News archive

Parent Council news from school year 2019/20

March-June: Please check out the links to our recordings of our online Parent Council meetings and Q&A information in our Minutes and Files section on our website.  For up-to-date information from JGHS during the coronavirus pandemic please check out the school communications app  and school emails.  Please email us if you have any questions you would like the Parent Council to ask the school on your behalf.   

1st March 2020: In February Edinburgh Council passed a budget for 2020/21 which includes the following: 

  • Introduce a charging structure for instrumental music tuition, after consultation, to raise £150k in 2021/22 and £350k in 2022/23.
  • Cut the number of Quality Improvement officers to save £120k in 2020/21 and £120k in 2021/22.
  • Cuts to the Devolved School Management (DSM) budget for schools by 1% to save £1.2m in 2020/21 and £600k in 2021/22.
  • We would urge our school community to engage with local Councillors on these proposed cuts and take part in the consultation on music tuition when it goes live here.

1st March 2020: LEAPS S5 Parents’ & Carers’ Information Evening at Heriot-Watt University’s Edinburgh Campus (Riccarton) on Wednesday 25 March 2020 7-9pm. LEAPS is a widening participation programme which aims to encourage students who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education. If you are a parent or carer of an S5 LEAPS-eligible pupil, who is thinking about college or university, this event is for you.

14th Feb 2020: The Social and Fundraising Events group are raising funds to develop the school’s outdoor spaces and support pupils’ mental wellbeing.  They are holding a fun quiz night compered by RIchard Melvin on Fri 28th Feb at the JGHS food hall.  Doors open 7pm and the quiz starts at 7.30pm.  Over 18s only.  BYOB and glasses; bottle bar and snacks available’ raffle.  £5 minimum donation per person.  Book via ParentPay.

14th Feb 2020:  JGHS is directing more of their communications via the school app and all parents and pupils are encouraged to download the school communications app here

29th Jan 2020: All secondary pupils at JGHS are invited to ENGAGE with alternative routes into career paths.  Engage events are organised to help young people think creatively about the world of work, and are run for pupils from Boroughmuir and James Gillespie’s  High schools.  The next event is on 25th February 2020 at the Braid Hills Hotel 6.30-8pm.  More information here.

21st Jan 2020: The Edinburgh Poverty Commission wants to find out what people living and working in Edinburgh know and think about poverty in their city. This survey is part of a larger project, which aims prioritise futureaction. The survey can be accessed here

5th Jan 2020:  The Edinburgh Children’s Partnership Services Plan is hoping to gather the views of parents and carers on their priorities for children in the city.  Edinburgh Children’s Partnership includes all the organisations which work with children and young people in the city: schools, social work, the police, health services, youth work and the voluntary sector.

Every three years, the partnership has to write a plan showing how the organisations will work together to make a difference for children and young people.  This survey asks parents and carers to decide what is most important to them. The consultation is open until late January 2020 – it takes 5 mins to complete and can be accessed at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ecsppc.  

20th Dec 2019: The next Edinburgh Council Recruitment and Selection training session for Parent Council members will be held in Liberton High School on Tuesday 14 January 2020 from 6pm until 8.30pm.  If you would like to be involved in helping the school to recruit their principal, depute head and head teacher please email us.

12th Dec 2019:  Spòrs Gàidhlig is offering young people and schools the opportunity to take part in a varied programme through the medium of Gaelic. Activities include gorge scrambling, climbing, nature walks, team challenges, stand-up paddle boarding, overnight expeditions as well as cultural visits. Also on offer: Ski lessons and camps through winter 2020; school residentials near Aviemore and events and programmes delivered locally in your area. These unique programmes are designed for schools offering Gaelic medium education and can additionally be offered to mixed groups where education is offered in both English and Gaelic.

18th Nov 2019: The JGHS Parent Council would like to invite everyone from our school community to our next PC meeting.  We will be discussing JGHS policy and approach to addressing inappropriate behaviours, including sexual harassment of peers, online behaviours and how parents can support the school and pupils to build a respectful school community.  Everyone is very welcome on Tues 26th Nov @ 7pm in the Library in the Malala building. 

