Parent Council news from school year 2017/18

13th June 2018: James Gillespie’s High School Parent Council hosted an event at the JGHS Forum on Wednesday 6th June 7-9pm to engage with parents and our school community on the issue of capacity and rising rolls.  Our thanks to everyone who attended and in particular to our panelists.  You can find draft notes (not agreed formal minutes) here.

12th June 2018: Please help us recruit senior teachers.  Members of Parent Councils can get involved in helping the school to recruit their principal, depute head and head teacher. 

If you would like to do this you must have completed one recruitment training session run by Edinburgh Council.  The next evening courses take place 6 – 8.30pm on Tuesday evenings at Liberton High School and morning training courses take place 9.30-12noon at City of Edinburgh Council, Waverly Court, 4 East Market Street.  Please email us if you are interested in attending. 

Course details below:

  • Liberton High School 21 August 2018 6.00pm – 8.30pm
  • Waverley Court 2 October 2018 9.30am – 12 noon
  • Liberton High School 15 January 2019 6.00pm – 8.30pm
  • Waverley Court 26 February 2019 9.30am – 12 noon
  • Liberton High School 30 April 2019 6.00pm – 8.30pm
  • Waverley Court 4 June 2019 9.30am – 12 noon 

12th June 2018: The City of Edinburgh Council has voted to make street play part of policy, following the 2017 Playing Out pilot scheme to let people apply to restrict traffic on their streets to run children’s play events.  The deadline is Thursday 14 June for applications over the school holidays at here. If you don’t have time to fully complete the application get in touch here and explain why your application will be delayed. 

30th May 2018: Calling all S2 to S6 Pupils to ENGAGE on 2 June 2018, from 6:30 to 8 p.m with what five top female professionals have to say about leadership, career choice and how they got where they are. Speakers include: Rachael Kelsey, Founding Director, SKO Family Law Specialists; Sian Tucker, Clinical Director, Lothian Unscheduled Care Service; Julie Ashworth, Chair, Institute of Directors (Edinburgh/Lothian); Maggie Chapman, Co-Convenor, Scottish Green Party and Helen Lucas, Owner,Helen Lucas Architects.  More information here

21st May 2018:  James Gillespie’s High School Parent Council is hosting an event at the JGHS Forum on Wednesday 6th June 7-9pm to engage with parents and our school community on the issue of capacity and rising rolls.

Please note that seating at the JGHS Forum is limited but we will do our best to accommodate as many from our school community as we can on a first-come, first-served basis and there will be some standing-room only space, if needed.

21st May 2018: On Friday 8th June children and young people in the local schools, local residents, and fans of Muriel Spark are invited to join ‘a picnic by the path’ on Bruntsfield Links.  As part of this year’s centenary celebrations for Edinburgh’s internationally acclaimed author Muriel Spark, the path from Whitehouse Loan, near to the old James Gillespies’ where Muriel went to school, to Bruntsfield Terrace is to be named after her.  Local nurseries, schools, including James Gillespies’ (where Muriel Sparks’ went to school) finish at noon and families are being invited to bring a picnic and enjoy an afternoon with friends on the links.   The event is intended to be informal, with a short naming ceremony at 6pm for the adults who have been at work at day at 6pm.

21st May 2018: Connect is the new name of Scottish Parent Teacher Council. Connect is offering a free Parent Council Essentials training event suitable for both new and more experienced Parent Council members. It is a whistle-stop tour of the role and

responsibilities of Parent Councils – how they work, what they can get involved in. The session will give you lots of ideas for running an effective Parent Council: along the way we will answer some of your questions and might even bust a few of the myths surrounding parental involvement.  Invitation to FREE session on Parent Council Essentials at Wester Hailes Education Centre, 5 Murrayburn Dr, Edinburgh EH14 2SU on Wednesday 6 June 2018 6.30pm-8.30pm Please register for free online here.  

7th May 2018:  James Gillespie’s High School Parent Council is hosting an event at the JGHS Forum on Wednesday 6th June 7-9pm to engage with parents and our school community on the issue of capacity and rising rolls.  Our panel will be:

  • Donald Macdonald, Head Teacher of James Gillespie’s High School
  • Crawford McGhie, Acting Head of Operational Support, Communities & Families, Edinburgh Council
  • Councillor Ian Perry, Southside/Newington Ward and Convener of Edinburgh Council’s Education, Children and Families Committee
  • Councillor Alison Dickie, Southside/Newington Ward and Vice-Convener of Edinburgh Council’s Education, Children and Families Committee

Please note that seating at the JGHS Forum is limited but we will do our best to accommodate as many from our school community as we can on a first-come, first-served basis and there will be some standing-room only space, if needed.

