1.
Today, Friday 14 June, two S5 students
(Salma Daffallah and Aaliyah El-Salahi) with
strong family connections to Sudan held a bake sale to raise money for medical
aid in Sudan and will be doing a bucket shake round classes next Wednesday 19
June. It would be much appreciated if people can donate money to help this most
worthy cause. Well done to both girls and their team of S5 helpers.
2.
During this past week we welcomed two members of
staff to JGHS from Isidingo PS – one of our three partner schools in South
Africa. The two staff who are with us were warmly welcomed to school on Monday
and have spent the past few days getting a feel for Scottish Education and
culture in Edinburgh. Both are hugely impressed at how fortunate we are at JGHS
to have such a wonderful building and such a well-resourced school. Owing to a
problem in obtaining VISAs the visit by pupils and staff from both Dloko and
Zwelibanzi will be delayed until September.
3.
Warmest congratulations to:
a.
The following JGHS S3 pupils who swept the board
in the under 16 category for the 2nd year in a row in the Scottish
Huntingdon’s Association poetry competition.
i.
Georgie Garrett (Winner)
ii.
Kenneth MacIver (Runner Up)
iii.
Christopher Rae (Second Runner Up)
b.
Reuben
Stiven (S4) who is a prize winner in the 2019 Pushkin creative writing
competition. Reubin will receive his prize and then go off on the writers’ week
long course in the Highlands later this summer.
c.
Seumas
Cross (S3) who is performing in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in two of
Captivate Theatre’s productions at the Rose Theatre this summer. He is playing
the role of Archie in Jason Robert Brown’s musical ‘13’ and also the role of
Charlie in ‘Oliver’.
d.
Susannah Kernohan (S4) who, last week, was successful
in being appointed as one of two young ambassadors to represent Scotland at
Jiading Youth International Friendship Camp near Shanghai, China.
Susannah saw off formidable opposition to secure her place. Susannah will
fly to China towards the end of July 2019 and spend around a week interacting
with other similarly highly impressive young people from around the world.
4.
The
Parent Council would like your views on the type of school community events you
would like to attend. Please take 5 minutes to complete this short survey
before the end of the school term. The Parent Council will use this information
to consider what events it might run next year. https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/JGHScommunity
5.
Earlier
this week I was privileged to attend the annual Mandarin Conference involving
schools from across the UK. It was great to see some of our pupil’s work being
featured as best practice.
6.
Families planning to take children out of school
during term time should email or write to me giving the reasons for the term
time absence. That will allow me to make a decision on whether the absence is
recorded as ‘authorised’ or unauthorised. By way of example, special family
events and instances where it is not practical for families to go on holiday
out with term time because of employment restrictions would likely be recorded
as authorised.
Dates:
7.
Diversecity 2019 will take place on 14th &
15th June. This is a showcase event featuring drama, comedy, dance, music as
well as a performance from our South African visitors. It promises to be an
amazing event! Performances take place at 7pm on Fri and Sat evening in the
Theatre in the Muriel Spark Building. Tickets will be sold on the door priced
at £7.50 for adults and £5 for concessions. On Friday, there is also a Matinee
Special at 1:45pm. All tickets for this performance are £1. We look forward to
seeing you there!
8.
Our annual Sports awards ceremony has been
reinstated and will take place on the evening of Tuesday 18 June. All are
welcome.
9.
Join us for the second “Oidhche Òigridh” of 2019
on Thursday 20th June, 7pm (for 7.15pm), James Gillespie’s High School Theatre.
A special night of Gaelic music and culture (and a cuppa!)! Norrie Maciver from
Skipinnish will perform with our talented singers and musicians from James
Gillespie’s High School. Tickets £5 for adults and £3 for young people. Pay at
the door.(With support from BnaG)
10.
On Tuesday of next week we look forward to
warmly welcoming 260 P7s to James Gillespie’s HS. During their 3 day visit with
us they will have opportunity to meet teachers, other pupils and to familiarise
themselves with how a High School operates.
My quote for the week: ‘No one has ever become poor
by giving’. (Anne Frank)
And finally,
All the best for a dry and enjoyable weekend.
Donald j Macdonald
Headteacher
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