01 March 2016

Year	Content                                                         Date 01.03.2016
S1	Basketball Competition *Date change* There is a 3v3 basketball competition that will be held in Liberton on Friday 4th March from 1:30 – 3:30 (this Friday coming!) for S3 boys and girls.  If anyone is interested in playing can they give their name to the PE base as soon as possible so we can organise teams and transport S1/2 - City of Edinburgh Cross-Country Race This will take place on Monday the 14th of March at Inverleith Park. It consists of a 2km S1/2 girls race and 2km S1/2 boys race. S1 & 2 Rugby All information about training and games can be found on the James Gillespie’s High School Rugby Blog. To find this blog go to the JGHS website homepage --- BLOGS ---- RUGBY BLOG. All new players welcome. Mr. Sievwright JUNIOR CHOIR - will start rehearsing on Tuesday 26th January for the 'Spring Fling' concert in March. All pupils in S1 to S3 who performed at the Usher Hall are invited to join. New members also welcome.
S2	**NEW ITEM** STEM CAREERS EVENT Reminder to all S2 and S3 pupils going on the Science careers trip to meet in the Forum at 12.20 today. STEM CAREERS EVENT On Tuesday 1st of March there is the opportunity for you to attend a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Career event. It is a change to learn about careers in these subjects as well as get some hands on experience of working in STEM jobs. The trip will leave school at 12.30 from the Forum and finishes at 4pm at the Scottish National Museum. You will require a packed lunch. If you are interested please pick up a consent form from the Science Department and return it to Dr Oudney by Thursday Basketball Competition *Date change* There is a 3v3 basketball competition that will be held in Liberton on Friday 4th March from 1:30 – 3:30 (this Friday coming!) for S3 boys and girls.  If anyone is interested in playing can they give their name to the PE base as soon as possible so we can organise teams and transport S1/2 - City of Edinburgh Cross-Country Race This will take place on Monday the 14th of March at Inverleith Park. It consists of a 2km S1/2 girls race and 2km S1/2 boys race. S1 & 2 Rugby All information about training and games can be found on the James Gillespie’s High School Rugby Blog. To find this blog go to the JGHS website homepage --- BLOGS ---- RUGBY BLOG. All new players welcome. Mr. Sievwright JUNIOR CHOIR - will start rehearsing on Tuesday 26th January for the 'Spring Fling' concert in March. All pupils in S1 to S3 who performed at the Usher Hall are invited to join. New members also welcome.
S3	**NEW ITEM** STEM CAREERS EVENT Reminder to all S2 and S3 pupils going on the Science careers trip to meet in the Forum at 12.20 today. Tenerife Exchange Final payment of £200 was due by February 29th, if you haven’t already paid, please do so as soon as possible. Payments to Mrs Fraser in Bruntsfield house, as usual. STEM CAREERS EVENT Anyone wishing to attend the STEM Careers event on Tuesday 1st March must return their consent forms to Dr Oudney in the Science Department ASAP. Basketball Competition *Date change* There is a 3v3 basketball competition that will be held in Liberton on Friday 4th March from 1:30 – 3:30 (this Friday coming!) for S3 boys and girls.  If anyone is interested in playing can they give their name to the PE base as soon as possible so we can organise teams and transport JUNIOR CHOIR- will start rehearsing on Tuesday 26th January for the 'Spring Fling' concert in March. All pupils in S1 to S3 who performed at the Usher Hall are invited to join. New members also welcome.
S4	SORRENTO TRIP Please note……if you haven’t made a second payment of £200 please get the money in ASAP. Third payment of £200 due by end of February, and final payment of £90 due by end of April. If you haven’t received an email about the Trip meeting on 25th February, please see Mrs Carruthers or Mrs Harvey-Jamieson for a letter with the info ASAP.
S5
S6
All years	**NEW ITEM** Upcoming Volleyball Opportunities ·         Beach Volleyball Holiday Camp – This will be running from the 5th-7th of April in the Easter Holidays at Portobello beach (in front of the swim centre). The camp costs £5 per day or £10 for 3 days. No experience necessary, if you are interested then please e-mail Lynne Beattie at – rdoeast@scottishvolleyball.org before Friday the 11th March. ·         Scottish volleyball are seeking courtside assistants for the Women’s under 19 European championships from the 1st-3rd of April at the University of Edinburgh, The Pleasance. If you are interested in this opportunity then please e-mail Lynne Beattie at rdoeast@scottishvolleyball.org Word of the week Word: obstreperous Definition: noisy and uncontrolled Synonyms: boisterous, unruly, clamorous, riotous, tumultuous, turbulent, uproarious, vociferous Context: Rosalyn was obstreperous at school because it was period 4 on a Friday. Many thanks to 3M2 for this week’s word. See if you can use this word, or one of the many synonyms, correctly in your school work throughout the week. ***Celebrating World Book Day Thursday 3rd March 2016*** WBD £1 tokens & £1 books Available for all students S1-5. Tokens available from the library if your form tutor has run out. Swap the tokens for a £1 book.  These are available from the library.   These will be available from The Forum at lunchtime on World Book Day and from the library at any other time. For a limited period only! Book Trailers Ms. Steer’s class have made book trailers which will be on display in The Forum at lunchtime on World Book Day.  Look out for their recommendations. Book Swap – for students and staff Taking place in the Forum at lunchtime.  A fiction/biography book swap.  