Friday 13 March

1. Our staff been have considering contingency arrangements in the event that planned lessons are disrupted in the coming weeks. I will say more about this and respond to queries parents may have at next Tuesday’s Parent Council meeting.  We will continue to distribute regular communications from the Scottish Government, the City of Edinburgh Council and the medical authorities on the evolving situation with the coronavirus. www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus
2. All parents and pupils are encouraged to download the school communications app at: https://www.jamesgillespies.co.uk/school-mobile-app/  As a school we will be increasingly directing more of our communications via this App in the coming weeks.
3. We are soon to embark on updating our School’s anti-bullying policy in line with the latest national advice. Our plan is to complete this work by December 2020. Any parent/carer who would like to be involved should contact Mr Ian Porter (DHT) for details. Staff and Pupils will also be involved.

Well done to:

4. The S3 pupils who did a marvellous job at our S5/6 parents’ evening, welcoming parents/carers on arrival, and for helping the Parent Council serve refreshments.
5. Our very own PC Amy Fowler who was recently nominated for a local recognition award and received an award for being an outstanding officer
6. Professor Mat Williams (One of our Parents from Edinburgh University School of Geosciences) who on Monday delivered a really terrific presentation and Q&A on tackling climate change.

Dates

7. JGHS Parent Council would like to invite everyone from our school community to our next PC meeting on Tues 17th March @ 7pm in the Library in the Malala building.  We will have an update on Show My Homework – the online homework calendar – and discussions on parental engagement on school priorities and setting up an alumni database.  If you can't make the date our minutes are online at http://jghscouncil.btck.co.uk and if you have any topics you would like raised at future PC meetings please email us at jghscouncilcomms@gmail.com
8. 18 S5 pupils have registered for the Oxford Cambridge Conference in Glasgow on Friday 20th March.
9. On the 24 and 25 March we will be having our annual Spring Fling Concerts.  There will be a different selection of groups featured each night, the Tuesday is our "Strings" night and Wednesday is our "Bands" night.  Tickets will be available from 16 March priced at £5 for both events or £3 per concert.  Each evening will start at 7pm and last about an hour.  

My quote of the week:

'Choose to be optimistic, it feels better.' Dalai Lama

Best wishes to all for a lovely weekend.

Donald j Macdonald

Headteacher