22nd April 2018: Edinburgh Council consultation re school crossing guides has been extended until 29th April. Edinburgh Council has stated that they are reviewing the current service to make sure they have crossing guides where and when most needed.

18th April 2018:  A reminder that the next Recruitment and Selection Training for parent council members will be held on Tuesday 24 April 2018 at Liberton High School from 6pm until 9pm.  If you would like to book onto this training please email us.

18th April 2018: The company, Crimson Education Scotland, is hosting a seminar looking at the benefits, drawbacks and financial implications of studying at home or going abroad.   The event is on 24th of April in the Royal Scots Club, Edinburgh 7-8.30pm.  Entry is free for parents and students with the coupon code JGHS. 

29th March 2018: This year, JGHS PE department is hosting a new event called ‘The Showcase’ – a celebration of dance from this year’s certificated dance classes at National 5 and Higher level as well as other dance talents from across the school. The event is taking place on Thursday 19th April in the Muriel Spark Theatre, with the show commencing at 7pm. Tickets are £5 adult/£3 concessions and are available on the door of the event.  Please note the event is capped at approx. 160 and it will be on a first come, first served basis for tickets.

28th March 2018: The next Recruitment and Selection Training for parent council members will be held on Tuesday 24 April 2018 at Liberton High School from 6pm until 9pm.  If you would like to book onto this training please email us.

25th March 2018: Daniel Johnson MSP has extended an invitation to a Public Meeting on School Capacity & Class Sizes on 12 April @ 6.30pm at Morningside Parish Church – Braid Hall, 1 Cluny Drive, EH10 6DN.

28th February 2018: If you are a parent or carer of a LEAPS-eligible S5 pupil, and they are thinking about college or university, there is a LEAPS parents information evening on Tuesday 27 March 2018 19.00-21.00 at Heriot-Watt University.  LEAPS is a widening participation programme which aims to encourage and advise students who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education. More info here 

27th February 2018: Information will be sent out regularly via text and available online re weather conditions and school closures.

21st February 2018: The next City of Edinburgh Council ‘Recruitment and Selection Training’ for parents who are interested in being involved with staff recruitment at their schools is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 27 February 2018 at Liberton High School from 6pm until 9pm.  If you would like to book a place on this course please email us.

19th February 2018: An invitation has come in to the PC email for JGHS students, parents and staff to attend a seminar on admissions to US and UK Universities on Wednesday, 21-Feb from 7-9pm at the Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh.  Entrance is free via a coupon code “JGHS”.  More info on attached flyer.

2nd February 2018: Following on from the discussion about using biometrics (fingerprint) payments for catering at our last Parent Council Meeting, please find attached FAQs and the  Privacy Impact Statement about this system. 

31st January 2018: The next ENGAGE event takes places on 27th February 6.30-8pm at Best Western Braids Hill Hotel.  This event is for pupils thinking about what to study, do or be and is aimed for years S2-S3. Open to pupils from Boroughmuir and James Gillespie’s High Schools – Flyer available here.  Guest speakers include:

  1. Avril Mahon, Founder & Director, Women Run Strong
  2. Fabian Hilfrich, Senior Lecturer, American History, The University of Edinburgh
  3. Ken Edwards, Former Intermediary Sales & Marketing Director, Baillie Gifford 
  4. ES Thomson, Writer, Historical Crime Fiction & Lecturer, Marketing, Napier University
  5. Caitlin & Hannah Matheson, Co-Owners, SisCo Hair & Nail Salon 

18th January 2018: The staged intervention approach used by all teachers at JGHS is attached here with a summary of learner expectations and consequences.

17th January 2018: Information here from the PC Chair at St Ninian’s RC Primary School asking for parents’ support regarding concerns over Edinburgh’s janitorial review which will reduce janitor cover and  janitor service for most schools.  

17th January 2018: Information on JGHS international exchanges and excursions 2017-2018 available here

17th January 2018: Draft response on behalf of JGHS PC to the Education (Scotland) Bill Empowering Schools consultation available here.  Please email us with any feedback.  

10th January 2018: The Scottish Government is consulting regarding the Education (Scotland) Bill Empowering Schools Consultation from now until 30th January 2018.   You can find out information and respond directly here or you can email us and we can feedback on your behalf. 

10th January 2018:  The National Parent Forum of Scotland (NPFS) Annual Conference is on 10th March 2018 in Edinburgh focusing on what we need to do together as parents, PC members, teachers, local authority staff and policy makers, to improve parents’ involvement in their children’s learning. Book your free place by emailing conference@npfs.org.uk

10th January 2018:  The Scottish Government’s 2018 National Improvement Framework is now available.

