Friday 27 May

 Over the past few days, it has been a pleasure to welcome P7s from our associated Primary Schools. Those P7s will begin their journey with us at JGHS in August as our new S1s. I was really impressed with all those who were with us and I take this opportunity to thank all our staff and students who made our visitors feel so welcome.

 

1. Warmest congratulations to Laura Stewart on gaining the permanent Depute Headteacher (DHT) post (replacing Jeff Warden who left JGHS in December 2021). Laura has been in an acting DHT capacity over the past 2 years and is, among other key areas, currently the school lead on capacity planning and our occupation of the Darroch annexe after the summer.
2. Parent Council news:

• The post of Headteacher at JGHS was advertised by the Council at the beginning of May, with the hope that a replacement for the school’s retiring Head, Donald Macdonald, could be put in post as close as possible to his departure date in August.  That advert has now closed, and the Council have decided that the post should be re-advertised to allow more time for all prospective candidates to register an interest.  This will take place after the summer holidays at the beginning of the 2022/23 school session. For the period up to Christmas, the Council are planning to designate an Acting Headteacher, and are hoping to recruit a suitable candidate from amongst the secondary Headteachers in Edinburgh.
• Parent representatives have been working with the Council to find the best way forward in this process. The Parent Council has emphasised the importance of a capable, committed and enthusiastic acting Headteacher being in place as soon as possible so they are able to work with Mr Macdonald in the run-up to his retirement and can take over smoothly after the summer.  They have also stressed that the new recruitment process should be a dynamic and open one, which is advertised as widely as possible and will maximise the possibility of a competitive range of candidates being attracted to the role.

3. Parents are invited to go online on Wednesday 1^st June 2022 (630 – 730 Pm) to attend an Anti-Bullying Information Session for Parents & Carers in Edinburgh : The event is Free. Join us to find out more about what you can do to support children and young people affected by bullying. Organised by Edinburgh City Council in partnership with ‘Respectme’, Scotland’s anti-bulling organisation. This session for parents and carers will help you to understand more about bullying and how to respond effectively whether it's happening online or offline.
1. How to register: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/339885114527 - this link takes you to the registration page.
4. During this warmer weather all students are reminded to drink fresh water regularly throughout the day. All are requested to bring their own water bottles and to refill these at breaks or between classes. High energy drinks are not allowed in school.
5. Now that home testing for COVID is no longer recommended we have a number of unused testing kits. The NHS has advised that we can offer these for free to staff / students / parents who might have vulnerable family members who still require tests. Please contact the school office if you wish to arrange to collect these from us.
6. 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. 
6. Well done to:
1. Catie McKendrick (S2) who won her first rowing competition at the weekend in a rowing regatta.
2. Trudy Patrick (S2)  who was successful at a district swimming meet held in Glenrothes last week. Trudy came 1^st in the200m backstroke, Girls under 13; 2^nd in both the 100m and 50m backstroke and 4^th in the 50m freestyle.
7. Dates:
1. 2 and 3 June Holidays
2. 6 June All resume
3. 10 June Charity Guitar Gig at Usher Hall https://www.usherhall.co.uk/whats-on

 

My quote for the week: “Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.“ (M W Edelman_

 

Wishing all a lovely weekend.

Donald