Friday 26 November

Wintry weather Is coming our way this weekend. Please dress accordingly and allow extra time for travel to and from school. 

The number of Covid cases in our school community during the past 7 days was 4. This is one more than last week.  Please continue to support efforts to minimise opportunities for COVID transmission.

 

1. Teenage booster immunisation packs have been issued for all S3 pupils and some S4-6 on Wednesday during Key Adult class. Please return the completed form by Wednesday 1st December to the school Reception. It is important that we get these back on time as a team from the NHS will come to triage the forms. Any S3 students who have not received a pack, please contact the Welfare Office.
2. We are seeking your views on what improvements we should make to the services provided via our school office and welfare facility. Please take a few minutes to respond to this Parent Survey A separate survey link has been sent to students and staff.
3. There is now a designated recycling bin at reception to gather all used inhalers. Thanks to Mr Bracewell, Euan Hickman [S5] and the JGHS Sustainability team. 
4. Teenage booster immunisation packs will be issued for all S3 pupils on Wednesday 24 November during Key Adult class. These will also be issued to some S4-S6 pupils who haven’t had the immunisation in S3. Please return the completed form by Wednesday 1st December to the school Reception. Any S3 students who don’t receive a pack, please contact the Welfare Office.  
5. All are reminded to ensure that unattended bicycles are securely locked. A high quality ‘D’ lock is recommended.
6. Update from the Pupil Equity Department: We have updated our school website to include a page with information on support available for families. This direct link takes you there. There is information here to help families sign up for Free School Meals, apply for funding for winter coats and shoes, clothing grants and support with debt management and benefit applications etc.  We hope this may be useful to some of our school community especially as we head into winter months. We can also help provide students with educational resources such as support materials and stationary e.g. revision books, calculators, pencil cases etc. Please contact us if you would like more information via the school office email Admin@jamesgillespies.edin.sch.uk or by phone 0131 447 1900. (Laura Stewart and Elaine Oram)
7. Please remember that the next Parent Council meeting will be on Tuesday 30 November at 7pm. We will send the link out next week via the school email. At the meeting we will hear from:

1. Donald Macdonald (HT) – overview and parents’ questions
2. Bob Shankland (DHT) – review of SQA assessments in 2020/21 and look forward to 2021/22
3. Ian Porter (DHT) – supporting children’s mental health
4. Eliot Ambrose (Active Schools Co-ordinator) – update on the Active School programme.
5. Questions can be asked on the night via the Q&A typed chat facility, but if you want to raise an issue in advance please send it to the PC email jghscouncilcomms@gmail.com by Monday at 2pm and we will try to include it in the updates.  You can also find the recording and Q&A from the last PC meeting at: https://jghsparentcouncil.org/.

8. Covid-19: information.  
1. Please continue to access the NHS Guidance so that you will know when you should get tested for Covid19.
2. Anyone testing positive for a Lateral Flow Test (Home Test) should immediately self-isolate and arrange for a free PCR test
3. Remember to tell us the results of the Covid19 test and any advice you have received in regard to attendance at school.
4. 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.
9. 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
10. Dates:
1. 30 November Parent Council meeting
2. 1 December Deadline for return of teenage booster immunisation forms
3. 3 December School Office surveys due date
4. 14 December Course choices (S2 into S3; S4 into S5 and S5 into S6) information event (online)
5. 17 December Term ends at midday.

 

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

 

My quote for the week: “Silence the angry man with love. Silence the ill-natured man with kindness. Silence the miser with generosity. Silence the liar with truth.” (Gautama Buddha)

 

Best wishes to all for a great weekend.

 

 

Donald j Macdonald (Headteacher)

Friday 19 November

 Throughout the course of the past week I have had several colleagues tell me how polite and respectful our students are. It’s lovely to hear this and so important we take time to acknowledge what a super bunch of young people we have at JGHS. Well done to everyone for your contributions to making our school community so purposeful, positive and a privilege to be part of.

