Friday 7 September

1.      Our first Parent Council meeting will take place on Tuesday 11 September from 7 pm in the school Library. Please do come along and contribute to the running of the school. http://jghscouncil.btck.co.uk/ Agenda items will include:

a.       Wifi for pupils

b.      Exam results overview

c.       Website Update

2.      We strongly encourage pupils and staff to walk or cycle to school. I take this opportunity of reminding cyclists to use a good quality lock to secure bicycles. The reinforced ‘U‘ variety has proved to be the best deterrent thus far.

3.      The Edinburgh Maths Circle, organised by the Maths Outreach Team, is a free drop-in session where children aged 5 to 16 and their families can join in with exciting mathematical activities, games and puzzles. The next Maths Circle is on Saturday 15th September, from 13:00 until 16:00, in JCMB 3217 and the Level 3 Café Area. More information, as well as travel directions, can be found at: https://www.maths.ed.ac.uk/school-of-mathematics/outreach/maths-circle

4.      I attach a copy of planned excursions for this session.  A copy has also been placed on the school website. http://jamesgillespies.co.uk/excursions-booklet/

5.      Assemblies were held this week to share arrangements for various rehearsals start next week for:

a.       Senior String Orchestra

b.      Clarsach Ensemble

c.       Senior Wind Band

d.      Senior Choir and

e.       Guitar Ensemble

6.      Well done to:

a.       Chirag Shetty (S2) who continues to excel in Mathematics. During the Summer Chirag participated in the World Maths Olympiad finals in Stanford University where, in the company of 11 other children from the UK and many children from a variety of other countries, Chirag was awarded a very creditable Bronze medal.

b.      Higher Geography pupils Holly Bruce, Adam Chambers, Automne Calder Mackay and Bradley Morrison who, yesterday, won the Design Smash at Herriot Watt University yesterday where they had to design an eco University campus to be built in Malaysia.  

c.       Ali Shippey, S1, who recently travelled as a member of the Caledonia Boys Under 13 water polo squad to Lloret de Mar in Spain to participate in the BWMF Cadet Cup, a tournament involving 16 clubs from across Europe. Matches were hard-fought, but the team did very well and Ali was pleased to contribute to the scoreline by scoring a goal in the final match.

7.      All pupils who are still to receive certificates from the different Maths Challenges in 2017/18 are invited to an informal gathering in room 2.07(maths) on Tuesday 11^th September between 1.15pm and 1.30pm.  

8.      May I remind you all that Monday 17 September is holiday.

I wish all a lovely weekend.

Donald j Macdonald

Headteacher

Friday 31 August

1.       Parents should email/write to the HT if it is planned for pupils to miss school for reasons other than medical. A decision will then be made as to whether the absence is to be authorised or not. Please give as much notice as possible to allow time for staff to organise work to be completed. Please avoid absences during term time if at all possible.

2.      Parents are encouraged to mark children’s clothing and personal belongings so that the numerous items handed in to our ‘lost property’ can be returned to the rightful owner.

3.      The Edinburgh Maths Circle, organised by the Maths Outreach Team, is a free drop-in session where children aged 5 to 16 and their families can join in with exciting mathematical activities, games and puzzles. The next Maths Circle is on Saturday 15th September, from 13:00 until 16:00, in JCMB 3217 and the Level 3 Café Area. 

a.      More information, as well as travel directions, can be found at: https://www.maths.ed.ac.uk/school-of-mathematics/outreach/maths-circle

4.      The Horticulture club, overseen by Ms Vera Norton in our Science Department, is well supported by pupils and parents and continues to go from strength to strength.

5.      We are currently working on redeveloping the school Website with a view to launching in October/November.

6.      The school’s homework policy is available to view via the following link. http://jamesgillespies.co.uk/documents/

7.      The JGHS Parent Council would like to invite everyone from our school community to the first PC meeting of the new school year.  We look forward to seeing parents and carers from across the year groups, and hope to meet some of our new S1 parents and carers too.  All are very welcome to join us on Tues 11th Sept @ 7pm in the Library in the Malala building. 

8.      Well done to:

a.      Lucy Mulgrew (class 1L2) who, through her successful involvement in musical theatre, has been asked to sing in the Newcastle opera house on September 16. 

b.      Archie Ellen (S3) who continues to make significant progress in cycling. Archie has had a phenomenally successful summer in a variety of competitions across the UK.

9.      Please find attached a list of key dates for the coming session.

I wish all a lovely weekend as we say farewell to the summer of 2018 and prepare for Autumn.

Friday 24 August 2018

Our first full week of this new term is almost complete and I’m pleased to report that new pupils and staff classes are settling well into new routines. As anticipated, the accommodation is stretched to capacity to cater for the increased numbers entering S1 and staying on into S6. Throughout the year, I will continue to keep you up to date on the evolving arrangements from August 2019, when additional accommodation will be required.

1.       Please do remember to check with your child if they have forms to complete and return to school. Among those recently issued to pupils are:

a.       Data Capture forms to all pupils. Please remember to tell us about changes of address, ‘phone number and email etc.

b.       ParentPay forms for S1 pupils.

2.       Parents/carers are requested to avoid parking or dropping pupils of in the immediate vicinity of the school. Please, if you have to use your car, use adjacent streets to drop and collect pupils.

3.       S1 photographs will be taken on the morning of Wednesday 29 August.

4.       The Scripture Union group will continue to meet each Wednesday lunchtime in room 2.28. Thanks to Ms Molleson for coordinating this on our behalf.

5.       Information on Sports clubs running this term will shortly be despatched to you from our Active Sports Coordinator.

Well done to:

1.       Aiden Devlin of 2S2 who attended the East of Scotland championships in freestyle dance and came first place in the slow dance section AND first in the fast dance section for his category so he is absolutely delighted to be East of Scotland champion for under 14 boys! 

2.       Dorin Whitelaw and Jess Casot (both S4) who volunteered at the European Diving Championships as part of Glasgow 2018.  Dorin and Jess were part of the flag ceremony team and helped celebrate the great success of the British divers, while racking up many volunteer hours towards their next Saltire Awards.

3.       Sean Gallacher and Mollaidh Nicholson (both S3) who have had an impressive summer of Golf. They have both won several tournaments and continue to develop as very promising young players.

4.       Arwen Morrison, S1, who participated in the highland dancing championships at last weekend’s Cowal Highland Games.

5.       Kinli Kwok 2L1, who represented Scotland and won three gold medals (individual sparring, team sparring and tag team sparring) in July's international Taekwondo World's competition in Birmingham. Overall Scotland came 3rd out of 55 countries!

6.       See attached information about Instrumental Music Tuition and other key dates from Mrs Shearer, Acting Curricular Leader of Performing Arts.

And finally, have a lovely weekend and do please continue to keep me informed of all the wonderful achievements that might otherwise go unnoticed.

‘Praise is like sunlight to the human spirit: we cannot flower and grow without it.’ (J Lair)

Donald j Macdonald

Headteacher