Brief Updates 2014/15

Tuesday 23 June - Mrs Wilson cuts the ribbon in the launch of Gryffe High School's Skiff at Castle Semple in Lochwinnoch. A large turnout of pupils, parents and staff enjoyed the occasion, toasting the launch with champagne and shloer. Well done to all pupils, parents and staff who were involved in building such an impressive Skiff, and a particular thank you to Mr Webster.

Tuesday 23 June -Today, the new Higher French class experienced a true taste of
France at authentic French restaurant 'Le Bistro Beaumartin' in Glasgow. Quite a
brave few even sampled the classics-frog legs and snails-délicieux, non? More detail in the July Newsletter.

Saturday 20 June - Pupils, and staff, leave on their World Challenge Expedition to Tanzania.

Friday 19 June - Gryffe High 'Skiff' leaves the building in preparation for the launch on Tuesday 23 June, 7:30pm, at Castle Semple in Lochwinnoch. We would like to extend an open invitation to all to join us and make the launch a very special event for the school.

Friday 19 June - The PTA Grand Annual Raffle was drawn today with a little help from a Physics class. More detail will follow in the July newsletter.
Thursday 18 June - After a hard fought battle in the Staff versus Pupils Annual Golf Challenge at Old Ranfurly Golf Club, I am delighted to congratulate all who took part, and in particular the staff for their efforts in securing a 3 matches to 2 victory against the pupils. Over the past 16 years staff are edging ahead with 9 victories against the pupils 7.

Thursday 18 June - Twenty S3 Health, Food and Technology pupils thoroughly enjoyed their day of the best of farming, food and rural life at the Royal Highland Show in Ingliston - more detail in the July newsletter.

Wednesday 17 June - Higher Spanish Tapas Experience
Today the Higher Spanish class experienced the famous 'Tapas' culture and cuisine at authentic Spanish restaurant 'Malaga Tapas' in Glasgow. The visit aimed to enrich their experience of learning the language and with all Spanish staff speaking their native language to pupils it was 'fántastico'! More detail in July newsletter.
Today the Higher Spanish class experienced the famous 'Tapas' culture and cuisine at authentic Spanish restaurant 'Malaga Tapas' in Glasgow. The visit aimed to enrich their experience of learning the language and with all Spanish staff speaking their native language to pupils it was 'fántastico'! More detail in July newsletter.

Monday 15 June -
The fourth annual Gryffe HS Tennis championships saw 52 players
descend on Strathgryffe Tennis and Squash Club. The day consisted of three
tournaments - 15 players in Group A Boys tournament, 24 players in Group B Boys
and 13 in Girls Tournament. Well done to all entrants, particularly our winners
Lee Wishart, Christopher Torrance and Molly Goulding. Further detail will be in the July Newsletter.
Seven Gryffe pupils represented the school in the Scottish Schools Track and Field Championships in Grangemouth over the weekend. At this national event, two athletes became national champions - Euan Gillham retaining the Group A Boys 5000m title won in 2014 and Rona Tytler becoming national champion in the Group B Girls 1500m Steeplechase. Further detail will be in the July Newsletter.

Friday 12th June - The sun shone for our 'Learning for Change' Eco Day. This was a fitting end to the P7 Induction week and gave them not only a chance to meet the new S2 pupils but also the opportunity to take part in around 20 informative and interactive workshops around Eco Issues. Thanks to the visitors and our own staff who made this possible and more detail will appear in the July newsletter.

Thursday 11th June – S5/6 students attended a Young Women in Technology Event at
Microsoft Scotland HQ in Edinburgh where they met with the Cabinet Secretary for
Fair Work, Skills and Training, Roseanna Cunningham. More detail about the event
will be in the next newsletter and /or watch the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BsZ105ABUg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BsZ105ABUg
Thursday 11 June - I thought I would explain that today we had a fire alarm caused by a faulty sensor in a Science Lab. The sensor has been checked and cleared for use although we are considering using a different type of sensor in that particular room.
P7 Parents - Could you please complete the survey via the link below (Referred to as your Homework at the pupils Assembly this morning!)
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6VCGKF8
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6VCGKF8

P7s are being kept busy following their S1 timetable in Induction Week

Monday 8 June - Gryffe win their first ever football trophy. Well done to the Under 18 Football Team in winning the Paisley & District St Mirren Cup.

