Consultation on School's approach to Religious Observance

Dear Parent/Carer.

School is now up and running again after what I hope was a great break for all of our families. I am pleased to say that the rebuilding of the new school continues apace and that we remain on schedule to complete the first phase by Easter 2015. I am delighted to report that our pupils have performed to a high standard, once again, in the exams this year; testament to their hard work and excellent support provided by staff and parents in so many different ways.

During this session we will be using email to communicate with parents and in this email I wish to share with you a proposal for JGHS to meet Government requirements to provide religious observance in our school.

This consultation was included in the summer 2014 newsletter (on school website) but as you may have missed it I thought it best to share it with you again so that you may share your views. This consultation closes on Midnight on Sunday 7 September.

The Education (Scotland) Act 1980 makes it a statutory duty of the local authority to provide religious observance in Scottish schools. Guidance provided by The Scottish Government suggests that it be developed in a way which reflects and understands the diverse faith and belief traditions represented in Scotland while at the same time being sensitive to individual spiritual needs and beliefs. The Religious Observance Review

Group Report (2004) reiterates the view of Scottish Government Ministers that religious observance is an important educational experience for children and young people at all stages. At James Gillespie’s High School we are striving to improve our provision of inclusive religious observance

under the title used by the Scottish Parliament, ‘Time for Reflection’. The objective is to create a well thought out forum for personal/spiritual development, which recognises the dignity and worth of each individual and their contribution to the school and wider community.’

All pupils and staff should be able to participate fully with integrity without compromising their faith commitment or non-faith beliefs.

Our proposal for the 2014/2015 session is to enact the following:

1.      Plan a minimum of six opportunities for ‘Time for Reflection’ during the school year.

2.      As advocated by the Scottish Secular Society, make parents/carers explicitly aware of the full extent and nature of ‘Time for Reflection’ as well as the provision to withdraw children from participation. We aim to promote a high level of understanding and sensitivity so that there is no fear that a child would be singled out.

3.      Plan an equal number of worthwhile alternatives for pupils who are withdrawn by parents from participation in ‘Time for Reflection’. Allowing a conscious choice, free of compulsion, could make the entire activity more meaningful.

At present we are drawing up a calendar to mark a wide range of traditions and practices via an assortment of activities and forums. As the session gets underway in we would welcome feedback on the above from our parents, carers and pupils. Contributions and suggestions on how we might make ‘Time for Reflection’ even more valuable are especially welcome. All comments should go in the first instance to Mr. J Warden (Pupil Support) via email: Jeff.Warden@jamesgillespies.edin.sch.uk

We look forward to hearing from you.

The feedback received from parents will be collated and shared at the first meeting of the Parent Council on the evening of Tuesday 16 September from 7 Pm. All parents/carers are welcome

Yours sincerely,

Donald J Macdonald

Police Youth Volunteers

During recent months several of our pupils have been trained to become Police Scotland Youth Volunteers. The youngsters concerned have been fantastic. They have in the past few weeks helped out at the following events:

• The Royal Highland Show
• Edinburgh Marathon
• One Direction concert
• Queen's baton relay

Later this year they will be helping out at the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder cup!
Well done to all those concerned and particular thanks to PC Mark Sutherland (our Community Police Officer) for his patience, determination and encouragement with all those involved.

More of the Police activities involving Youth Volunteers can be accessed from here.

Summer newsletter

Please follow this link to access our summer newsletter.

Yes or No?

On Monday afternoon of this week around 700 senior pupils from both James Gillespie's and Boroughmuir High Schools took part in a joint debate on the issues our pupils considered to be of most interest in the lead in to the vote on 18 September. Guest speakers for the afternoon event in Central Hall, Edinburgh were Kezia Dugdale (Better together) and Sarah Beattie Smith (Yes). The 90-minute session saw Ms Dugdale, a Lothian Labour MSP, speaking up for the anti-independence Better Together campaign and Sarah Beattie-Smith, co-convener of the Edinburgh Greens, arguing for a Yes vote. Professor Charlie Jeffrey, (Vice Principal for Public Policy and Impact at the University of Edinburgh), our chairman for the afternoon, set the tone superbly for the event.

The event was a great example of how to run a debate and engage with young people. As I commented on in my vote of thanks, I was particularly impressed at how carefully and respectfully both speakers listened to others' points of view. We need much more of this in the weeks ahead.

This report in the Evening News is worth a read.

130 Anniversary for Children 1st

On Thursday 12 June around 170 of our S1 pupils and staff joined staff from Children 1st in marking their 130 anniversary by having an impromptu dance in Edinburgh city centre.

The video of the event is on you tube and can be accessed from this link. It was great fun and the sun shone for us as hundred of bemused tourists soaked up the enetertainment!

Guitar master class

In the past year we have seem a quite remarkable growth in the numbers taking up guitar at our school. To further inspire our pupils Ms Millar has arranged for Giulio Tampalini - widely regarded as one of Europe’s foremost classical guitar performers and educators - to give a master class to around 20 of our pupils.

