Friday 24 May

1. Our next Parent Council meeting is on Tues 28^th May @ 7pm.  Our guest speaker is Ruth Cox, Curricular Leader for Performing Arts and standing agenda items include WiFi and rising rolls.  We would also like to plan more social events following on from the success of our wine-tasting in April and it would be great to hear from parents and carers who might be interested in helping out.  We meet in the library in the Malala building and everyone is welcome.  Thanks - JGHS PC
2. I’m delighted to report that this week’s two days of ‘Alternative Timetable’ were very successful. The pleasant sunny weather added to the enjoyment for those involved in outdoor activities. Thanks to all who contributed and especially to Mrs O’Brien and Ms McLennan for their sterling efforts.

Calendar:

3. Pupils in S1,2 and 3 will have their participation in today’s Climate Protest recorded as ‘Authorised’ if parents have written to us to give their consent. I have been very impressed at our pupils’ involvement and planning around this.
4. A sizeable number of S1-3 pupils will pupils will be attending a percussion masterclass at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland next Monday, 27th May.

Well done:

5. Well done to our Guitar Ensemble (led by Mr McGeary) who gained a third place and bronze medal in last weekend’s Scottish Schools Guitar Ensemble Competition.
6. Sean Gallacher (S3) who enjoyed success with his team in last weekend’s Golf Dispatch trophy held at the Braids.
7. We had over 50 S1 and S2 pupils take part in the UKMT Junior competition. We are delighted with the results this year.
1. 18 Gold, 16 Silver and 9 bronze.
2. The top result in S2 was Chirag Shetty and in S1 was Willow Yuan

The following pupils have also qualified for the Kangaroo round on June 11th:

                                                               i.      Rachel   Allan

                                                             ii.      Iona       Patrick

                                                           iii.      Anton   Sigurdarson

                                                           iv.      Kenneth  MacIver

                                                             v.      Alasdair Scott

                                                           vi.      Robert  Newman

                                                          vii.      Emil        Griffin

                                                        viii.      Sam       Mackintosh

                                                            ix.      Willow  Yuan

                                                             x.      Yu Fan  Huang

                                                            xi.      Rudy      Adair

Chirag Shetty has qualified to do the Junior Maths Olympiad round which will also take place in school on June 11th.

Any questions about results or competitions for next year please speak to Ms Dolan.

8. Our U14 football team who recently won their final against Firrhill HS to become Edinburgh Schools’ League Cup Champions 2018-2019. This is the first football trophy that Gillespie’s have won for 12 years and a massive achievement for the boys and Mr Asif Mohammed their volunteer coach. The Champions are:

1. Abdul Osman
2. Harris Walker
3. Fletcher Patterson 
4. Jamie Beattie  
5. Harvey Gibb  
6. Calum Gillings  
7. Rui Hunter 
8. Moray Bean 
9. Henry Glackin  
10. Charlie Cowdy  
11. Ryan Munro  
12. Jake Welsh
13. Danny Welsh 
14. Rayan Mohammed
15. Michael Cameron
16. Ayaan Sharif

Best wishes to all for a wonderful weekend.

Donald j Macdonald

Headteacher