gryffe high school€¦ · ‘tweet tweet’ - gryffe high school sports teams go online . over the...

www.gryffehigh.renfrewshire.sch.uk

Gryffe High School Old Bridge of Weir Road, Houston, PA6 7EB Tel: 01505 690633 Fax: 01505 690888 e-mail: [email protected] web address: www.gryffehigh.renfrewshire.sch.uk Head Teacher: Mr Colin H Johnson BSc

Date: 6/02/13 Dear Parents/Carers/Relatives/Pupils I hope you enjoy this month’s newsletter.

Index S4 Work Experience/Parent Council Meeting 2 S5 Parents’ Meeting Feedback 3 S6 Parents’ Meeting Feedback 4 Burns House changes in staffing 5 S6 Pupils meet Senior diplomat in Fairtrade

visit 6 S1 Pupils take part in BBC Authors Live Event

with Darren Shan Launch of Science Club

7 Holocaust Assembly 8,9 S3 Skills Conference 10,11 Bridge of Weir Primary Nursery pupils become Gryffe Scientists for a Day 12 Gryffe Scores Twice at Hampden! 13 Young Musician 2013 14 Renfrewshire Area Schools Swimming

Championships 15 Red Sky at Night is a Gryffe Delight 16 Twitter

Upcoming priorities/events

‘Tweet Tweet’ - Gryffe High School Sports Teams Go Online

Over the coming months, we will be piloting the benefits of using social networking site ‘Twitter’ to further improve communication

with pupils and parents at the school.

Further details on page 16

Get following!!!

S4 Work Experience We had 161 pupils out on Work Experience in the week beginning Monday 21 January. This was a valuable opportunity for our pupils and they are in the process of being interviewed in order to hear of their experiences. We would like to thank all the employers who welcomed our pupils and provided this workbased learning experience. Parent Council Meeting The Parent Council met on Monday 14 January in order to discuss a variety of topics. As well as the usual Chairperson’s Report, Correspondence and Head Teacher’s Report, we had: • An update from our Pupil Management Group

(including a brief explanation on the Holocaust assemblies and the content within)

• A presentation from Ms Dhesi on the role of our Principal Teacher of Attainment and Achievement

• Discussion on our S5/6 Curriculum Structure In the coming months we will continue to discuss vital issues in the development of the school and would welcome any Parents/Carers who would like to come along and ‘sample before committing!’ Next meeting is on Monday 4 March.

mailto:[email protected]


S5 Parents’ Meeting Questionnaire: January 2013

Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly

disagree Don’t Know

No Answer

Q1 The school helps my child to be more confident 27% 63% 5% 5%

Q2 My child enjoys learning at school 16% 69% 15%

Q3 My child’s learning is progressing well 16% 79% 5%

Q4 My child is encouraged and stretched to work to the best of his/her ability 32% 68%

Q5 I am kept well informed about my child’s progress 21% 74% 5%

Q6 My child receives homework on a regular basis 32% 68%

Q7 My child is treated fairly at school 32% 68%

Q8 I feel staff really know my child as an individual and support him/her well 22% 68% 5% 5%

Q9 My child benefits from schools and clubs and activities provided outwith the classroom 11% 53% 31% 5%

Q10 The school actively seeks out my views 6% 53% 31% 5% 5%

Q11 The school takes account of my views 11% 47% 16% 21% 5%

Q12 I use the school website for information on a regular basis 11% 58% 26% 5%

Q13 The school newsletter provides up to date information on general news and pupil achievements within the school

21% 74% 5%

Q14 The tracking system in the senior school has had a positive impact in supporting my child’s progress.

11% 47% 37% 5%

Q15 The school is well led 37% 58% 5%

Q16 Overall, I am happy with the school 47% 53%

Q17 The school meets my child’s needs (including additional support needs) 21% 79%

Q18 My child feels safe at school 58% 42% Some comments and ........ACTION • Overall our experience at Gryffe has been a happy and successful one. On the few occasions that my child

has struggled with any of his subjects, I have found the staff to be extremely supportive, understanding of personal circumstances and helpful

• Overall no negative comments and some great support/teacher. Have found nearly all teachers offering to mark extra papers and give additional support to help my son do well in prelims.

