Friday 30 August

1. All visitors to the school are requested to sign in at school reception. Please do not go directly to classrooms or offices!
2. Our S1 photos order forms and proofs are going to be handed out next week in PSE classes. We will send a follow up email how to order them.
3. Dr Andrews, Ms Peters and S6 volunteers will be running a homework club for all pupils every Thursday after school for around an hour in the school library. All pupils welcome.
4. Art Club for S1 pupils will start on Tuesday 3rd September at lunch time in 2.11 (Ms Molleson's room) There will be a limit of 20 pupils for the Art club. There will be a variety of different projects taught by S6 A' Level students. The Art Club runs up to the Christmas Break.
5. It is anticipated that we will be able to start transferring into the new Temporary classrooms next week and used for learning and teaching week beginning 9 September.
6. Well done to:
1. Mollaidh Nicholson who won the Askernish Golf Open last weekend. Askernish is located on the west coast of the idyllic Island of South Uist.
2. Aisha Rana and Rosaidh Macintosh (both S2) who helped a member of the public last week when he was having an epileptic fit at a nearby bus stop. The girls’ quick thinking in getting help led to an ambulance being called and the man getting the help he needed.
3. Sarah Johnson (S2) who, continues to progress and impress with her excellent performances in national bike racing in UK competitions.

Calendar

7. This afternoon, a number of staff will be meeting to consider the specifics of activities that will take place in the school on Wednesday 23 October to mark ‘Black History month’.
8. ‘Social bite’ will be presenting at assemblies for S1  Monday 2 September to talk about this year’s fund raising ‘sleepout. More details to follow on what we will be doing later this year.
9. Our SA visitors (4 Learners and 2 Educators) arrive this coming Wednesday and leave on Tuesday 10 September. The SA Learners will be shadowing their host counterparts in classes.
10. The JGHS Parent Council would like to invite everyone from our school community to the first PC meeting of the new school year.  We look forward to seeing parents and carers from across the year groups, and hope to meet some of our new S1 parents and carers too.  Ian Porter, DHT, will be updating on Key Adult time, Bob Shankland, DHT, will be giving a summary of SQA results and we will have updates on Wifi, capacity and rising rolls, social events and fundraising.  Everyone is very welcome to join us on Tues 10th Sept @ 7pm in the Library in the Malala building. 
11. Social events for parents and pupils: Parents are setting up a new group, to work with but separate to the Parent Council, to organise more social events for parents, carers and pupils and hopefully also raise a bit more money for our school.  If you have ideas and can help build our school community please come along to our first meeting on Monday 2nd Sept at the school library in the Malala Building @ 7pm.  Everyone is warmly welcomed.
12. We are arranging a Bike breakfast for the morning of Wednesday 18 September. Details to follow but this event will include bike marking to deter thieves. In the interim, High quality (discounted) D-locks locks are available for £10 rather than the retail price of £30/40. Please email Deborah.dickinson@jamesgillespies.edin.sch.uk if you wish to purchase a D-lock.
13. The JGHS P7 Open Evening is scheduled for Thursday 12 September 6-8pm. Details have been sent to our ‘feeder’ primary schools.

My quote of the week: ‘Be selective with your battles. Sometimes peace is better than being right’. (Source unknown)

Best wishes to all for a lovely weekend.

Donald j Macdonald

Headteacher