Group today.
5.
Congratulations
to Rabi Jha (S2) who was awarded a distinction in his Grade 4 ABRSM
piano exam.
6.
Congratulations to the following S2 pupils on
their recent Tae-kwon Do grading
a. Catlin
Buckley - blue red stripe
b. Chirag
Shetty - yellow green stripe
c. Cole
Turnbull - yellow green stripe
d. Eric
Marshall - green blue stripe
e. Jonty
Pask - blue red stripe
f.
Josh Tough - blue red stripe
g. Ryan
Buckley - blue red stripe
·
Further congratulations to Cole, Eric and Jonty
who are into the Scottish Squad, aiming for the British Championships next
year.
7.
Congratulations to: Milenka Zadora, Angus
Crawford, Toby Mackintosh, Torin Storkey and Kieran Storkey for ongoing
national recognition in Fencing
8.
Well done to Beatrice Lauckner who was selected
to join the ORBIT Youth Council. Beatrice is one of eighteen young people aged
16-18 to represent communities from across Scotland. ORBIT is dedicated to
amplifying the voice of Scotland’s youth.
9.
This year’s annual (SWIRE sponsored) Mandarin
conference will take place at JGHS on Wednesday 4 December. We are expecting around
300 pupils from 7 different schools, including around 50 from JGHS, to attend
the event. The development of Mandarin in this part of the City, gathered
pace when JGHS became involved in a SWIRE sponsored collaborative project with
both Boroughmuir HS and George Watson’s College in 2016. Generous funding
from SWIRE provides staffing to teach Mandarin and exchange opportunities for
pupils across the Lothians over a 10 year period.
10.
Best wishes to the following who will represent
JGHS in the next round tennis match against George Watson’s College in the
Scottish Cup on Tuesday 4th December in the afternoon.
a. Robbie
Galloway S5
b. William
Belkebir S5
c. John
Dabos-Doukas S5
d. Sean
Gallacher S3
11.
Best wishes to all (50 +) pupils who are
participating in this evening’s City – Wide annual fanfare concert in Central
Halls.
12.
There is a coursing event for Parents of pupils
in S2, S4 and S5 on the evening of Tuesday 4 December.
13.
A group of S5/6 students will be attending a
Psychology and Pseudoscience conference at the Assembly Rooms on Wednesday 5
December. In a varied programme, experts in Psychology will share research
findings on areas including: the psychology of magic, sleep & dreams, and
hypnosis.
14.
The online booking system is now open for the S3
Parents’ evening on 12 December.
15.
Our senior Drama production takes place on the
evening of Friday 7 December in the Muriel Spark Theatre. Tickets are available
from our music faculty or at the door.
16.
Our annual Christmas concert takes place on the
evening of Tuesday 18 December. Tickets are available from the Usher Hall Box
office. .
Fundraising
17.
We are currently asking for pupils, staff and
parents to donate a selection box, children’s winter woollies or a small
toy. All items must be new. These items will then be given to Children
1st who will distribute them to children in Edinburgh and the
Lothians. Pupils can hand in their donations to their key adult teacher, the
office or to Mrs Fallon in SFL (B7, Bruntsfield House).
18.
Thanks to all who continue to support our
fundraising efforts towards helping learners in our partner schools in South
Africa. The next related fund raising event will be a Wine
and Cheese tasting at Spoon café bistro 6A Nicolson St, Edinburgh EH8 9DH on Sunday 9 of
December from 6pm - 8pm. Tickets priced at £10pp. must be bought in
advance from Mrs Sinclair (Bruntsfield House, JGHS) by either cash or cheque
19.
Thanks
to all who have so generously supported fundraising towards eradicating
homelessness in Scotland. The opportunity to contribute will remain open until
24 December. Thus far, following our ‘Sleepout’ on 16 November, we have raised
a staggering £12,200+
20.
In
addition to supporting ‘external charities our Parent Council also works hard
to ensure that as wide and enriching experiences are open to all pupils at
JGHS. Recent examples of projects supported by your donations to the Parent
Council include: sports strips, extracurricular travel, the breakfast club, the
nurture group, photography equipment and the school book club. Anyone wishing
to donate to our Parent Council funds can do so by accessing the JGHS
‘ParentPay’ facility.
And finally, a very happy St Andrew’s day to all.
Donald j Macdonald
Headteacher