You can bring any books to swap to the library before Thursday or just turn up at the Forum on the day. Staff Reading Check out what the staff are reading – look for the posters in your classrooms! Quiz A Dingbats style quiz sheet will be available for students in the library all week from Mon 29 Feb with a prize drawn at the end of the week/Monday morning for the winner. S1 & S2 English Reading lessons Know your book characters?  All S1 and S2 classes will be getting into teams to take part in a quiz – prizes for the winning team! World Book Day website Take part in competitions and the great live Teen Fest on Tue 1st and Wed 2nd March – details on the website. www.worldbookday.com The Spark Meetings for The Spark will now be every Thursday lunchtime from 1.15 p.m. in room 1.27. We are still accepting new members so please come along if you are interested. Miss Steer Duke of Edinburgh Gold Group There will be an important meeting in room 003, Thursday 25th February. Attendance is essential. Mrs Briggs/Miss Grant Duke of Edinburgh Silver Group There will be a meeting on Friday 26th February in the Forum at 1.15pm. Miss Altelarrea-Llorente Careers Drop-In On Thursday lunchtime (25th Feb) in the Library, the Careers Advisor will be available to talk to about careers, apprenticeships and education.  Open to all year-groups, no appointments needed! CHESS CLUB This message is for all Chess Club members who would like to test their skills at competition level.  There is an inter schools tournament taking place at Wester Hailes Education Centre this coming Sunday, the 28th February, between 9.30 and 4.00pm.   Any students who would like to take part are asked to make their interest known to Mr Maclaughland today.  There is a small charge of £1.00 for those who register today and £6.00 for those who register later-the 24th at the very latest. Sadly no transport will be provided so players will have to make their own way to the centre. S1- S6 – Girls Rugby The James Gillespie’s HS Girls Rugby Club will start up on Tuesday 23rd February at the Meadows from 4-5pm. This is open to all abilities from beginners to experienced and for players interested in contact and non-contact rugby.  Please sign up in the PE base ASAP. Please spread the word and get as many of your friends involved in this exciting new club. For further information and to sign up, see Mr Gray in the PE dept. S1-S6 Fencing We are looking for anyone that participates in Fencing to come and see Mr Gray in the PE department for an exciting opportunity to compete in the Scottish Schools Team Fencing Championships.  This event takes place 19th & 20th March with the entry deadline of 1st March so your prompt response is vital.  Please sign up in the PE base ASAP. Any questions see Mr Gray in PE. SHINTY CLUB Shinty club is back on and will start again on Monday 1st of February.  Meet outside PE base after school.  All welcome and equipment is provided. PUPILS OUT OF CLASS Pupils who attend a music instrumental lesson during PE are required to sign in at the school reception.  This will ensure that pupils are not marked as missing from class. Pupils that miss the PE bus to Meadowbank are to report to the school reception at the start of the period to ensure they are not marked absent.  CHESS CLUB As of Monday 1St February, I will be running a lunch time Chess Club in room 2.29.  The Chess Club is open to all levels, from absolute beginners to chess masters! Mr Maclaughland ATHLETICS CLUB Will commence on the 1st of February. We are always open to new members so if you are interested in trying or developing sprinting, running, jumping or throwing events please come along. There are a number of athletics events coming up: Scottish Schools Cross-country – 9th of March Edinburgh Schools Cross-country Series – Wednesdays after school between the 24th Feb and 16th March – Great idea if you would like to try cross-country but don’t wish to compete at a Scottish level. If you wish to compete in any of these events you should see Dr Oudney in the Science Dept. BLOG CLUB Blog club will run every Wednesday after school. If you want to learn how to make your own website using Wordpress, or advice about writing in any genre then come along – new members very welcome! We meet in room 1.27 before heading to the Sphere. Miss Steer ‘SPRING FLING’- CONCERT REHEARSALS Rehearsals have now started for the Spring Fling Concert which once again takes place in Marchmont St Giles on Wednesday 16th March 2016 at 7.00pm. THE JGHS SCHOOL SHOP - will be open from Wednesday 2 December in the Cyber Cafe on the ground floor.  The shop will be open every break selling loom bands, pencils, rubbers, pens, sharpeners and Santa hats. Volleyball Club - Volleyball club takes place on Tuesdays after school, at Meadowbank. The PE bus will leave at 4pm from Lauderdale street and returns to the school at 6pm. Anyone interested or who would like more information please see Miss Mackinnon in PE. The club is available to all pupils in S1-S6 Netball Club Netball club takes place on Thursdays after school, at Meadowbank. The PE bus will leave at 4pm from Lauderdale street and returns to the school at 6pm. Anyone interested or who would like more information please see Miss Mackinnon in PE. The club is available to all pupils in S1-S6 Debating Debating will take place on Wednesday lunchtime in 1.31 rather than after school. Come along to learn how to argue in a more creative and constructive way in a fun environment. There will be opportunities to learn and develop your debating skills with a possibility of entering exciting competitions involving other Scottish schools at a later date. So what are you waiting for? Everyone is welcome (especially the new S1s). Bring your lunch. M Roskilly Italian Club Italian club will run every Wednesday lunchtime in 1.26. If you want to learn the basics to help you on holiday or are just interested in the language and the culture, please come along. This club is open to all pupils and staff with an interest in Italy and Italian.   LOCKERS Locker forms are available from welfare, reception and school website. Return applications to Welfare office.