High Street
Jedburgh
TD8 6DQ
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JEDBURGH GRAMMAR SCHOOL
01835 863273
01835 863993
jedburghgs@scotborders.gov.uk
jedburghgs.co.uk
AUTUMN TERM NEWSLETTER
Welcome to our Autumn Newsletter.
Our pupils returned to school rested, motivated
and smartly dressed and they have made a very
good start to session 2012-2013. The atmosphere
in the school continues to be positive and upbeat. I
want to thank the pupils for their efforts and the
staff for their superb and continued commitment to
their pupils in and out of the classroom.
I would like to extend a special welcome to our
new S1 who have made a good impression on the
Grammar School. They have excellent manners
and attitude and are very well motivated.
I hope you enjoy this newsletter and I would like to
wish all pupils, parents, staff and partners an
enjoyable October break.
Rector
Exam results
We were very encouraged by our exam results this year. Jedburgh Grammar School continues to make
progress: the number of S4 pupils gaining 5+ Credits in Standard Grades was up 14% on last year which is
a significant increase; our Higher results remain strong and last year’s S6 performed very well in their
Highers and, in particular, Advanced Highers. A special mention should go to our pupils who opened their
exam results live on ITV Border!
The S4, S5 and S6 pupils who left the Grammar School have all gone on to ‘positive destinations’: jobs,
apprenticeships, college courses and university courses. These range from game-keeping to engineering, from
plumbing to veterinary studies and some have even been inspired to become teachers! I am sure that they will
go on to make their mark in the local area and beyond, and we wish them all best.
These successes are down to the hard work of staff and pupils, systematic progress checks and feedback to
pupils, good coursing, a full curriculum and small classes. This remains in place for this session. We will
continue to work hard to improve these various outcomes through close analysis of the results, evaluation and
improvement of courses and working with outside partners to try to ensure that all pupils at JGS get the best
possible start in life.
Duke of Edinburgh
Here at JGS we are pleased to announce that
another 7 pupils have completed their Bronze
Duke of Edinburgh award. This is a fantastic
achievement and will open up many
opportunities for the participants. The 7 young
people are now gearing up towards
completing their Silver award, which will draw
upon their newly honed skills as adventurers!
We also have 18 new candidates taking part
in the Bronze level award this year! A
fantastic turn out for a "wee school". Nearly
10% of the current school roll have taken part
in this very rewarding scheme. We're very
proud of them all and their excellent
achievements. Well done!
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NEW BOOK
One of our S4 pupils, Louise Hall, has recently
been to St Boswell's Primary School (where she
attended school) to give a talk about her
illustrations for a children's book. 'The
Adventures of Ranald the Rugby Player' was
written by her mother, Mrs K Hall (a teacher at
JGS) and Louise drew all the pictures for the
book. Together they have self-published the
book. Louise is keen on art and has always
loved to doodle - she said in her talk - "doodles
can have a way of helping you in the future." Her
doodling has led her to have a love for art. The
pupils were very taken with her illustrations. Many questions were asked and she agreed to read some of the
story to them. She is set to speak to P4-P7 at Howdenburn Primary School during their book week in October.
Tour of Britain
Our whole school turned out to see
the Tour of Britain in the town. It
was a great occasion for our pupils
to see this national event and some
of Britain’s cycling superstars. All
our young people were very well
behaved and enjoyed themselves.
This says a lot about the
relationships between staff and
pupils in our school. It is great that
we can engage in such events with
confidence. It was a memorable day
for S1 pupil Cameron Clamp who
managed to meet Bradley Wiggins
and get his autograph.
Back to school day
On Friday 21 September Jedburgh Grammar School
and Parkside Primary School were chosen as the
venue for a ‘Back to School Day’ for Councillors. They
were accompanied by Director of Education Glenn
Rodger, Chair of the Education Executive Sandy
Aitchison (pictured) and Senior Education Officer Ken
Gray. All were very impressed by our school,
especially the way staff and pupils work together
positively and the relaxed yet purposeful ethos. One
councillor said he heard positive feedback and
encouragement in every room he was in. The 'tour
guides' - Declan Crabtree, Lucy Gibson, Cameron
Clamp and Kira Renilson were superb and made a
real impression on the visitors. Thank you to these
young people for representing the school so well.
