Friday 20 May

Throughout next week, we look forward to welcoming around 310  P7s from our associated Primary Schools. The visits will give our P7s opportunity to sample High School life ahead of them joining us in August. Regrettably, our usual 3 day visit for all P7s cannot go ahead in June this year as the eagerly awaited additional accommodation at Darroch will not be completed until later this summer.

 

1. Our staff are actively raising the profile of our commitment to supporting the mental health of our young people and each other.  Mental health Lanyards are being allocated to staff who have completed training in mental health so that they can be easily identified by our students as staff who are willing to be approached by any young person in distress. As more staff are trained, we hope more will wear these lanyards.  Key adults will chat to students about this soon to raise awareness.
2. Following concerns from members of the public,  our local Police Officers will have an increased presence in the vicinity of the school at peak times to address the issue of cars being dangerously parked near the school.  Those choosing to drop off or collect students are requested to park further from the school to avoid congestion and increased risk to others.
3. All members of the JGHS community are invited to attend the online launch of the findings of the pioneering research project on the impact of Covid-19 on children of colour in Scotland. This will be a very important research project and tool informing research, policy and practice in Scotland. Well done to Ashaanka Sarma (2R1) who was on the advisory board. Details of how to join are here.
4. Parents are invited to go online on Wednesday 1^st June 2022 (630 – 730 Pm) to attend an Anti-Bullying Information Session for Parents & Carers in Edinburgh : The event is Free. Join us to find out more about what you can do to support children and young people affected by bullying. Organised by Edinburgh City Council in partnership with ‘Respectme’, Scotland’s anti-bulling organisation. This session for parents and carers will help you to understand more about bullying and how to respond effectively whether it's happening online or offline.
1. How to register: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/339885114527 - this link takes you to the registration page.
5. The following supports are being arranged in an attempt to deal with the misuse of social media - particularly with S1 pupils. 
6. As part of our continuing efforts to support students to make better decisions on how they use social media to interact safely and respectfully with others the following are being organised:
1. There will be a presentation for S1 parents on how to support their children to use social media safely and responsibly. This will be delivered by a specialist police officer later this term. Dates and details as yet to be confirmed.
2. Parents will be emailed a leaflet on supporting their children to use social media safely. This will be sent with the invitation to the talk.
3. PC Mackenzie will deliver an in-depth assembly to S1 about cyber-crime and social media Friday 20th May.
4. We are hoping this assembly will also be delivered to S2 and S3 pupils at a later date.
5. PC Mackenzie will start running a “police surgery” at break and straight after school starting this Friday. Pupils could come and discuss their concerns/report issues directly to her.
7. During this warmer weather all students are reminded to drink fresh water regularly throughout the day. All are requested to bring their own water bottles and to refill these at breaks or between classes. High energy drinks are not allowed in school.
8. Now that home testing for COVID is no longer recommended we have a number of unused testing kits. The NHS has advised that we can offer these for free to staff / students / parents who might have vulnerable family members who still require tests. Please contact the school office if you wish to arrange to collect these from us.
9. The recording of this week’s Parent Council meeting this week is now available on the PC website https://jghsparentcouncil.org/ together with the presentation by the school’s new Mental Health Coordinator, Nikki Graham. Nikki is looking for parents to collaborate in her work on supporting mental health in the school and discusses her plans in the presentation. If you would be interested, contact the PC on jghscouncilcomms@gmail.com or get in touch direct with the school.
10. Updated Covid protocols. In line with Government Guidelines, Students, staff and visitors are encouraged to wear face coverings in communal spaces indoors but this is at each individual’s discretion. Given the increased roll and potential congestion  in our school, we are planning to retain our ‘one-way’ travel system at peak movement times.
1. As you may be aware, Public Health Advice on COVID continues to evolve with the next significant changes taking effect from this Sunday (1 May). Fuller details can be found here.  In summary, the Stay at Home Guidance for people will be:

1. Children and young people with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, or slight  cough, who are otherwise well, can continue to attend their education setting.
2. Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people, where they can. They can go back to school, college or childcare, and resume normal activities when they no longer have a high temperature and they are well enough to attend.
3. Adults who have symptoms of COVID-19 and who have a fever or are too unwell to carry out normal activities will be asked to ‘stay at home’ whilst they are unwell or have a fever.  They will no longer be advised to take a PCR test.
4. In other words, from Sunday 1 May public health advice will change to a ‘stay at home’ message replacing self-isolation for people who have symptoms or have tested positive.