• I would like to express my thanks to my child’s teachers for all their support in after school tuition. • Although I don’t really understand one or two of your questions I feel really confident with everything my

grandsons achieved in school and agree with everything you have highlighted by your staff. • My child benefits from attending the HUB Regarding Question 9.... we are about to introduce a system of tracking pupil uptake on opportunities and their achievements both in and out of school, with the aim that we offer opportunities that will ensure all pupils are involved. Regarding Question 10 ...We feel that we seek parental views however and will try harder to address this.


S6 Parents’ Meeting Questionnaire: January 2013 Strongly

agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree

Don’t Know

No Answer

Q1 The school helps my child to be more confident 44% 50% 6%

Q2 My child enjoys learning at school 33% 61% 6%

Q3 My child’s learning is progressing well 28% 61% 11% Q4 My child is encouraged and stretched to work

to the best of his/her ability 33% 56% 6% 5%

Q5 I am kept well informed about my child’s progress 22% 67% 11%

Q6 My child receives homework on a regular basis 28% 61% 11%

Q7 My child is treated fairly at school 44% 44% 6% 6% Q8 I feel staff really know my child as an individual

and support him/her well 39% 50% 11%

Q9 My child benefits from schools and clubs and activities provided outwith the classroom 39% 44% 6% 6% 5%

Q10 The school actively seeks out my views 22% 56% 11% 6% 5%

Q11 The school takes account of my views 22% 44% 11% 6% 17% Q12 I use the school website for information on a

regular basis 22% 50% 17% 6% 5%

Q13 The school newsletter provides up to date information on general news and pupil achievements within the school

50% 33% 11% 6%

Q14 The tracking system in the senior school has had a positive impact in supporting my child’s progress.

33% 44% 12% 11%

Q15 The school is well led 44% 44% 6% 6%

Q16 Overall, I am happy with the school 44% 56% Q17 The school meets my child’s needs (including additional support needs) 33% 61% 6%

Q18 My child feels safe at school 50% 50% Some comments and ........ACTION • Gryffe is an excellent school, we could not have made a better choice. • Excellent experience. • I am very happy with the learning journey my daughter has been on since starting at Gryffe High School • Gryffe High School standards are extremely high and provide a safe and healthy environment for the

children to thrive. • Re Q14, does not have a positive impact on my child, although it is fully discussed and is clear what targets

are............................we will speak to your child and attempt to provide a more positive experience regarding tracking. We will also reinforce this across targeted pupils.

• My last parents night, we have been very happy with GHS. Great ethos the children all want to do well. Well pleased.

• My child hasn’t taken up the opportunities the school has to offer but that is no reflection on what we feel is an excellent school.................. we are about to introduce a system of tracking pupil uptake on opportunities and their achievements both in and out of school, with the aim that we offer opportunities that will ensure all pupils are involved.


Burns House Changes We are pleased to welcome Mrs Smith to Burns House. She is joining the Pupil Support Team in the role of Principal Teacher. Mrs Fowler and Mrs Smith will work together to provide pastoral support for Burns House pupils. Mrs Fowler will have overall responsibility for pupils in 1B, 2B, 5Bn, 5Br and 6B. Mrs Smith will have overall responsibility for classes 1Bn, 3B, 4B and 5B. The PSE events for S2, S3 and S4 will continue in the same way and both Mrs Fowler and Mrs Smith will attend. Administration procedures for attendance and permission will remain the same. Pupils should continue to hand in notes to cover absence from school or permission requests to the school office. Pupil’s name and register class should be clearly noted. The addition of Mrs Smith to the Pastoral Support team is long term. Pupils and parents should generally approach their nominated Guidance teacher for support. Mrs Fowler will be in school from Monday to Wednesday. If an emergency occurs when Mrs Fowler is out of school, pupils or parents can approach Mrs Smith or their year group head. Mackintosh House Due to the absence of Mrs Thomson we have Mr Breslin covering the position of Acting Principal Teacher of Pupil Support Guidance. Mr Breslin will provide pastoral support for Mackintosh House pupils. Pupil Support Team Principal Teachers of Pupil Support - Guidance

Burns House Mrs Fowler and Acting Mrs Smith Fleming House Acting Miss Walker MacKintosh House Acting Mr Breslin Wallace House Miss Inglis

Principal Teachers of Pupil Support – Support for Learning

Acting Miss Brown

Principal Teachers of Pupil Support – Attainment and Achievement Ms Dhesi


S6 Pupils meet Senior diplomat in Fairtrade visit

S6 pupils Calum Walker and Struan Grant were part of a small group of dignitaries who welcomed a senior diplomat to Paisley. The Just Trading Scotland business is helping improve the lives of people in Africa.

