Presentation to parents

For anybody who missed it, here is a link to Mr McCallum's presentation from October.

Don't forget, the final parents' meeting before the trip is on Tuesday 28th January, at 19:00 in the Dining Centre at Lauderdale.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ewcgtywukve2qxa/JGHS%20SA2013%2010october13%20Parents%20presentation1.ppt

WANTED: Volunteers to help with a fundraising project for the soup kitchen at Dloko

Miss Gray is looking for volunteers to help make and sell a CD of the Dloko school choir to raise funds for the soup kitchen.

The CD was recorded in Durban earlier in the year at a professional recording studio who provided the studio time free of charge. The next part of the task is to design a CD cover, make copies and sell as many of these as possible!

If you would be interested in helping out with any aspects of this fundraising activity please see Miss Gray asap.

St Andrew's Day

A big well done to the group who organised today's St Andrew's Day festivities. £315.50 was raised, bringing our grand total up to £613. Keep it up!

S1 Halloween Party

The S1 Halloween Party raised £175 for the South Africa fund (£350 in total). Well done to those involved... not sure who enjoyed it more, the S1 or the S6!

Remember to let the staff know about any money you have raised so we can add this to the total.

St.Andrew's Day Fundraising Ceilidh

 

THURSDAY 28^TH NOVEMBER at 7-10pm

This year’s South Africa Fundraising Ceilidh is being held at the Bainfield Bowling and Social Club (Hutchison Crossway just off of Gorgie/Balgreen Road) due to the school’s current decant.

All S5/6 pupils and parents and staff are welcome.  Tickets are £5 and go on sale the week beginning 18^th November.  No tickets will be available on the night and entry will not be permitted to anyone who has not purchased a ticket.

There will also be a raffle/bake sale as well as a chance to purchase artwork and other South Africa merchandise.

We are also accepting donations for raffle prizes in any shape or form so if you are able to help please get in contact with the school!

Important meetings

Miss Gray's family group - you have to see her today (Thursday 31st) or tomorrow. You are running the bake sale at the S1 parents' evening next week. Please pass this on to anyone who doesn't see it!

School uniform group - join Miss Smith's Edmodo group (code :x2k7rb)

Fundraising group - each of you need to come up with at least 1 fundraising idea for next week. Meet with Mr Alexander and Miss Smith in W23 on Thursday 7th November to discuss fundraising targets and events, and to delegate roles and responsibilities.

Jabulani Project Contact Details

Following on from Isaac's talk today, he asked me to share the contact details for the Jabulani Project with everyone.

jabulaniproject.org
Facebook.com/jabulaniproject
Twitter.com/jabulaniproject

He also asked that if anyone has any questions about any aspect of their work in South Africa, or his experiences of the JGHS trip, you can email him at: ansellforsyth (at) gmail.com

South Africa Project Twitter

In addition to this blog, you can now find news, events and other updates on the South Africa project's Twitter account. This will also enable us to post more regular updates during the trip in February, as writing full updates on the blog is not always possible.

Follow us here - https://twitter.com/JGHSSouthAfrica

Information Evening

Parents of any pupil taking part in the South Africa project this year are invited to an information evening, during which the staff will share more details about the trip and answer any questions.
This will take place on Thursday 10th October at 18:30 in the dining hall, located in the temporary units in the Lauderdale Street campus. We look forward to seeing you all there!

Clothing donations

As we start the new school year, we'd like to take the opportunity to remind pupils, parents and teachers that this is the perfect time of year to find great deals on school clothing. 

There will be a group organising donations throughout the year, but now is the time to take advantage of all the "back to school" deals in the shops. It's a great opportunity to provide quality clothes for the pupils we work with in South Africa. 

Please pick up an extra shirt, pair of shoes or other school clothes if you can. Details of how donations will be collected will be shared as soon as possible. 

Thanks. 

Running to raise funds

Miss Gray and Mr Adam are planning on entering some races in order to raise funds for the 2013/14 South Africa project. They are looking for interested pupils and parents to join them. It's a great opportunity to raise a lot of money for the project, and to get some exercise as well!

If you or your parents are interested, get in touch with either of the staff as soon as you can. 

Photos and videos - South Africa 2013

Dear all,

I've had numerous requests for access to the thousands of photographs and videos we took whilst away in South Africa. Unfortunately, things are never that simple! I've started to upload some to dropbox, although it takes a very long time and I only have 2gb of space to use (despite 40gb of photos/videos).

You should be able to gain access to these through this link:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/o21tibn2auk7uo5/9sXlO8tqgG

I would encourage all others to do the same and sign up with dropbox. You can post me any links to specific folders you wish to share under the comments of this post so everyone can have access to your photos/videos etc.