2. You should also be aware that as set out in https://www.gov.scot/news/end-of-the-highest-risk-list/ the Highest Risk List will cease on 31 May. These changes will be incorporated in a further update at the end of May. 
10. Well done to:
1. Fraser Lupton (2R2) who competed in the 800m East Districts Championships at the weekend and finished a close second with a time of 2:02:67.
2. Clara Dick (S1) and Abby Harbisher (S2) who were selected to play for the Scotland Girls U14's basketball team and competed in the Four Nations tournament in Dundee last weekend.
3. Marcus Herbert (S1) who, on finding a bus pass belonging to a member of the public, made great efforts to contact the owner so it could be returned. 
11. Dates:
1. 2 and 3 June Holidays
2. 10 June Charity Guitar Gig at Usher Hall https://www.usherhall.co.uk/whats-on

 

My quote for the week: "The things you really need are few and easy to come by; but the things you can imagine you need are infinite, and you will never be satisfied’’ (Epicurus – ancient Greek Philosopher)

 

Wishing all a lovely weekend.

Donald

Friday 13 May

Studies have long shown that reading and being read to can have positive impacts on mental health. It’s a good way to relax, unwind and enjoy time with others. So, that’s how we marked Mental Health Awareness Week this year. Staff came to the library on Wednesday at lunchtime to read stories, poetry, and passages from some of their favourite books. Colleagues and pupils came to enjoy the readings and they were delighted! Everyone thought it was a good experience, and we’re hoping to make it a regular event. My sincere thanks to all involved and especially to Ms Adenekan (one of two Librarians) for organising the event.

 

Over recent weeks, we have seen a gradual re-introduction of school excursions. I was really pleased to hear glowing praise for JGHS students who have been involved in working towards Duke of Edinburgh accreditation. Well done and thanks to all involved.

 

1. Now that home testing for COVID is no longer recommended we have a number of unused testing kits. The NHS has advised that we can offer these for free to staff / students / parents who might have vulnerable family members who still require tests. Please contact the school office if you wish to arrange to collect these from us.
2. A reminder from the Parent Council that the next meeting is on Tuesday 17 May at 7pm.  Nikki Graham, the school’s Mental Health Coordinator, will be talking about her post and mental health support at the school.  We will also hear from our Headteacher, Donald Macdonald, in his last Parent Council meeting before his retirement in the summer.  We will send out the link before the meeting via the school email.  Please email the PC at jghscouncilcomms@gmail.com by 12 noon on Monday if you have any questions or issues you would like included in the Headteacher’s update. For further information on the work of the PC please see https://jghsparentcouncil.org/ where you can also find recordings of previous meetings.
3. Staffing: congratulations to Ms MacIver (Curriculum Leader for Gaelic Medium Education (GME)) who was appointed to the post of Depute Headteacher (GME) earlier this week.  We will shortly share an update of staffing changes across the school with all parents.
4. We are grateful to Mr McGeary (Guitar Instructor) for giving JGHS students an opportunity to perform at a fundraising event at the Usher Hall on Friday 10th June. Some of the proceeds from this event will be used to fund more music therapy from Nordoff Robbins. The performers will include the James Gillespie's High School junior choir, a guitar orchestra featuring past and present pupils and much more. A huge cast of musicians performing rock, folk, classical and film themes! The evening will also include a tribute to our late friend Dave Leslie, a former head of music at JGHS. The ticket price (£18.15) includes a programme and booking fee, and due to some very generous sponsorship, every single penny goes to support charities. Tickets can be purchased at the Usher Hall box office: https://www.usherhall.co.uk/whats-on
5. Updated Covid protocols. In line with Government Guidelines, Students, staff and visitors are encouraged to wear face coverings in communal spaces indoors but this is at each individual’s discretion. Given the increased roll and potential congestion  in our school, we are planning to retain our ‘one-way’ travel system at peak movement times.
1. As you may be aware, Public Health Advice on COVID continues to evolve with the next significant changes taking effect from this Sunday (1 May). Fuller details can be found here.  In summary, the Stay at Home Guidance for people will be:

1. Children and young people with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, or slight  cough, who are otherwise well, can continue to attend their education setting.
2. Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people, where they can. They can go back to school, college or childcare, and resume normal activities when they no longer have a high temperature and they are well enough to attend.
3. Adults who have symptoms of COVID-19 and who have a fever or are too unwell to carry out normal activities will be asked to ‘stay at home’ whilst they are unwell or have a fever.  They will no longer be advised to take a PCR test.
4. In other words, from Sunday 1 May public health advice will change to a ‘stay at home’ message replacing self-isolation for people who have symptoms or have tested positive.

