Senior girls' basketball

Good luck to our Senior Girls' Basketball team who have made it through to the group stages of the Scottish Cup and have been drawn against Wallace High School in the knock out phase. This game is taking place on Wednesday 3^rd February in Stirling.

Emergency Action (as recommended by the Royal Life Saving Society UK)

Emergency Action (as recommended by the Royal Life Saving Society UK)

NEVER VENTURE ONTO FROZEN RESERVOIRS, NO MATTER HOW SAFE IT LOOKS

If you see someone fall through the ice
1. Shout for assistance and call the emergency services using 999.
2. Do not walk or crawl onto the ice to attempt a rescue.
3. Shout to the casualty to keep still.
4. Try and reach them from the bank using a rope, pole, tree branch, clothing tied together or anything else, which extends your reach.
5. When reaching from the bank lie down to avoid being pulled onto the ice.
6. If you can reach them slide something that floats, like a rescue buoy.
7. If the casualty is too far away, do not attempt to rescue them. Wait for the emergency services while calming and reassuring them.

After the casualty has been removed from the ice:
1. Make sure the ambulance is on its way.
2. Lay them flat, check breathing and pulse and begin resuscitation if necessary.
3. Prevent them from getting colder by putting them in a sleeping bag or covering them including their head, with blankets or spare clothing.
4. Get them under shelter out of the cold.
5. Do not remove any clothing until the casualty is in a warm place.
6. Do not rub their skin, apply hot water or give an alcoholic drink.
7. Keep them wrapped up so that they warm up gradually.

If you fall through the ice:
1. Keep calm and call for help.
2. If no help is available spread your arms across the surface of the ice.
3. If the ice is strong enough kick your legs and slide onto the ice.
4. Lie flat and pull yourself to the shore.
5. If the ice is very thin, break it infront of you and make your way to the shore.
6. If you cannot climb out, wait for help keeping as still as possible.
7. Once you are safe, go to hospital immediately for a check up.

Damien Hoyland success

Warmest congratulations to FP Damien on his continuing success on the rugby field.

What makes a great teacher?

Thought provoking piece here on what makes a great teacher.

'Studies have shown that the most important thing in a child's education is the quality of their teacher. A child at a bad school with a good teacher can learn more than someone at a good school getting bad tuition.'

Curriculum for Excellence

This BBC link helps demystify much of what has been said about Curriculum for Excellence and why schools are different across the country.

Click here to access.

Budget proposals

Message from our Parent Council to all parents:

You may be aware that the Council is currently running a consultation on its future budget. We are very concerned at proposals to cut school business managers and thus add to the administrative burden on senior teachers, and to cut music instrumental teaching by 75%, amongst other proposals. Please review our draft response http://jghscouncil.btck.co.uk/News and let us know any comments or changes. Please also send your own individual comments by filling in the Council's online survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VJL6J5G before 17th December. It will only take you a few minutes and this is very important for our school. If possible, please also send copies of your responses to your local councillors. You can find out who they are, and their email addresses, at this link: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/councillors/search

Please get involved and share your views.

Senior course choices

Our new S5/6 Course Choices booklet is now on our school website.
S5/6 Course Handbook

Iris Ititiative and Township Voices

On Thursday 3 December, Niall Dolan (Chief Executive) from the Iris Initiative (Edinburgh based charity) presented me with a cheque for a considerable sum of money towards supporting young people in our partner schools in South Africa. The proceeds arose from two very successful 'Township Voices' choir tours in both the summer of 2014 and 2015. Huge thanks to the Iris Initiative for supporting such a worthy cause.

Defibrillator arrives at JGHS

Following a decision by City of Edinburgh Council to supply to all secondary schools in the city, I was delighted to have taken custody of this brand new Defibrillator today. Training to follow in the coming days.

State School of the Year 2015

Great to see the Edinburgh Evening News carrying this story in today's edition. Huge well done to everyone asociated with the vibrant community that is James Gillespie's High School.

St Andrews Celebration

The S6 Pupil Voice will be organising some activities next Friday 4^th December in order to raise money for the Syrian Refugee crisis.

SLT have agreed that classes can be involved in a giant ‘Strip the Willow’ outside the Malala building during periods 1 and 2 next Friday.

During interval, there will then be a range of activities such as face-painting and a bake-sale.

 

The ‘Strip the Willow’ will be organised by year groups, (sets will be in communities) and class teachers are asked to come and support their class with this – and even join in if you wish!

All classes are to meet outside Malala reception at the following times: (a tannoy announcement will also be made)

9.30                        S1

9.55                        S2  (pupils will register first)

10.20                     S3

Please read out the bulletin to alert pupils to this – S6 will also speak at the year assemblies.

If it’s raining, the event will be cancelled and a tannoy announcement will be made to that effect.