Friday 23 February 2018

1.       Welcome back to everyone after what I hope was a super February break.

2.       Thanks to all who continue to support our South Africa project. I was privileged to be part of this year’s party of 48 and I can testify that we had a fantastic time. Our S6 did us proud!

3.       Well done to the following for taking part in the Scottish Indoor Athletics championships in early February:

a.       Rose Newman S2

b.       Cerys Scott-Hobbs S3 - came 3^rd on the Girls’ U16 Pole Vault – 2.40m

c.        Anna Swan S4

d.       Callum Newby S4

e.       Anna Swan S4

f.         Callum Newby S4

g.       Fabian Despinoy S4 - came 2^nd in the Boys’ U16 800 M

h.       Lucia Montgomery S4

i.         Tom Ireland S4

4.       Thanks to all the families who contributed to the success of our Spanish exchange. I’m sure all of our pupils are looking forward to the return visit to Tenerife in May!

5.       Congratulations to Clara Potter (S6) who, during London fashion week in February, was so successful her pictures appeared in Vogue online.

6.       Congratulations to Julia Follan (S6) who was a finalist in the British Council Mandarin Speaking competition held 3 weeks ago in London. JGHS was one of 4 Scottish Schools who competed in the finals.

7.       I have signed JGHS up for Earth Hour 2018 on Saturday 24 March. More details to follow.

8.       Well done to all who took part in the concert on Monday afternoon with Dunwoody High School from Georgia in the USA. The playing of ‘Georgia on my mind’ at the 4 pm joint concert was wonderful!

9.       Today at break time, as part of Purple Friday, staff and pupils were invited to sign and/or place a message of support for our LGBT Youth community. The funds raised at today’s bake sale will be used to support the activities of our school LGBT club in relation to promoting and understanding the diversity in our school community.

10.    JGHS will be celebrating World Book Day on Thursday 1 March. There will be a Big Book Swap in the Forum at lunchtime. World Book Day tokens will also be available from the Forum -  exchange your token for a special WBD book or use it to get £1 off a book of your choice. Know Your Author Quiz will take place in the library all week from Monday 26 February.

And finally, I take this opportunity of wishing all a very Happy (Chinese) New Year. 新年快乐  May this Year of the Dog be a resoundingly happy and healthy one for you all.

Donald j Macdonald

Headteacher

Friday 2 February 2018

1. Later this evening, we will welcome 32 pupils from our link school in Tenerife. They will be with us over the coming week.
2. Our South Africa group leaves on Tuesday (42 pupils and 6 staff). We wish them well on their journey and congratulate all who have raised over £5000 for our SA projects/links.

3.       Well done to the following pupils who won 2 gold medals at the Scottish Schools Swimming Championship on Saturday the 27th of January at Dollan Aqua Centre, East Kilbride.

o    Thomas McSkinning First (gold) for 200m breaststroke

o    Liam McLaughlin First (gold) for 100m Freestyle

4.       We had a great turn out on Wednesday morning for the bicycle breakfast. Thanks to Tesco's for providing the pastries and snacks free of charge and to the police for marking the bikes. We had a very good (discounted) sale on the locks and lights but there are still some available. If you would like a high quality D-lock for £10 (subsidised by funding) please contact Deborah.Dickinson@jamesgillespies.edin.sch.uk

5.       Our Gardening club has new resumed and takes place on Monday’s after school 3:45 – 4:30pm in Science Lab 1.

6.       There is a careers event organised by Boroughmuir HS happening on 27 February to which JGHS families are invited. (See attached flyer).

7.       Bookings for the S4 consultation evening are now ‘open’, go to http://www.parents-booking.co.uk/jamesgillespies

And finally, Thursday 1 February 2018 marked the 100 anniversary of the birth of Muriel Spark – one of our most famous former pupil. Dame Muriel Spark DBE, CLit, FRSE, FRSL attended JGHS from 1923 -35. From a very early age, teachers and parents recognised and nurtured her talent as a writer. Muriel Sarah Camberg flourished as she grew up in Bruntsfield and came to be regarded as one of Britain’s most accomplished and finest novelists. Later this year on Friday 18 May we will celebrate Muriel Spark’s achievements on Founder’s day, when we reflect on the remarkable history of James Gillespie’s HS since it was founded in 1803. A main theme this year will be the contribution JGHS women have made to society.

A couple of quotes from Muriel Spark I particularly like:

‘To me education is a leading out of what is already there in the pupil's soul’ and ‘Beware of men bearing flowers’.

At Gillespie’s we believe that each and every one of our pupils has at least one special talent.  With your continuing support and encouragement they will be the next generation of writers, mathematicians, explorers, scientists, designers, musicians, politicians, captains of industry, academics, sportsmen and women, chefs, stage performers  etc.  They are all our ‘crème de la crème’!

Have a lovely weekend.

Donald j Macdonald

Headteacher