Friday 25 October

1. It was lovely to welcome all the pupils back to school on Wednesday of this week.
2. Thanks to Mr Crosbie who, on Wednesday of this week, arranged for a celebration/education of Caribbean culture to take place at JGHS as part of ‘Black History Month 2019’. In thanking colleagues for arranging the event, one of our senior staff wrote: ‘The workshops, facilitated by members of the Edinburgh Caribbean Association, were engaging, informative, thought-provoking, passionate, fun and from what I saw, were very well received by all of the students.  On a personal level, I can honestly say that I have not smiled and laughed as much in a long time while watching all the students and staff dancing and singing in the Theatre.  It was really special and joyful, but with a clear and important message of inclusion, togetherness and unity.  I also had Bob Marley’s Redemption Song in my head for the rest of the day, which was no bad thing!’
3. After the success of running it last year, we have decided to run the Legal Experts in Schools initiative again for this session. A number of our S2 pupils have signed up to take part and will be involved in 6 x 1 hour long sessions over the next few months. The first of these is on Monday 28th October. The Legal Experts in Schools initiative is a programme which provides opportunities for practising and trainee lawyers to engage students in interactive discussions about legal issues. The legal professionals draw on their expertise to increase young people’s understanding of the law, how it relates to their daily lives, their rights and responsibilities, and support students to develop their legal capability
4. Work has now started in earnest towards getting Darroch Secondary School ready to be used as an annexe for JGHS from August 2021. It is our intention to relocate as much of our Gaelic Medium Education (GME) provision to Darroch from August 2021 in anticipation of GME relocating to a dedicated Gaelic School from August 2024. (The location of this dedicated Gaelic Secondary school has yet to be decided).
5. This week and for the next two weeks we are fortunate to have speakers in school from the Samaritans to run sessions with S6 during Personal and Social Education lessons and also Stewart Ivory Finance who are running sessions to provide financial planning and advice on saving, budgeting and different types of loans.
6. On Fridays during break time, we often have bake sales to raise money for a variety of causes. Today, Eilidh Cargill (S6) organised a bake sale to raise funds for her Project Trust year after summer. She is going to be doing primary teaching in India from the Autumn of 2020.
7. Good luck to our pupils who have been selected to represent JGHS in the U13’s Scottish (Football) Shield against St. Kentigern’s this afternoon.
8. Thanks to all who have already contributed to the school’s Foodbank. The deadline for contributions to our Foodbank is a week today – Friday 1 November. Any items with a reasonable shelf life are welcomed.
9. Well done to:

1. All pupils who took part in last week’s Royal National Mod which was held in Glasgow. Amongst our many winners and performers were: Seona Macdonald (3R1) and Eimear McShea (3L2) won the Comunn na Clarsaich Cup for their Clarsach duet performance (age 13-18). All the 2019 Mod results can be accessed here. Notably and most impressively, as in previous years, JGHS and Bun Sgoil Taobh na Pairce had very strong representation amongst prize-winners for the various Clarsach competitions. (Clarsach is Gaelic for Harp)
2. This year the JGHS Clarsach players were collectively awarded the Tom Mathews Trophy. The Clarsach Society warded us the prize this year to recognise our pupils’  ‘overall demeanour maturity  and musicality’.
3. Kirsty Johnson (s4) who has been invited to join the Great Britain Cycling Team’s Olympic Apprentice Development Programme for 2019-20. 
4. Sean Gallacher (S4) and Mollaidh Nicholson (S4) who continue to achieve tremendous success in Golf. Both continue to impress with a string of winning performances in various competitions in recent months.
10. Dates
1. The S1 Halloween Party will be taking place on Tuesday 29 of October. The party will include a disco, a scare tour and various games and activities with prizes available for the best costume and the best dancer. Tickets will be on sale from the 23rd to the 29th of October in the Forum at break-time and cost £3. Food and drinks will be served throughout the night at no additional cost.
2. Tickets for our annual Christmas Concert at the Usher Hall are now on sale from their box office. Book early to avoid disappointment! http://www.usherhall.co.uk/whats-on/james-gillespies-high-school-christmas-concert-1
3. On Monday 28 and Wednesday 30 October, there are 2 parents’ nights for S1 pupils. Details of how to book meeting times with teachers has been emailed to S1 parents.

 And finally, please remember that the clocks go back one hour this weekend. This will make the mornings lighter for the next few weeks. All are requested to leave plenty of time for travelling to school so that pupils are on campus no later than 0830. Classes start at 840 on the dot!

My quote of the week: "The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice." (B Herbert).

Wishing all a delightful weekend.

Donald j Macdonald

Headteacher