Friday 11 March

Earlier today, I met with 4 student reps from our ‘Rights Respecting Schools’ working group to discuss how our school community can help the Ukrainian families who are now faced with such heartbreak and hardship following the invasion of their country. Look out for more information on what we are planning and how to contribute next week.

 

The number of pupils testing positive for Covid over the past 7 days was 37.  This is 11 more than for last week and serves to remind us that COVID is still with us so we must remain vigilant. I am pleased to see so many of our students (80%+)continuing to wear face coverings in classrooms. This is helping to reduce levels of anxiety amongst those who feel vulnerable and assists in reducing the number who become infected with COVID and have to self- isolate.

 

1. It’s reassuring to see so many of our students and staff choosing to travel to school in more environmentally friendly ways. Travel by bicycle, scooter, walking or running to school are all examples of the type of travel we are keen to promote.
2. The Modern Languages Department, in partnership with the Korean Education Centre UK, is pleased to say there are still spaces to sign up for Korean Club. Please see the flyer with details and joining instructions as emailed earlier this week.
3. The next Parent Council meeting is on Tuesday 22 March at 7pm and will include a presentation by Faculty Head, Ashling Dolan, on the Maths curriculum.  We will send out the link before the meeting via the school email.  Please email the PC at jghscouncilcomms@gmail.com with any questions or issues you would like included in the Head Teacher’s update. Information on the PC and recordings of previous meetings are available on the PC website at: https://jghsparentcouncil.org/
4. A small group of S4-S6 parents is needed for an online meeting on Monday 14 March at 7pm (about an hour) for research on the impact of Curriculum for Excellence on attainment, subject choice and student experience.  The project is being run by Stirling University who want to examine the experience of parents of supporting their child to make subject choices. If you would be interested in participating, please contact the Parent Council on jghscouncilcomms@gmail.com. Further information is available on the project website https://curriculumproject.stir.ac.uk/ and on Twitter https://twitter.com/CAPDStirling
5. Covid protocols 
1. 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.
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.
6. Dates:
1. 16 March S5/6 Parents’ night
2. 22 March Parent Council meeting
3. 6-7 April HPV vaccine
4. 8 April Term ends at 12.55
5. 25 April All resume

 

 

My quote for the week: "There is only one way in which one can endure man's inhumanity to man and that is to try, in one's own life, to exemplify man's humanity to man." (Alan Paton - South African author and anti-apartheid activist.)

 

Best wishes to all for a lovely weekend.

Donald