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Visit from HMIe Sheila Brown
Sheila Brown is the Inspector for Borders schools and is having informal visits to schools around the authority.
Sheila’s recent visit went very well. She met groups of S1, S3 and S5 pupils, a group of staff, the Senior
Management Team as well as having a tour of the school. It was a busy morning! Sheila commented that the
pupils were confident and articulate and very positive about the school. All pupils specifically talked about
how well they were supported by their teachers. She also said the school had a very pleasant atmosphere.
This was not a formal inspection visit so there is no official feedback.
Like the visit from councillors and the Director of Education which happened two days later, I am always very
happy to welcome people to our school and take them round on a normal day. Like all of my colleagues, I am
proud of the service we provide our young people.
Jedburgh Grammar School equestrian Team
We are delighted to report that the
school’s riding teams enjoyed a highly
successful trip to the National Schools
Equestrian Association Scottish Qualifying
Competitions recently.
Perhaps the most notable performance
was that of the “JGS Emeralds”,
comprising Rebecca Dun, Samantha
Martin, Lucy Soeder and Ellie Temple who
won the 80cm Show Jumping Class and
have qualified for the National
Championships at Addington Manor,
Aylesbury on 19-21 October. However,
all of the riders performed really well and
the following placings were achieved:Dressage
Individuals
Catherine Soeder
Rosie Bancroft
Rebecca Dun
Lucy Soeder
Show Jumping
Individuals
Melissa Foggon
Rebecca Dun
1st
2nd
3rd
5th
(70cm) 5th
(80cm) 4th
Teams
JGS Sapphires
3rd
(Catherine Soeder, Abby Hogarth, Rebecca Dun & Abby Fisher)
JGS Diamonds
4th
(Rosie Bancroft, Lucy Brown, Samantha Martin & Lucy Soeder)
Teams
JGS Emeralds
1st
(80cm)
(Rebecca Dun, Samantha Martin, Lucy Soeder & Ellie Temple)
JGS Rubies
6th
(80cm)
(Abby Fisher, Abby Hogarth & Melissa Foggon)
More important than results, however, every one of the riders conducted themselves in a courteous and
sporting manner throughout the two days’ competitions; they were a credit to Jedburgh Grammar School.
We were competing against private schools George Heriot’s, Dollar Academy, Kilgraston and Beaconshurst
as well as Lornshill Academy, St Columba’s High School, Balfron High School and our neighbours Selkirk High
School and Earlston High School.
It is wonderful to see what can be achieved through parents, young people, members of the community and
staff working together. It is also very important for our school and boosts our profile in a unique and
important context, very much reflecting the heritage and culture of our town and region.
I am very grateful to all for setting up this team: managers Emma Soeder, Vivienne Martin and Karen
Redpath; Sarah Harrison for helping with training and accompanying the team and David Soeder for his
invaluable support.
-3-
Lucy Hope - Roxburgh Junior Sports Personality of the Year 2012
We are always delighted to recognise the achievements of Lucy Hope in S5 whose swimming career continues
to go from strength to strength.
Her latest accolade is to be presented with the title of Roxburgh Junior Sports Personality of the Year 2012
at a ceremony in Kelso Rugby Club where Olympians and Paralympians from the Borders were also
recognised.
Lucy is always very modest about her successes and is working very hard in her S5 Highers building on
excellent results in S4. We all look forward to more success in and out of school. Lucy's ability to manage her
training and school studies is very impressive. Well done Lucy.
Vaulting
Eilidh Steel in S3 is in the Scottish Border Vaulters Novice Team,
who are now Scottish and British Champions following the British
Vaulting Championships in Hull. The team from the Borders won
the Novice Squad class and the under 14 individual class.
The picture shows Eilidh performing a swing, one of the
compulsory moves that they have to do. They also perform a 4minute team freestyle routine. Congratulations to Eilidh for this
superb achievement in an extremely challenging sport. Well
done!
School Uniform
We are very encouraged by the efforts our young people are
putting into wearing our school uniform. We have many more
pupils wearing ties, which is very positive. School uniform is
essential to promoting good ethos and identity with the school.
I would like to ask all parents to continue to support our uniform.
If there is any problem with your son or daughter wearing school
uniform, please let us know by phoning in or giving your son or
daughter a note.
ECO GROUP
The Eco Group is thriving and building on our Green Flag award. The group
is now building a greenhouse out of empty 2 litre plastic bottles and they
need 1500. To date they have about 150, so still a long way to go.