12th December 2017: City of Edinburgh Council note: members of parent councils are invited to get involved in helping the school to recruit their principal, depute head and head teachers.  If you would like to do this you must be trained. The next training course takes place on Tuesday 16 January 2018 from 6pm until 9pm at Liberton High School, 328 Gilmerton Road, EH17 7PT.  Please email us if you are interested.

11th December 2017: Alex Ramage, the Parental Representative to CEC’s Edinburgh Children and Families Committee, would like to share the Edinburgh Parent Council Network flyer.

10th December 2017: CEC’s Education, Children and Families Committee is meeting on Tues 12th December.  JGHS is sending a deputation to support our case for senior pupil access to public WiFi provision.  The E,C&F Committee will also consider a Schools and Lifelong Learning Estate strategic review. This review includes the intention to progress an informal consultation on the future provision of secondary GME at JGHS which will involve discussions with Drummond High School about whether a transfer of GME secondary provision to Drummond is a possibility.  The informal consultations will involve all relevant secondary and primary schools to see if a proposal suitable to all the schools can be agreed.  All the papers are available here

27th November 2017: According to the Sunday Times’ league table for schools published 26th Nov 2017 JGHS comes in at number 6 out of 300+ state secondary schools in Scotland, an improvement on last year’s placement at number 17.  Well done!

24th November 2017: Edinburgh City Council is planning its budget for 2018/19 and is looking for feedback from people across the city about spending and saving plans.  For more info and to give your views, please visit:  www.edinburgh.gov.uk/playyourpart

24th November 2017: Go to the NPFS website for information about the National Parent Forum for Scotland (NPFS) and Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland (CPAG) national Cost of the School Day toolkit resource for parents across Scotland.  The NPFS is also working on a social media resource for parents which they hope to have ready in the New Year and they are calling on parents to engage with the Empowering Schools Consultation.

9th November 2017: The Scottish Government is consulting regarding the Education (Scotland) Bill Empowering Schools Consultation from now until 30th January 2018.   You can find out information and respond directly or you can email us and we can feedback on your behalf.  If you contact us before 22nd December 2017 we can also pass on your thoughts to City of Edinburgh education officials who will be preparing a response on behalf of the local authority and who are also welcoming submissions from parents.

9th November 2017: The City of Edinburgh is consulting on its proposed Gaelic Language Plan 2018-2022.  Please email us or access the consultation here

24th October 2017: Our PC Committee and post holders were elected at the AGM on 24th Oct – please check the people page on our website for the up-to-date list.  If you would like to be more involved with the PC or with any of our events it would be great to hear from you.

23rd October 2017: Our AGM is at 7pm Tues 24th Oct at the Library (Malala Building) – all parents and carers are very welcome.

23rd October 2017: Please email us  if you have any topics you want raised at the South East Locality meeting (involving cluster school parent representatives).  At the next SEL meeting on 16th November CEC officials will be seeking parents’ views on Health and Wellbeing in schools, as part of gathering views on the key national improvement priorities.  What are areas of strength and what are areas for improvement?  Responses will be used to inform the 2018 Standards and Quality Report and Education Improvement (NIF) Plan.  Please get in touch with us with any suggestions or feedback.

 20th September 2017: National Improvement Framework (short) survey here to find out what matters to parents about their school and their child’s education, focusing on what needs to done to make the improvements we all want to see. The survey will run until 16th October 2017. 

20th September 2017: Update from City of Edinburgh Council attached City of Edinburgh briefing regarding Named Person update Sept 2017.docx20th September 2017: Attached is  O2 NSPCC online safety parent workshop flyer_A5.pdf with information regarding how parents can run an online safety workshop.  Please email us if you are interested in volunteering to run this workshop at JGHS.

20th September 2017: Edinburgh Councillors approved a city-wide 20mph speed limit network for Edinburgh at the Transport and Environment Committee on 13 January 2015 following extensive consultation.

14th September 2017: The next ENGAGE event takes place on 26th September 2017, 6:30pm to 8pm. For pupils thinking about what to study, do or be.  Guests include: 

• Allan Little, Former Reporter & Special Correspondent, BBC
• Breda McAteer, Project Coordinator, O’Hare and McGovern (Main Contractors) Ltd
• James Howie, Managing Director, ASCUS Art and Science
• Fiona Kyle, Head, Portfolio Delivery – IT and Change, Standard Life
• Gareth Clegg, Clinical Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Emergency Medicine, University of Edinburgh

Open to pupils from Boroughmuir and James Gillespie’s High Schools.

August 2017: Welcome back to our new school year, and a special welcome to new families and students joining us . To join our  Parent Council mailing list, please email us. We plan to continue posting items that may be of interest on this page, so please keep checking back.