Si Parents' social evening

Thank you to everyone who attended our social evening last night. It was great to see such a large turnout!

It would be terrific to see many new parents coming along to our next Parent Council meeting next Tuesday - 4 September at 7 pm in the school library. As I mentioned last night this is one of the best ways of supporting our school and influencing key changes in the years ahead. Its also a very effective way of finding out what really goes on in school.

A new S1 pupil's perspective

Thank you to Tuesday Rose McDonough for sharing her thoughts on High School after her first week with us.

On the run up to high school I was incredibly nervous. The whole idea of a completely new school with completely new teachers and completely new friends is quite intimidating. I was most worried about finding my way around and not getting hopelessly lost. As I first walked into the school I felt like everyone’s eyes were on me, but soon I was greeted by a couple of my friends, and as the day went on, I started to feel more and more at home. I enjoy the lessons a lot more than the ones we got in primary, especially Science and English, and I think that it’s good to get a variety of classes. 

Before we started, we had a three day transition; I think I would have been a lot more nervous if I hadn’t been to it. It's nice because it means that you don’t go into high school clueless about what awaits you.   The school was one of the most welcoming places I’ve been, and I have made lots of new friends there.

I hope that all of our new charges now feel as settled as Tuesday Rose. If you get lost, need advice or you just want to chat about something that is worrying you then please speak to any of our S6 helpers or any member of staff.

S1 parents' social event

It's now a full week since our pupils returned and in some ways it feels like we've never been away! Staff and pupils are back in their routines and it's great to see how well our new S1 pupils are settling in to the 'Big school'. Our S6 'befrienders' have been superb in supporting our new charges and ensuring that they arrive safely at their intended destinations.

Next Thursday evening (30 August) all parents of S1 are invited to join us at the school from 7-8 pm to meet senior staff and other parents. I hope to see as many there as possible!

Prior to the main event we would like to meet with parents whose children speak more than one language. (details will follow in a letter from Mrs Kinnear). The last survey that was undertaken showed that 47 languages were spoken at Gillespie's. In addition to valuing the diversity that exists at Gillespie's, we also seek to explore how learning can be enhanced by using different languages at home and in school.

History is one for the future

In recent times, learning about History seems to have become very popular and interesting. The TV series entitled 'Horrible Histories' has won various awards and, in our household, it has been compulsive viewing for our two daughters. How then as schools do we follow that?  I am delighted to report that at Gillespie's High School, History is thriving! One example of the wonderful work we do was staged in our assembly hall today when Dave Clarke (a practising teacher of History at Stewart's Melville and a former student at Liberton High School) presented to several enthralled assemblies.  

At the end of the day I set off from my office with the intention of popping into a few classes.  What was to have been a fleeting visit to the hall, as I particularly wished to go and see some of our new S1 classes in action, turned out to be so amazing that I stayed for 45 minutes. Dave Clarke was inspirational and the pupils and staff were transfixed. Amongst other amazing facts we learned about moustaches, polishing buttons, how to use bayonets, Elsie Inglis and the fearsome reputation of the Highland regiments. This was curriculum for excellence at its glorious best.

After a rapturous round of applause several pupils and staff stayed to survey and hold the various items that were utilised during the presentations. A particular favourite of mine was an actual 'dog-tag' from a fallen soldier. As the pupils departed I asked several what they thought of the presentation. Comments included: 'He was amazing - he should be performing at the Fringe' and 'That's how to teach History sir' give an accurate representation of the awe and wonder among the pupils who were there. Many thanks to the History department and Mrs Carruthers in particular for organising such a superb experience.

Back to school

'First day at school. Stomach sinks. Tears well up. Bottom lip trembles - and you're just the parent. First-time parents get more anxious than their little darlings, so let's spare a thought for them and those others new to school this week - the newly qualified teachers.
As with every "ordeal", the waiting is worse. Parents, awake since 6am, look with adoration and apprehension at little darling's new clothes and shiny shoes laid out ready.
Meanwhile, new teacher, shiny of shoe, has been in the school car park since 6am and is desperate for the loo, but the school is not open yet ...' (Source:Guardian newspaper)


 Tomorrow morning (Wednesday 15 August) we will warmly welcome all of our pupils back to school after what I hope has been a fantastic summer holiday. I am delighted that we have a full complement of staff who are all ready and raring to go.  I look forward to congratulating pupils on a superb set of exam results before we roll up our sleeves and continue on our journey to excellence through the new session.