If you have any topics you would like raised at future PC meetings please email us 30th Oct 2019: Edinburgh Council is now consulting on the development of Darroch which is to be used as an annexe for JGHS from August 2021 to help with rising rolls and capacity.  The aim is for much of Gaelic Medium Education (GME) to be relocated there, with the goal of a dedicated Gaelic Secondary School for August 2024 (location as yet to be decided). The Edinburgh Council consultation is open until 22nd November and the links are here.

27th Sept 2019: The Scottish Government is consulting on its draft framework for Out of School Care in Scotland and wants to understand what children, parents and carers, professionals and experts think about the ways in which Out of School Care can give children opportunities to play and access life-enhancing experiences and support parents to work, train or study.  The consultation runs until Friday 6 December.

3rd Sept 2019:   Calling all S2-S6 Pupils to ENGAGE with the Future! What do you want to study, do, be? Get expert advice from the professionals to help you decide.  Engage events are organised to help young people think creatively about the world of work, and are run for pupils from Boroughmuir and James Gillespie’s High Schools and the next event is on 24 September 2019, at the Braid Hills Hotel, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

13th August 2019: Save-the-Date! Calling all parents and carers – please join us for our first meeting to set up a fundraising/social events group at JGHS on Mon 2nd September 2019 @ 7pm in the Malala Building, JGHS Library.  Please help us build up our school community.

Parent Council news from school year 2018/19

10th July 2019: Edinburgh Council’s Transport and Environment Committee is consulting on the re-procurement of two summer events during August from 2020 onwards in The Meadows and Inverleith Park.  The consultation runs until 16th August and can be accessed  here for The Meadows and here for Inverleith Park.

25th June 2019:  Edinburgh Council’s City Centre Transformation consultation closes on Fri 28th June.

25th June 2019: Thank you to everyone for supporting our social event on Fri 26th April – tickets were sold out and it was a great evening.  We would like to thank our local supporters including: Vino Wines and Barney’s Beers; Victor Hugo; Barnomadics; Scotmid; Sainsbury’s; Aldi and our local greengrocers at Argyle Place.  Thanks to all of them, to our parent volunteers and to you for supporting our evening.Our main aim was to host a social event but we also raised  £287.63 for school funds.

17th May 2019: James Gillespie’s Primary School has a bike bus organised for the Blackford area, going through the Astley Ainslie.  They are open to JGHS students joining them.  Full details here. 

15th May 2019:   Calling all S2 to S6 Pupils to ENGAGE with what top female professionals have to say about leadership, career choice, and how they got where they are.  Engage events are organised to help young people think creatively about the world of work, and are run for pupils from Boroughmuir and James Gillespie’s High Schools and the next event is on 11 June 2019. Braid Hills Hotel, 6:30 to 8 p.m. More information here.

8th May 2019: Edinburgh Council is setting up neighbourhood networks across the city to bring together community groups, voluntary sector organisations and local councillors to identify what matters to their neighbourhood.  The first meeting of the Southside Newington Neighrbourhood Network is on Monday 20th May @ 6pm at  the South Side Community Centre, 117 Nicolson Street, EH8 9ER.

2nd May 2019:  Please see attached about the free Connect session to be hosted by Longstone Primary at 6.30pm on 28 May.  Places are free, registration is essential.

26th April 2019: Save-the-Date – social event at JGHS on 26th April @ 7pm.

21st March 2019: Information about the current WiFi Pilot project is available here

10th March 2019: Information from Edinburgh Council – the Council’s Travel Allocation Panel now oversees all home to school assisted travel for the new school session 2019-20 – application deadline is 30th April 2019.

14th Feb 2019: Connect (formerly Scottish Parent Teacher Council) February e-newsletter available here.  Connect also offer free sessions for Parent Councils/PTAs.  Places are free, but limited.

