Friday 3 May

1.       SQA exams are now up and running; very best wishes to all who are involved. I know from personal experience how essential and demanding the input of parents/carers is in supporting/cajoling/placating/reassuring pupils is. Sincere thanks to all!

2.       During the past week we have had ‘Changeworks’ (Council environmental staff) delivering assemblies to S1, 2 and 3 on the impact of litter on our environment and what we can do as a school to improve. Following two of the assemblies, an enthusiastic group of pupils participated in a litter pick up around the school and the areas adjacent to the school. We intend to further develop this initiative in the coming session.

3.       We will be reminding all pupils in the coming days that energy drinks are not allowed on campus.

4.       Thanks to everyone for supporting the arrangements for this year’s ‘Alternative Timetable’ on 22 and 23 May. During these two days pupils in S1, 2 and 3 are able to take part in a variety of ‘low-cost’ or free activities. Some are school based whilst other activities take pupils further afield. Thanks to Ms McLennan for leading on this year’s programme.

5.       I am delighted that the JG Trust has arranged for information plaques to be installed at various locations around the school. These plaques give information about the different buildings and their history. Additionally, the Trust has arranged for the bust of James Gillespie (the school’s founder) with background information to be on display at the school’s reception.

6.       Thanks to Ms Cholak (Maths department) who arranged a trip for a large s1 group to attend a maths exhibition and workshops at the national Museum last week. ‘We had a fantastic day at the museum for the launch of the new Maths Week Scotland website.  The S1’s enjoyed creating costume dress ruffles using their measurement skills, learning about how musical notes are linked to fractions and interacting with robots.  They all enjoyed the talk by University Challenge contestant Bobby Seagull and his maths rap and got to hear about the Maths Week Scotland initiative from John Swinney, Deputy First Minister’. https://twitter.com/ScotGovEdu/status/1122893307074547713

7.       Last weekend, 32 of our S3s enjoyed favourable weather in the Pentland Hills as they were involved in the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award. Thanks to Ms Ewing (PE staff) for leading on this.

8.       Pupils and staff are encouraged to cycle or walk to school. All are reminded to use sturdy locks for securing bicycles. (‘D’ locks appear to be the most secure)

9.       Congratulations to Mr Russell (Physics department) on becoming a dad to Thomas Russell yesterday evening. Mum, Thomas and 2 siblings reported to be ‘doing great’. Dad also looking well and looking forward to getting the family home back in order during paternity leave.

10.   Well done to:

a.       S3 pupils (Chiara, Leon, Jacob and Liam) who, as part of their Prince’s Trust class, prepared a tasty array of sandwiches and hot drinks for staff at break today.

b.       Mollaidh Nicholson who has been selected to play in the Midlothian inter club tournament at Dalmahoy this week.

c.       Esther Silverton (S3) who has been awarded a ‘Diana’ award in recognition of her work in a variety of areas. This includes, homelessness and climate change. https://diana-award.org.uk/

11.   Diary:

a.       There is a S2 parents’ night consultation evening from 5 – 7 pm on Wednesday 8 May.

b.       The Edinburgh Local Mod takes place on 25 May. https://www.edinburghlocalmod.com/ Please encourage pupils to get involved.

And finally I take this opportunity of wishing all a lovely long weekend. Monday is a holiday for all; Tuesday is a staff training day. Pupils resume from 0830 on Wednesday 8 May.

Donald j Macdonald

Headteacher

Friday 26 April

1.       Welcome back to everyone after what I hope was an enjoyable Easter holiday.

2.       Thanks to everyone for supporting our social event this evening - tickets are now sold out!  We are looking forward to a great evening with wine from Vino Wines, fruit punch, a pop-up bar provided by Barnomadics, music from our talented senior students and food provided by our local supporters including our main sponsor Victor Hugo, and from Scotmid, Sainsbury's, Aldi and our local greengrocers at Argyle Place.  Thanks to all of them and to all our parent helpers and to you for supporting it.