 The number of Covid cases in our school community during the past 7 days was 3. This is the same as last week.  Please continue to support efforts to minimise opportunities for COVID transmission.

 

1. S1 Photos - Orders from Tempest Photography The order window has been extended to Sunday 28 November for deliveries to the school.  Any orders received after that date will incur a £5 delivery charge and can be delivered to your home address.
2. We are seeking your views on what improvements we should make to the services provided via our school office and welfare facility. Please take a few minutes to respond to this Parent Survey A separate survey link has been sent to students and staff.
3. Teenage booster immunisation packs will be issued for all S3 pupils on Wednesday 24 November during Key Adult class. These will also be issued to some S4-S6 pupils who haven’t had the immunisation in S3. Please return the completed form by Wednesday 1st December to the school Reception. Any S3 students who don’t receive a pack, please contact the Welfare Office.  
4. All are reminded to ensure that unattended bicycles are securely locked. A high quality ‘D’ lock is recommended.
5. Students should be on campus each no later than 830 am. Latecoming has increased in recent weeks so please support us in doing all you can to ensure that students are punctual.
6. The next Parent Council meeting will be held online on Tuesday 30 November at 7pm. We will send out the link before the meeting via the school email. At the meeting we will hear from:

1. Donald Macdonald (HT) – overview and parents’ questions
2. Bob Shankland (DHT) – review of SQA assessments in 2020/21 and look forward to 2021/22
3. Ian Porter (DHT) – supporting children’s mental health
4. Eliot Ambrose (Active Schools Co-ordinator) – Active School update

1. There will be the opportunity on the night to ask questions via the Q&A typed chat facility, but if you want to raise an issue in advance please send it to the PC email jghscouncilcomms@gmail.com and we will try to include it in the updates.  You can also find the recording and Q&A from the last meeting at the PC website: https://jghsparentcouncil.org/.
2. Education Reform consultation: please also remember to comment on this government consultation. Comments can be submitted to the PC via this form before midday on Wednesday 24th November. For more information on the consultation see the PC website.
6. 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.
7. 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
8. Dates:
1. 30 November Parent Council meeting
2. 1 December Deadline for return of teenage booster immunisation forms
3. 3 December School Office surveys due date
4. 14 December Course choices (S2 into S3; S4 into S5 and S5 into S6) information event (online)
5. 17 December Term ends at midday.

 

Good luck to our footballers who are in action today and tomorrow:

 

Friday 19 November

1. Our U15 Girls are at playing Bathgate in the Scottish Cup. The game is at Kirkbrae/Double Hedges and KO is at 2pm.

Saturday 20 November

2. Our U13 boys are playing Royal HS. The game is at Kirkbrae/Double Hedges and KO is at 9.30am.
3. Our U15 boys are playing Firhill HS. The game is at Firhill and KO is at 9.30am.
4. Our U16 boys are playing Royal HS. The game is at Royal HS and KO is at 10.45am.

 

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

 

 

My quote for the week: ‘Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbour, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover.’

(Mark Twain)

 

Best wishes to all for a lovely weekend.

 

Donald j Macdonald (Headteacher)

Friday 12 November

 Yesterday’s Remembrance Day was our chance to remember and pay our respects to the people who have been killed in warfare, whenever and wherever that was. It is also a day when we take the time to reflect and think about the people whose lives have been crippled by war, whether physically or mentally, wherever they may be in the world. And perhaps most important of all, this is a time we can set aside to consider the devastating impact that intolerance, racism, arrogance and violence can have on us as individuals, as communities and as countries. Yesterday’s two minute silence at JGHS was preceded by a reading from Mrs Carruthers, poetry readings in French and German by Hana Mackinlay (S6) and by Mathew Wright (S4) who read verses in Gaelic and English.