  • Parent Council Essentials: Thursday 28 February 6.30-8.30pm
  • Helping to Support Your School: Wednesday 20 March 6.30-8

14th Feb 2019: The EIS is opposed to proposals from Edinburgh Council to remove nursery teachers from nursery classes, and nursery headteachers from nursery schools and would like to make sure parents are informed about this proposal. You can find out more about this issue here.

18th Jan 2019: Edinburgh Council is leading a consultation on the development of a new Physical Activity and Sport Strategy for the city and is encouraging everyone to respond to an online consultation (open until 1st Feb 2019).  Consultation available here

14th Jan 2019: At our next PC meeting on Tues 22nd Jan, Ian Porter, JGHS DHT will be reviewing the Key Adult Time system and we will have updates on fundraising, capacity and WiFi.  If you are not able to come along you can catch up on the latest discussions and PC news from the minutes.

8th Jan 2019: Welcome back, good luck to everyone sitting exams and remember to SAVE THE DATE for the JGHS community wine-tasting and social event on Friday 26th April 2019.

8th Jan 2019:  Edinburgh Council is holding an additional meeting of the Consultative Committee with Parents for Parent Council representatives on Thursday 17 January 2019, to look at the city’s proposed budget plans. JGHS PC will be represented at that meeting and will provide a brief summary of the event at the next JGHS PC meeting on Tuesday 22nd January 2019 at the school.  Please email us with any budget issues or suggestions.

19th Nov 2018: The next meeting of Edinburgh Council’s Education, Children and Families Committee on Tuesday 11th December will consider a full report on rising rolls and school roll projections and will outline options for dealing with rising rolls, including a section on JGHS and GME (Gaelic Medium Education).  The papers for this meeting will be available online at the Council’s website from Tuesday 4th December.

18th Nov 2018: All are welcome to our next Parent Council meeting on Tues 26th Nov @ 7pm in the JGHS library.  Our guest, Frank Carstairs, will be giving a digital learning update.

1st Nov 2018:  The next South East Locality Group meeting (with cluster school PC representatives) is on 8th Nov.  Edinburgh Council budget plans will be on the agenda – please email us  with any comments/thoughts/questions you would like raised.

1st Nov 2018: Marchmont & Sciennes Community Council is looking for volunteers to help out at the lighting of the Community Christmas tree on Sat 24th Nov.. There will be carol singing at 4pm and music after the ceremony at the German-Speaking Church at Chalmers Crescent.  If you can help please contact Alison Service here.  

30th Oct 2018: SAVE THE DATE!  We hope to hold a JGHS community wine-tasting and social event on Friday 26th April 2019

8th Oct 2018: Edinburgh City Council needs to make at least £106 million savings over the next four years.  The challenges the Council faces will require further change to the way services operate and the Council is looking for everyone to have a say in that process.  The consultation on the budget for 2019-2023 is open now until Fri 7th December.  JGHS PC urges all our school community to engage with the consultation which is available here.

3rd Oct 2018: Papers were published Wed 3rd Oct for the City of Edinburgh Council’s Education, Children and Families Committee meeting on Tues 9th Oct available here.  Item 7.6 includes a Strategic Report on Gaelic Medium Education (GME) which offers an overview of GME from ages 0-18 setting out possible future options. 

28th Sept 2018: Our PC AGM will be on Tues 9th Oct at 7pm in the JGHS Library (Malala building).  All are welcome and our invited speaker will be Frank Carstairs, who will give a digital learning update.

