Getting in touch with your classmates
This page is intended to help our alumni make contact with former classmates and schoolfriends. If you meet regularly or are thinking about a possible a reunion for your yeargroup we would like to hear from you. alumni@jamesgillespiestrust.com
‘Gillespie Gathering’ update
Looking forward to meeting many of you at the ‘Gillespie Gathering’ this coming Saturday, 27th April. Thank you to those of you who have said that you will be coming along (or not on this occasion). If you are planning to attend, but have not yet let me know, do please drop me an email.
The event is from 10 am to 12.30 pm in the Muriel Spark Building (opposite the main entrance to Bruntsfield House) and at 11 am there will be talk by author and former pupil, Olga Wojtas. A selection of Olga’s books, copies of John MacLeod’s book ‘Faithful and Brave’ and two books by Norma Allan will be on sale, for payment by cash only. Sorry we do not have a card machine. Light refreshments will available and any cash donations to cover costs and to support the work of the Trust will be gratefully accepted. We will also be pleased to accept donations of school related archive materials on the day
Entrance to the school is from Warrender Park Road (opposite Marchmont Street) and from Whitehouse Loan (around the corner from Thirlestane Road, beside Links Dental Practice). There is no longer an entrance at the top of Lauderdale Street.
Limited parking is available in the school car parks and parking in the local area around the school is free of charge on a Saturday (regulations apply Monday to Friday only).
Further information about the event is available on the James Gillespie’s Trust website where you will also find other items of interest including a new page under development, which has copies of some school magazines and photographs.
‘Gillespie Gathering’
The next James Gillespie’s alumni event is a ‘Gillespie Gathering’ on Saturday morning, 27th April 2024 to which all former pupils are warmly invited. The ‘Gathering’ will be held from 10 am to 12.30 pm in the Muriel Spark Building (opposite Bruntsfield House main entrance) and all are most welcome. The event is an opportunity to catch up with old school friends, meet new friends, and chat while looking at old school magazines, photographs and memorabilia. Light refreshments will be provided. There is no charge for the event but any cash donations to cover costs and to support the work of the Trust will be gratefully accepted. The highlight of the morning will be a talk by author and former pupil, Olga Wojtas in the Muriel Spark Theatre at 11 am. To give us an idea of numbers please let us know by email if you can come along. Thank you. alumni@jamesgillespiestrust.com
We are delighted that Olga has agreed to join us and give a short talk about her career in writing. Olga Wojtas, who went to both Gillespie’s primary and secondary was, she says, inspired by one of the English teachers during her time there to pursue a career in writing, both as a journalist and as an author. Her writing is a series of comic crime books inspired by Muriel Spark’s “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.” Olga’s heroine is a former pupil of the Marcia Blaine School for Girls (the name Spark gave to Gillespie’s), now a librarian in Morningside Library, who gets sent on timetravelling missions. Olga will talk about how the school has influenced her “Miss Blaine’s Prefect” books, which even include her own version of the school song. It is certain to be an interesting morning, and copies of Olga’s work will be
available to purchase on the day.
Although this ‘Gathering’ has been arranged to coincide with the 50th anniversary reunion of the 1968-1974 cohort taking place on the afternoon of the 27th, this Gathering is open to all, regardless of the years you attended the school, and is free to attend.
1968-1974 cohort 50th anniversary reunion 27th April 2024
Pleased to report that following a recent callout to pupils from the 1968-1974 cohort, over 50 former pupils responded. The 50th anniversary reunion team, led by Sheila Capewell (née Wragg) has now organised an afternoon event on Saturday 27th April 2024 in Bruntsfield Hotel between 1.30pm and 5.30pm, to celebrate the year-group that entered S1 in 1968 and left 6th year in 1974 (or before).
There will be an afternoon tea, a celebration cake, fizz, music from the era and obviously a LOT of chat! Tickets are £30 per person and must be bought by Monday 8th April from jghs68to74@gmail.com We have already contacted about 80 from the year-group and there will be lots of memories to share. Even if you can’t come on 27th April please get in touch to gain access to photos, stories and info about the year-group and to hear about the possibility of another catch-up later in the year.
There is a link to the 6th year photo above (with names soon)
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZBgkjZQgLUZhsSYk8
Still searching for year-group pupils in S1 August 1968 to 6th year in 1974 or before. Do you know anyone above? Please ask them to get in touch. Even if they can’t come, we’d love to hear from them. alumni@jamesgillespiestrust.com
2003 leavers
We have had a enquiry from Lizzy Shamash asking if anyone is thinking about a 2003 leavers reunion. She would also like to get in contact with classmates. If you know Lizzy and would like to get in touch please email us and let us know. alumni@jamesgillespiestrust.com
1973/1974 arrivals from James Gillespie’s Boys School
We have had an enquiry from Jim Gray. He would like to know of any reunions, events or the like from the first & in particular second intake of boys in 1974 to James Gillespie’s High School. If you are in this cohort and are interested in contacting Jim or are planning an event, please let us know. alumni@jamesgillespiestrust.com
