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)