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)