We are delighted  that Louise Chan won 1^st prize in the Talent and Creativity category in the Paolozzi (*) Prize for Art in this year's competition. Well done Louise!,


(*) Sir Eduardo Paolozzi (1924-2005) was a ground-breaking, Edinburgh-born artist renowned for his sculptures, prints, paintings and tapestries. His most famous works include the coloured mosaic in London’s Tottenham Court Road underground station and the iconic foot sculpture located at the top of Edinburgh’s Leith Walk.

Tips for new session

As part of yesterday's meeting with our heads of department I asked each to write down one tip for our new S3 pupils as they embark on their new courses. Here is what they said: 

Here is what they said:

1.       Be organised
2.       Listen
3.       Make use of the supports on offer (x2)
4.       Keep to deadlines set by teachers
5.       Do your best
6.       Be on time (x2)
7.       Get involved in the wider life of the school
8.       Work hard
9.       Attend all classes (x3)
10.   After every lesson consolidate your learning by spending 10-15 minutes reviewing the work covered
11.   Don’t leave things until the last minute
12.   Maintain a balance between working hard and keeping healthy

Readathon fun

Message from Mrs Kirkwood who organised a 'Readathon' with our S1 on 13 May: 

'Sponsorship money has now all been handed in and counted and the S1 Readathon has raised a total of £924.85.  This money is going to two charities - Clic Sargent and Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s charity, both of which offer help and support for seriously ill  children and young people in the UK. 

Thank you to all of the teachers involved in running this and to all members of staff for putting up with the disruption it caused (and in some cases for providing a fair bit of sponsorship to pupils).  If you get the chance, please congratulate the S1s on taking part and raising so much money'

A fantastic achievement!

Aim high

Each year, at change of timetable, all schools are tasked with trying to find ways of inspiring our young people to be the best they can be. At Gillespie’s over the past year, we have faced increased challenges. This includes working across 3 sites whilst our school is being rebuilt and 'pioneering' the new Curriculum for Excellence and the very first tranche of exams.

To help prepare our new S5 for the rigours and demands of the session ahead we have invited Jamie Andrew in to speak to them on Monday 2 June at 1100.

Jamie Andrew is an incredible Scottish mountaineer who, despite having no hands and feet, has made some amazing ascents all over the world.  As a quadruple amputee, Jamie has also made many other remarkable achievements, raising many thousands of pounds for charity along the way.

My colleague Hazel Kinnear came up with the idea and is organising the event. I'm really looking forward to hearing his story!

Memorial Garden

Well done and thanks to Mr McDougall and his team of pupils helpers who have worked to maintain our Memorial Garden during the past few days. It's looking great!

Fun run

Around 200 staff, parents and pupils from James Gillespie's HS will be having a 'fun-run' around the meadows on Thursday 29 May at 230 pm to promote healthy living. If you're around, come and cheer us on and throw (paper!) money at us. All funds raised go to various charitable causes.

Digital citizenship

Whilst scanning facebook posts from my varied friends this morning I came across this interesting article on developing digital citizenship. In an age when so much of our interaction takes place through social media I think schools have a crucial role in educating our young people about how to use social media to their advantage. I particularly like the phrase 'creating a positive Digital Footprint online'.

Here is the link.

Expectations matter

Earlier today I had a conversation with a colleague about the importance of maintaining high expectations of all pupils. I am convinced that maintaining high expectations of all pupils regardless of background and circumstance is key if all are to realise their potential.

The following story illustrates the importance of getting everyone to aim high and reach for the stars.

Fleas are incredible jumpers. In fact, a flea can jump over 150 times its own size. If a man had the same strength, he could jump over 900 feet high. For some perspective, the Statue of Liberty is 305 feet high from base to the top of the torch. In addition, a flea can jump 30,000 times without taking a break. Imagine if we had that kind of strength and stamina. We could accomplish anything.
But if a FLEA TRAINER puts a flea in a jar with a lid on it, the flea will, of course, begin to jump, but after a while, the flea, tired of banging his head against the lid, will lower his jump. Once they become accustomed to the fact that they cannot escape, you can remove the lid and the flea will only jump as high as where the lid was. He will never escape the jar because his mind has been reprogrammed to only jump so high. The flea limits itself because of conditioning and experiencing the school of hard knocks.
Are you like a flea? Have you been conditioned to jump only so high? Have you hit your head up against life’s situations so many times that you are tired of trying? Have you had the wind taken out of your sails through discouragement, ridicule, and failures?

FLEA FACTS

A flea can pull up to 160,000 times its own weight. A flea can jump over 150 times its own size. When jumping, the flea accelerates 50 times faster than the space shuttle. A flea can jump 30,000 times without a break.
Lift those lids… break those jars and jump as high as your dreams will take you.

Grange Fair on Sunday 11 May

Please share this with friends who are looking for something really interesting to do on Sunday 11 May. Some of our pupils will be helping out and performing.