Welcome to the JGHS School Council Website

JGHS Rebuild

The revised planning application for the new school buildings was approved on 18th January. Follow this link for more information.

Sheena Purdom and Audrey Gilmour responded to an invitation for comments on the revised plans on behalf of the School Council as part of the process. Click here to view their letter.

SOUTH AFRICA DEVELOPMENT CENTRE - UPDATE FROM ALEX WALLACE

The South Africa Foundation has been set up by Alex Wallace, previous headteacher of James Gillespies. It will be set up in Durban, in the first instance, but not exclusively so, to build on and extend what has been achieved in the JGHS South Africa Project.

Aims:-

• To set up a lasting Foundation that will support the work of those working for good in SA and to bring about greater connectivity.
• Empower young people from Scotland and SA to make a difference.
• Provide a mechanism for people from both countries to share ideas, skills and attitudes which will enrich lives in both countries.
• Share my skills, knowledge and experience in Education to improve the educational provision and leadership in Umlazi.
• Create opportunities for alumni from JGHS, Zwelibanzi HS and Dloko HS to pool their collective intelligences.
• Facilitate skills acquisition for the unskilled.
• Improve nutritional standards for learners.
• Unlock Universities for the underprivileged.

Alex is currently in South Africa. Examples of the work he is progressing are detailed on the attached factsheet. The attached Form can be used to make donations to the foundation.

Project Minibus

If the Project had a minibus, most issues would be resolved. We could employ an ex Zwelibanzi driver, thus helping locally and we would never have to worry about safety. When not being used by the Project, it could be used to earn for the Project.

If you'd like to find out more about the project or register your interest in supporting it in the future, the School Council is collecting responses from parents and carers on behalf of Alex. You can contact the School Council via the email address .

JGHS South Africa Project - Update from Graeme Newall

Over the past year the programme has supported ongoing work at Zwelibanzi High School in Umlazi as well as other projects in the Durban area. There are plans to open another soup kitchen in the nearby Dloko High School, an important step in assuring the positive development of the students. £30 is enough to feed a pupil for a year at the soup kitchen and if you are able to give, even a little, you will be responsible for opening up a future of hope rather than one of despair. Further information on the project and a sponsor form may be found here.

School Council Meeting - Tuesday 22nd November 2011

Draft Minutes may be viewed here

School Council AGM

• Draft Minutes

• Annual Report

• Treasurer's Report

• JGHS Trust Report

• Cover Letter

Curriculum for Excellence

City of Edinburgh Council Education Budget

Following the School Council meeting on 7th June, Ann Henderson sent a letter to Gillian Tee, Director of the Children & Families Dept expressing parents' concerns. Jack Hamilton, seconded HT who is liaising between the Council and schools during the changes, sent a response on 22nd June.

Parents will be aware that the local authority is considering how to cut significant sums from its budget. The Education Cuts under discussion include:

• Reductions in Business Manager and School Bursar posts across the city
• Reductions in Deputy Head Teacher and Principal Teacher posts
• Centralizing janitor support services and outsourcing some to private contractors
• Charging for some music tuition
• Continued pressure on learning support and additional needs services

Further information is in the "Edinburgh School Budget - Background Information" section furher down the page.

School Council Newsletter - June 2011

The latest Newsletter is available here. You can view previous Newsletters via the link at the top of the page.

Edinburgh City Council

Education Committee Meetings: Minutes of Meetings.

Parent Involvement Unit: Newsletter for Parent Councils issued April 2011.

Consultative Committee with Parents: The most recent meeting for Parent Council Chairs on 8 March discussed options for the future of Nursery and Primary Gaelic Medium Education in the City. Minutes of this and previous meetings may be viewed here.

City Guidance on Tackling Discrimination and Bullying: The City Council has reviewed its guidance to staff and schools and issued a briefing note with a link to the updated guidance (click here for link).

Presentation by Elish Garland on the Complaints Management Procedure

The City of Edinburgh 2010/11 session dates may be viewed here.

National Parent Forum of Scotland

JGHS Rebuild

James Gillespie's Campus: Planning Process Update - 29 August 2011

The Planning Notice appeared in the press on 26 August 2011 and formal representations on the actual planning application can be made within three weeks of this - ie by Friday 16 September. The documents can be viewed online by visiting the Council's planning portal with the following reference numbers:

11/02586/FUL for the new James Gillespie's High School 11/02585/FUL for the James Gillespie's Primary School extension

Alternatively you may call at the Planning and Building Control Counter at Waverley Court, the Council Headquarters, at 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh EH8 8BG.

Comments may be submitted online through the planning portal or in writing to the Head of Planning, The City of Edinburgh Council, Waverley Court, 4 East Market Street, Edinburgh EH8 8BG, quoting the reference number above.

Additional information is on the Edinburgh City Council website. link

A series of sessions was also held to allow members of the public to meet someone from the project and talk informally about the proposals. You can download a leaflet with further details here.

Historic information on the rebuild project is on the Buildings Renewal Page.

Edinburgh School Budget - Background Information

February 2011: A deputation from the School Council gave a statement on parents' concerns about the cuts at the budget meeting of the City Council.

December 2010: The City Council gave a presentation to the Parent representatives. View Presentation.

October 2010: School Parent Councils were invited to send representation to a meeting convened by the Edinburgh City Council officials. All the papers are here for your information:

• 'Package 2' Summary
• 'Package 2' proposals
• Responses from Council to Parents' Feedback
• Council Budget Information
• Parent Council Chair Event 13 Oct 2010
• Event Programme

Edinburgh City Council Budget - 2011-2014: Proposals for reductions, Current Budget and Presentation by Children & Families on the budget consultations.

Letter sent 09 Feb 10 from Ann Henderson, Chair of the School Council to local councillors with replies received so far.

Budget - The Children and Families Budget 2010 - 2013 as presented by the City Council Resources Manager

Minutes of Meeting - Minutes from the meeting on 16 December 2009

Letter to Edinburgh Council - Letter from JGHS Council to Gillian Tee, Director of Children and Families

Parents Letter - Suggested Letter for Parents to send to Local Councillors

Please let the School Council know if you have any views that you wish us to include in our meetings with councillors, City Council, and with other Parent Councils. Thanks.

OTHER LINKS

Video - introduction to a parent toolkit launched by Learning Teaching Scotland in January.

FACE - Newsletter produced by Edinburgh City Council for Families and Children in Edinburgh (FACE), which any parent can sign up to receive directly.

Dress Code - Points raised during and following a School Council meeting about the School Dress Code.

Health Questionnaire: - A health questionnaire was sent to each family in October 2007. This report summarises the main findings.

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