30th August 2018.  The next Engage event on Choices is on 25th September 2018, Braid Hills Hotel, 6.30-8pm.  More information here.  Speakers include:

  • Data Analytics/IT Cheryl Johnston, Senior Internal IT Auditor, Baillie Gifford
  • Classics Douglas Cairns, Professor, The University of Edinburgh
  • Creative Industries Helen Bunker, Film Visual Effects Artist, Freelance
  • Science/IT Yvan Petillot, Professor of Robotics & Computer Vision, Heriot-Watt University
  • Veterinary Medicine Amanda Jensen, Veterinarian, Animac Vets

28th August 2018: Dates for your diary.  The next series of ENGAGE events organised to help young people think creatively about the world of work, and run for pupils from Boroughmuir and James Gillespie’s High Schools are are follows:

• Engage: Choices. 25 September 2018, Braid Hills Hotel, 6.30 to 8 p.m.
• Engage: Alternatives. 26 February 2019, Braid Hills Hotel, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
• Engage: Female Leadership. 11 June 2019. Braid Hills Hotel, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

19th August 2018: Our next JGHS Parent Council meeting is on Tuesday 11th September at 7pm in the library in the Malala Building at JGHS.  Everyone is very welcome.

15th August 2018: Welcome back to school and a special welcome to new families joining us this year. To join our mailing list, please email us. 

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. 

Parent Council news from school year 2016/17

7th June 2017: The latest National Parent Forum of Scotland newsletter is available.

7th June 2017: Responses are requested to the consultation launched by Mark Russell, MSP, for the Proposed Restricted Roads (20mph Limit) (Scotland) Bill in the Scottish Parliament by 7th August 2017. Responses to the consultation can be submitted via the Scottish Parliament’s Smart Survey site at http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/20mphSpeedLimits/

24th May 2017: Help us Recruit Teachers. Parents can get involved in helping the school to recruit their teachers but to do this you must be trained.  The last Recruitment and Selection Training this term will take place on Tuesday 6 June 2017 from 6pm until 9pm at Liberton High School. If you would like a place on this training course please email us or contact the City of Edinburgh Council directly on parental.engagement@edinburgh.gov.uk

15th May 2017: The next meeting of the South East Locality Group – representatives from primary and secondary schools in JGHS’s neighbourhood – will take place on Wednesday 31 May 2017.  If you have any items you would like raised at the meeting please email us.

14th May 2017: Active Kids vouchers can no longer be collected from Sainsbury’s, but they can still be donated to JGHS until 6 June. Remember, every voucher counts towards brand new equipment. Get the kids to look in the car, on the fridge, under the sofa and in every old shopping bag for any missing vouchers. Then, post them into the collection  box at the school reception as soon as possible, so we can start counting!

14th May 2017: Thank you to all the volunteers and the bakers for your help on Sat 22nd April at the Open Afternoon held by the James Gillespie’s Trust. Your help was much appreciated and all the money raised will go into school funds.

18th April 2017: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – can you help for an hour or two to sell teas/coffees/snacks on Sat 22nd April 1.30-4pm? The James Gillespie’s Trust is holding an Open Afternoon this Saturday and the Parent Council is providing refreshments.  Baking donations would also be very welcome and can be dropped at school on Saturday morning from 10.30am. Please email us if you can help. Thank you.

18th April 2017: Scotland’s anti-bullying service ‘Respect Me’, based in Glasgow, is offering FREE Online Safety Training designed to increase parents’ and carers’ awareness of bullying and the other risks and challenges children and young people face online. It includes a practical, hands-on session on social media, looking at how to set and manage profiles and privacy settings, to help ensure that children and young people are safe online. For further information and to book a place at their next event on 15 June 2017 email enquiries@respectme.org.uk

28th March 2017: Please see attached letter.docx from the Director of Qualifcations Development at the SQA outlining the impact of the removal of units and unit assessments. For each National 5 course, the changes have resulted in one or more of the following:

extension of the existing question paper
• extension/modification of the existing item of coursework
• a new question paper
• a new item of coursework

27th March 2017: Thank you everyone for collecting Sainsbury’s Active Kids vouchers.  So far you have handed in 3,000 with 5 weeks to go when Sainsbury’s will still be issuing vouchers.  Please keep collecting and filling up the box at the school office and please ask your friends and family to help us reach our 2017 target.  

15th March 2017: City of Edinburgh Council has approved a pilot scheme which will allow residents to apply for up to five, free road closures. The closures will allow children to play and residents to socialise between 1 April to 31 August 2017 on streets free of vehicles. Residents can apply via the Council’s website at playing out.