Thursday 4 June - S6 had a fantastic time at their PROM in Sherbrooke Castle.
Our official photographer Mr Andy Stark, 'The Studio - Bridge of Weir', has given permission for us to use this picture.
Our official photographer Mr Andy Stark, 'The Studio - Bridge of Weir', has given permission for us to use this picture.

Thursday 4 June - First class..... Gryffe the first School to win the Renfrewshire Secondary Schools Fairtrade Trophy awarded for outstanding commitment to Fairtrade. More detail will be in the next newsletter.
Wednesday 3 June -
S6 PROM -Thursday 4 June 2015
S6 PROM -Thursday 4 June 2015

prom_letter.pdf | |
File Size: | 100 kb |
File Type: |
Tuesday 26 May – Under the SQA tab, Senior Phase, you
will find the "Next Steps" feedback from the consultation on further
education by Renfrewshire Council and West College Scotland (WCS). This provides
possible extended curriculum opportunities for S4,S5 & S6 pupils.

Tuesday 19 May - Activities Week is well underway with a wide variety of activities which, hopefully, all of S1-S3 are enjoying. Updates can be found under the News tab...... a picture of the boys on the Valencia trip, having just been at the Valencia verus Celta de Vigo game, 1-1
The P7 Invite Letter and Programme 2015, and the P7 Letter to Parents regarding the Information Evening, have been uploaded under the 'SQA/ASSESSMENTS' tab, then 'Broad General Education'.
Activities Week - Tuesday 19 May - Thursday 21 May
Details of residential trips have been added under the News section.
Any information or updates we receive while groups are away will be uploaded here.
Details of residential trips have been added under the News section.
Any information or updates we receive while groups are away will be uploaded here.

Friday 15 May 2015 -
'Venez à Glasgow-c'est fantastique!'
'Come to Glasgow, it's amazing!'
This is the message our S3 French Apprentice Challenge Finalists were trying to win over the judges with today! Well done to all the finalists for presenting their work and 'félicitations' to the winning team Euan Huey, Maisie Huey, Fern Adams and Claire Conway!
'Venez à Glasgow-c'est fantastique!'
'Come to Glasgow, it's amazing!'
This is the message our S3 French Apprentice Challenge Finalists were trying to win over the judges with today! Well done to all the finalists for presenting their work and 'félicitations' to the winning team Euan Huey, Maisie Huey, Fern Adams and Claire Conway!

Friday 15 May - All S1 to S3 pupils focused on completing their Responsibility of All profiles this week. This allowed them to identify links in their lessons (with the help of their teachers) to Literacy, Numeracy, Health and Wellbeing and Skills. This also tied in with S3 pupils building on their My Merit profile

Thursday 14 May -
Eight S3 pupils attended the B2B - Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce Business Matters in Renfrewshire 2015 event at the Lagoon where they attended seminars and enjoyed meeting a variety of business personnel.
Eight S3 pupils attended the B2B - Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce Business Matters in Renfrewshire 2015 event at the Lagoon where they attended seminars and enjoyed meeting a variety of business personnel.

Tuesday 12 May and Wednesday 13 May - 'the Health, Food and Technology Department welcomed sixty six P6 and ninety P7 pupils from Houston Primary. The pupils, assisted by their teachers and helpers walked to the school in groups of twenty and eagerly participated in making a healthy snack for themselves as part of their Health Week Programme. Full details will appear in the June newsletter.'
Wednesday 13 May - "Over 160 pupils competed in the annual School
Athletics Championships which took a new Pentathlon format. A fantastic day was
had by all with effort and attitude of all pupils outstanding. Well
done!"
Wednesday 13 May - S4 Work Experience - 5-9 October 2015 S3 pupils are encouraged to find a work placement suited to their interests for
next session. They have been issued with a pink 'Self Found' form to be completed and returned as soon as possible. This will allow for Health &
Safety and insurance checks to be carried out in good time. Pupils will be given more information about Work Experience in August.
next session. They have been issued with a pink 'Self Found' form to be completed and returned as soon as possible. This will allow for Health &
Safety and insurance checks to be carried out in good time. Pupils will be given more information about Work Experience in August.
Wednesday 13 May - Congratulations to this years Young Enterprise Team OppARTunity for passing their University of Strathclyde Exam
with Merits and distinctions. Well Done!!
with Merits and distinctions. Well Done!!
Wednesday 6 May - The May Newsletter has been uploaded to the school website under the tab 'News', then 'Newsletters'. The May letter to Parents has also been upload under the tab 'News', then 'Letters'.

