Friday, 25 March 2022

Friday 25 March

 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.

 Thank you to all who have contributed to our Ukraine fundraising appeal. The total raised is £2,440 and rising. All donations via ParentPay . We will keep this fundraiser open until 8 April.

 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.

 The most recent reports suggest that the wearing of Face coverings will continue after the Easter Break in communal spaces in High schools. I would request that all pupils arrive in school with re-usable face coverings; these will help reduce the amount we are contributing to landfill.

 

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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/
  6. 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.
  7. 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
  8. Congratulations to:
    1. 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
    2. Liam McConnell is captaining Boroughmuir v’s West of Scotland in the U18 National Rugby Cup Final, 6:30pm KO on Sunday 27 March
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    5. 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
    6. 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.
    7. 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. 
  9. Dates:
    1. 6-7 April HPV vaccine
    2. 8 April Term ends at 12.55
    3. 25 April All resume
    4. 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.

Donald

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