28th Feb 2017: World book day takes place in the UK on  2nd March and this year we are asking if you would like you to donate a book to the school via our new Amazon Wish List: http://bit.ly/JGHS-wishes.  There are a huge range of books to choose from; every book donated gets a plastic cover to keep it fresh and a label inside to say it was donated to the school by you.  Thank you.

9th Feb 2017: Fantastic opportunity for our pupils – the next ENGAGE event is on 7th March 6.30-8pm at Best Western Braids Hill Hotel – for pupils thinking about what to study, do, be. Expert advice from: Janet Archer, Chief Executive Officer, Creative Scotland. ENGAGE is a Boroughmuir Parent Council Initiative also open to pupils from James Gillespie’s and George Watson’s schools – entry by donation.  More info at Engage Flyer.

8th Feb 2017: An early heads-up that the City of Edinburgh Council’s Parental Engagement Strategy is due to be reviewed this year. The current strategy can be found at Parental Engagement Strategy 2013-2017   Please email us with any thoughts or suggestions for the new strategy.

4th Feb 2017: Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships takes place at JGHS on Sunday 12th March – a huge celebration of talented young musicians  Come along and support this fantastic event and if you can give an hour of your time to help run our tuckshop please email us.  We hope to turn this into a successful annual fundraiser for our school.   

4th Feb 2017: SAINSBURY’S ACTIVE KIDS VOUCHERS – Last year with your help we collected 3,439 vouchers, which allowed us to buy table tennis, badminton and tennis equipment and marker cones for the PE department, so let’s see if we can do even better this year. A collection box is at the school office now to accept your vouchers.

4th Feb 2017:  The City of Edinburgh Council is consulting on proposals to close Panmure St Ann’s Special School at the end of June 2017. Any remaining pupils on the school roll would be given places at other schools within Edinburgh. Visit http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/panmureconsultation for details of the proposals and to complete online consultation survey which closes 27 Feb 2017. 

10th Jan 2017: Members of parent councils can help their school recruit staff and senior staff.  If you would like to do this you must complete the City of Edinburgh Council training courses.  The next training dates for recruitment of senior staff are  6-9pm Tuesday evenings on: 17 January 2017, 28 February 2017, 25 April 2017 or 6 June 2017 at Liberton High School, 328 Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh EH17 7PT.  Please email us us if you are interested.

10th Jan 2017: Happy new year and welcome back to the new school term.  Our next PC meeting is at the school on 24th Jan 2017 at 7pm. Everyone is welcome.

18th Dec 2016: Funding opportunities update – 

7th Dec 2016: Invitation to secondary pupils to ENGAGE with questions of Career Choice – especially those who might want to do things a little differently and explore unusual routes into work.  Next event 24th January 2016 6.30-8pm at Best Western Braid Hill Hotel with: Avril Mahon, Founder & Director, Women Run Strong; Harris Cains, Business Development Manager, RF Com Ltd; Dr James Howie, Director, ASCUS Art & Science Lab; Mark Kerr, Co-Owner, The Canny Man’s;  Caitlin & Hannah Matheson, Co-Owners, SisCo Hair & Nail Salon. 

Initiative organised by Boroughmuir PC and open to JGHS and George Watson’s schools. Please see attached flyer. £5 per family. Next Engage event 7th March 2016. 

6th Dec 2016: As part of the consultation on the expansion of early learning and childcare in Scotland the Scottish Government wants to hear the views of parents and carers and is running a series of Ministerial engagement events with parents in December.

The Edinburgh event is 6pm – 7.30pm Thursday 15th December.

25th Nov 2016: The SPTC invite you to complete their questionnaire relating to the Scottish Government’s Governance Review at: http://www.sptc.info/education-governance-review-the-sptc-survey/

The Parent Council’s draft response to this questionnaire is available for review. Please submit any comments or questions to jghscouncilcomms@gmail.com 

25th Nov 2016: The next City of Edinburgh Council Recruitment & Selection Training will take place on Tuesday 6 December at Liberton High School from 6pm.  If interested please email JGHS PC.

