Friday, 21 January 2022

Friday 21 January

 In recent weeks we have had several teachers joining us on a temporary basis to cover classes for absent teachers. I always make a point of speaking to those staff to ensure they feel welcomed and supported as part of our school community. Invariably, I get glowing feedback about how well supported they feel and how wonderful our pupils are. Thank you to all for making JGHS such a positive and welcoming place to learn.

 The number of pupils testing positive for Covid over the past 7 days was 7. (This is 5 fewer than last week) 

  1. On Monday 24 January, the City of Edinburgh Council will decide on the start date of a Statutory Consultation to gather views on the future of Gaelic Medium Education (GME) in Edinburgh. The relevant papers can be found via this link.
  2. Given the increasing popularity of travel in Korea, Korean culture, K-Pop, TV series and films etc. allied with our continuing interest in expanding and diversifying experiences for all pupils, we are currently looking at augmenting our Languages/cultural provision by offering some extra curricular Korean. More details will follow in the coming days.
  3. Last week we sent information to all families on how to apply for concessionary bus travel cards which will enable all aged from 5-21 to access free bus travel in Scotland from 31 January. In addition to applying online, applications can also be made via City of Edinburgh Council libraries. It is advised to book an appointment via the following link.
  4. Please remember that the next Parent Council meeting will be on Wednesday 26 January at 7pm. We will send out the link before the meeting via the school email.  The meeting will include an update on Parent Council activities and there will be the usual Headteacher’s report.  Please email the PC on jghscouncilcomms@gmail.com by 12 noon on Tuesday with any questions or issues you would like included in the HT’s update. It will also be possible to ask questions on the night via the Q&A typed chat facility.  If you would like to catch up on the last meeting in November, the recording is on the PC website at: https://jghsparentcouncil.org/ 
  5. The Parent Council will be holding an online meeting on Tuesday 10th February for parents interested in getting involved in an Events and Fundraising Group.  If you would be interested in being involved let us know through the PC email: jghscouncilcomms@gmail.com
  6. Edinburgh Council is holding open meetings for parents in January and February to discuss the impacts of Covid on school communities and parental engagement. Further meetings are on Tuesday 25 January, and Tuesday 22 February (all from 6.15-7.15pm) and parents are welcome to join any of them through this link: Click here to join the meeting. This is an opportunity to let the Council hear from parents about how changes, such as parents not being in schools for school events, are affecting school communities, and the Parent Council encourages parents to attend to raise any issues. For more information contact: Parental.Engagement@edinburgh.gov.uk
  7. Covid-19: information.  
    1. Please ‘phone or email the school to tell if your child tests positive for COVID. Include test date and whether it was a LFD (Home test) or PCR.
    2. Anyone testing positive for a Lateral Flow Test (Home Test) should immediately self-isolate in line with current Government Guidelines.
    3. Taking regular lateral flow tests and getting vaccinated are among our best mitigations to limit the spread of Covid. You can find out where to get lateral flow and PCR tests on the NHS website. The vaccination booster programme has expanded, so you may now be eligible to book yours. But, again, the NHS website has the information you’ll need.
    4. Please continue to access the NHS Guidance so that you will know when you should get tested for Covid19.
    5. If/when, there are changes to COVID mitigations affecting schools I will write to all members of our school community and give you as much notice as possible.  
  8. Teenage booster (Diphtheria/Tetanus & Polio and Meningitis ACWY) – this will be on Wednesday 2 March 2022. This is for all S3s and any S4-6s who didn’t receive the booster in S3. Please return any outstanding forms to us as soon as possible. If your child in S4-6 did not receive a form, this means they already received the booster in S3.
  9. HPV vaccine – this will be on Wednesday and Thursday 6-7 April 2022. Forms will be distributed shortly.
  10. Dates:
    1. 21 January S2 pupils will be emailed their username and pin-code to access Tools, where they will make their choices
    2. 24 January City of Edinburgh Council will decide on the dates for a Statutory Consultation on the future of Gaelic Medium Education in Edinburgh.
    3. 25 and 27 January S2 Parents’ evenings (Online)
    4. 2 February - closing date for S2 choices
    5. 2 March  Teenage booster (Diphtheria/Tetanus & Polio and Meningitis ACWY)
    6. 6-7 April HPV vaccine
  11. Congratulations to:
    1. Ali Shippey (S4) who was selected to play in the Inter Regionals U16s Boys UK water polo tournament in December. Ali represented the Scotland Saltires in Division 2 where they won all of their games, including an intense final match against Wales where they came from behind to win 8-7. Ali has, deservedly, been invited to trial for GB water polo on the 22nd of January.
    2. The following pupils who, during the month of October/November as part of our celebrations for Black History Month, the Modern Studies Dept ran a competition were students in S2 were invited to submit a creative project in the style of their own choosing, created in their own time, to explore the contribution made to UK and Scottish society by famous Black Britons. Over 40 students in S2 submitted projects and the standard was exceptionally high! The winners have now been selected. Well-done to everyone who entered. The entries are displayed in the temporary units 🙂The following students have won book tokens as their prize:
      1. Jess Lockwood - Holmes - Video on Walter Tull footballer and army officer
      2. Uma Treaslove - Poster presentation on filmmaker Steve McQueen

                                Runners up:

      1. Bethan Kitchin - Poster/ portrait of Lilian Bader - One of the first Black women in the RAF
      2. Hanna Habilczek - Portrait of the author Zadie Smith
      3. Storme McCall/ Surya Schneiders - Created a Black British History Instagram Page - to celebrate different figures every day

 

  1. Very best wishes to all students who are involved in taking prelim exams over this next and final week of prelims.

 

My quote for the week: “Dreams they come and go, but thoughts like love will always grow’. (Meatloaf)

 

Best wishes to all for a lovely weekend.

Donald

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