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.