I'm currently uploading a highlight video that should be available by the end of today. You should be able to view it using the link above. I will continue to upload more photos when I have time :-) 

Thanks

Mr. Carstairs

Review Meeting and Clothing Request

On Wednesday 20th March, from 18:30 - 20:00 we will be holding a review meeting in the Assembly Hall for pupils and parents. Presentations will be given of experiences had by all during this years South Africa trip. Food and drink will also be available.

As our South African visitors arrive on Monday (11th March), can we ask that if anyone has any warm clothes they are willing to donate, be it just for the week or permanently, that they please see Mr. McCallum ASAP. Needless to say the South Africans will not have experienced the impending cold that awaits them! Any jackets or warm jumpers would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

Our South African Visitors.

Dear all,

The teachers and students from South Africa arrive on Monday 11^th March.  They land at Glasgow Airport at 11.30am.  They will be here until the 19^th March when they leave from Glasgow at 8.45pm.

I am looking for some “hosting” volunteers on the 11^th – 19th March so that we have enough people willing to host the 4 young people for 2/3 nights and for the duration of their stay.

The students will attend school every day and will be involved in every Diversecity performance.  On other days they will be requiring breakfast and dinner, although the students often organise outings together and we will supply an itinerary after the students who are going / have just returned from South Africa meet to organise this.

I know this is a big ask but these children are always delightful and it is a good opportunity for those students who are going to South Africa next February or those who have just returned to link with someone from our partner schools.  It is often a good idea for two friends to share the hosting.

The pupils from Zwelibanzi are Mnotho and Angel.

  

The pupils from Dloko are Mle and Londy.

     

I would be grateful if you could let me know if you would be willing to participate and which dates you would be able to host a pupil, by returning the tear off slip from the downloadable link below:

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/ao20b7icj5449lm/hosting%20letter2013.doc?token_hash=AAEUOa89CAmGbVHZMO7lDmwx1uKd2hxivMOtYQjzhoIRFw&dl=1

Yours sincerely,

Mr. Neil McCallum

Adapters!

Can those who borrowed socket adapters for South Africa 2013 please return them to Mr. McCallum. If anyone bought their own and no longer have use for them, feel free to donate. They can be used with future trips. Again, hand them in to Mr. McCallum.

Thanks!

'Nothing will prepare you for the experience'

Six years at Gillespie's builds up to South Africa. Constant fundraisers throughout the year remind you of the importance of the project. However, no matter how many pictures, stories or video clips you see, nothing will prepare you for the experience of going yourself. You will have no idea of the difference the project makes until you are able to see it in person. Although I have seen videos of the greeting you get in the arrivals of Durban Airport, the intensity of their voices cannot be put across.

I always knew that the students at both Dloko and Zwelibanzi were far from privileged but taking a walk around the township truly showed how little some of these students came from, yet they come to school everyday in pristine uniforms, ready to learn and better their lives. The hope of becoming a doctor, a lawyer or a police officer drives them towards this. It is inspiring and it makes you realise how selfish you are every time you miss class because you can't be bothered.

It is personal stories that truly brings home the importance of the project. A man who was part of the project 10 years ago told us himself that without Gillespie's he wouldn't be where he is now. The gratitude that is both spoken and unspoken is overwhelming. 

Emma Hoskins

'Absolutely loved it'

South Africa 2013 was undoubtedly the time of my life so far. The people I met and the things I saw in Zwelibanzi, Dloko, Charles Memorial and the Sisco Project were unforgettable. Even the staff working in the restaurants and many locals we simply talked to about us being there, were so kind and welcoming and treated us like one of their family. Before I went I was kind of sceptical about how well I would get on with people I had never met, but from the moment I stopped to talk to them I was at ease due to how unbelievably friendly they were, and how keen they were to make friends and chat to you. It's amazing how people that have so little can be so positive and happy. They are so much more focussed than us, without the support and attention that we get from school and our parents. It was really unforgettable. I absolutely loved it.

Ethan Gillies-Denning

Better late than never!

It's bizarre to think that a week ago we were returning from South Africa. The trip was absolutely fantastic and the pupils were a credit to James Gillespie's High School. Things are now getting back to normality and this is the first opportunity I've had to post.

I'm aware that there was a lack of communication whilst we were away. Unfortunately this was down to time restrictions and an horrendous WiFi setup in our hotel. Some pupils began writing pieces but didn't manage to get them finished.

Now that the trip is over, it doesn't mean our experiences can't be shared. If anyone who was on the trip would like to write about anything that was significant to them, please do. You can hand it to me (Mr. Carstairs) on paper or via USB and I'll get it up on the blog.

