Friday 20 August

 

I’d like to begin by welcoming everyone back to the new session after what I hope was a rejuvenating and most enjoyable summer holiday. For those who are new to JGHS, I like to email parents/carers/staff every Friday afternoon to share what is happening and news of progress across a broad range of matters. I include key messages from our Parent Council and details of various meetings and events associated with the school. I also like to include pupils successes so please let me know if your child has achieved something outwith school that you’re happy for me to share with our wider school community. My weekly emails are available to view on my Headteacher Blog.  

1. It was lovely to see all pupils returning on Wednesday 18 August. A particular warm welcome to all who have joined in S1 or are new to the school.
2. For the foreseeable future, pupils and staff are all expected to wear face coverings whilst indoors (including classrooms) and follow the other school procedures to minimise the risks for virus transmission.
3. If you would like your child to be exempt from wearing a face covering, please email the school office Admin@jamesgillespies.edin.sch.uk stating your child's name and reason for exemption. We will update our medical records accordingly and issue those who are exempt with a sunflower lanyard or an exemption card. This card will have your child's name and class on it and will support your child demonstrate their exemption without having to go into any details.
4. Please encourage your son/daughter to dress appropriately for the unpredictable Scottish weather. Classroom windows will be opened to allow air circulation and, other than in really wet weather, pupils should be outdoors at breaks and lunchtimes.
5. I’d recommend that pupils’ jackets etc. have their name discreetly marked on the wash label so tha we can return any lost items to the rightful owners.
6. At this time of year we would expect common colds to become more widespread.  
1. Please continue to access the NHS Guidance so that you will know when you should get tested for Covid19.
2. Remember to tell us the results of the Covid19 test and any advice you have received in regard to attendance at school.
3. As always, email or phone the school if your child Is absent and do tell us if your family is waiting to be tested for Covid19. This is recorded differently in the school’s attendance register.
7. As we settle into a new school year we are aware you may be clearing out old revision books, success guides, textbooks etc.  If you would like to donate any of these items then we have set up a tray in the entrance foyer where your child could drop them off.  Due to our current situation, these resources cannot be shared as easily between students.  Therefore, any donations would be much appreciated by our Support for Learning Department and Equity and Attainment Hub.
8. Look out for emails from our Parent Council. We have a very strong and active Parent Council and I would encourage you to get involved and engaged. Details of the first meeting will be shared in the next few days.
9. On Thursday 19 August we issued ParentPay Activation letters and Pin codes for use in the school canteen to S1 students. 
10. We would like to say a huge thank you to 21 of our S5 and S6 pupils who gave up two days of their holidays to complete the  Mentors in Violence Prevention training. They are now qualified to deliver sessions to S1 and S2 pupils on challenging gender based violence and being an active bystander. We also would like to thank Gael Cochrane and PC Amy Fowler for giving up their time to deliver the training along with Tania Peters (Pupil Support Leader).
11. A reminder to all parents of students eligible to receive free school meals that the application form is now available online for session 2021/22. This needs to be completed annually, although can sometimes be awarded automatically with housing benefits. The automatic awards were confirmed by post in July 2021. Even if your child does not intend to use the school canteen it can be worth completing an application form if eligible to receive associated reductions in other costs such as materials for some classes. The application can be found online at: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/xfp/form/261  If you are unable to apply online or require any further assistance please contact Elaine Oram or Laura Stewart in our Pupil Equity department using the email addresses: Elaine.Oram@jamesgillespies.edin.sch.uk or   Laura.Stewart@jamesgillespies.edin.sch.uk 
12. SQA Appeals 2021
1. Thanks to all candidates and families that notified the SQA of their wish to appeal their course awards from last academic year.  The deadline for candidate initiated appeals (through the SQA website) was Thursday 12 August.  Appeal requests can still be submitted to the SQA by notifying the school of this wish, prior to the following deadlines:
2. Priority Appeals (appeals which may affect a conditional offer from university/college/employment):  Tuesday 24 August 2021
3. Standard Appeals : Friday 27 August 2021
4. Please be aware that these dates are an ultimate deadline and in some cases, are also the deadline for the digital submission of evidence (priority appeals and appeals for some practical subjects).  Therefore, if you wish to request an appeal, you must notify us as a matter of urgency, so that we have the time available to gather the necessary evidence and have this transmitted to the SQA, before the deadline date.
5. All information regarding appeals, including the grounds by which you can request an appeal can be found here:  Appeals 2021
6. If you have contacted the school/Mr Shankland during the summer holidays or this week regarding appeals, please be aware that Mr Shankland is working through these and will be in touch imminently.
13. SQA Courses 2021-22

1. The SQA notified schools on Wednesday 18 August regarding their broad intentions for the assessment of National Qualifications in 2021-22.  The full statement can be accessed here.
2. Some notable information from the statement:
• An SQA exam diet is planned to be running from 26 April to 1 June 2022.
• From Thursday 19 August, SQA will start to publish ‘modification summary documents’ that provide more detail on the 2021-22 course modifications and explain the assessment requirements for this year.
• If there is further significant disruption to learning and teaching this session, beyond that experienced in 2020-21, appropriate additional support measures for learners will be put in place to ensure that exams can still go ahead. For some courses this could include, for example, advance notice of some topics which will feature in exams.
• If changes to public health advice mean that large gatherings of people are no longer permitted in April to June, and exams are cancelled, SQA will ask teachers and lecturers to use their professional judgement of assessment evidence to determine learners’ grades. Importantly, this will be judgement based on evidence already gathered and schools will not be required to complete additional assessments, as they did last academic year.

14. Warmest congratulations to:
1. Erin Sheehan, 4W1, has was selected to take part in the Scotland Women’s'  Under 17's Football Squad Training Camp over the summer.
2.  Kirsty Johnson, S6,  and Sarah Johnson, S4, who continue to make excellent progress in competitive cycling. Sarah Johnson (S4), is a regular visitor to the podium across different events and Sarah (S6) has been selected to represent Scotland in Track and Road Cycling at the School Games in Loughborough in September.
3. Kintai Kwok (2S4), on signing for Hibernian FC Academy last week.

 

 

 

My quote for the week: ‘“On the other side of a storm is the strength that comes from having navigated through it. Raise your sail and begin.” (Gregory S. Williams)

 

Best wishes to all for a highly productive and enjoyable session.

 

Donald j Macdonald

Headteacher