Earlier this week, I was privileged to attend a launch event for Bilingualism Matters. At JGHS we are proud of and enriched by having so many languages and cultures in our school community. The latest research confirms that there are many advantages to us learning and regularly using different languages. Therefore, families are strongly encouraged to use different languages in the home. Whilst in previous generations, it was argued that focusing on one language gave students the best opportunity to progress across a wide curriculum, we now know that the opposite is true. Latest estimates indicate that at least 50 languages are spoken within our school community.
- Parents
may find this link on our school website to a variety of family supports
to be of interest: https://www.jamesgillespies.co.uk/parents/support-for-families/
- The
Parent Council wants to hear from parents about how online parent
consultations with teachers have been working, and your views on
whether we keep this format or go back to in-person meetings. What
has worked for you and what has not? In the future, what sorts of school
events are best held in the school and what can be done online? Our survey
will be running over Easter and can be completed here: Parents' Evening Survey
It will only take 5 minutes and we want to hear from as many parents as
possible.
- Students
who attended the Climate Strike on Friday 25 March can have their absence
recorded as authorised if their parent/carer emails the school to register
approval for their child’s attendance at the strike.
- Details of our in-school
Easter revision programme were emailed to parents and students earlier
this week.
- Details of exam leave
arrangements from Tuesday 26 April for S4,5 and 6 are being completed and
will be shared with students and families next week.
- Thank you to all who
have contributed to our Ukraine fundraising appeal. The total
raised is £2,680 and rising. All donations via ParentPay . We will
keep this fundraiser open until 8 April.
- The Junior Maths
Challenge for S1/S2 pupils will take place on Wednesday 27th April and
will, most likely, to be online after school. If your child would like to
take part, then please email Ms Dolan on ashling.dolan@jamesgillespies.edin.sch.uk
or ask them to speak to their maths teacher. Pupils can also attend
maths club on Tuesday lunch times in 2.07 to practise some problems and
find out more information about the competition. To get an idea of the
type of questions, you can find past paper questions online here: https://www.ukmt.org.uk/competitions/solo/junior-mathematical-challenge/archive
- The HPV vaccine will
take place next week, Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th April. Students report in at
the Forum for this at the appointed times. The schedule has been shown to
students in Key Adult time this week. It has also been emailed to students
and can be viewed at the forum. Please remind students to wear a vest or
t-shirt on the day and to take their water bottle to keep hydrated. S5-6s
can go at any time, preferably on Wednesday please.
- 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.
- 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
- Thanks to all pupils and
staff who made it along on 30 March to support the Mini Recital Evening.
This was our first live event for over 2 years and it really was amazing
to be back! Congratulations to all those S3 - S6 pupils who took the
opportunity to showcase their talents. We are very proud of you all and
look forward to many more events in the not too distant future.
- Congratulations to:
- Rhys
Edwards (S4) who, this weekend, will be representing and
captaining the East & Central Scotland team at the Youth Tour of
Scotland Britain’s most prestigious youth bike race. A 3 day 5 stage race
around the roads of Perthshire
- Sarah
Johnson (S4)
has passed an audition to sing in the NYCOS National Girls Choir,
conducted by Christopher Bell. She's looking forward to a six day
residential course over Easter and to singing in concerts later in the
year.
- Dominic
So (in class 1L2), who
achieved a bronze medal in the British Fencing - Edinburgh II U13 boys
foil on last Sunday 27 March.
- The
following pupils on their success in the Lothian League cross country
event which came to a close this week after 4 races.
- Freya
Mowbray (S2)
who came 1st in the S1/2 girls
- Josh
Daunt (S1)
who came 3rd in the S1/2 boys
- Kieran
Glass (S3)
who came 2nd in S3/4 boys
- Dylan
Daunt (S3)
who came 3rd in S3/4 boys
- Aaron
Patrick (S6)
who came 3rd in S5/6 boys
- Jess
Taylor who
was 18th in the Schools International and 2nd Scottish girl from
her team of 8. Dylan Daunt (S3) was also competing and was 16th
and 3rd Scot.
- Jasmina
Davé (S6)
contributed to the UK Standing Stones Episode of The Science Tourists,
which was released this week on Monday March 28. The Science Tourists is
a family science travel series focused on showing how interesting science
things can be found all around us. https://youtu.be/nk3sOGojZKU
- Dates:
- 6-7 April HPV vaccine
- 8 April Term ends at 12.55
- 25 April All resume
- 26 April Exam leave starts
- 17 May Parent Council meeting
My quote for the week: "‘ If you talk to a man
in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his
language, that goes to his heart. (Nelson Mandela).
Best wishes to all for a super weekend.
Donald
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