Monday 18 November 2019

Friday 15 November


  1. An email relating to arrangements for the (S1-3) Alternative Timetable on 20 and 21 May 2020 was posted to families last week. In response to parental feedback, we have changed to an online booking system – the deadline is this Sunday, 17th. Thanks to Miss McLennan and Ms Dickinson for their management of this programme. The online form can be accessed directly from here. https://www.jamesgillespies.co.uk/alternative-timetable-now-live/
  2. Following the award winning success of last year’s ‘Wee Sleep Out’, when we raised over £11,000, arrangements are currently being finalised for this year’s Wee Sleep Out on Friday 29 November involving pupils in S1,2 and 3. If you would like to contribute please go to https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/jamesgillespies. All proceeds go to Social Bite – a social enterprise that aims to eradicate homelessness in Scotland.
  3. A reminder that next week there will be in-school rehearsals for Senior Ensembles in preparation for the Christmas concert. Please check noticeboards in the Music department for specific information and arrive promptly to the theatre at your allocated time.
  4. Annual Data Check forms -Data capture forms will be issued by Key Adults next week to any pupil that has not yet completed/returned one. It is essential for our records that these are returned with any changes to personal or contact details. Please also notify the school if your child has any medical condition/health issues that we are not aware of.  The signed form should be returned to Reception ASAP - if there are no changes please mark this also.
  5. The JGHS Parent Council would like to invite everyone from our school community to our next PC meeting on Tues 26th Nov.  We will be discussing JGHS policy and approach to addressing inappropriate behaviours, including sexual harassment of peers, online behaviours and how parents can support the school and pupils to build a respectful school community. Also on the agenda: pupil equity initiatives, rising rolls and capacity.  Everyone is very welcome on Tues 26th Nov @ 7pm in the Library in the Malala building.  If you can't make the date our minutes are online at http://jghscouncil.btck.co.uk and if you have any topics you would like raised at future PC meetings please email us at jghscouncilcomms@gmail.com
  6. A warm welcome to the following staff who started with us this week:
    1. Angela White -  School Office
    2. Vasilelios Tsakonitis -  Sciences Technician
    3. Niall Evans - Sciences Teacher
  7. Written reports for S5 and S6 were issued to pupils on Wednesday 13 November. We hope that these were relayed safely and promptly to parents/carers.

Well done to:

    1. Daniel Hart S4  and Moray Bean S3  who have been selected to represent Edinburgh Schools in their next U15 National Trophy match.
    2. The following pupils who represented JGHS a the Scottish China Education Network Youth Summit on Friday 8 November:

S2

    1. Melissa McClellan



S3

    1. Isobel Crawford
    2. Louise Thomson
    3. Louise Macleod
    4. Kai Rogers
    5. Arooj Sarwar
    6. Anna Szendrei



S4

    1. Lucy Robertson
    2. Heidi Miller
    3. Lola Bradbury
    4. Susannah Kernohan



S5

    1. Cameron Yung
    2. Samuel Urqhart
    3. Lucia Garland



S6

    1. Alejandro Tamariz-Martel
    2. Marley Adair
    3. Aurora Branigan
  1.  
  2. Best wishes to the following pupils who, on Thursday, worked with serving professionals  to prepare for this session’s BBC Alba's Film G production.

S4s

    1. Sorcha Thompson
    2. Sadie Drye
    3. Ellie Gallagher
    4. Anna Halliday
    5. Fraser Peel
    6. Sandy MacGregor
    7. Felix Walker
    8. Maral Rahmani
    9. Esther Silverton
    10. Liza Gogoliuk

S1s

    1. Casey Rennie
    2. Manus McLeod
    3. Flynn Conroy
  1. Good luck to our Under 13’s (S1) football team who are playing against James Young High School on Friday in the 3rd Round of the Scottish Shield competition.
  2. I was immensely proud of the 40+ S2 pupils who on Wednesday of this week took part in the Legal Experts in School initiative. The 6 practising lawyers were glowing in their praise of those who took part for their positive attitude and keen interest in legal work. Thanks to Ms Shearer for organising.
  3. Tickets for our annual Christmas Concert at the Usher Hall are now on sale from their box office. Book early to avoid disappointment! http://www.usherhall.co.uk/whats-on/james-gillespies-high-school-christmas-concert-1
  4. Well done to Darcey McConville who continues to develop as a great young talent in water polo. Most recently, Darcey has been selected to represent Scotland.



My quote of the week: “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.” (Plato)



Best wishes to all for a lovely weekend



Donald j Macdonald
Headteacher

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