Bernard Sande, Malawi’s High Commissioner to the UK, had requested to make a special visit to Fairtrade wholesaler Just Trading Scotland.

Fairtrade products are those which guarantee that producers in the developing world have been given a fair price for their goods.

Mr Sande was welcomed by Renfrewshire Council Leader Mark Macmillan and Councillor Brian Lawson, the Convener and Deputy Convener of Renfrewshire’s Fairtrade Steering Group along with pupils from Trinity High in Renfrew and Gryffe High.

The boys can be seen in the picture sharing a joke with the VIP visitor.

Article – Media Team

Photographs – Mrs M. Stark (Gryffe Fairtrade Staff Member who accompanied the pupils)

Main Group Picture reproduced with kind permission of Paisley.org


S1 Pupils take part in BBC Authors Live Event with Darren Shan

On Thursday 24 January, all of the S1 pupils assembled in the theatre to listen to a live author feed from the BBC studios. They had come to listen to ‘The Master of Horror’, author Darren Shan. Darren is the author of a bestselling series of vampire books and has just brought out a series of zombie books. He read extracts from the first book in the series, ‘Zom B’. When asked what age he started writing, he said at the age of 3, and that even then they were always horror stories, ‘monsters and being scared fascinated me even at an early age’. He says: "I was lucky because my mum was a teacher and showed me how to read and write. But most importantly she encouraged me to use my imagination”. He also spoke of the importance of reading to improve your creative writing, “I don’t know of any writer who does not also love to read”. The S1 pupils loved listening to the advice a real author had to give them. Article and Photograph – Mrs C. Kerr – School Librarian Launch of Science Club Lunchtimes on a Wednesday will not be the same now that the new Science Club has been launched. Mrs Robinson and Mr. Owens have extended a warm welcome to S1 pupils who want to learn more about science and who want to have the opportunity to take part and design experiments of their own. There has already been a lot of interest from pupils and some S3 pupils, with a strong interest in science have also agreed to help organise the activities. S1 pupil Adam Stevenson came along with a few friends for the launch – Adam says - ‘The science club is an excellent extra curricular activity. The pupils who attend receive the chance to take part in many fun experiments. So far we have made a hovercraft and a rocket. Mr Owens and Mrs Robinson run the science club and are willing to answer any questions you may have about science. The science club takes place on a Wednesday lunch time in lab 5. I strongly advise that you go along but there are limited spaces so sign up quickly. The clock's ticking!’ Article written with help from Adam Stevenson S1 Photographs – Jennifer Lowson S5


Holocaust Assembly

The Holocaust assembly was very moving. This assembly was presented to every year group. Scott Christian and Kara McWilliams held the assembly as they had been chosen to go to Auschwitz 1 and 2 as part of an educational trip. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and was truly life changing. By going to Auschwitz they saw how horrible it was with horrid conditions and little space. They said you were lucky if you were given the job to clean the toilets which are truly vile and this shows how bad it really was. They showed many pictures that they had taken. They explained some of the horrific deaths and punishments which were very upsetting. It was sad to think about the millions who were killed during that time. Our whole year group sat and listened intently to their experience and it certainly gave us a lot to be thankful for. Article - Lauren Newlands S2 Photographs – Jenny Webster S2


S3 Skills Conference

On Wednesday 23 January, the third years had the opportunity to be part of a skills event, teaching them how to be good employees and also how to pursue their bright ideas later on in life. The pupils were given a presentation by Miss Naismith, making them think about what it takes to be a good employee in a business, and what effects this would have on their career. They were then split into groups where their ideas and skills were put to the test, by making up a new product that they feel would be successful and even worthy of Dragons Den! Many great ideas were heard like, a watch that also had a built in phone, boots that could keep your feet warm or cool during certain temperatures, and an alarm clock mat that you would need to stand on to stop the alarm! The pupils had to present their group ideas to the class and a vote was cast to choose which one was the best. Many skills were taken away from this event like, how to contribute in a group discussion, how to lead a group, be creative and also how to make a good impression by watching some memorable clips from Dragons Den. The skills conference was very successful and a lot of positive feedback was gathered from the third years. Article – Samantha Dunlop S3 Photographs – John Runcie S1 and Adeel Rasul S2