 I am delighted to report that our Active Schools programme (extra-curricular sports) is now fully up and running. Uptake is higher than in pre-pandemic days which is really pleasing and important as we strive to re-establish routines and opportunities for all to be physically active. Enormous thanks are due to the organisers, coaches and volunteers who have pulled out all the stops to ensure that these opportunities are available to our students. You may recall that during the current session, in line with Government and Council advice, any funding needed should be raised by voluntary donation. We are currently assessing what minimum donations will be needed for the next term in order to maintain our current provision. Thanks to all who have already donated and I take this opportunity to gently remind others to also donate. More communications will follow in the next few weeks.

The number of Covid cases in our school community during the past 7 days was 3. This is one higher than last week.  To avoid disruption to learning in school, it Is essential that we remain vigilant in applying and following our current mitigations.

 

1. At a Headteachers’ meeting earlier this week I learned that nationally, young people continue to be drawn into inappropriate use of social media. Of particular concern in recent weeks is their use of TikTok - a video-focused social networking service. We will, as a school, continue to educate our students on how to stay on the right side of the law and how to stay safe whilst online. We call on all to assist by alerting and reminding our young people on how to engage with social media responsibly and the necessity of avoiding destructive and harmful posts against others.
2. We are seeking your views on what improvements we should make to the services provided via our school office and welfare facility. Please take a few minutes to respond to this Parent Survey A separate survey link has been sent to students and staff.
3. All are reminded to ensure that unattended bicycles are securely locked. A high quality ‘D’ lock is recommended.
4. Students should be on campus each no later than 830 am. Latecoming has increased in recent weeks so please support us in doing all you can to ensure that students are punctual.
5. Billed as Scotland’s Biggest Parents’ Event, please find attached information regarding online events happening next week, organised by our partners at Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) and focusing on future career choices.  In addition, the attachment also contains a handy reference guide to help you support your child in making the all-important decision about ‘what’s next’ after school.
6. JGHS Industry Directory
7. Thanks to the many parents who have completed our online form offering their time and experience to help inform our students of their chosen career or post-school experiences.  If any other parents are interested, please could you complete the following online form: JGHS Industry Directory Online Form All details of what we are looking for are within the form, with the deadline for submissions being Monday 15 November at 10am.  Following this, Danielle Hart Adams our DYW Coordinator will be in touch with individual parents to discuss next steps.
8. The public consultation phase of the Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review is now live. 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.
9. As COP26 draws to a close I would like to remind everyone that the Royal Meteorological Society is 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.
10. A group of JGHS pupils travelled to Glasgow this week to attend a talk by the Youth Climate Ambassadors for Wales. There was a panel of young activists, and also indigenous leaders from Brazil and Peru. They described their passion for climate action and the need for young people to have their views listened to, and their work in Wales to push for change. The indigenous leaders described the impact that climate chaos is already having on their environments. The panel were really pleased to see such a good attendance from Scottish schools. Our pupils came away really inspired and now want the same youth representation for Scotland.
11. Scottish Youth Climate Declaration Last weekend 70 young people from across Scotland worked with various partners to draw up a Scottish Youth Climate Declaration. We should all be aware of the very impressive contributions our young people have to make, and watching this short video will enable you to do that.
12. For your diary, the next PC meeting will be on Tuesday 30 November
13. Best wishes to students and staff involved in their silver Duke of Edinburgh excursion on Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 November.
14. If any student has missed their flu vaccination in school the parent\carer may contact the Community vaccination team on 0131 446 4082 to arrange a clinic appointment.
15. 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.
16. 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
17. 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
18. Dates:
1. 17 November S5 and 6 reports issued to parents
2. 30 November Parent Council meeting
3. 3 December School Office surveys due date
4. 14 December Course choices (S2 into S3; S4 into S5 and S5 into S6) information event (online)

 

Warmest congratulations to:

 

