Friday, 18 March 2022

Friday 18 March

 A huge thank you to all who have contributed to our Ukraine fundraising appeal. At the point of emailing, the total raised is £1,085 and rising. All donations via ParentPay.

 The number of pupils testing positive for Covid over the past 7 days was 38 This is 1 more than 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.  Given that we are still experiencing high numbers of positive cases within the JGHS community, I anticipate that we will be continuing with face coverings and all other mitigations until the Easter Holiday. 

  1. Our school counsellor is keen to accept donations for counselling resources for JGHS and the local primaries.  Examples include: Fidget toys, Poppits, useable play doh, Kerplunk, Guess who, Frustration, Connect 4, Uno, Dobble, Dominos, Jenga, Playing cards large plastic storage boxes and any large storage bags. Any such donations gratefully received and may be dropped off at reception.
  2. On Wednesday of this week, a BBC film crew were with us to film Mr Jennings, one of our Psychology teachers. The BBC are developing a feature length documentary about his family’s contribution to medical research into dementia. Their morning with us involved a film crew accompanying him into school on Wednesday to observe him teaching a few Psychology classes.
  3. We will have a lost property stall just outside the forum next Friday, 25th March during break. Any items not collected will be donated to charity. We have lots of keys so, if you have lost a set please come and look.
  4. For those who missed the teenage booster vaccine (for S3 upwards), Child Health are arranging some mop-up clinics. Please call their office on 0131 446 4082 to arrange an appointment. Students who missed the vaccine will be recalled next year.
  5. An urgent call for any outstanding HPV vaccine forms to be returned as soon as possible please. Child Health cannot guarantee that there will be sufficient time for self-consent on the day.
  6. A reminder that the next Parent Council meeting is on Tuesday 22 March at 7pm.  There will be an update on Active Schools by our Active Schools Coordinator, Eliot Ambrose, and 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 by 12 noon on Monday if you have any questions or issues you would like included in the Head Teacher’s update. For further information on the work of the PC please see the PC website https://jghsparentcouncil.org/ where you can also find recordings of previous meetings.
  7. Wednesday 16th March was Young Carers’ Action Day. The aim was to raise awareness about young carers nationwide and this year’s theme was isolation.  This theme was chosen by young carers to draw attention to their situation which often leaves them unable to join in activities enjoyed by their peers. This link above gives information about young carers. Please contact Fiona Oatman or Richard Sievwright for any further information. Admin@jamesgillespies.edin.sch.uk
  8. 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.
  9. Easter Basketball Camps are as follows:
    1. S1&2 Camp from 1-3pm each day
    2. On Tuesday & Thursday Girls camp from 3-5pm
    3. Monday, Wednesday and Friday 3-5pm U16&18 camp
    4. you can access all by following link below https://the-crags-centre.class4kids.co.uk/camps
  10. Congratulations to:
    1. Seumas Cross (S5) who is currently performing in the King's Theatre with the Bohemians Lyric Opera company in their production of Shrek -the musical , which was postponed from March 2020. Following this, from the 7th-12th April he is travelling to New York with the Theatre School of Scotland (TSoS) having successfully auditioned to be part of a team chosen to represent Scotland in the Tartan Day Parade on 5th Avenue .  The TSoS students will be leading the parade on Saturday 9th as well as performing at a civic event hosted by the Scottish Government. The remainder of their time in New York will be filled with theatre workshops on Broadway and attending Broadway performances.
    2. Freya Mowbray (S2), Dylan Daunt and Jessica Taylor (both S3) who have been selected to represent Scottish Schools in the International Cross-Country Championships at Pembrey Country Park (near Swansea), Wales on Saturday 26 March 2022.
    3. Clelia Ribeca (S3), Hanga Eory (Best in S4 year group) and Hugo Verity-Povoas (Best in S3 and in the School), who took part in the Intermediate UKMT Maths Competition a few weeks ago. All three pupils qualified for the Pink Kangaroo round and completed it yesterday. All pupils who took part in the competition are invited to get their certificate and results from Ms Dolan in 2.07 on Tuesday lunchtime at Maths Club. 
  1. Dates:
    1. 22 March Parent Council meeting
    2. 6-7 April HPV vaccine
    3. 8 April Term ends at 12.55
    4. 25 April All resume

 

My quote for the week: "‘Spring will come and so will happiness. Hold on. Life will get warmer’’. (A Krizzan)

 

Best wishes to all for a bright weekend packed with sunshine.

Donald

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