Tuesday 5 May - The science department welcomed almost 80 young pupils today from Bridge of Weir Nursery. The children, their teachers and helpers battled through the driving rain to visit the school. The visitors came in 2 groups and their eyes were wide open as they watched and also tried for themselves several colourful experiments. Full detail in the June edition of the newsletter.

Friday 24 April - Gryffe pupils gave a great presentation on their Fairtrade work at the Fairtrade Learning and Teaching Network hosted by the Scottish Fairtrade Forum.
Thursday 23 April - Thank you to all who attended our Awards Ceremony to celebrate the significant achievements of so many of our pupils.
For pictures look under the tab 'MORE'...Gallery; Annual Awards Ceremony 2015
For pictures look under the tab 'MORE'...Gallery; Annual Awards Ceremony 2015
Wednesday 22 April - The attached file details the Additional Support times for S4, S5 & S6 pupils during the SQA Examinations.

Additional Support Times for s4,s5,s6 pupils during the sqa examinations 2015 | |
File Size: | 484 kb |
File Type: |

Thursday 2 April - S1, S2 and S6 pupils walk to Houston and Killellan Church, joining P7s from Houston Primary School, for our Easter Service.

Tuesday 31 March - Well done to the 80+ pupils who put on a most impressive feast of musical talent last night at our Spring Concert in the school theatre.
Friday 27 March - The March/Spring break letter to all Parents/Carers has been uploaded under the 'News' and then 'Letters' tabs.
Wednesday 25 March - Feedback regarding our school website and App.

Your website feedback | |
File Size: | 146 kb |
File Type: |

S4 Youth Philanthropy
Initiative
A
massive ‘WELL DONE’ to all 8 groups who participated in the YPI Gryffe
Finals, 25 March 2015. The winning team received a cheque for £3000 for Renfrewshire
Young Carers. Further detail will be in the May newsletter.

Wednesday
25 March - Multilingual debate, Heriot-Watt University
This exciting annual event debated the interesting motion 'the rise of the machine will end the era of the linguist' in French, Spanish, German, English and Chinese. Gryffe pupils were very impressed as university students simultaneously interpreted between the languages.
This exciting annual event debated the interesting motion 'the rise of the machine will end the era of the linguist' in French, Spanish, German, English and Chinese. Gryffe pupils were very impressed as university students simultaneously interpreted between the languages.

Gryffe High School, Scottish Cup Basketball Champions 2014/2015.
A nerve jangling final as Gryffe beat Stewarton 90 -84. An incredible achievement. Further detail will be in our next newsletter.
A nerve jangling final as Gryffe beat Stewarton 90 -84. An incredible achievement. Further detail will be in our next newsletter.
S2 STEM Speed Networking
Tuesday 24 March - Last week a group of 10 STEM Ambassadors joined our S2 pupils to share information on their careers. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The ambassadors represented professions such as Radiation Engineering, Genetics and Software Engineering to name a few. Further detail will be in our next newsletter.
Tuesday 24 March - Last week a group of 10 STEM Ambassadors joined our S2 pupils to share information on their careers. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The ambassadors represented professions such as Radiation Engineering, Genetics and Software Engineering to name a few. Further detail will be in our next newsletter.

Friday 20 March - The work put in by the Science Club making solar viewers was all worthwhile this
morning when we were lucky in Houston to have a fantastic Solar Eclipse
experience. The young scientists also monitored the weather during the period
and will submit their findings to Reading University Metereological Dept. This
AMAZING picture is courtesy of local photographer Andy Stark of Stark Images.