Any donations of clean bottles would be very welcome!
RAGBAG APPEAL
In the near future our Physical Education department are hoping to use this recycling scheme as a means of
raising much needed money for sports teams, PE equipment and the JGS Pupil Opportunities Fund. Please
look out for the delivery of these bags. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
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School Christmas Dances
This year we will have two dances: one for S1 to S3 on Monday 17 December in the school hall and one for
S4 to S6 on Thursday 20 December in the Town Hall.
A very dedicated group of staff and pupils have been working hard to make our dances special occasions
this year. We have listened to our senior pupils and parents who were very keen to have the senior dance in
the town hall. I have spoken to S3 to S6 pupils about the new set up and would encourage everyone to go to
their dance. The senior dance will be formal dress and the junior dance will be smart/casual. Pupils will be
given more information in plenty of time.
Having worked in Glasgow, Dundee and Edinburgh schools before moving to the Borders, I have always been
incredibly impressed by the tradition of social dancing in Borders schools. It is a very valuable part of
our curriculum as our young people learn skills that will stay with them throughout their lives. By
this I mean the dancing, and the social skills our young people learn.
JGS Columba 1400 Leadership Programme
Since my appointment as Rector of Jedburgh Grammar School in February I have been struck by the
community spirit and the huge potential of our young people. I am determined to raise the ambitions of our
young people to contribute to their school, town, country and the world.
The need to develop ambition was a common theme that emerged following recent consultations with staff,
pupils and parents. There has been agreement amongst those consulted that young people need to feel proud
of their school and their town, and that excellence should be encouraged, celebrated and commonplace.
I would like Jedburgh Grammar School to engage with the Scottish charity, Columba 1400
(http://www.columba1400.com). Columba 1400 is an organisation dedicated to helping young people
realise their own inner potential and greatness, thereby improving not only their lives but also the lives of
those around them. A Columba 1400 Schools Leadership Academy will provide the opportunity for our young
people and staff to understand their potential and the positive influence that they can have on our school and
communities.
Columba 1400 is working in partnership with us to raise the funds to make this vital work a reality. I am
seeking donations from members of the local community and would be very grateful for any support. If you
would like to help make this vital work a reality, please contact me on: 01835 863273 or
kryalls@scotborders.gov.uk.
IMPORTANT DATES
Mon 1 Oct
Thurs 4 Oct
Mon 15 Oct
Tues 16 Oct
Tues 16 Oct
Fri 19 Oct
22 Oct - 2 Nov
Tues 13 Nov
Th-Fri,15-16 Nov
S4 Parents’ Evening
School closes for October holiday
In-Service Day
School re-opens for pupils
Higher & Int 2 Drama Performances
School Photographer
Work Experience for S4
HPV Injections for S2 girls
In-Service Days
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Mon 19 Nov
Wed 28 Nov
Mon 3 Dec
Tues11 Dec
Mon 17 Dec
18-19 Dec
Thur 20 Dec
Fri 21 Dec
Mon 7 Jan 13
S4 Prelim Exams begin
S1 Parents’ Evening
St Andrew’s Day Holiday
Christmas Concert
S1-S3 Christmas party
Christmas Cakes & Crafts Exhibition
Senior Dance
School closes for Christmas holiday
School re-opens
WANTED!
FORMER JGS PUPILS
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J g s – avenue of ambition
WE are creating an avenue of ambition
WITHIN THE SCHOOL TO PROMOTE
ACHIEVEMENTS OF FORMER PUPILS.
If you, or someone you know, have gone on
to great things, we want to know!
Please provide: A photograph from your time at school
or the present day
 Details of when you attended jgs
 A brief Summary of your achievements
Thank you!
E-mail to: JEDBURGHGS@SCOTBORDERS.GOV.UK or hand in to the school office
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E-MAIL ADDRESSES
If possible, please furnish us with an e-mail address by which we can send you items such as this newsletter.
JEDBURGH GRAMMAR SCHOOL
would like to be able to contact you by e-mail
Could we send standard letters by e-mail to you to save on mailing costs?
If you would be happy to receive this information by e-mail, please supply us
with your e-mail address.
Pupil Name:
_________________________________________________
Communications Class: ____________________
Parents’ e-mail
address:
_______________________________@________________
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