Thursday 24 October 2013

Winning duet

At last week's Royal National Mod in Paisley our school was well represented and we enjoyed many successes in a range of competitions.

This video clip shows Mikaela and Duncan Carmichael performing their winning duet at the prize winners' concert. Nach math a rinn iad!

Wednesday 23 October 2013

Referendum 2014

Various versions of this particular graphic wil be appearing across the country over the months ahead. I hope that all eligible to vote will vote.

Tuesday 15 October 2013

Homework

During most evenings I have a quick look at the websites of our local newspapers. This article on the benefits (or not!) of giving children homework caught my eye.
Homework
Speaking as a parent, I see quite a negative impact on very young children if the homework is unstructured and poorly planned. In both my daughters' cases the homework was carefully planned and helps prepare them for secondary school. Our girls have had to learn to plan their week's activities and prioritise their time accordingly.

Saturday 12 October 2013

Holiday plans


A friend recently posted this on his facebook wall. 


My inconclusive travel plans for the Term holidays.

I have been in many places, but I've never been in Cahoots.  Apparently, you can't go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone.

I've also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there.

I have, however, been in Sane. They don't have an airport; you have to  be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work.I would like to go to Conclusions, but you  have to jump, and I'm not too much on physical activity anymore.

I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to  visit there too often.


I've been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.

Sometimes I'm in Capable, and I go there more often as I'm getting older.

One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the  adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the
stimuli I can get!



Happy holidays to everyone!

Friday 11 October 2013

Top Pupil

We learned the other day that Amy Taylor is to be awarded the prize as the top performing pupil in Scotland for Advanced Higher Biology. Warmest congratulations to Amy and to Ms Gray her teacher!


National Mod - Paisley

Good luck to everyone who is participating in the National Mod in Paisley over the next 8 days. A sizeable number of our pupils are taking part in this annual celebration of Gaelic music, dance, drama, arts and literature.

Gur math a theid leibh!

Wednesday 9 October 2013

Commonwealth games Glasgow 2014

I was delighted to receive a letter today informing me that our school has been selected to be part of next year's baton relay. Over the next few weeks our pupil council will decide on who is to represent our school for this historic event.

Friday 4 October 2013

Staff training

On Fridays, classes finish at lunchtime thus allowing pupils and staff to pursue a wide range of 'extra curricular' activities. Today, for example, our senior boys' football team headed for Linlithgow to pit their talents against their peers on what I'm certain was a heavy and soggy pitch.

Meanwhile, scores of other pupils pursued varied sporting and musical interests at various venues in the locality.

For staff who weren't involved in those clubs we had an hour together to recap on some of the key issues of the day.


In my presentation I covered:

  1. Thanking staff for their efforts over the past half term
  2. Update on rebuild programme
  3. Sharing classroom experiences (programme where all teaching staff are expected to observe at least three other colleagues throughout the session) our focus this session will be on how we use feedback to enrich and enhance learning and teaching at Gillespie's. 
  4. School examination results this year - Higher results in S5 are the best ever.x
  5. Curriculum for excellence update - planning for session 14/15
  6. Calendar deadlines - staff reminded to ensure that agreed deadlines should be met
Following my presentation, Mrs Westerman, ably supported by Messrs Alexander and Stewart shared an update our our (Tapestry) learning and teaching communities. These are groups of practising teachers who work collaboratively to improve each other's classroom practices through peer observation and discussion. 

Mr McCallum then updated us on appeals made to the Sqa and progress being made on resolving internet access speed at Darroch. I am delighted to report that excellent progress is, at last, being made in this latter area.

With one week to go until the mid term holiday I feel that we're now settled into a good routine and that staff and pupils are working really well together. The period from October through to Easter is, I always think, the most serious and busiest part of the year.





Thursday 3 October 2013

Twenty things a mum should tell her son

A friend recently posted this on her Facebook wall. I wonder how many would apply to a father daughter relationship?

TWENTY THINGS A MOM SHOULD TELL HER SON 1. Play a sport. It will teach you how to win honorably, lose gracefully, respect authority, work with others, manage your time and stay out of trouble. And maybe even throw or catch. 2. You will set the tone for the sexual relationship, so don't take something away from her that you can't give back. 3. Use careful aim when you pee. Somebody's got to clean that up, you know. 4. Save money when you're young because you're going to need it someday. 5. Allow me to introduce you to the dishwasher, oven, washing machine, iron, vacuum, mop and broom. Now please go use them. 6. Pray and be a spiritual leader. 7. Don't ever be a bully and don't ever start a fight, but if some idiot clocks you, please defend yourself. 8. Your knowledge and education is something that nobody can take away from you. 9. Treat women kindly. Forever is a long time to live alone and it's even longer to live with somebody who hates your guts. 10. Take pride in your appearance. 11. Be strong and tender at the same time. 12. A woman can do everything that you can do. This includes her having a successful career and you changing diapers at 3 A.M. Mutual respect is the key to a good relationship. 13. "Yes ma'am" and "yes sir" still go a long way. 14. The reason that they're called "private parts" is because they're "private". Please do not scratch them in public. 15. Peer pressure is a scary thing. Be a good leader and others will follow. 16. Bringing her flowers for no reason is always a good idea. 17. It is better to be kind than to be right. 18. A sense of humor goes a long way in the healing process. 19. Please choose your spouse wisely. My daughter-in-law will be the gatekeeper for me spending time with you and my grandchildren. 20. Remember to call your mother because I might be missing you. Don't forget to share!

Wednesday 2 October 2013

Annual Greyfriar's lecture - Wednesday 9 October



This year's annual lecture will be delivered jointly by Anne MacPhail (Ht of Bun Sgoil Taobh na Pairce) and me.

 

Every year, the Gaelic congregation of Greyfriars Tolbooth and Highland Kirk hosts a public lecture, inviting well-known figures to speak on some aspect of the Gaelic world. Poets, academics, language activists and others have spoken on a range of subjects covering the history, culture and present-day situation and challenges of the Gaelic language and the communities who speak it.
This year has been a big one for the Gaelic community in Edinburgh, with the opening of the capital's first fully Gaelic Medium primary school - a milestone in the development of Gaelic education, and an important step in the revitalisation of the language. Recent years have also seen considerable growth in the provision of Gaelic-medium education and learning opportunities at high school level in the city. We have therefore decided that this year's lecture will be on the subject, "Gaelic Education in Edinburgh", and will be delivered jointly by Anne MacPhail (Head Teacher of the new Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pairce), and Donald Macdonald (Head Teacher of James Gillespie’s High School).
The lecture is sure to be of interest to anyone with an interest in Gaelic, minority-language rights and education. All are very welcome to attend.
The lecture will be delivered in English, with time for discussion at the end. Tea and coffee will be provided afterwards.
9 October at 19:30
Greyfriars Kirk
.