Thursday 19 March - Pupils from the Media Team had a fantastic experience interviewing
members of the Gryffe Quilters at the Carrick Centre about the Eclipse as part
of BBC News School Report Day. Check out our dedicated webpage http://www.gryffehigh.com/media-team.html

A big thank you to all who attended the PTA Pamper Evening on Friday. We managed to raise over £900 for the school and everyone had a great night, with plenty of Mother's Day presents purchased!
Gryffe nearly sweep the board in Basketball success in Renfrewshire and East Finals! Look under the SPORTS UPDATES on right hand side of this page for more details.
Wednesday 18 March - Gryffe win Renfrewshire Hockey League. Look under the SPORTS UPDATES on right hand side of this page for more details.

S6 pupil Lee Wishart
thoroughly enjoyed being one of the selected ballboys for the recent Davis Cup
tie in Glasgow. Lee said it was a great
chance to have a close view of some great tennis from some of the best tennis
players in the world.
Update - U uUUUThe fire evacuation after school on Friday 13 March, at 3:00pm, was due
to welding works being carried out above the fitness suite by the cladding
contractors. The fire brigade dealt with the small fire and reports have been
sent to the appropriate authorities. There was no damage to the school.
PTA Pamper Evening on Friday 13 March

PTA Pamper Night 2015 | |
File Size: | 435 kb |
File Type: |

Thursday 12 March - Arlene from the Brightest Star Charity was overwhelmed by the work and generosity of our S5 pupils who raised £1341.42 for this important cause. The school will continue to raise money for this charity and hopefully our new S5 year group will match or go beyond the amount raised this year.

Wednesday 11 March - A team of pupils Andrew Norval S1, Hamish MacLaren S1, Jenny Hall S2 and Shaun Sweeney S2 took part in the regional finals of the UKMT Team Maths Challenge today at UWS (Hamilton campus).
After a lot of hard work and much excitement in the Relay round, the team finished in a very creditable 7th position, from the 30 teams taking part.
After a lot of hard work and much excitement in the Relay round, the team finished in a very creditable 7th position, from the 30 teams taking part.

Tuesday 10 March - The Science Club and Media Team enjoyed a fantastic visit from John Pressly
from Coats Observatory today on safely viewing the forthcoming Eclipse (on 20th
March). The Media Team have chosen this as their theme for BBC News School
Report Day.
Tuesday 10 March - Gryffe through to the Basketball Open Boys Scottish Cup Final. Look under the SPORTS UPDATES on right hand side of this page for more details.

Thursday 5 March - 'The English department encouraged the whole school to take part in World
Book Day today with quizzes, book reviews, book tokens and all S1 to S3 classes
spending the last 15 minutes of the day reading their favourite book.'

Very well done to S4 pupil Anne McKelvie who achieved selection and took
part in the Regional Finals of FutureChef. Anne successfully delivered a superb
2 course meal in the allotted 90 minute time slot under strict judging. Look out
for full details in the next newsletter.
A letter to all Parents/Carers regarding our school website and school uniform has been uploaded under the 'News' and then 'Letters' tabs.

'A busy Friday with the
Gryffe Great Fairtrade Bake Off. Our picture shows winners Codi Carswell, Nicole Hagen,
Hannah Brummitt and Thea Raeburn (all S1) with visitor Ismael who is a Producer
from Guatemala. The girls have been invited to take their superb cakes to be
part of the Renfrewshire wide Great Fairtrade Bake Off to be held
tomorrow.'
S2 into S3 and S3 into S4 Information Evening Presentation February 2015 and S1-S6 Curriculum Structures have been uploaded under the SQA/CfE tab.
Gryffe appear in a recent Microsoft blog:
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ukschools/archive/2015/02/24/how-surface-pro-3-tablets-are-allowing-educators-to-truly-innovate.aspx
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ukschools/archive/2015/02/24/how-surface-pro-3-tablets-are-allowing-educators-to-truly-innovate.aspx
S@S
Accelerate Programme – Strathclyde University
There are a number of week-long courses available for pupils in S4-6, specifically tailored to desired areas of academic interest. Look under SQA/CfE tab, and the Senior Phase.
There are a number of week-long courses available for pupils in S4-6, specifically tailored to desired areas of academic interest. Look under SQA/CfE tab, and the Senior Phase.

