Friday 29 October

Welcome back to everyone after what I hope was a relaxing and enjoyable October break. Staff returned on Monday of this week to the third of five staff training days. Well done to all (students and staff!) who made the effort today to dress up for Halloween. It was really uplifting to see the considerable efforts many made to mark the occasion.  A particular favourite was Emily’s (self-made) wonderful mushroom outfit!

Warmest congratulations to Mr Jeff Warden on his appointment to the Headteacher position at Lanark Grammar School. Mr Warden has been at JGHS for the past 14 years; most recently as Depute Headteacher. I anticipate that he will take up his post in January 2022; arrangements to fill the resulting DHT vacancy will be made in the next week.

The number of Covid cases in our school community during the past 7 days was 4. This is a reduction of 1 from the previous week. Thanks to all for your continued support and patience in our collective efforts to minimise opportunities for virus transmission.

 

1. SQA Appeal Outcomes: The school was informed this week of the outcomes of all standard Type A (Academic Judgement) SQA appeals for last academic year.  The outcomes have been communicated directly to candidates, via the school email system.  All Type B/C Appeal outcome letters have already been communicated with candidates/families directly. If there are any issues or questions, please contact Bob Shankland, SQA Coordinator at Robert.Shankland@jamesgillespies.edin.sch.uk
2. I’m pleased to share with you that the public consultation phase of the Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review has launched yesterday. As James Gillespie (whose bequest led to the founding of our School)  was a merchant who made his fortune from the sale of tobacco products, this consultation has added significance for our school community.
1. The online survey can be found here: www.edinburgh.gov.uk/slaverycolonialism and will be open for 12 weeks until January 19 2022.
2. Background information to the Review is being hosted on the Council’s website here: www.edinburgh.gov.uk/edinburghslaverycolonialism
3. The Review Group is hopeful that this consultation will be of interest to many people living and working in Edinburgh, and to others with links to the city or a stake in the Council’s aim to address historic racial injustice and stem modern day discrimination.
3. Today at COP26: The Royal Meteorological Society will be producing short daily videos for the duration of COP26 aimed at keeping young people up to date with the latest important developments. We will endeavour to share these videos with pupils at school, but it would be worth considering watching these daily as a family in order to engage together with this critical event. The videos will appear on YouTube.
4. Your school needs you! Earlier this week you will have received a letter from Danielle Hart Adams, our school’s Developing our Young Workforce (DYW) Coordinator intimating that we would like to reach out to our school community, to enquire if you would like to be involved in helping us develop a James Gillespie’s Industry Directory. We would like to utilise the vast amount of industry knowledge we have amongst us. We are looking for people who might be willing to come in and talk to our pupils about their own careers. Informing them of the pathways they took after leaving school and during their careers, to give our young people some idea of what is possible and how to get there. If you would like to get involved in this initiative, please complete the following online form, by clicking on the link:  JGHS Industry Directory Online Form
5. The Parent Council AGM was held on 13 October and, as well as appointing the new PC, also included updates and questions on Covid rules, Ipads, school wi-fi, school staffing and many other issues. The recording of the meeting is on the PC website.

https://jghsparentcouncil.org/. If you are interested in volunteering to be involved with Events and Fundraising, there is still time to let us know on jghscouncilcomms@gmail.com.  For your diary, the next PC meeting will be on Tuesday 30 November

6. The JG Trust AGM took place on Tuesday of this week. Sincere thanks to Ms Ann Henderson who has stepped down from the Trust after 8 years of dedication and hard work. Ann has been a terrific chair for the past 2 years. Mrs Sheena Purdom, takes over as chair and I wish her well for the coming years. Many thanks all to all the trustees who support as a school community. The Trust is there to support the school in its endeavours and especially in regard to supporting pupils who need a bit of a helping hand to allow them to fulfil their potential. If you would like to find out a bit more about the Trust then please visit the JG Trust website.
7. Those who are seeking a YoungScot card for their child should  go to the following link : https://young.scot/the-young-scot-card/edinburgh
8. As part of activities in celebration of Black History month, Alex Wheatle, (Young Adult writer) visited the school today. A British-born writer of Jamaican heritage, Alex shared his personal experiences and their influence on his writing. He also talked about his latest novel – Cane Warriors. Following his talk, students had the opportunity to ask questions and offer comments.  We’ll shortly organise a competition to get signed copies of Alex Wheatle's books to pupils.  Thanks to Ms Tomi Adenakan for arranging the visit and to the Scottish Book Trust for fully funding the visit.
9. Covid-19: information.  
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.
10. Covid-19 Vaccination arrangements for students:
1. All people 12+ are eligible for at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
2. You don’t have to have any other medical conditions or particular vulnerabilities
3. You don’t need to wait until you are contacted
4. You don’t need an appointment
5. You can just go (with a parent) to a drop-in vaccine clinic (see https://www.nhsinform.scot/covid-19-vaccine/invitations-and-appointments/vaccinating-children-and-young-people-aged-12-to-17-years/)
6. There are several of these in and around Edinburgh: https://www.nhslothian.scot/Coronavirus/Vaccine/Pages/Drop-in-Clinics.aspx
11. Let us know with as much advance notice as possible of any days and periods when your child will not be attending, with a reason. Information provided should include the name of the young person, class, and reason for absence with number of periods or days involved. All absences are recorded as either Authorised or Unauthorised.
1. Email: admin@jamesgillespies.edin.such.uk
2. Phone: 0131 447 1900
3. Write: Hand letters into reception
4. Text: Respond to the text alert when child is missing from class
12. Good luck to the following S2 boys who will represent JGHS at the national finals tomorrow (Saturday) as part of COPP26. The final will involve designing, building and running a hydrogen powered Lego vehicle
1. James Sinclair
2. Niall Mackintosh
3. Lachaidh-Alexander Dunbar
13. Dates:
1. 31 October Clocks go back one hour at 2 am on Sunday
2. 1 November S1 Parents’ consultation (Practical Subjects)
3. 3 November S1 Parents’ consultation evening (Non-practical subjects)
4. 10 November S4 reports issued to parents
5. 17 November S5 and 6 reports issued to parents
6. 30 November Parent Council meeting

 Warmest congratulations to: 

1. Kenneth MacIver (S5) who has been successful in achieving an Arkwright Engineering scholarship. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first time we have had a winner of this scholarship. Particular thanks to staff who teach our Engineering Science course and also to all staff whose collective endeavours ensure that our Students at JGHS experience a broad and extensive curriculum throughout S1-S5.

 Please continue to share stories of Students’ wider achievements with me.

My quote for the week: “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” (Vivian Greene) 

 All are reminded that the clocks go back an hour at 2 am on Sunday morning so remember to adjust your clocks before you go to bed on Saturday night.

 Best wishes to all for a lovely and drier weekend.

 

Donald j Macdonald (Headteacher)