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)