The lovely sunshine over the past few days has lifted spirits and was most welcome. It has been great to see classes working outside in the fresh air.
The number of pupils testing positive for Covid over the past 7 days was 32 This is 6 fewer than last week and serves to remind us that COVID is still with us so we must remain vigilant.
- We have noticed a dip in
students attendance in recent months so we see this as an opportunity to review
our attendance procedures and how we communicate with parents. Look
out for more information on this next week. It goes without saying that
all should be aiming for full attendance at school unless there are
genuine reasons for absence.
- The recording of this
week’s Parent Council meeting is now available on the PC website https://jghsparentcouncil.org/.
The meeting included a presentation on the maths curriculum and updates
and questions on Active Schools, Covid rules, parent consultations and
other issues. For your diary, the next PC meeting will be on Tuesday 17
May.
- A number pf parents have
enquired as to Scottish Government Health and Well-being (HWB) survey.
Our Health and Well-being School Improvement Team have been using an
annual JGHS bespoke HWB survey over the last few years which is used to
determine benchmarks and evidence improvements. Therefore, discussions are
ongoing as to how best to move forward with this central requirement and
our own current practices.
- Senior Recital Evening:
Wednesday 30 March - 4:00pm-5:00pm This year we are offering students from our S3-S6 Music
classes the opportunity to perform items from their programmes in a
relaxed and informal setting. The recital concert will take place in the
Performing Arts Theatre on Wednesday 30 March from 4:00pm - 5:00pm.
Unfortunately, due to current COVID-19 guidelines, we are unable to invite
family and friends into school to attend the concert. However, all JGHS
pupils and staff can come along and support our talented musicians. This
is a free event, and we would encourage all students who are preparing for
NQ practical exams to take part. It is a great opportunity to gain
valuable performance experience to an audience. Pupils can sign up using
the form posted onto all S3-6 Music class Teams.
- Edinburgh Council has
set up a group for parents
with children with ASN in mainstream schooling, with
representatives from each school. The Parent Council would like to hear
from parents who have issues they would like raised or discussed – please
email jghscouncilcomms@gmail.com if you would like to be put in contact with our
rep on the group. There is further information on the last meeting
at https://jghsparentcouncil.org/
- Covid protocols
- Please ‘phone or email the school to inform us if your child tests
positive for COVID. Include test date and whether it was a LFD (Home
test) or PCR.
- Anyone testing positive for a Lateral Flow Test (Home Test) should
immediately self-isolate in line with current Government Guidelines.
- 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.
- Please continue to access the NHS Guidance so that you will know when you should get tested for Covid19.
- 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.
- Easter Basketball Camps are as follows:
- S1&2
Camp
from 1-3pm each day
- On Tuesday
& Thursday Girls camp from 3-5pm
- Monday,
Wednesday
and Friday 3-5pm U16&18 camp
- you
can access all by following link below https://the-crags-centre.class4kids.co.uk/camps
- Congratulations to:
- Alanna
Beetham, Isla Jamieson and Anna Halliday who will be playing
for Edinburgh Harlequins v’s Stirling County in the U18 National Rugby
Cup Final, 4:00pm KO on Sunday 27 March
- Liam
McConnell
is captaining Boroughmuir v’s West of Scotland in the U18 National Rugby
Cup Final, 6:30pm KO on Sunday 27 March
- Nora
Trew-Rae (5R1)
who performed on Saturday 19 March in the Glasgow Grand Opera Cup - she
was named the runner up in the competition and “highly commended”. Nora
attends the Junior Conservatoire at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
on Saturdays, where she studies singing - the competition involved all
RCS Juniors vocal students (up to 19 years) so is an amazing achievement
to be recognised so highly in this competition.
- Anjalie
Khan (1S3)
who will be performing Violin as part of the National Youth Orchestra of
Scotland's Junior Orchestra in the coming weeks. Anjalie will be
attending the residential rehearsal course from Friday 1 - Tuesday 5
April, before performing in the Junior Orchestra's Spring Concert on
Tuesday 5 April at The Albert Halls in Stirling.
- Nico
Aspinall (S1), Dylan Hynd (S1) and Ellen Hynd (P6, James Gillespie’s
Primary School), completed a 5K night run at the Kelpies in Falkirk on
19th March 2022 to raise money for the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital
Charity. Their initial fundraising target was £1,200 but they have
raised an incredible £1651 so far for this amazing charity, who transform
the experiences of children and young people in hospital. The
charity is particularly close to their hearts as Dylan had a serious
accident in July 2020 and spent 6 weeks recovering at the hospital.
To read more about their story visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hynd
- Jessica
Taylor (S3)
who was 34th in the Inter-County Cross Country Championships in
Loughborough last week. This race is the best kids in the UK
competing in Cross Country running and she has another year left
competing in that age group. Jess was also 7th in the Scottish
National Road Race championship at the weekend and again has another year
at that level.
- Sam
Shannon (4S1)
has been selected to represent Scotland for the U17 Squash Team at the
European Team Championships in Eindhoven . He has been capped for
Scotland before at National Level but this is his first European
Cap.
- Dates:
- 6-7 April HPV vaccine
- 8 April Term ends at 12.55
- 25 April All resume
- 17 May Parent Council meeting
My quote for the week: "‘When all at once I saw
a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.’’ (William Wordsworth)
Best wishes to all for a bright weekend packed with
sunshine.
