Friday 21 May

 I’d like to begin by saying how impressed I continue to be with all in our school community. Since returning from lockdown, all have worked hard to re-establish routines and pick up where we left off in December. There is no doubt that the pandemic has affected all of us and I suspect the impact will vary considerably across our community. The past year’s disruptions have highlighted the importance of having routines and structure to our days. We have also learned that whilst online learning has benefits, face to face teaching, in the company of motivated and committed peers, provided by highly skilled teachers is best for learning. Successful schools like JGHS create a positive ethos that allows students to interact and learn together. Additionally, we have wide and varied extra-curricular activities to enrich students’ lives.  I am pleased to share that we are now actively planning for the return of our wide and diverse programme. We link with neighbouring organisations and schools to broaden our provision.  For example, please see the attachment in relation to girls’ rugby.  

 

We will, in the coming weeks and months, as guidelines evolve, continue to reintroduce excursions, after school events etc.  For parents who are new to the school and may be concerned at the costs associated with some of our extra-curricular activities, please be reassured  that we are an inclusive school and will support every student to access all the opportunities on offer. This includes: Charities, sports, music, dance, drama, Pipe band, debating, gardening, Formula 1, chess, Duke of Edinburgh, competitions, overnight and foreign trips, S6 ‘Prom’, etc. Please contact your child’s Pupil Support Leader, in confidence, if you wish any additional support. We are grateful to our Parent Council and James Gillespie’s Trust for their continuing efforts towards ensuring that we are an inclusive school that meets the needs of all of our pupils.

 

1. A reminder that whilst assessments are taking place, pupils will have restricted access throughout the day to various parts of our building. Other than in extreme weather, we will be asking all pupils to be outside during social breaks.  All pupils have been reminded to wear warm clothing to best prepare for the uncertainties of our Summer weather.
2. After all the assessments are marked, teachers will allocate grades based on the advice received from the SQA and the City of Edinburgh Council. This is a significant undertaking and will require much time and coordinated effort in the coming weeks. Please bear with us in the interim, if we take longer than normal to respond to routine enquiries.
3. As part of the Council’s Digital Strategy, we have now processed all the iPads ready for distribution to S4 and 5 students this month.  Please ensure you and your child have read, signed and returned the Device Agreement which was emailed out and is also available to collect from the school reception.  Before we can issue the iPads we also require the non-refundable £20 case contribution which can be paid via ParentPay.  These cases are relatively robust and will help to keep your child’s device more protected and hence support the long term sustainability of our digital strategy.  If you require support with this financially, please contact Laura.Stewart@jamesgillespies.edin.sch.uk .  If you need help accessing your ParentPay account please contact Admin@jamesgillespies.edin.sch.uk .  If you would like to join a parent/carer short-life working group to refine our Digital Strategy please contact Jeff.Warden@jamesgillespies.edin.sch.uk .  As previously mentioned, the devices are offered to all, regardless of home circumstances to allow for a consistent digital approach to enhancing teaching and learning across the school. Digital training will be provided by the school and Council for staff and students. 
4. We are very excited about the opportunities ahead for us as a school with this digital resource now available. 
5. We strongly encourage pupils and staff to walk, cycle, run, etc. to school. Cyclists are reminded to use a more secure ‘D’ lock (or similar) to deter thieves.
6. If your child feels unwell during the school day, they must report to Welfare. We will then contact you if they need to go home. It is essential that this procedure is followed.
7. Please ensure that you ‘phone or email the school if your child is absent from school.  When absences are planned, please give us as much notice and detail as possible so that we can maintain accurate records. The school will be supportive and understanding of the additional pressures being faced by families during this time.
8. A reminder that COVID-19 test kits are available for collection from Reception. All pupils and staff are strongly encouraged to test twice weekly at home. Pupils aged 16 are over do not need signed parental consent but it is expected that those taking part discuss the matter with parents.
9. Parents are reminded to not enter the school car parking areas unless it is absolutely necessary.
10. The recording of the last Parent Council meeting is now available on the PC website https://jghspc.wordpress.com/ along with presentations by staff on planning for dealing with capacity issues next year and proposals on changes to the school’s communities’ structure. The next Parent Council meeting will take place on Tuesday 8 June.
11. All S6 students must be available for assessment related activities up to and including Friday 18 June. They are not expected to attend their timetabled classes after their final assessment. If your child is not sure if they have completed all their assessment activities for a particular subject, please remind them to contact their class teacher. We will be arranging activities in June to mark the end of formal school based education for our wonderful S6s. We are also exploring options for a graduation ceremony and ‘Prom’ for all S6 students and families towards the end of August. More information will follow presently.
12. At its March meeting, the Education, Children and Families Committee agreed to change the scheduled Christmas holiday dates from Friday 24 December 2021 - Monday 10 January 2022 to Monday 20 December 2021 - Tuesday 4 January 2022.
13. The following link takes you to some useful information booklets for staff and parents on a range of matters. https://www.camhs-resources.co.uk/downloads?fbclid=IwAR3ogMRI95pl9Zx_vJwy6YV4VWA4pEbn-vghUDRQ2c3nMPbqQqmaBquIvRM
14. Congratulations to:
1. Hivron Oyku Aslan (S3) who was successful in gaining a place on an ‘Engineering the future for Girls’ course over 3 days in early June at the University of Strathclyde.
2. Lucy Robertson (S5) who achieved 3^rd  place in the final of the British Council Mandarin Speaking Competition. Lucy, who is currently taking Higher Mandarin at JGHS, impressed the judges with her fluency and use of complex language.
3. Rhys Edwards (S3) who returned to racing his bike, winning the juvenile (u16) category in the north east of England 10 mile time trial series.
15. Dates. Please note that Monday 24 May is a holiday and that, other than for some exams, we are closed on Tuesday 25 May. All pupils resume on Wednesday 26 May.

 

 

And finally, I’d like to remind everyone of our school’s vision statement.

 

‘Our vision as a school is to create a nurturing environment in which all feel welcome and part of a larger family. All members of the school community will feel appreciated and enabled to forge friendships based on values they will embrace for life. We seek to ensure that James Gillespie’s High School provides a foundation for a lifetime of learning, embracing the diversity within our wider community, so that every individual can excel in their own unique way.

 

Very best wishes and good luck to all pupils involved in exams/assessments next week.

 

Wishing all a lovely (long) weekend.

Donald