Friday 29 April

 It was lovely to welcome students and staff back to school after the recent Easter holiday. The brighter weather with the prospect of much more to come, lifts the spirits as we emerge from the challenges we all faced through 2 years of COVID related restrictions.

The number of pupils testing positive for Covid over the past 7 days was 10.  This is 24 fewer than the last week of term. This is the last week I will report on actual numbers as COVID testing is no longer expected. 

1. The SQA exams started on Tuesday of this week. All the very best to students and families involved in exams over the next 5 weeks.
2. We are required by the City of Edinburgh Council, to have an annual review of all of our pupils heath conditions and medication kept or carried in school. Please look out for emails relating to this from Welfare and complete and return as soon as possible, it is incredibly important we hold up to date information on medical conditions. If you have not informed us of your child’s medical conditions please contact me at kirsten.donnelly@jamesgillespies.edin.sch.uk
3. For those who missed the HPV vaccine in the last week before the Easter Holiday, Child Health are arranging some mop-up clinics primarily for the following students:
1. S5-6s
2. S4s who aren’t attending school next year
3. Please call their office on 0131 446 4082 to arrange an appointment. Please be assured that students who missed the vaccine will be recalled next year if still at school.
4. A number of families have been touch to enquire about the school’s approach to enrolling students who have arrived with us from Ukraine. My apologies for my tardiness in responding to individuals so, having just received the City of Edinburgh’s updated approach to ‘Supporting Ukraine and its People, here is the link to the relevant information. Thank you to all of our families who supported our fundraising appeal and are involved in other ways to support those who have been affected by the ongoing war in Ukraine.
5. Updated Covid protocols. In line with Government Guidelines, Students, staff and visitors are encouraged to wear face coverings in communal spaces indoors but this is at each individual’s discretion. Given the increased roll and potential congestion  in our school, we are planning to retain our ‘one-way’ travel system at peak movement times.
1. As you may be aware, Public Health Advice on COVID continues to evolve with the next significant changes taking effect from this Sunday (1 May). Fuller details can be found here.  In summary, the Stay at Home Guidance for people will be:

1. Children and young people with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, or slight  cough, who are otherwise well, can continue to attend their education setting.
2. Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people, where they can. They can go back to school, college or childcare, and resume normal activities when they no longer have a high temperature and they are well enough to attend.
3. Adults who have symptoms of COVID-19 and who have a fever or are too unwell to carry out normal activities will be asked to ‘stay at home’ whilst they are unwell or have a fever.  They will no longer be advised to take a PCR test.
4. In other words, from Sunday 1 May public health advice will change to a ‘stay at home’ message replacing self-isolation for people who have symptoms or have tested positive.

2. You should also be aware that as set out in https://www.gov.scot/news/end-of-the-highest-risk-list/ the Highest Risk List will cease on 31 May. These changes will be incorporated in a further update at the end of May. 
5. Congratulations to:
1. the S1 English class who entered the First Minister's Reading Challenge this year. Ms Brown and Mrs Fairhurst challenged them to 'Beat the Teacher' and try to read their own height in books! Although Mrs Fairhurst managed a respectable 85cm, some members of the class recorded over 150cm - a special mention to Sophie and Daisy for topping their respective heights. Alongside this, and lots of other fun challenges throughout the year, what we have seen is a love of reading becoming embedded in the lives of these pupils.
2. And sincere thanks to Munzir Bushara Mirghani Arshin in S1 who is currently fasting for Ramadan which ends on Sunday 1 May. To celebrate Eid al-Fitr on Monday, he brought in a variety of home baked goods and sweets for everyone in his class, packed in little personalised  boxes with everyone’s initials and a message. The class were absolutely delighted and I hear that his twin, Mazin is also doing the same this morning. It's such a huge and generous for the family to make, so thanks on behalf of all the delighted pupils and staff who received their special gifts.
3. Anna Green (S6) who continues to excel in the pool, swimming for Warrender Baths Performance and the Scottish National Team. Following a stellar performance at the British National Swimming Championships Anna is now age ranked top three in the UK for her backstroke events. Anna won two golds and a silver at the Scottish National Championships and is delighted to have been selected to represent GB at the Junior European Championships in Bucharest in July.
6. Dates:
1. 2 May Monday Holiday
2. 3 May Staff In-service Training
3. 4 May Students resume
4. 10 and 12 May S1 Parents’ evenings
5. 17 and 19 May S2 Parents’ evenings
6. 17 May Parent Council meeting

 

My quote for the week: “I think it’s possible for ordinary people to choose to be extraordinary.” (Elon Musk)

 

To all who are celebrating the end of Ramadan this weekend, Eid Mubarak.

 

Wishing all a gorgeous long weekend.

 

Donald