I’m pleased to report that the SQA exams are running smoothly and, for most, the exams draw to a close today. A schedule of the remaining assessments was shared with parents in the past week. Pupils across the school have been exemplary in regard to respecting access to restricted areas and being quieter whilst exam are in progress.
- Earlier this week we warmly welcomed back Ian Porter
(Depute Headteacher) to the school following an 8 month secondment as
Acting Headteacher at Craigroyston HS. Sincere thanks to Ben Lewis who
stepped into Ian’s shoes and to Ashling Dolan who took on the role as
Curriculum leader for Maths.
- Pupil timetables for the new academic session are now being finalised
and should be distributed during the week of 7th June. Pleasingly, we have
been able to accommodate over 96% of the subject requests for pupils going
into S5 & S6 and over 97% of the requests for pupils going into S3.
Our course offering this year allows for over 90 classes across levels
from National 4 to Advanced Higher for over 650 pupils making requests and
we are very proud of the breadth and depth available to pupils across the
faculties. After pupils receive their timetables, any urgent changes,
errors or omissions should be emailed in the first instance to Mr Warden
prior to 14th June (Jeff.Warden@jamesgillespies.edin.sch.uk)
These amendments take time and pupils must follow their published
timetables until the amendment has been confirmed by Mr Warden. Further
change requests beyond this date should be made directly to your child’s
Pupil Support Leader. Please note that we do try our best to fit all
requests and will operate waiting lists as classes become full. There will
be a further opportunity to make changes immediately after the summer
holiday and supporting correspondence will be shared closer to the time.
- We had a Covid-19 positive case in S2 earlier
this week. Others who were identified as ‘close contacts’ were quickly
identified and are self-isolating up to and including Sunday 30 May. This
serves as a timely reminder that we should remain vigilant and follow
current Government guidelines.
- 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.
- Our superb Support for Learning team need your help.
They are finding that pupils’ learning is enriched and enhanced when there
is opportunity to play a musical instrument alongside their work,
though not necessarily at the same time! If you happen to have an unused
guitar (or a keyboard) that is looking for a new home, our support
for learning department would gladly receive your kind musical
contribution and find a new home for your instrument with one of our sfl
pupils. Please drop any such instruments off at reception. Many thanks in
advance!
- We are inviting S4 and S5 pupils to apply to a new
initiative which will be running in JGHS from August 2021. Mentors in
Violence Prevention (MVP) is a peer mentoring programme that gives
young people the chance to explore and challenge the attitudes, beliefs
and cultural norms that underpin gender-based violence, bullying and other
forms of violence. The programme has been running in Scotland since 2014
and is funded by the Scottish Government and run through the Violence
Reduction Unit and Education Scotland. It has a strong base of research
and evidence behind it and has excellent testimonials. https://education.gov.scot/improvement/practice-exemplars/mentors-for-violence-prevention-mvp-an-overview/
There are limited places and the selected pupils will have completed a
short application form. Once selected, they will take part in a two day
training event at JGHS on the two INSET days in August. They will then be
supported to deliver a group of lessons through PSE to younger pupils
through term 1 and to meet regularly throughout the year. If your child is
interested, please direct them to the S4 or S5 Announcements Teams page
and to check their email early next week. If you have any questions or
would like to know more about MVP or to get involved contact Tania.peters@jamesgillespies.edin.sch.uk
- Just a reminder that the distribution of iPads for
S4 and 5 students will begin on Monday 31 May. All those with
their forms in and deposits paid will be contacted during the day to
collect them from the Classroom Assistants office in Bruntsfield house.
The students are also able to go directly to the office to pick up their
iPad if they have completed all the required paperwork even if they
haven’t been contacted yet. Details will be checked on arrival at
the Classroom Assistant’s office. We have a number of queries regarding
the Council Digital Strategy which we are responding to at the
moment. Please be patient as we work through these. There is
also a FAQ which will be sent out next week which should hopefully answer
many of your questions. 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Parents are reminded to not enter the school car
parking areas unless it is absolutely necessary.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Maths competitions:
- A huge well done to all who took part in the Junior
UKMT competition this year, in particular to Sophie Macdonald (S1),
Niamh Mc Crone (S1), Andrew McKendrick (S1), Reuben Murdoch (S1), Clelia
Ribeca (S2) and Kaishin Yao (S2) who qualified for the Kangaroo round
which will take place on Tuesday 15th June.
- Well done also to all who took part in both rounds of
the Scottish Maths Challenge.
- The results for all levels are now in. Please see
Ms Dolan for your results or email ashling.dolan@jamesgillespies.edin.sch.uk
if you have not already done so.
- Dates. Please note that that the summer term ends at midday
on Friday 25 June.
And finally, I’d like to remind everyone of our school’s
values. Our values are the principles which underpin how we operate as a school
community in order to achieve our vision.
a)
Respect
b)
Kindness
c)
Integrity
d)
Inclusion
e)
High Expectations
Wishing all a lovely weekend.
Donald
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