A very large number of new staff (24) have joined us over the summer following the departure of an equally large number of colleagues. I suspect that this very large number of 'new' staff is unprecedented at Gillespie's. Some of  the 'new' staff (3) I refer to are staff returning after a year's break on various adventures including maternity leave and travelling for a year. The past two days has given us time to work with the new staff to prepare for what, I'm sure, will be another busy and wonderful year in the life of James Gillespie's.

The following is a letter written by Abraham Lincoln to the Headmaster of a school in
which his son was studying. It contains advice, which is still relevant today for executives, workers, teachers, parents and students.

A WORD TO TEACHERS

He will have to learn, I know, that all men are not just and are not
true. But teach him if you can the wonder of books… but also give
him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky,
bees in the sun and flowers on a green hillside.
In school, teach him it is far more honorable to fall than to cheat. 
Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him he is
wrong.
Teach him to be gentle with gentle people and tough with the tough.
Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when
everyone is getting on the bandwagon.
Teach him to listen to all men; but teach him also to filter all he
hears on a screen of truth, and take only the good that comes
through.
Teach him, if you can, how to laugh when he is sad… Teach him
there is no shame in tears.
Teach him to scoff at cynics and to be aware of too much sweetness.
Teach him to sell his brawn and brain to highest bidders, but never
to put a price on his heart and soul. Teach him to close his ears to a
howling mob… and stand and fight if thinks he is right.
Treat him gently, but do not cuddle him, because only the test of fire
makes fine steel. Let him have the courage to be impatient. Let him
have the patience to be brave. Teach him always to have sublime
faith in himself, because then he will have faith in humankind.
This is a big order, but see what you can do. He is such a fine little
fellow my son!
- Abraham Lincoln

Exam results

From tomorrow (7 August) pupils  in Scotland will receive details of how they have done in their exams. The anxious wait to find out how they have fared comes to an end as the SQA dispatches the results. Fingers crossed for everyone!

The following link (SQA help) provides a number of very useful links for pupils and parents.

Pupils who wish to speak to their Guidance teacher about changing their courses for the new session will be able to do so on either the afternoon of Monday 13 or Tuesday 14 August. Appeals can be discussed with teaching staff when school resumes on Wednesday 15 August. 

Farewell to S6

On the evening of Thursday 28 June around 280 parents joined staff and the outgoing S6 for a champagne reception at the High School. This was a wonderful occasion, and gave me the opportunity to thank the pupils, parents and staff for their contributions over the years. Following  the reception, there was opportunity for photographs to be taken in the evening sunshine after which the S6 were taken by coach to the George Hotel where they enjoyed a sumptuous meal before exhibiting their dancing taelents.

On the morning of Friday 29 June the S6 attended a final assembly (some wearier than others following the exertions of the night before!) along with staff and other senior pupils. The assembly gave us an aooprtunity to reflect on all of the achievements during the past session and concluded with our school pipe band leading the S6 out of the school for the last time.

To all of our outgoing S6 we would wish to extend the school's gratitude for their contributions over the years and our sincere best wishes for the future.

I am confident that our students will continue to make significant positive contributions to our changing world.

'Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world'. (Nelson Mandela)

Farewell

On the last day of term staff and pupils bade fond farewells to several staff.  They were:

• Ms Acton (Temp. Librarian)
• Ms Campbell (Art and Design)
• Mr Cunningham (Temp. English)
• Mrs Evans (PT Guidance)
• Ms Mackay (PE)
• Mr MacLeod (Modern language)
• Mr Newberry (Temp. Physics)
• Mr Robertson (Chemistry)
• Mrs Ross (English)
• Mr Woods (PT Geography)

Thanks to all for their various contributions to JGHS.

Edinburgh Schools Film Competition

Well done to the following pupils who won the award for 'Best Picture' at Edinburgh International Film Festival schools' competition, with their beautiful and sensitively tackled short film
'Evanescent', about schizophrenia:

• Lucy Gogoliuk
• Ruairidh Graham
• Samantha Harrison
• Max McLachlan
• Naznin Khan

  They faced stiff competition mainly from S5 & S6s around the city and beyond.