27th Oct 2016: The Scottish Government has initiated a review of the governance of Scottish education. The review starts from the presumption that decisions about individual children’s learning and school life should be taken at school level. It will consider the system changes required to: empower schools, decentralise management, establish school clusters and create new educational regions. The review document is available from: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/09/1251/downloads

9th Oct 2016: EASYFUNDRAISING – RAISE MONEY FOR JGHS WHEN SHOPPING ONLINE. Do you ever shop online? JGHS Parent Council is registered with Easyfundraising so that every time you shop online you can raise funds for the school AT NO COST TO YOU.  You can access over 2,700 well known retailers including John Lewis, M&S, Boden, iTunes, Sainsbury’s and loads of insurance, travel and service companies through Easyfundraising, and they will donate a small percentage of what you spend to JGHS to say thank you for shopping with them. 

It’s a really simple process, all you have to do is go to http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/JGHSparentcouncil register as a supporter the first time, and then get shopping. Then always remember to go to the Easyfundraising website first and click to your chosen retailer from there. Bookmark it, save it to your desktop or install the optional “Find and Remind” facility to give you a prompt. So far in 2016 we have raised £437 through Easyfundraising and we currently have only 101 supporters. So please sign up and click through to help the school. 

7th Oct 2016: Bòrd na Gàidhlig is now consulting on Draft Statutory Guidance on Gaelic Education. This covers issues such as: A clear process for requesting GME; Expectations of local authorities and other agencies as part of this process; Recruitment of teachers; Availability of Gaelic materials and resources; GME at secondary; Additional support needs for GME; Available funding for education authorities for GME; Support for families in GME. Parents of GME pupils are encouraged to complete the survey here26th Sept 2016: Just a reminder that the National Parent Forum of Scotland survey for the Review of the Scottish Schools Parental Involvement Act 2006 has a CLOSING DATE of 6th NOVEMBER 2016.

21st Sept 2016: The Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills has launched ‘Empowering teachers, parents and communities to achieve Excellence and Equity – A governance review’. Please find attached this link to the review on the Scottish Government website. The review will run until 6 January 2017.  People are encouraged to respond to the review in writing or attend one of several engagement events to be held across Scotland.

For more information about planned events, or to find out how to submit your views, visit : http://www.gov.scot/educationgovernancereview

14th Sept 2016: The National Parent Forum of Scotland are running a survey of parents’ opinion on the impact, successes and shortfalls of the Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006. This includes looking at how well schools involve parents in what they do, and finding ideas to develop ways to better involve parents in the life and work of their schools. We would encourage parents to take part.

10th Sept 2016: Pupils in S3-6 are invited to an Engage event on 28th September 2016, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Best Western Bruntsfield Hotel. This first event will cover Exam Subjects, Career Choice & Female Leadership in Scotland (boys welcome too). The plan is to hold one of these per term on different topics, jointly with Boroughmuir and George Watson’s schools. Please see attached flyer. Small charge of £5 per family to cover venue and refreshments.

7th Sept 2016: Many S6 parents attended a very useful session last week on preparing Personal Statements and applications for further education. The slides from the session are now available here.

26th August 2016: * PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE* An S1 parent has suggested a Mega Picnic for new S1s on the Meadows (next to the playground and tennis courts – between Boroughloch walk and Townswomen’s Guild walk) on Sunday 4th September at 2 pm. Bring your family, siblings, dogs and grannies, bring your own food and drinks, and feel free to share. (Will be cancelled if raining). We hope this will help our youngsters-almost-teenagers to settle and make new friends sooner. This is also a great opportunity for us to meet each other, make “connections” and discuss different aspects of education, after school activities, sports, culinary arts, etc. 17th August 2016: Welcome back to our new school year, and a special welcome to new families joining us this year. To join our mailing list, please email us.