Friday 3 November

1. As we head towards probable frosts and other adverse weather conditions, families are reminded that announcements about school closures will be shared with the general public via Forth 1.
2. This week’s S1 parent consultations were very well attended appeared to go well. Feedback has been sought so that glitches that arose with booking can be addressed in time for the next parents’ night. Thanks to the parents who provided teas and coffees and raised a whopping £261 towards Parent Council coffers
3. In response to the publication of the National British Sign Language Plan I will shortly be meeting with representatives from City of Edinburgh Council to explore what opportunities we can offer pupils to learn sign language.
4. During this past week we have had 6 students from Hong Kong joining classes. I met with all 6 today and enjoyed hearing their reflections and learning from their perspectives. Highlights for them included: Our clean air; Scottish friendliness; not having to wear a uniform and getting 9 hours sleep each night! Thank you to all the families who hosted and made our visitors feel so special.
5. This afternoon a group of pupils, staff and parents will visit the CEC digital Innovation centre at Wester Haile’s Education centre to better inform our planning for the future.
6. The next Maths Circle will take place on Saturday 25th November from 1pm to 4pm at James Clerk Maxwell Building. More information can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/edmathscircle.
7. On Friday 10 November P7 pupils from our 6 Feeder schools, accompanied by their teachers and parents will visit JGHS to find out about the exciting developments at High School and some of our plans for the future.
8. Best wishes to all pupils who sat Oxbridge entrance exams on Thursday 2 November.
9. Please find attached a summary of this past month’s sporting successes. 
10. Comann nam Pàrant Dùn Èideann and the Parent Council of Bun Sgoil Taobh na Pairce have invited Dr Donalda McComb, Head Teacher Sgoil Ghàidhlig Ghlaschu, and Donald Iain Brown, chair of the Parent Council at that time, to talk to parents about the transition in Glasgow from a single GME primary school to a 3-18 GME campus. This event will take place at JGHS at 730 Pm on Monday 6 November.
    This meeting is part of a series of events being organised jointly by. Through these meetings we hope to help inform parents, carers and the wider Gàidhlig community of the potential future developments for GME arising from proposals in the Edinburgh Council’s Draft Gaelic Language plan (GLP).
11. This coming week is Edinburgh Gaelic week. Visit http://www.edinburghgaelicfestival.com/  for more details.
12. Congratulation to Ms Megan Smith (Psychology and RME teacher) who graduated earlier this week with a Pysychology Masters degree.
13. Warmest congratulations to the Boroughmuir Thistle FC U15 Purples team, with JGHS students Stella Paton (S3) and Rose Newman (S2), who won the Frankie Brown Under 15 South East Football League. 
14. On Friday 3 November I have been invited to attend the SQA annual Star Awards dinner in the Assembly Rooms along with Jamie Clarkson (last year’s S6)  and his family. Jamie has been shortlisted for the ‘Top student in Scotland award’. Gordon Kumar (also JGHS) won this award last year.
15. Please continue to let us know of any pupil achievements so that we can celebrate and share widely.

And finally, I hope you enjoy any fireworks related events you attend this weekend and I hope families and pets all remain safe and happy throughout.

Donald j Macdonald

Headteacher

Friday update

1.     Well done to:

a.     Iona Patrick (1L1) who was part of a rowing team that won silver U12 at the Scottish Sprint Championship at Strathclyde Park last weekend

b.     Mollaidh Nicholson S2 who came 3rd in the under 15 handicap competition yesterday in the Scottish Schools’ gold competition at Craigielaw Golf Club, a great achievement considering there were over 100 boys and girls! Sean Gallacher also S2 came 6th in the under 13 handicap category. A special day for them both.

2.     Parents of S1 are reminded that the completed forms for the S1 residential should be returned to Ms Smith by Friday 29 September.

3.       All parents are encouraged to complete this government questionnaire to find out what matters to parents about their school and their child’s education. The survey will be live until 16 October. https://response.questback.com/scottishgovernment/mwaxxjjbnu

4.       Well done to our pupil LGBT group who, this past week, presented to assemblies on matters relating to celebrating diversity and inclusion.

5.       Also, at pupil led assemblies this week, our Pupil Voice (aka Pupil Council in other schools) shared what their roles are in the school and encouraged others to come forward to contribute to the running of the school.

6.       It was my pleasure to host a professional sharing visit from Jan Maresca, Executive Principal from  Stretton State College in Queensland, Australia this morning.  This gave me the opportunity to compare and contrast practices with one of Australia’s best performing schools. Jan was enormously impressed with the ethos of our school and commented particularly on the happiness, politeness and respectfulness of our pupils.

And finally, earlier today, I was delighted to learn that Charlie Sun (S5 pupil) received a personal response to a letter he sent two weeks ago to Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minster of Canada,

Dear Mr Sun,

Thank you very much for taking the time to write to me regarding your research for Model United Nations (MUN).

When I was in school, I participated in debate, which helps develop similar skills as MUN does. The additional benefit of MUM, of course, is that it helps students stay apprised of current affairs, an integral part of any diplomat’s repertoire.

My advice to you, Charlie, is to keep up what you are doing. Continue being a leader at your school and with MUN, remain inquisitive about world affairs, and do not stop striving to be the best you can.

Thank you again for your letter, and I wish you all the best,

Sincerely,

Justin Trudeau.

How lovely to receive such a positive and inspiring response from one of our world leaders.

I wish all a delightful weekend,

Donald j Macdonald

Headteacher

Friday update

1. We have our first Parent Council meeting of this session on Tuesday 12 September at 7 Pm in the school library.
2. The JGHS Gardening club is now up and running and meets every Thursday Lunchtime in Science Lab 2
3. Our newly formed cycling club continues to grow. The next cycling breakfast is planned for the morning of Thursday 14 September
4. Monday 18 September is a holiday for pupils and staff.
5. Only two weeks to go before a group of pupils and staff head off to Hong Kong for our first ever exchange visit to that part of the world.
6. Our P7s’ Open Night takes place on Thursday 14 September from 6 Pm.
7. A group of S6 pupils will be completing their Gold Duke of Edinburgh excursion next week.
8. A STEM roadshow is planned for S1 and S2 pupils on Tuesday 12 September
9. Well done to:
1. Shiisa Booth and Millie Stobie Platts (both S5) who were appointed as our School’s young (Sport) ambassadors for this session. Both will represent JGHS in promoting and developing sports’ opportunities both in our school community and across our city
2. Emi-Mireilla Munoz whose Scotland East Girls’ team won bronze and Cameron Hook whose Scotland East Boys’ team won gold at the Scottish School games last weekend.
3. James Murray S6, who completed the Beast Race by Loch Ness last weekend. It was a 10k race complete with 30 incredibly muddy and wet obstacles. He completed the race in 1 hour 10 minutes and in doing so he also raised over £400 for Edinburgh based homeless charity Bethany Christian Trust.
4. Elena (Santoyo-Brown) who has been selected for the Scotland under 17 football squad to go to Slovenia 10-12 September.

I wish all a super weekend.

Donald j Macdonald

Headteacher