3.       The James Gillespie’s Trust was established to provide support and funding for educational and extra-mural activities within James Gillespie’s High School and its community. In addition, the Trust fosters strong links with past pupils.  More information about the Trust can be found here https://www.jamesgillespiestrust.com/ including details of eligibility for the Small Grant Scheme, and how to apply.  Trustees include past pupils, members of the School Senior Management team, local councillors, and members of the current Parent Council. There is currently a Trustee vacancy for a member of the current parent body, so if you are interested, please get in touch for an informal discussion about our work. Ann Henderson, Chair mail.jgtrust@gmail.com

4.       Best wishes to all who are involved in national exams in the coming weeks. I’m sure that the hard work and long hours will pay dividends when the results are released in August. Pupils are reminded that they are welcome to come to work in school during study leave. All are encouraged to arrange to meet with their teachers for any support needed.

5.       All the best to the JGHS U14’s football team who are playing Boroughmuir in the League Cup semi-final tomorrow morning. They are a great bunch of lads who are very committed and proud be to representing the school and I’m sure they would appreciate your support. The game is at Meggetland with a 9am kick-off if you are free and fancy going along.

6.       Well done to:

a.       Four S3 pupils (Heidi Miller, Lola Bradbury, Susannah Kernohan and Lucy Robertson), who, accompanied by Ms Walker (Mandarin and Spanish Teacher), attended an awards ceremony in Glasgow for the Scottish European Educational Trust's project "Our World". The project involved over 20 high schools and 280 pupils, who all wrote, recorded and edited films in a foreign language around the topic of sustainability, trade or movement. Our team from JGHS filmed theirs at Edinburgh Zoo in Mandarin and scooped the award for "Factual Content". This was a great project and a fantastic achievement! More info on the project: http://www.seet.org.uk/oureurope/index.php The film made by pupils: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3LeMtIUGaE

b.       Reuben Stiven who is a 2019 Prize winner in the annual (international) Pushkin creative writing competition. Reuben’s prize will be to attend the Moniack Mhòr Writers’ Centre near Inverness where, joined by peer winners from Scotland and St Petersburg, they will work with two professional writers – Gerry Cambridge and Julie Bertagna – in an informally structured course which ends the following Friday, 28^th June.

c.       The JGHS Senior Boys Volleyball Team who were runners up in the final of the Scottish Schools’ Cup Competition on Friday 12 April.

7.       Congratulations to both Ms Kennedy (continues as Ms Kennedy) and Ms Smith (now Mrs Westwood) who got married to Allyn and Robert respectively over the Easter holidays.

And finally, I wish all a lovely and sun drenched weekend.

Donald j Macdonald

Headteacher

Friday 5 April

1. Please consider supporting our JGHS Parent Council’s main social event this year, Growing our School Community - Wine Tasting and Social Event. Friday 26th April 2019 from 7pm to 9.45pm at our school forum and garden. Tickets available @ https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/jghs-pc-wine-tasting-and-social-event-tickets-59272969046 (Please note there is a £1.25 Eventbrite ticket admin charge)
2. Pupils in S4, 5 and 6 will go on exam leave from Thursday 25 April. Wednesday 24 April Is therefore the last day in classes for pupils. All pupils will resume on Monday 3 June when we start the new timetable.
3. We wish Maike Goetting (German Language Assistant) every success in the future and a safe return home to Germany. Maike has been with us for the past 7 months at JGHS and we are grateful for all her assistance in various German classes.
4. Well done to:
1. Laura Penman (S5) who won the Junior Conservatoire Scottish Music Prize on Saturday 30th March. 
2. Anna Green (S3), Susannah Kernohan (S3), David Kernohan (S2), Ross Keir (S5), Robert Wright (S5) and Liam McLaughlin (S5) who swam very well at the Scottish National Age Group Championships in Glasgow last week. They came back with an impressive 10 medals:

                                                               i.      Anna Green one silver and one bronze,

                                                             ii.      David Kernohan one gold and one bronze,

                                                           iii.      Liam McLaughlin two gold, 3 silver and one bronze.

3. Kirsty Johnson, 3S1, came 2nd (female rider, all ages) in the Scottish Cycling National Track League at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow. She came 31st/125 (mainly male) riders overall.
4. Jamie Clyde (S1), who following competitive auditions, attended the NYCOS (National Youth Choir of Scotland) residential training this past week in Loretto.
4. A programme of Easter revision classes was emailed to parents of pupils in S4,5 and 6 earlier this week.

And finally, I take this opportunity of wishing all a relaxing and enjoyable Easter Holiday. We look forward to welcoming all back to school on Tuesday 23 April.

Donald j Macdonald

Headteacher