1. Welcome to your new school

2. School Community
After 3 years of waiting with everything that entailed (eg. noise/constricted space/3 campuses and the separation of senior and junior schools with many of your teachers), we have been rewarded with a beautiful new school.
First Malala, and now the fabulous Eric Liddell sports centre and the Muriel Spark Performing Arts Centre, as well as very attractive grounds.

3. 5 Learning Communities
LAUDER
ROSLIN
SPYLAW
THIRLESTANE
WARRENDER
This won’t be news for my S1 as they are already aware. However when delivering to all the other pupils I would emphasise these new names were as a result of a whole school consultation exercise and we are pleased to see the outcome reflects a desire to hold on to our roots, as these were the names of the Houses in the past at JGHS.

4. Meet the Pupil Support Leaders
Community
Pupil Support Leader
LAUDER
Mrs McQuade (Mon – Wed)
& Mrs Kerr (Thurs – Fri)
ROSLIN
Ms Glass (Mr Warden)
SPYLAW
Mr Shankland
THIRLESTANE
Mrs Pearce
WARRENDER
Mrs Graham
I am keen that where possible pupils make appointments with PSLs and will be encouraging staff and pupils to take this approach. We need to break this culture of pupils walking out or being sent out so they can go to PSLs. I think this is a good opportunity at the beginning of this session to get these messages across to our respective year groups.

5. DHT – Year Head S1 & S6 S2 & S3 S4 & S5 Mr Porter Mrs Westerman
Mrs O’Brien
S4 & S5
Mr Warden
Would be good to have a consistent message here and hence what I mentioned earlier about further discussion needed so we are consistent and clear about what a Year Head role entails.

6. James Gillespie's High School
UCAS Applications
James Gillespie's High School

7. Key dates
Saturday 15th October 2016 – UCAS deadline for applications to Oxford, Cambridge, and most courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine/science. Friday 16th December – James Gillespie's deadline for the majority of undergraduate courses.

8. Choices
There are over 37,000 undergraduate courses at 395 providers in the UK. Can choose up to 5 courses and more than 1 in the same institution. £13 for 1 choice and £24 for 2-5 choices. Universities can only see the course relevant to them. Check start date – Sep 2017 or Sep 2018 if deferring.

9. EXTRA QUALIFICATIONS UKCAT-MEDICINE/DENTISTRY BMAT-MEDICINE LNAT-LAW
These tests are designed to enhance your application and in many cases are a mandatory part of the application process.
They can have the opposite effect – a poor BMAT score may decrease your chances of getting in – SO STUDY HARD!
YOU MUST REGISTER AND ARRANGE TO SIT THE TESTS. THE SCHOOL DOES NOT DO THIS FOR YOU!!

10. UCAS HIGHER EDUCATION CONVENTION
Tuesday 6th September 2016
Corn Exchange
You must book (only 135 spaces)

11. Structure of a Personal Statement
1. Which course and why?
2. Qualifications/Experience related to chosen course
3. Roles and responsibilities in school – skills and qualities developed as a result – link to chosen course
4. Roles and responsibilities out with school – skills and qualities developed as a result – link to chosen course
5. Summary – why you?

12. RESEARCH Careers Hilary.Malcolm@sds.co.uk Websites: www.ucas.com
PSL

13. DO YOU KNOW who this is ? Callum Skinner(23)
who has just won a gold cycling medal in Rio Olympics. Attended JGHs