S4 English Pupil Survey

All S4 English pupils are invited to take the following survey:

S4 English at JGHS survey

Basketball Champions!

Superbly, both our Under 15 and Open Boys teams triumphed in their respective finals of the Scottish Schools Basketball Cup yesterday.

The younger of our squads dominated a Dumfries Academy team while the seniors edged a tight game from North Inch Community Campus.

This means back to back success for the Under 15 age group and a fourth year in a row the boys involved with the senior squad have won the trophy. Many of this year’s S6 have never lost a school basketball match, a fantastic achievement.

Well done to all involved.

Study Leave Arrangements 2014

Dear Parent,
Examination Leave arrangements for May 2014

Pupils in S5 and S6
For pupils in S5 and S6 study leave will extend from Monday 28 April 2014 until Friday 30 May 2014 – both days included.

Pupils in S4
Due to the introduction of National Qualifications this session, the City of Edinburgh Council has issued a set of Guidelines to schools on how Examination Leave for pupils is to be managed. For S4 pupils the entitlement to Exam leave will be as follows:

1. Pupil sitting no National 5 qualifications will not be entitled to any study leave.
2. Pupils sitting 1, 2 or 3 National 5 qualifications will receive 3 days for each exam; this includes the day of the exam.
3. Pupils sitting 4 or more National 5 qualifications will receive the full study leave. (Monday 28 April 2014 until Friday 30 May 2014 – both days included).

Those pupils in S4 who are not entitled to study leave should continue to attend school as normal throughout the remainder of S4. During this time I am organising an alternative curriculum which includes:

• Preparation for S5
• Completion of Nat3 and Nat 4 assessments
• Opportunities for wider achievement
• Training for employment

Pupils who do not qualify for exam leave may undertake work experience for some or all of May 2014. If this is an option you wish to explore for your child then please contact Mr Warden to obtain the necessary paperwork and information on how this is organised.

The timetable for session 14/15 will begin on Monday 2 June 2014.

I take this opportunity of wishing our pupils every success in their forthcoming exams. Please note that teaching staff are available for consultation by pupils throughout the examination leave period.

Yours sincerely,

Sally Westerman
Depute Headteacher

Easter Revision Classes

The following Revision programme is being offered to our Senior Pupils sitting National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher who would like extra support over the Easter holidays. This is a wonderful opportunity to consolidate preparation prior to Exams .

Sally Westerman

Click to download the timetables.
Week 1
Week 2        * N.B. Week 1 and Week 2 Timetable updated on Wednesday 2nd April

New School - Newsletter

The latest newsletter detailing progress towards the new school is now available.

Spring Fling

This year’s concert will be held at Marchmont St Giles, Kilgraston Road, on Wednesday 26th March at 7pm and tickets will be available from the door on the evening of the concert, priced £6/£4 concession. 
Doors will open at 6.30pm and refreshments will be available before the concert. This year’s concert will not feature an interval, and will finish around 8.30pm.

The concert programme offers a diverse range of ensembles, choirs and smaller chamber groups and also offers the opportunity for SQA soloists to perform.
This year, we are also delighted to welcome Preston Street Primary School Choir.

Rehearsals on the day itself plays a vital part, and we must ensure that all performers arrive 15 minutes before their appropriate rehearsal at Marchmont St Giles.

We trust that all pupils make their own way to these rehearsals in a sensible manner and in groups.

The rehearsal times are as follows: WEDNESDAY 26th MARCH  AT MARCHMONT ST GILES

8.30        Set up wind band                            1.00        Soloist: Aidan Johnston
8:40        Senior Wind Band                          1:10        LUNCH
9:10        Junior Wind Band                           1.45        Chamber Choir
9:40        Clarsach Ensemble                          2.05        Soloist: Alex Bathe
10.20        Clarsach solo/duet                         2.15        Preston Street Primary Choir
10:45        BREAK     (set up guitars)            2.40        ‘The Voice’ Junior Choir
11.10        Guitar Ensemble                            3:05        Accordion Group
11.40        Training String Orchestra              3:20        Pipe Band
12:10        Chamber Strings                            3.40        FINISH
12:30         Senior String Orchestra              

We would appreciate it if pupils in the senior wind band could arrive at Marchmont St Giles for 8.30am in order to help  set up the band as a prompt start is vital.

As always, dress for the evening concert for all performers is:  white shirt/blouse, school tie, dark trousers/skirt  and dark shoes.

School ties are available from ‘The Clan House of Edinburgh’ outlets at 28 - 30 Morningside Road and 45 Grove Street priced from £3.80 to £4.80.

Performers are discouraged from bringing in valuables to any rehearsal and to the concert as dressing rooms may be unattended at times. We cannot accept responsibility for any personal items.

Download parental letter
Download Rehearsal Timetable

Scottish Variety Awards 2014

Laurie Donaldson was delighted to receive a nomination from the Scottish Variety Awards 2014 :"Up & Coming Scottish Politician".

http://www.capitalfm.com/scotland/events/scottishvarietyawards2014/

Voting only takes 2 minutes and closes a week on Friday (7th March).  Laurie suspect it is going to be quite close and he would very much appreciate the support.