1. Our Senior Girls football team who won their Scottish Cup tie against Ross High 3-2. A very impressive display with some S3 and even S2 pupils stepping up to play. We now face a strong Boroughmuir team  in the next round!
2. Our S2 girls football squad who did incredibly well last Wednesday at the regional 7’s football competition by winning all of their games and now proceed to the next stage.
3. Fraser Peel (S6) who played with a 100-strong symphony orchestra of young musicians from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and its Junior Conservatoire with internationally recognised conductor Emil de Cou and singer-songwriter Natasha Bedingfield.  The orchestra played as part of a 60-minute live spectacular blend of sound and cinematic visuals. Highlights included new footage of climate change from NASA and National Geographic, messages from the International Space Station and the Earthshot Prize, and appearances by young environmental partners from the most impacted areas of the world.
4. Dylan Daunt and Laurence Ward (both S3) who. Last weekend,  took part in the Lindsay’s Scottish Athletics National Short Course XC Championships in Lanark.  Along with Laura Muir, Jake Whiteman and Andy Buchart and their team (Edinburgh Athletics Club) they received the bronze medal.

 

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

 

 

My quote for the week: ‘Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow..’ (AJ D’Angelo)

 

Best wishes to all for a lovely weekend.

 

Donald j Macdonald (Headteacher)

Friday 5 November

Now that we’re into November, we’re experiencing darker mornings and nights. All are encouraged to allow a bit more time to get ready and to travel to school in the mornings. Road users are reminded to take all reasonable steps to ensure they are visible to others and mindful of the increased likelihood of collisions at this time of year. Do take particular care when crossing roads. We expect students arrive on site by 830 at the latest so that all lessons can start promptly at 840.

The number of Covid cases in our school community during the past 7 days was 2. This is half the number recorded last week. For a variety of reasons, it is anticipated that positive case numbers are likely to rise in the coming weeks so it Is essential that we remain vigilant in applying and following our current mitigations. 

1. The public consultation phase of the Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review is now live. 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.
2. Today at COP26: The Royal Meteorological Society is 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.
3. Over the past week, we have had the pleasure of seeing brilliant artistic works from our S1 pupils on display in the school. Using climate change facts as a starting point and the Design project “Totemy”, 320 S1 students worked collaboratively in pairs, using paint, colour, form, pattern, textures using collage 3-D paper shapes to create brilliant sculptural totems. This was an opportunity for our pupils to make their creative voices heard on issues of climate change, bringing their unique perspectives to a wider audience as well as having their art exhibited in the city centre.  Thanks to the Art Department and Art teacher Mrs Troon, who represented the school when meeting with the Lord Provost at the Exhibition.
4. Many thanks to all who donated to our YoungMinds charity fundraiser, and to all the students and staff who took part in the 10K challenge.  We raised £180 which will be gratefully received by the charity. Thanks also to Fiona Oatman (Support for Learning department) for coordinating .
5. For your diary, the next PC meeting will be on Tuesday 30 November
6. 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.
7. 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
8. 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
9. Dates:
1. 10 November S4 reports issued to parents
2. 17 November S5 and 6 reports issued to parents
3. 30 November Parent Council meeting
4. 14 December Course choices (S2 into S3; S4 into S5 and S5 into S6) information event (online) 

Warmest congratulations to: 

1. Alberto Brunelli Bonet (4R5) who, as a student of the Junior programme at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS), joined the RCS Symphony Orchestra for the 'Vital Sign of the Planet" concert at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on the 2nd of November as part of the COP 26.
2. Former pupil Millie Stobie Platts who is taking part in the Children in Need Rickshaw Challenge 2021. Millie is part of the 2021 Children in Need Rickshaw Challenge, and will be pedalling the rickshaw from Thirlestane Castle to Edinburgh (finishing at Sciennes Primary School) at between 330 and 4 Pm on Friday 5 November.
3. Doughal Boyes (S6)  who has been awarded an MOD Air Cadet Pilot Scheme Flying Scholarship. He is one of 6 cadets to win a flying scholarship and the only award in South East Scotland Wing. The Scholarship is a 2 week residential course which includes 12 hours flying, ground training and the possibility to go solo in a single engine propeller aircraft.

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

My quote for the week: ‘Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new things and move forward with your life. Remember that fear always lurks behind perfectionism.’ (David M. Burns)

 

Best wishes to all for a lovely weekend.

 

Donald j Macdonald (Headteacher)