Fundraising

English reading circles

9 January 2026: Many thanks to all parents and pupils who have contributed to the Book Drive fundraiser.

The Parent Council is working with the James Gillespie Trust to raise funds for pre-owned book sets for S1–S2 English reading circles. Purchasing books through the Trust allows us to claim Gift Aid on donations, increasing their value.

So far, 70 books in sets of 5 have already been purchased. Our aim is to build a collection of 160 books in total, covering 32 titles, to support reading activities in class.

Titles include Wonder by RJ Palacio; The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle, by Victoria Williamson; Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet by Zanib Mian; The Call of the Wild by Jack London; One of us is Lying by Karen McManus; The Crossover by Kwame Alexander; Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys; and the Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness.

Any further contributions will help us continue expanding this resource and encourage a love of reading among pupils.

Donations can be made online, and there is also the option to “sponsor” a book. If you wish, donated books can include a short personal inscription.

Please donate through the Trust’s justgiving page:

JG Trust Bookdrive justgiving page

Happy New Year 2026

5 January 2026: Welcome to the New Year, hopefully rested and refreshed after the festive break.

Next meeting

The next meeting of the Parent Council will be held on Wednesday 28 January 2026 at 7 pm in the JGHS Library – as always, all parents and carers are most welcome to attend.

The agenda will be available shortly.

If you have any questions or comments that you would like to share, please contact us by email:

Email the Parent Council

Book Drive

Many thanks to those who have been able to donate to the Parent Council’s Bookdrive fundraiser.

About the JGHS bookdrive

If you would also like to make a contribution, the JustGiving page is still available:

JGHS bookdrive Justgiving page

JGHS bookdrive fundraiser

7 December 2025: The Parent Council’s Small Sums Fund distributes funds raised by the school back to the School Community. 

Small Sums Fund

English reading circles for S1 and S2

This year we have been raising funds to buy books that will support pupils in S1 and S2 to (re)discover a love for reading and literature, in reading circles in English classes.

The English curriculum team have develped a fantastic list of books across all genres that small groups of pupils can get together to read and discuss. Titles include books from mystery and detective fiction, contemporary fiction, adventure, comedy, graphic novels, thrillers, and science and historical fiction – truly something for everyone.

The funds raised will buy packs of 5 copies of the same book, so that all pupils in a reading circle will have a copy to take home and read.

To make the funds go as far as possible, we are buying pre-owned, as well as new books. We have already bought sets of Nancy Springer’s “Enola Holmes – the Missing Marquess”, Katherine Rundell’s “The Explorer”, and Malorie Blackman’s “Robot Girl”.

Please support if you can

We are working with the James Gillespie’s Trust, a registered charity, so that we can claim gift-aid on any donations made, and make the funds go even further.

JGHS bookdrive fundraiser – Justgiving

If you are able to donate, please visit the Trust’s justgiving page – all the funds that come through this appeal will go directly to buying books that will go into school.

Many thanks!!

Combining Passions to Support Our Students

Come and enjoy a relaxing facial at JGHS this summer, and help raise funds to support the maths classes for Pupil Equity Fund students.

5 July 2024: One of the amazing maths teachers at JGHS, Donna Aitken, is passionate about making mathematics accessible and enjoyable for all students.

Over the past two years, she has run support classes specifically for our Pupil Equity Fund (PEF) pupils. The feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive, with many sharing that these sessions not only improved their exam performance but also boosted their overall confidence and morale.

But as well as teaching maths, a few summers ago Donna also successfully completed a facial course, which she thoroughly enjoyed. 

Donate-what-you-can facials

Over the holidays this year, she is combining her passion for maths with facials, and is offering ‘donate-what-you-can’ facials at the school to raise money for the Pupils Equity Fund, and continue supporting the students who need it most.

Here are the available dates and times:

  • Thursday 18 and Friday 19 July
    • 9.30 – 10 am x 2
    • 10.30 – 11 am x 2
    • 12 – 12.30 pm x 2
    • 1 – 1.30 pm x 2

This is wonderful opportunity to relax and rejuvenate while supporting a great cause. To book your session please email Donna with your preferred time:

Email Donna to book your facial

The funds raised will primarily provide hot snacks at the after-school sessions, calculators, and other essential mathematical resources that our students might not otherwise afford. Any remaining funds will support other school initiatives aimed at empowering our young adults.

February Fundraiser

2 February 2024: As was mentioned at the PC meeting on Wednesday 31 January, the Parent Council is launching Fundraising February!

The Parent Council’s Small Sums Fund distributes funds raised by the school back to the School Community. More information about the Small Sums Fund is on our website.

Last year, the projects we supported included:

  • SfL:  Bike repair tools
  • PE:  Sports strips and dance leotards
  • Art & Design:  Resources for the photography club 
  • GME:  Basketball hoop & ball for Darroch playground 
  • Modern Studies:  Anti-racist books 
  • English:  Subscription to The Week Junior 
  • Modern languages: Pearson online textbook subscriptions 
  • Geography/ES Digimaps subscription 

This fund is made up primarily by donations by parents and carers so we are asking you all to consider supporting important educational projects at JGHS, and providing help to our pupils who need it most.

Whilst we normally request donations to the Fund around Christmas time, the Parent Council acknowledges that December is often a difficult month for families so this year we are having a Fundraising February.  If you can, please consider playing a donation via Parent Pay:

Click here to visit ParentPay

Look for the “Parent Council Fundraising” button at the bottom of the list of payment items for your JGHS student(s).

All funds raised during the Fundraising February go directly to the Small Sums Fund.

Thank you!!