Friday 22 March

1. A week today around 200 of our S1 pupils accompanied by 20+ staff will take part in the S1 residential experience at Lockerbie Manor activity centre. Fingers crossed for some Spring weather!
2. Some parents have contacted us in relation to pupils attending further climate change protests.  As  school we will continue to encourage pupils to engage in ongoing discussions and debate on climate change. This can include attendance at peaceful protests. Without a further ruling from the Council we are unable to authorise attendance at further protests taking place during school hours.
3. The gardening club starts up again next week with Ms Aulich. The club will meet on Wednesdays straight after school, with planning done during Thursday lunchtimes. All pupils welcome.
4. On Tuesday of this week s presentation was delivered by Edinburgh University's Blood, Bone Marrow and Transplant (EUBBT) society in association with the Anthony Nolan Trust. This project is also run in partnership with NHS Blood and Transplant and aims to teach 16–18-year-olds about the importance of donating stem cells, blood and organs and empower young people to make an informed choice about whether to register as potentially life-saving donors.
5. Best wishes to the following pupils who, on Thursday 28th March, will attend a Tennis Ambassador training day as part of our commitment to the School of Tennis programme.
• Sean Gallacher S3
• William Belkebir S5
• John Dabos-Doukas S5
• Robbie Galloway S5
6. Congratulations to:
• Izzy Maclullich who has achieved a Distinction at Grade 8 in Drums

o    Our S2 netball team who were runners up in yesterday’s Scottish final on Thursday 21 March. The youngsters enjoyed the experience and were a credit to themselves, our school community and the East of Scotland.

Dates for the Diary

7. 'Spring Fling concert series over two nights, Tuesday 26th March and Wednesday 27th March. Both concerts will take place in the Muriel Spark Performing Arts theatre from 7.00 – 8.00pm.
• Tuesday evening’s concert will include String, Clarsach and Guitar ensembles, our ‘Trad’ group and the Junior Choir. We are also delighted to welcome students from Preston Street Primary School.
• On Wednesday the Wind and Pipe bands will perform alongside our Chamber Choir, Senior Choir and Rock ensembles.
• Tickets will be on sale from the door on the evening of the concert priced at £3 per evening, or £5 if you are attending both nights.
• We hope that you can come and support our young performers for what promises to be a great event.
8. Thanks to everyone who attended the Parent Council meeting on Tues 19th March. Minutes of meetings are available via http://jghscouncil.btck.co.uk/
9. All are invited to Parent Council social event this year at 7pm on Friday 26th April 2019 in the foyer at JGHS. 
• We will have wine-tasting with Vino wines, music, food, a pop-up prosecco bar and fruit punch. 
• Everyone is welcome – parents, carers and staff – please come and support your school.  
• Eventbrite ticketing information to follow.
10. The big pedal is fast approaching, 25th March till the 5th April, the aim of the two weeks is to encourage cycling to school.
• To launch this, we plan to hold a bike breakfast on Tuesday 26th March from 8.15am.
11. Tonight, our pupils are staging a play to raise funds for and to raise awareness of period poverty. ‘A Feminine Ending’ is a bittersweet comedy about a girl who knows what she wants, but not quite how to get it. ’Issue Now’, a Pupil led charity, is putting on this production to raise money for Lilypads, a charity helping those in period poverty. ‘The play’s message is so important and we thought that this would be a refreshing, challenging and exciting way in which we can raise money for a cause that really matters. So please, contribute to something good, and sit back, relax, and enjoy the show! We hope to see you on the 22^nd’ Lori Stott (S6)

All the very best to everyone for  a lovely weekend.

Donald j Macdonald

Headteacher