Similarly, I'm still looking for any photos and particularly videos from the trip that you may have. These can be used to promote the trip with the younger year groups and give you something to help reflect on your time away. Again, if you could bring these to the PE department on USB or SD card, I can copy them to the school hard drive.

Once all the photos have been collated, I'll look in to making them accessible for everyone.

Thanks

Mr. Carstairs
PE Dept.

A Room with a View

And here's a little taster of what we wake up to...

Now back to work. Urgh.

Arrived Safely!

So, after 12,000 miles worth of travelling we have arrived safely in Durban! The flights were very comfortable and the organisation between airports was incredibly smooth. A moment of slight hysteria hit us at Glasgow Airport as Charlotte Briggs spied her childhood heroes 'Sam and Mark'. No lack of confidence from the Gillespie's pupils in approaching said heroes!

We received a remarkable welcome from pupils of the Zwelibanzi and Dloko High Schools who had drawn a huge crowd with their singing and dancing in the main concourse of Durban Airport. Our pupils responded in kind with a can-dance, highland dance and rendition of 'Flower of Scotland'.

After a brief 'meet & greet', we travelled to the 'Beach Hotel' on the beach front. Now that we've settled in, Saturday consists of sorting through all the donations we brought over, a venture down the beach and spending time with the Sisco street kids project, then dinner along the harbour at Zack's tonight.

The pupils have been fantastic and a real credit to the school. By the standards set so far, this is going to be an amazing week.

More updates to follow.

South Africa 2014 Parents' Information

Here is the presentation used by Mr McCallum to give information about next year's South Africa trip. >>>Download Link<<<

South Africa Itinerary

ITINERARY

SOUTH AFRICA

7 - 18 February 2013

Emirates Flights (via Dubai)

7 February           Glasgow / Dubai              2045 0815             EK  26
8 February           Dubai / Durban                1025 1710               EK 775 

17 February         Durban / Dubai                 1840 0525              EK776             
18 February         Dubai / Glasgow               0730 1130              EK27 

Thursday 7th February

15:00        Assemble at JGHS 16:00       Coach to Glasgow Airport  (Charlie Irons Coaches) 20:45        Flights departs Glasgow – Dubai (EK26)

Friday 8th February

08:15        Arrive Dubai (EK 26) 10:25        Depart Dubai (EK 775) 17:10        Arrive Durban (EK 775) PM           Beach Hotel (Snack Menu)

Saturday 9th February

AM            World Cup Football Stadium PM            Street Kids  Dinner      Zacks Wilsons Wharf

Sunday 10th February

AM/PM     Tala Game Reserve Dinner      Havanna Grill

Monday 11th February

AM          Zwelibanzi / Dloko PM          Zwelibanzi / Dloko Dinner     Hemmingways

Tuesday 12th February

AM            Zwelibanzi / Dloko PM            Zwelibanzi / Dloko Dinner      Max’s Restaurant

Wednesday 13th February

AM/PM     Charles Memorial Dinner      Zacks North Beach

Thursday 14th February

AM            Dloko / Zwelibanzi PM            Dloko / Zwelibanzi Dinner      Havanna Grill

Friday 15th February

AM            Dloko / Zwelibanzi PM           Dloko / Zwelibanzi Dinner      Hemmingways

Saturday 16th February

AM          Essenwood Market / Victoria Market / Warwick Street Market              PM          Umshlanga Beach or North Beach        Dinner      Moyo

Sunday 17th February

AM            Breakfast / packing PM            Depart for Airport / Late Lunch @ Airport 18:40        Flight departs Durban (EK 776)

Monday 18th February

05:25        Arrive Dubai (EK 776) 07:30        Depart Dubai (EK 27) 11:30        Arrive Glasgow Airport 15:00        Approx. arrival at JGHS

Please note that Mrs. Sinclair has 'mini' copies that were requested by parents. Students can pick these up from her office. 

Words for 'Flower of Scotland'

Words for 'Flower of Scotland'

 

O flower of Scotland
When will we see your like again
That fought and died for
Your wee bit hill and glen
And stood against him
Proud Edward's army
And sent him homeward
Tae think again

The hills are bare now
And autumn leaves lie thick and still
O'er land that is lost now
Which those so dearly held
And stood against him
Proud Edward's army
And sent him homeward
Tae think again

Those days are passed now
And in the past they must remain
But we can still rise now
And be the nation again
That stood against him
Proud Edward's army
And sent him homeward
Tae think again

South Africa 2013 For the South Africa Project this year, we have organised a sub-group with the aim of collecting clothing for the children in the two high schools we are visiting. From previous experiences taking prom dresses and football tops, in addition to packs of school clothes, has been very well received. We are asking for donations of any prom style dresses or football tops from ages 14 upwards. The clothes would preferably be in good condition. In terms of football tops, any team from any league or country would be suitable. Can all donation please be handed into Miss McCartan or Miss Gray in science. Thank you

Water Bottles

IMPORTANT NOTICE: All pupils should bring with them a good quality, 1 litre water bottle - NOT a basic plastic water bottle. With the heat the pupils will be working in and the duration they will be out and about, the quality and size of the water bottle is very important. Some pupils in the past have brought water bottles with built in filters too. Thank you.