School trips

When we reminisce about our school days few of us remember a particular lesson that inspired us. Instead it is often particular teachers we remember or events such as school trips. Gillespie's has a full and varied programme of trips including several to foreign lands during the past session. Currently there are school trips to New York, Switzerland, Berlin, Southern Ireland and Mongolia. Early reports indicate that they are going well and the pupils are enjoying themselves.

An email from Mr Carruthers on the Ireland trip reads as follows:  

Hallo folks, we had another fantastic day today. Although the weather was no where as good as it was yesterday we had a little bit of drizzle in the morning but we were shown around TG4 the Irish Language TV station at that time which the senior pupils particularly enjoyed. We got goodie bags and a warm welcome. We then had a little tour of Connemara before heading to Pairce an Chnuic where the kids were taken for Gaelic Football and Hurling on CLG Micheal Breathnach's new AstroTurf (main rule, Gaelic to be spoken at all times), Amazing that a small amateur community club can have such a facility in place - on top of a stand and full size pitch. The girls want to start up a Gaelic Football team in the school. Tomorrow we are off to Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Isles. Sun supposed to reappear tomorrow, we'll keep you updated. Slan!

Dalai Lama visit to Edinburgh

On Friday, a number of our pupils have been invited to meet the Dalai Lama at a function in Edinburgh. One of those attending from Jghs will be Rachel Gray in S6. Earlier today Rachel was the official piper who had been chosen to play as his holiness arrived in Edinburgh. Well done Rachel - Gillespie's is proud of you! Great to see that he acknowledged Rachel as he walked past and that the Scottish weather didn't dampen her fine playing!

P7 visits to High School

Around this time of year thousands of Primary 7 pupils will be visiting their local High School as part of their induction towards becoming high school students from August. In Edinburgh's secondary schools pupils will visit high schools on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week. This visit is intended to help reduce the uncertainly and allay any fears that exist as we prepare for the summer holidays.

On Tuesday morning we will welcome 200 P7 boys and girls to Gillespie's for their 3 day visit. In order to keep parents informed we held a 'P7/S1 information evening' tonight in our Assembly Hall. I was delighted at the very high turnout. As I said to parents earlier tonight, I am looking forward to working with all our new pupils and our families in the years ahead. All of our pupils are expected to aim for university level qualifications by the time they leave us in S6. When teachers and parents work closely together we are more effective and successful in supporting our children.

Thanks

I'd like to publicly thank everyone who contributed to making this year's staging of Diversecity such a great success. A huge thanks also to everyone who attended. The money raised will support our continuing links with schools in South Africa. The show highlighted the diversity of talent and culture we have in the school.  We really are privileged to have such wide representation of cultures in our midst.

All 180 who performed were superb. A special thank you to Malcolm Hardie from our Expressive Arts faculty for managing the entire process.

Diversecity

This year's Diversecity performance will take place on Thursday 14, Friday 15 and Saturday 16 June in the school hall, with food available on the Saturday.

Tickets cost £8/£4 concession for Thursday 14 and Friday 15, and £10/£5 conc. for Saturday 16 (this includes food). Performers have all been issued with an advance tickets form - this should have been returned to Cathy Hoskins by Thursday 31 May.  Tickets to performers were issued in the hall on Thursday 7 June.
Tickets went on general sale on Monday 11 June at school. There are still a few left! Proceeds from this wonderful event will go towards supporting our continuing links with South Africa.

Youth and Philanthropy Initiative

These past few weeks have been an exceptionally busy time of year. Last week, now that the exams are complete, we changed our timetable and welcomed back senior pupils who had been on exam leave.

In order to prepare our S5 and S6 pupils for the year ahead we arranged special  induction sessions for both year groups. Following feedback from pupils, particularly in relation to offering more enrichment to S5s, this year's chort will all take part in the Youth Philanthropy Initiative. 'The Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) is an international programme that aims to develop the community leaders of the future. Participants are given a hands-on experience of philanthropy that provides them with the skills and awareness to make a positive difference to their communities.' I'm really looking forward to seeing how this develops in the weeks ahead. The group judged to have made the best presentation in each school is granted £3,000 to award to their charity.

A focus for our S6 this session will be Leadership. It is our intention to offer opportunities to all of our S6 pupils to develop their leadership skills. Examples include working with younger pupils, raising money for charities, organising social events across the school and participating in activities leading to Sports Leadership awards.