Skills Conference Continued

Bridge of Weir Primary Nursery pupils become Gryffe Scientists for a Day



On Monday 21 January 2013 around 80 children from Bridge of Weir Primary School Nursery came to Gryffe High School to do some exciting science experiments. When the children arrived they excitedly took off their coats, hats, scarves and gloves. First of all the science teacher spoke to the children about being a safe scientist and each child was given a pair of safety goggles to wear. The first experiment was making some “toothpaste for elephants.” As you might imagine- elephants need a VERY big toothbrush to put the toothpaste on. The mixture was originally blue but when the last ingredient was added, the mixture turned yellow and foamed over the glass bottle! The children peered through their goggles with amazement. The next experiment was using magnesium which, when you hold over fire, gives out a bright light. The light is so bright that you cannot actually look at it directly, without hurting your eyes. So the children were told to only look at the light from the side. Following on from the bright lights, a Bunsen burner was lit in the classroom behind a protective plastic shield. A chemical was sprayed onto the flame to change the colour of the flame – making it look a bit like fireworks. There were lots of different colours, like green, red, pink and blue. All the children were very excited when the flame changed different colours and many of them shouted out each colour. The children joined in the next activity. A volunteer was asked to feel some cornflour. When the cornflour was in a tub it felt cold and hard but when the child lifted the cornflour up in their hands, it turned gooey and it ran through their fingers. The children loved getting into a mess with the mixture. Cool homemade traffic lights were next! There is a red liquid in a glass jar. With a shake of the glass flask, the liquid turned amber and then green. All the nursery children were amazed. One of my personal favourite experiments was the balloon experiment. The science teacher rubbed a balloon and then hovered it above one of the nursery children’s hair. The hair floated up, towards the balloon but did not touch the balloon. So that the children could test the electrostatic force by themselves, the children worked in pairs to do their own little experiment. Each pair was given small bits of paper, a plastic rod and a cloth. The children rubbed the cloth against the plastic rod then held the rod over the paper. The paper jumped off the worktops and stuck to the rod. All of the nursery children were very excited when the paper jumped off the worktops. Then there was the arrival of the ‘Genie in the Lamp’. The science teacher said that she had made some clouds and they were all in the flask. She then said to the class that they would have to shout out a magic word all together to make the clouds come out. So the whole group of nursery children shouted “POTIONS!!!” and the clouds came bursting out of the top of the flask!! The children were delighted with their first taste of science in a real science lab. Many left talking about the ‘speriments’ that they had seen……..and rumour has it that a few of the children were so excited the night before their visit that they did not sleep!! I think that they would sleep after all their hard work today. Mrs Stark, the science technician who had set up the experiments, cleared up the labs (with help from the staff) and then got ready to do it all again to the delight of the afternoon children. Mrs McAleavy, who had organised the visits said ‘ It was a real pleasure for all of us to have the nursery children visit our department. They were very well behaved and enthusiastic and we look forward to seeing them again in the future ‘ Article – Shona Ferguson S1 Photographs – Andrew Grant and Jasmine Galvin (both S1)


Gryffe Scores Twice at Hampden! Confused? You may be aware that former Gryffe pupil Steven Thompson scored St. Mirren’s third goal in their historic victory against Celtic in the Scottish Communities League Cup Semi-final at Hampden Park last Sunday. However, this was NOT the first goal scored by Gryffe at that match. S2 pupil and St. Mirren U14 player Stefan Armstrong scored before Steven. Stefan took part in the half time 10 second challenge between St. Mirren U14 and Celtic U14 squads. Stefan did not let his team down as he managed to put the ball past the Celtic goalkeeper in front of almost 25000 fans. Well done to Stefan (and Steven)!! Stefan also took part in holding the team flags at the beginning of the match and as well as his regular appearance with the U14 team, he is a regular ball boy at St. Mirren Park. Our pictures show Stefan preparing to take his penalty and pictured with his team (back left). Article – Media Team Photographs – Media Team and courtesy of Mr Armstrong