Tupperware Donations

We are looking for tupperware donations to donate to the Zwelibanzi and Dloko High Schools in support of their ever developing soup kitchens. The tupperware can be of various sizes but should be durable enough to last a while (as opposed to small take-away dishes). If you would like to give tupperware to help our cause, please drop any donations in at the school office addressed to Mr. McCallum or ask a pupil to give to their family leader. Thank you.

Clothing Group Notice

The Clothing group are appealing for donations of school clothing to take across for the children at Charles Memorial. We would really appreciate donations of:


School shirts (preferably white)
School skirts/trousers (preferably Navy blue)
Pants
Socks
Vests
Black shoes or plimsolls
Gym bags (to package clothes into)
Small toys

All of clothing items is required in sizes from age 3 up to age 11, but particularly the smaller sizes.
Many thanks

Pencil Case Collection

Dear Parent/Guardian

Every year a group of S6 students from James Gillespie's High School go to South Africa to visit and help in Dloko High School, Zwelibanzi High School and Charles Memorial Primary School. The children in these schools live in poverty and suffer from a severe lack of food and education so JGHS carry out projects such as setting up a sustainable soup kitchen and setting up a Library. One of our projects this year is a 'Pencil Case Appeal' which we would be delighted if you and your child would take part in. The pencil cases would give the children the equipment they need to support their education for at least a year.
So it would be greatly appreciated if you could pack a pencil case (or more than one!) and hand them in to the school office for Friday 1^st February.

Pencil Cases should include;
3 writing pencils
3 pens
A handful of coloured pens/pencils
A ruler
An eraser
A pencil sharpener
A note -  if your child wishes they can incorporate a short note saying a bit about themselves but please keep them short, simple and appropriate as the children in Charles Memorial Primary School don't speak much English.

We hope you will help us with our project,
many thanks in advance,

The JGHS clothing committee.

Final countdown

Attention all pupils and parents! Here is a message you should have received in a letter from Mr McCallum recently.

"The trip is now almost up on us and with the prelims to come prior to the trip, I would wish to have one final meeting with you to share the final arrangements with you.

I would be grateful if you could attend a meeting on Thursday 24^th January 2013 at 6-7pm in the Assembly Hall.  This will be the last opportunity for the parent body to meet with the staff of the trip prior to departure.

I would be grateful that if you or your son / daughter are unable to attend the meeting that you could let me know, so that I can ensure you receive the relevant information ASAP after the meeting."

Below you can find a copy of the itinerary for the trip:

Thursday 7th February

15:00 Assemble at JGHS 16:00       Coach to Glasgow Airport (Charlie Irons Coaches) 20:45 Flights departs Glasgow – Dubai (EK26)

Friday 8th February

08:15 Arrive Dubai (EK 28) is this the right time? 10:25 Depart Dubai (EK 775) 17:05  Arrive Durban (EK 775) PM          Beach Hotel (Snack Menu)

Saturday 9th February

AM/PM Shongweni Game Park (Lunch provided at Game Park)     Dinner      Zacks Wilsons Wharf

Sunday 10th February

AM Visit to World cup football stadium PM Visit to either North Beach or Umshlanga beach Dinner      Havanna Grill

Monday 11th February

AM          Zwelibanzi / Dloko PM          Zwelibanzi / Dloko Dinner     Hemmingways

Tuesday 12th February

AM Zwelibanzi / Dloko PM Zwelibanzi / Dloko Dinner  Max’s Restaurant

Wednesday 13th February

AM/PM Charles Memorial Dinner      Zacks North Beach Football (TBC)

Thursday 14th February

AM Dloko / Zwelibanzi PM Dloko / Zwelibanzi Dinner     Havanna Grill

Friday 15th February

AM Dloko / Zwelibanzi PM           Dloko / Zwelibanzi Dinner Hemmingways

Saturday 16th February

AM          Essenwood Market / Victoria Market / Warwick Street Market                PM          Umshlanga Beach                 Dinner Moyo

Sunday 17th February

AM Breakfast / packing PM Depart for Airport / Late Lunch @ Airport 18:45 Flight departs Durban (EK 776)

Monday 18th February

05:25 Arrive Dubai (EK 776) 07:30 Depart Dubai (EK 27) 11:30 Arrive Glasgow Airport 15:00 Approx. arrival at JGHS