“'The limits of my language are the limits of my world'

I had a really stimulating and interesting meeting today with Claire Soper (International Links officer with Edinburgh Council)
in regard to International education and how as a school we can further develop our links with other countries and cultures. Currently at Gillespie's we offer classes in: French, Spanish, Gaelic (Fluent and Learners), Mandarin, German and Urdu. We can also offer Latin where there is a demand.  

'As well as promoting the study of languages, the Language Department at James Gillespie’s also aims to teach the importance and benefits of having multi-lingual skills in today’s world, whether at home or abroad. We want to encourage our students to widen their horizons through language learning and overseas travel, to become global thinkers and help them understand their important role as citizens in an international, multi-lingual world. In order to achieve all of the above and more, we strive to develop and improve our courses so that they remain attractive and relevant to the needs of our learners. All staff in the department keep their own skills up to date through constant research, overseas visits and attending relevant courses. Wherever possible we try to encompass ICT into our lessons, the use of the interactive whiteboard being one of many'. (Extract from school website).

In the next few weeks I will be meeting with representatives from Edinburgh University to explore how we can work together to take our teaching of languages and international education to an even higher level. I'll return to this in a later post.

Structure of School day

Thank you to everyone who responded to the letter we sent sent out recently in regard to the timing of registration and Pupil Support Time (PST). As a result of feedback received we made some minor changes. The final period timings are as shown below. This will be effective when our new timetable begins on June 2012.

Bird brains and leadership

A few years ago, when I was in the garden with my two daughters, Jenny drew our attention to a sight that always makes me stop what I'm doing and gaze incredulously at the sky above. I am referring to the inspiring sight that is a skein of geese. Seeing the geese in their familiar 'V' formation reminded me of a lecture delivered by Dr Richard Holloway at an international conference in Edinburgh on School Leadership, in which he suggested that humans had much to learn from nature as far as good examples of leadership is concerned.

The first lesson is: work as a team. Geese migrate long distances flying in V-formation. This formation results in reduced wind resistance, which allows the whole flock to add around 70 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew alone. Geese find out quickly that it pays handsomely to be team players. Second, wise leadership: when the leader at the apex of the V gets tired, it is relieved by another goose. Leaders rotate, empower, delegate, and even step down when it's in the best interest of the team.

How often do we see this taking place among organisational leaders? Wise leaders ensure that their followers are well trained and developed in order to achieve true empowerment and so that succession is smooth. Third, humane behaviour: if a goose drops to the ground when it gets hurt or sick, two of its colleagues go down with it to take care of it until it either gets healthier or dies. In this fast-paced and competitive age, how often do we see leaders going out of their way to help colleagues who are in trouble? I would suggest that the best leaders do. I am in no doubt that in organisations, morale, productivity, and loyalty increase when employees look after each other and are treated humanely.

Professional development for staff

One of the things that really pleased me this week was the very positive response from our newly appointed Curriculum Leaders (CLs) to a professional development 'day out' on Thursday. The facilitator for the day was George Sharpe from the Brathay trust, a company with much experience in the field of leadership development.

Following management restructuring in Edinburgh's schools, Gillespie's now has a team of  3 Depute Heads and 10 CLs. They will lead on developing the school's curriculum. Rather than being divided into Subject departments led by Principal Teachers (PTs), of which there were up to 18 in secondary schools, we now have a faculty system. Each Faculty will have a CL at the helm. At Gillespie's we will,  in order to ensure that we have the subject expertise to support teachers  at classroom level, also have Subject Leaders in each discrete subject area.

The school's pastoral support for pupils team will also be restructured in the coming weeks. Details of how this is to be done will emerge in the next few days. 

At a time of such enormous and significant change, our school needs strong leadership throughout the school to ensure that our evolving version of 'Curriculum for Excellence' meets the needs of all of our pupils and takes advantage of the wealth of opportunities we can tap into as a school. I am delighted at the 'leaders' we have in post, both in the senior team and also among the CLs. I am excited at further developing leadership throughout the school in the coming weeks and months.

Collaborative Planning

Yesterday, I met with my Headteacher colleagues from all of our associated primary schools. They are: James Gillespie's Primary, Tollcross Primary, Sciennes Primary, East Preston Street Primary and Royal Mile Primary. This morning together gave us the opportunity to review our progress over the past session and to plan our collaborative working for next session. A continuing challenge for all of us is to ensure that the transitions at the various stages are seamless and smooth. At the High School, we will soon be welcoming all of our P7s for a 3 day visit on 19,20 and 21 June as preparation for them joining us as our new S1 in August. Over the past few months staff from both primary and secondary have been meeting to ensure that attainment levels and key information for all pupils is shared.