Young Musician 2013

With the help of the music department, thirteen nervous finalists provided a fine evening of music in the theatre on 17th January. They knew that their performance would be scrutinised by the thorough adjudication of Mr. David Murray. Every performer produced outstanding music but at the end of the night there had to be winners. Particular Congratulations to Junior Section 1st – Bruce Wards Prelude and Toccata Piano Intermediate Section 1st – Adam Robertson Alka Setzer Guitar Senior Section 1st – Stewart Wards La Colombe Piano ….but huge congratulations to ALL of the finalists…. One of our young first year finalists Jasmine Galvin has written her account of her experience. ‘The Young Musician competition is an annual event held at Gryffe High School and involves students from S1-S6 competing with a wide range of musical instruments. The auditions involved turning up at the theatre after school and playing for Miss Ritchie and the other teachers in the Music department. There were a lot of fantastic musicians but only a few got through to the finals. The auditions took place in December and the results were put up on the notice board in the Music department few days later. In the lead-up to the final, I had to practice many hours on my one piece, as I’m sure everyone else did. Final night came and in the theatre, contestants were practicing with their accompanists and the atmosphere was exciting and tense. Around five minutes after I arrived, the audience started to file into the theatre. Head teacher Mr Colin Johnson made a speech welcoming everyone, and welcoming back the adjudicator, Mr David Murray. He then introduced Mrs Brown, who presented the Junior category. Being a first year, I was in the Junior category and was up first, which was quite a nerve-wracking experience. But as soon as I started playing, I was too focused on the piece to bother about anyone. I’m sure everyone else felt that way. Everyone performed well. At the end of the performances, the adjudicator Mr David Murray gave feedback and constructive criticism to performers and then announced the results. He gave the highs and lows of the performance and areas for improvement. The Young Musician competition was a great experience for me- I got to play in front of a large audience, I met new people and I got honest, meaningful feedback from the adjudicator.’ Article written with a lot of help from Jasmine Galvin S1


Ross Gale (S4)

100m Freestyle – Gold 200m Freestyle - Gold

Rebecca Gale (S2) 100m Freestyle - Gold

Rhiannon Gilkes (S4) 100m Freestyle – Gold 200m Backstroke - Gold

Lauren Gilkes (S3) 100m Backstroke – Gold 200m Freestyle - Gold

Renfrewshire Area Schools Swimming Championships Four Gryffe swimmers competed in this annual event and there was obviously only one colour of medal they were after! Here’s how they got on . . .


Red Sky at Night is a Gryffe Delight Miss Brown, who is Acting Principal Teacher of Pupil Support – Support for Learning, managed to capture these beautiful pictures of the Gryffe skyline in January. They are a nice reminder of how fortunate we are to have such lovely surroundings.


Upcoming priorities/events: FEBRUARY Mon 4 S4&S5 Options Evening 7:00 pm start Wed 6 February Newsletter publication Mon 11 HOLIDAY Tue 12 HOLIDAY Wed 13 In-Service Day Thurs 14 Pupils start back at school Fri 15 S2 Main Reports issued to pupils Tue 19 S4 Option Forms returned Wed 20 S2 Main Reports issued to pupils Mon 25 S2/3 Options Evening 7:00 pm start MARCH Fri 1 S5/6 Update Reports issued to pupils Mon 4 Parent Council Meeting 7:00 pm Wed 6 March Newsletter publication

‘Tweet Tweet’ - Gryffe High School Sports Teams

Go Online Over the coming months, we will be piloting the benefits of using social networking site ‘Twitter’ to further improve communication with pupils and parents at the school. This Twitter page will be for information on the various Sports Teams who compete for the school and will keep ‘followers’ up to date with team meetings, fixtures and results. To follow us, simply search for ‘Gryffe HS Sports’ on Twitter and select the icon on the page and click ‘follow’. This will keep you up to date with important information on all of our Sports Teams such as Athletics, Basketball, Football, Hockey, Netball, Rugby and Tennis. Alternatively, non ‘Tweeters’ can still keep up to date with these announcements by visiting www.twitter.com/gryffehssports

Get following!!!

http://www.twitter.com/gryffehssports

gryffe high school€¦ · ‘tweet tweet’ - gryffe high school sports teams go online . over the...

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