Friday 1 April 2022

Friday 1 April

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.

  The number of pupils testing positive for Covid over the past 7 days was 32.  This is exactly the same as last week. Given the rapidly evolving guidelines, I will email parents and students in the latter half of the Easter Holidays with news of any changes to our COVID arrangements at JGHS.   

 

 

  1. 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/
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Details of our in-school Easter revision programme were emailed to parents and students earlier this week.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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
  11. 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.
  12. Congratulations to:
    1. 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
    2. 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.
    3. Dominic So (in class 1L2), who achieved a bronze medal in the British Fencing - Edinburgh II U13 boys foil on last Sunday 27 March.
    4. The following pupils on their success in the Lothian League cross country event which came to a close this week after 4 races. 
      1. Freya Mowbray (S2) who came 1st in the S1/2 girls
      2. Josh Daunt (S1) who came 3rd in the S1/2 boys
      3. Kieran Glass (S3) who came 2nd in S3/4 boys
      4. Dylan Daunt (S3) who came 3rd in S3/4 boys
      5. Aaron Patrick (S6) who came 3rd in S5/6 boys
    5. 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.
    6. 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
  13. Dates:
    1. 6-7 April HPV vaccine
    2. 8 April Term ends at 12.55
    3. 25 April All resume
    4. 26 April Exam leave starts
    5. 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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