Friday 7 June

1.       The first week of the new timetable has gone relatively smoothly. Work around resolving timetable clashes and/or errors on individual timetables is ongoing and routine at this time of year. Please reassure pupils that efforts to resolve all such issues will continue.

2.       I was delighted to see our Gardening club selling plants at morning break today. Thanks to Ms Aulich and her enthusiastic team of young gardeners. How heart-warming it is to see pupils from across the school buying geraniums, basil, tomato plants etc. to take way with them. Funds raised go towards further development of plants and horticulture around the school.

3.       We are currently busy preparing for the increased numbers we will have at JGHS from August 2019. I am pleased to say that we continue to have a very strong interest in vacancies for posts at JGHS. The relevant Council staff are working hard behind the scenes to ensure that the six additional (temporary) classrooms will be ready for when we resume on Monday 12 August. (Pupils resume on Wednesday 14 August).

Well done to:

4.       The following students who all did really well at this week’s Paolozzi Awards where JGHS continues to shine each year.

a.       Bea Lauckner won the category award for “Talent and Creativity” for her photograph (attached)

b.       Grace Helfer received ‘highly commended’ award for “New Directions” Category for her interactive, sensory work.

c.       Connor McCann received a certificate for his nomination in the  “Spirit of Paolozzi” Award

We are very proud of them all and of the teachers and parents/carers who work so hard to support and inspire all of our pupils.

5.       Our S2 students have swept the board in the under 16 category for the 2^nd year in a row in the Scottish Huntingdon’s Association poetry competition. The award ceremony is to take place in our forum on the 11th June, arrive 5 for 5.30 for anyone who would like to attend.

a.       These are the students who have finished in the top three, in an order to be announced at the ceremony.

                                                               i.      Kenneth MacIver

                                                             ii.      Georgie Garrett

                                                           iii.      Christopher Rae

6.       Archie Ellen in S3 for his continuing efforts in the world of competitive cycling. Archie will be racing in the British Road Race Championships in Scarborough on 7 July, and then taking some time to train for a race-packed month in August including a trip to Ireland for a 4-stage road race in Donegal.

7.       Dates:

a.       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!

b.       Our annual Sports awards ceremony has been reinstated and will take place on the evening of Tuesday 18 June. All are welcome.

8.       Good luck to the following:

S2 pupils who will be out of school next Tuesday 11 June to participate in the Short Tennis Schools Team Challenge. This is being held in the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.

a.       Conor Russ                          Joel Russ

b.       Ben Cowdy                         Rudi Adair

c.       Lucy Beeston                     Maisie Ablock

d.       Alice Lucia Arango Herthelius

9.       The following pupils who are out of school today to compete in the Scottish Secondary Schools’ Athletics Championships at Grangemouth Stadium.

a.       Rose Newman – 1500m

b.       Anna Swan – 100m, Triple Jump

c.       Callum Newby – 100m, Shot Putt

Also competing in the Championships but on Saturday 8 June are:

d.       Fabian Despinoy – 800m

e.       Robert Newman – 1500m.

10.   Please continue to share ‘Good News’ stories with me so that I can share widely in my Friday updates. A note of all achievements is welcomed.

11.   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 I 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.

My inspirational quote for this week:

To read is to fly: it is to soar to a point of vantage which gives a view over wide terrains of history, human variety, ideas, shared experience and the fruits of many inquiries. (A.C. Grayling)

I wish all a lovely weekend.

Donald j Macdonald

Headteacher

Donald j Macdonald (Ceannard/Headteacher)