In addition, we also intend to support and encourage staff from primary and secondary to shadow each other.

S6 last day

As today was the last day of classes for our S6 they got dressed up to mark the occasion. To add a bit of fun to the day a barbecue, a large inflatable bouncy castle and an assault course were set up at Thirlestane - an area of land used by the PE department adjacent to the Gillies centre. Several staff also joined the pupils to wish them farewell. Best wishes to all of our S6 as they prepare to take their final exams over the next few weeks.

You may wish to use the link below to view other photos taken this morning.

http://www.kizoa.com/slideshow/d2618821k1556975o1/s6-last-day-2012

Anne Inglis retirement

Last night, I joined around 50 staff at  a retirement dinner for Anne Inglis. As many will know Anne has been our librarian at Gillespie's for the past 25 years. Today at break time gave all staff further opportunity to share happy memories over the years and to wish Anne all the best for a long and happy retirement. Reminiscences from colleagues, in various forms, followed by a witty and heartfelt reply by Anne, concluded a most enjoyable morning.

In the time that I have been at Gillespie's I have been hugely impressed at how many of the pupils she knew by name.  We often say about colleagues who leave that they will be a hard act to follow, but in Anne's case this is especially true. Whilst we seek a permanent replacement I am delighted that Margaret Alton will be looking after our library.

Alexander Pushkin

On Monday of this week I had the pleasure of accompanying my colleague Emily Connell from our English department to the award ceremony for the Pushkin prizes for 2012. The ceremony took place in the imposing surroundings of Archers' hall in Edinburgh. Our hostess for the day was Lady Butter, the founder and Chairman of The Pushkin Prizes in Scotland. A highlight of the day was listening to some of the work that these really talented pupils produced.

We attended to support and celebrate the achievement of William Goodrich (S2 in Gillespie's) who won one of the prizes. Very well done to William! Shortly after the prizegiving ceremony concluded all the prizewinners were whisked off to sunnier climes to attend a week's residential creative writing course at the Arvon Foundation Writers' Centre at Moniack Mhor, near Inverness.

I am delighted to learn that Gillespie's has enjoyed similar successes in this competition over the years. Well done to our English department, superbly led by Allan Crosbie, for encouraging our pupils so enthusiastically.

Testing times

It’s that time of year again when pupils up and down the country will be agonising over their preparations for exams.  Parents too will be anxious and doing their best to support pupils do their best on the day of the exam.

Here are a few thoughts oh how to do your best.

Before

• ·         Have a revision plan and keep to it.
•       Find a quiet place to work in that is free from distractions.
• ·         Before each exam try and get a good night’s sleep.
• ·         Throughout the exam period eat healthily and take regular exercise.
• ·         Practise past exam papers, either on your own or with friends.
• ·         Don’t waste time on facebook etc when you should be working.
• ·         Don’t try and revise with a television on. Listening to music can be ok and may help you concentrate.
• ·         Where appropriate, make a time plan for each exam. Take account of the marks available for each question.
• ·         If you are concerned about something you don’t understand come into school and get help from a teacher.
• ·         Classmates can be a good source of support and advice.
• ·         Make sure you have the equipment you need for each exam.
• ·         Know exactly the date, time and location for each exam and build this into your revision plan.

During

• ·         If you are feeling nervous or a bit tense, take a few deep breaths.
• ·         Once in the exam hall, make sure you read the questions carefully.
• ·         During very long exams you may need to drink water. (Check in advance that you are allowed)
• ·         Answer the question in the paper in front of you – stay focussed.
• ·         With essay questions, plan out a structured answer in bullet-point.
• ·         If a particular question is very difficult, it may be better to leave it and return to it later. (It is likely that others will also find it difficult).
• ·         When working must be shown, make sure you do this. In numerical exams most of the marks are allocated to working rather than a final answer.

After

• ·         After each exam try to get some exercise and fresh air.
• ·         Don’t spend precious time analysing what you wrote and what you forgot to write.
• ·         Do your best - no one can ask for more than that.
• ·         If you get the exam results you need for your chosen career then celebrate.
• ·         If you don’t get the exam results you need for your chosen career then get advice and make a plan to get back on track. You can celebrate when you’ve done this.

Best wishes and Good luck!