It is great to see so many school clubs taking place again after such a lengthy layoff due to Covid. Huge thanks to the many staff and students who give up their free time to make it all happen. The experience gained through lockdown has highlighted the benefits for our young people to have opportunities to stimulate their thinking and interact with others.
- A copy of key dates for a variety of events (Reports, Consultation
evenings, Parent Council, etc. ) for this session is attached.
- A copy of our Pupil Support Structure is attached.
- We are currently experiencing an unusually high call and email
volume from, parents. Please be reassured that we will do our best to
respond to all within 3 working days.
- In relation to Covid-19, we will continue to be vigilant towards
minimising opportunities for transmission.
- The number of positive cases in our school community in the past
week was: 13. (Coincidentally, this is exactly the same number as
last week).
- Please continue to access the NHS Guidance so that you will know when you
should get tested for Covid19.
- Details of how to access Covid vaccination clinics for all aged
16 or over can be found here.
- Remember to tell us the results of the Covid19 test and any advice
you have received in regard to attendance at school.
- 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.
- 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.
- At around 250 Pm on Wednesday of this week, the school fire alarm
was maliciously activated leading to the evacuation of around 1200
students and staff from our main teaching block. The local fire service
quickly attended to ensure that all within the school were safe and after
resetting our fire activation system, all were allowed to return to
classes. This is the first malicious incident of this nature at JGHS in
4/5 years. I was very encouraged by the reactions of the many who
shared their annoyance at this significant disruption to learning.
Pleasingly and reassuringly, a number of students have provided useful
information about those who may have been involved. Investigations are
continuing to identify those responsible and we will continue to liaise
with Police to deal robustly with those responsible.
- Parents looking for support in gaining employment such as CV advice or help with a job application are invited to
contact Rachael Hessey via email at rachaelhessey@accesstoindustry.co.uk
or 07514 666 039 and she will allocate you a 30-minute time slot and
provide you with all the details . The session can be online or at the
Cowgate office, depending on preferences. In order to be eligible, you
must:
- Be a parent or have parental responsibilities
- Live in Edinburgh
- Be either unemployed or on a low income
- The recording of the Parent Council meeting on 7 September is now
available on the PC website https://jghspc.wordpress.com/ along with the
results of the PC’s survey of parents. The meeting heard from Donald
Macdonald, HT, on issues such as new Covid rules, homework expectations,
SQA planning and health and well-being. There was also a welcome to
S1 by Ian Porter, DHT. The completed Q&A for the meeting will be
posted on the PC website as soon as it is available. The next Parent
Council meeting will be the AGM and will take place on Wednesday 13
October. If you are interested in joining the Parent Council or
finding out more about its work, please contact us on jghscouncilcomms@gmail.com.
Further information on the meeting will be circulated nearer the time.
- I’m delighted to share that the Paolozzi Prize 2021 Category
winners artwork will be exhibited on the North Bridge from next week. Both (former S6) Cerys Scott Hobbs and Zhana Fritsch’s work, is included from Gillespie’s.
Congratulations to:
- Sarah Johnson (4S2) who won Silver at the National School Cycling Games
last weekend.
- Jessica Taylor (S3) and
Dylan Daunt (S3) who took part in the Lochore Off Road
Triathlon Festival last weekend. Jess was the first girl and Dylan was the
third placed boy.
- Rhys Edwards (S4) who achieved 5th place in the British (Cycling) youth Time Trial
championships last Saturday.
- Mollaidh Nicholson (S6) who won the Ladies Scratch prize for the 2nd time at the Askernish
(South Uist) Open Golf tournament last week.
My quote for the
week: ‘Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most
underrated agent of human change’. (Bob Kerrey)
My weekly emails
are available to view on my Headteacher
Blog.
Best wishes to all
for a delightful weekend.
Donald j Macdonald (Headteacher)
James Gillespie’s High School
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