Friday, 19 June 2020

Friday 19 June


August 2020 Arrangements. 
We are currently working on this, based on current guidelines, and intend to share our latest version of what the school week will look like with all families next week.  

 Parent Council 
JGHS Parent Council would like to invite you to the next PC meeting which will take place online on Tues 23rd June at 7pm via this link Join Meeting Now.  If you select watch on the web, and then select join anonymously the link will take you straight to the event without having to sign in to Microsoft or download the Teams App.  We had feedback from our last meeting that the anonymous option was not available via some Android mobiles and a PC/laptop/iPhone might be more reliable.  
This will be an opportunity for us to hear about the challenges facing the school, its staff, pupils and parents, and how these are being dealt with in this difficult period.  
·               Ailsa Macintosh, PC Chair – introduction and parent update
·               Donald Macdonald, Head Teacher – overview
·               Jeff Warden, Deputy Head Teacher - return-to-school
·               Deirdre O’Brien, Deputy Head Teacher - online learning
·               Bob Shankland, Deputy Head Teacher - SQA/exams  
·               Questions & Answers via the Q& typed chat facility

You will appreciate that there are often technical challenges with online meetings, and we ask for your patience should things go wrong e.g. with individual access, or Wifi failures on the night.  We are also aware that not all parents will be available on the date of the meeting and we are planning to record the presentations so that they can be viewed later.  If you would like to raise any issues or ask any questions ahead of the meeting please let us know via the Parent Council email: jghscouncilcomms@gmail.com by 2pm Monday 22nd and where possible these will be included in the presentations.   Thanks - JGHS Parent Council

Online Learning survey
We would greatly appreciate it if parents could complete a survey to let us know how your child/children is/are experiencing online learning at this stage. If you have more than one child at school, please complete a separate survey for each child. The deadline for completion is midnight on Sunday 21 June. The survey can be accessed below: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ShareFormPage.aspx?id=af6sSGo3tUKfacnke7-5xOyyWkX2LF9CgNT_TgNM4jBUNEtKSllMNE43UlpEQlZXQUZSRllGWU41Ty4u&sharetoken=nnkfbQGbHivK1AD2mKFE


IT devices 
As we prepare for the start of school in August it is necessary for us to conduct basic checks and maintenance/upgrades to our IT devices (iPads/laptops)  
Please can you ensure that any device borrowed from JGHS is returned over the course of next week (22 – 26 June) so this important work can be carried out over the summer. We will work to ensure that the devices can be picked up again in August where needed, as we move into the next phase of blended learning. 

Devices should be returned to the school reception for the attention of Jeff Warden. Please be aware of social distancing measures when returning these to the school as the Hub is still in operation. If you foresee any difficulty in physically getting over to the school please contact Laura Stewart (Laura.Stewart@jamesgillespies.edin.sch.uk) as she may be able to organise a pick-up service for Thursday 25 June.

UCAS
UCAS is hosting a series of Q&A sessions for young people considering their options into competitive courses.  They will be  held 
at 2pm each day.

23rd June Oxbridge applicants
24th June Medical School applicants
25th June Dental School applicants
26th June Veterinary Medicine applicants

More details can be found  by clicking the link below:

Maths Challenge 
Good luck to all the new S2 and S3 who are taking part in the online UKMT Junior Maths Challenge at 12pm on Monday 22nd June. “

Social distancing
As summer looms and better weather may arrive young people will gather in groups as they have always done. Please remind our young people about the need to socially distance and to be especially mindful of other people's personal spaces. This will be really important when schools resume in August.

Acts of kindness
Thanks to all who collaborated to put this video together for all pupils. https://youtu.be/EuFQpQKqsRY

End of Term
Term will end on Friday 26 June.

 Contacting us
1.            Our admin email will be checked each day and we will continue to respond to requests.
2.            Please note that though the school is physically open for the HUB, the school campus remains off limits to everyone else. Some limited access will be made available to staff in the coming days to access resources.

My quote of the week: "We mustn't presume we understand what this pandemic was like for another person until they open up and tell us." (Michael Faber)

Donald j Macdonald (Headteacher)

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