Friday 13 February is a wear your House Colours non-uniform day.
£1 donation.
£1 donation.

Almost 120 S1 to S3 pupils enjoyed a demonstration from Quality Meat Scotland in Health and Food Technology.

All had a great session at the Zumbathon in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust.
Further detail will be in the March Newsletter.
Further detail will be in the March Newsletter.
The February Letter, 2015, has been uploaded under the NEWS/LETTERS section. The February Newsletter, 2015, has been uploaded under the NEWS/NEWSLETTERS section.

UWS BUS - S4 pupils enjoyed
a unique learning experience when the UK’s first fully digital mobile campus
came to Gryffe High. UWS commissioned the custom built vehicle equipped with
cutting-edge technology - the internal specification of the bus includes
satellite broadband, iPad wireless connectivity, BYODL connectivity and
state-of-the-art 3D Occulus Rift and Google Glasses connectivity.

Emily Irving 2FM attended the Inverclyde Music Festival in the Greenock Town Hall on Saturday for the Under 15 Drums Kit Section and came “First in Class” with distinction.

Holocaust Presentation.pdf | |
File Size: | 2114 kb |
File Type: |
Consultation: Renfrewshire Schools/West College Scotland, Senior Pupil Course Programme

consultation_letter_wcs.pdf | |
File Size: | 269 kb |
File Type: |
The January Newsletter, 2015, has been uploaded under the NEWS/NEWSLETTER section.

Congratulations to Bethany Craig, Claire Cassidy and Rebecca McKay who took part in the semi finals of the Rotary Club intermediate level 'Youth Speaks' competition 2015. They competed alongside 9 other Scottish school teams and although they didn't win on this occasion, they delivered another high quality and impressive performance. They did Gryffe proud!!

Congratulations to Jane McCabe 5M for being the first Gryffe pupil this session to be awarded the Saltire SUMMIT Award for outstanding contribution to volunteering - over 500 hours.
Today, Wednesday 21 January, all S3 pupils took part in a successful event based on Sexual Health. Throughout the event, pupils were involved in mature discussion about their questions, thoughts and concerns regarding sexual health and can use the information to make more positive and informed decisions about their health and actions in the future.

Congratulations to all our talented competitors in our Young Musician Competition 2015, and well done to our winners: Emily Irving S2, Jasmine Galvin S3 and Ben Harper S6. I think all there will agree with Mr David Murray, adjudicator, when he stated how impressed he was with quality and range of performances.

Last Thursday two pupils and two staff attended the Renfrewshire Fairtrade Steering group, along with local councillors and community members. They discussed many Fairtrade topics and the upcoming events for Fairtrade Fortnight. Gryffe were the only school in attendance!

Thirty third year
pupils from three classes were presented with their certificates for
successfully completing and passing the Royal Environmental Health Institute of
Scotland (REHIS) ‘Elementary Food Hygiene Course’.
We have 2 new Clubs for S1 pupils starting:
- S1 Literacy Club, every Tuesday, 1:40-2:00 pm, in E7
- S1 Numeracy Club, every Thursday, 1:40 – 2:00 pm, in ICT1

Our Young Musician of the Year Competition is on this Thursday 15 January, 7:00 pm start, in the theatre. Please feel free to come along and listen to some exceptional talent, and the constructive feedback from our adjudicator Mr David Murray.
Picture shows last years winners.
Picture shows last years winners.
The January Letter, 2015, has been uploaded under the NEWS/LETTERS section.
All I want for Christmas is ........!!

Guess | |
File Size: | 58 kb |
File Type: |

Christmas Concert 2014
A fantastic variety of Music, Language and Drama which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
A fantastic variety of Music, Language and Drama which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Well done to S3 pupils - Kirsty Donnachie, Seonaid Murray and Amy McColl who successfully represented Gryffe High School at a session in parliament with the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Angela Constance on Digital Learning and Glow.

Congratulations to Maisie Huey, Euan Huey and Claire Cassidy who on Wednesday won the 2014 ASC (Association of Speakers Club) Inter-Authority Competition, with another confident, knowledgeable and engaging team performance. Very well done!

Holiday List 2014/2015 | |
File Size: | 8 kb |
File Type: |