2. You should also be aware that as set out in https://www.gov.scot/news/end-of-the-highest-risk-list/ the Highest Risk List will cease on 31 May. These changes will be incorporated in a further update at the end of May. 
5. Dates:
1. 17 and 19 May S2 Parents’ evenings
2. 17 May Parent Council meeting
3. 10 June Charity Guitar Gig at Usher Hall https://www.usherhall.co.uk/whats-on

 

My quote for the week: "You want weapons? We're in a library! Books! The best weapons in the world! This room's the greatest arsenal we could have - arm yourselves!" (11^th Doctor Who)

 

Best wishes to all for a lovely weekend.

Donald 

Friday 6 May

 The SQA exams are running smoothly – continuing best wishes and good luck to all who are involved.

 

1. We are currently experiencing an increase in the numbers of younger pupils who are misusing online media to post inappropriate content about others. Edinburgh secondary school pupils are being targeted as part of a vile TikTok cyberbullying trend. The anonymous social media accounts, set up during the school Easter holidays, pick on pupils by leaving nasty comments – including those of a sexual nature. Accompanying the slurs are clues as to a pupil’s identity and even partial images of faces as peers are encouraged to guess their identity. Parents are requested to discuss this trend with their children and contact the school if you have any concerns so that appropriate action is taken to educate and support all involved.
2. The next Parent Council will be held on Tuesday 17 May at 7pm.  Please email the PC at jghscouncilcomms@gmail.com if you have any questions or issues you would like included in the Head Teacher’s update. If you would like to catch up on previous meetings, they are on PC website at: https://jghsparentcouncil.org/ We will send out the link to join the meeting via the school email nearer the time. 
3. All pupils in S1-S3 to take part in a survey about their health and wellbeing. The findings will help our local authority to understand the needs, strengths and possible concerns of children and young people, which will help plan future improvements to local services. Please look out for a letter which you should receive that will provide you with more detailed information about the Census, and provides you with the opportunity to let us know if you don’t wish your child to take part.
4. On Monday 9 and Monday 16 Modern Languages will welcome P6 students (approx 150 per day) from our associated primary schools for a day of language learning at JGHS.
5. Updated Covid protocols. In line with Government Guidelines, Students, staff and visitors are encouraged to wear face coverings in communal spaces indoors but this is at each individual’s discretion. Given the increased roll and potential congestion  in our school, we are planning to retain our ‘one-way’ travel system at peak movement times.
1. As you may be aware, Public Health Advice on COVID continues to evolve with the next significant changes taking effect from this Sunday (1 May). Fuller details can be found here.  In summary, the Stay at Home Guidance for people will be:

1. Children and young people with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, or slight  cough, who are otherwise well, can continue to attend their education setting.
2. Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people, where they can. They can go back to school, college or childcare, and resume normal activities when they no longer have a high temperature and they are well enough to attend.
3. Adults who have symptoms of COVID-19 and who have a fever or are too unwell to carry out normal activities will be asked to ‘stay at home’ whilst they are unwell or have a fever.  They will no longer be advised to take a PCR test.
4. In other words, from Sunday 1 May public health advice will change to a ‘stay at home’ message replacing self-isolation for people who have symptoms or have tested positive.

2. You should also be aware that as set out in https://www.gov.scot/news/end-of-the-highest-risk-list/ the Highest Risk List will cease on 31 May. These changes will be incorporated in a further update at the end of May. 
5. Congratulations to:
1. Sam Macnamara who achieved Grade 1 Saxophone with merit
2. Daniel Chowings who achieved Grade 3 Piano with merit
3. William Wardlow (classical guitar) and Carla Brunelli Bonnet (cello) who have been accepted into the Junior Conservatoire at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
4. Several talented guitarists who took part in a concert last Friday in Duddingston Kirk and in doing raised the magnificent sum of £305 which will help a Ukrainian family settle in the Portobello area. The Kirk minister has already sourced free accommodation for the family for the next two years and the money we raised will help them buy groceries upon their arrival. The pupils who took part  were Alexandre Sabino Hunt, William Warlow, Elizabeth Mole, Chloe Stirling, Flora Mitchell, Dylan Daunt, Ula Brooke’s, Flynn Conroy and former pupil Oliver Coombs. Our pupils performed in ensemble and Flora, William, Alexandre and Oliver played solos to an appreciative audience.
6. Dates:
1. 10 and 12 May S1 Parents’ evenings
2. 17 and 19 May S2 Parents’ evenings
3. 17 May Parent Council meeting

 

My quote for the week: “Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.“ (Franklin D. Roosevelt)

 

 

Wishing all a lovely weekend.

 

Donald