Gryffe High School
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Improvement Plan >
      • Whole School
      • Pupil Actions
      • Parent / Carer Actions
    • Meet The Staff >
      • Leadership Structure
      • Senior Management Team (SMT) >
        • SMT
        • SMT Remits
      • Pupil Support Team >
        • Pupil Support Team
        • Pupil Support Team Remits
        • Support for Learning
      • Teaching Staff
      • Support Staff
      • Catering Staff
      • Janitors
    • Monitoring and Reporting Calendar
    • School Handbook
    • Quality Assurance Calendar
    • Standards and Quality Report
    • Vision Statement
    • Catchment Area & Associated Primary Schools
  • Calendar
  • News
    • Achievements
    • Activities Week
    • Bulletins
    • Citizenship
    • Letters
    • Newsletters
    • Twitter Feed
  • Pupil Zone
    • Anti-Bullying
    • BBC Bitesize
    • Careers Site
    • Clubs and Activities
    • Duke of Edinburgh
    • Media Team
    • Meet the Leadership Team
    • Participation and Achievements
    • Pupil Council
    • School Library
    • Study Support
    • UCAS
  • Curriculum
    • Broad General Education >
      • P7/S1
      • S2/S3
    • Curriculum Structure
    • Senior Phase
    • Show My Homework
    • Subjects
    • Subject Support Links
    • Support for Learning
    • SQA
  • Glow
  • Google
  • Parent Zone
    • PTA Xmas Shop
    • Education Scotland
    • Parent Council and PTA
    • Parent Zone Site
    • Skills Development Scotland
  • Contact
  • Achievement Nomination Form
  • Brief Updates Archive
    • 2020/21
    • 2019/20
    • 2018/19
    • 2017/18
    • 2016/17
    • 2015/16
    • 2014/15
  • Compliments, Comments, Complaints
  • Free Meals and Clothing Grants
  • Gallery
  • Parent Pay
  • School Meals Menu
  • School Meals Price List
  • Staffroom
  • Uniform

Brief updates... click on photographs to enlarge

Friday 16 April - We are looking forward to all pupils returning to school on Monday 19 April. I can say, with no doubt whatsoever, that staff have missed being in front of pupils for face-to-face Learning and Teaching, and of course supporting the wellbeing of our pupils.
All pupils return to school at 8:47am on Monday 19 April. Pupils will return to their normal period by period timetables, and the school day will be back to our normal timings. Please read the detail in my Head Teacher's update.
Head Teacher's update
File Size: 396 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Picture
Wednesday 31 March - The Higher Physics pupils were treated to a fascinating presentation by Gwyn Devoy this afternoon on Microsatellites. Gwyn (in S6) has been doing his Science Baccalaureate this year and chose Microsatellites for his project. He has clearly put in many hours of research, including talking to personnel from ESA and also a Microsatellite Data Company. Well done Gwyn and thanks for also sharing your experience of Baccalaureate with future S6 pupils.

Wednesday 31 March - May I take this opportunity to wish all pupils and parents/carers an enjoyable and relaxing break, albeit I would expect our S4, S5 and S6 pupils to be studying hard in preparation for their up and coming assessments.  I look forward to all the pupils coming back on Monday 19 April, and hope it’s the beginning of getting back into our routines and that continuous drive for improvement, as well as enjoying being amongst friends again.
 
Head Teacher's update
File Size: 297 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Thursday 25 March -  S5/6 Reports were issued yesterday, and attached is our S4 into S5, and S5 into S6, Options Presentation. The presentation has talk over detail from Mr Christie, S3 Year Head, Mrs Skillen, S4 & S5 Year Head, and Mrs Brown, S6 Year Head. We invite you to join our Teams questions and answers session at 7:30pm. This Presentation, along with detail on accessing the Teams Meeting, has been issued via SMHW.
​
Picture
Wednesday 24 March - Gryffe supports British Sign Language Awareness Week 2021. Led by one of our School Captains, Rachael Bell, Gryffe uses signing to interpret a Lewis Capaldi song 'Someone You Loved'. Please click on the link and watch our video clip:
                        https://youtu.be/pB4yIWQcCVU


Wednesday 24 March - Since Monday 15 March we have welcomed senior pupils into school every alternate day, which has been an absolute delight. I have thoroughly enjoyed chatting to the pupils, visiting classes, walking around the playground and watching them interact with each other, however I also appreciate that some are still a little wary and unsure. We are aware of various levels of individual pupil engagement over the past months, and have had a range of discussions with pupils and parents/carers on how we can work together and support pupils as best we can. We are offering, as one way to support pupils, a small Easter School for pupils in S5 and S6 from Tuesday 6 - Friday 9 April, as detailed in my letter. On return on Monday 19 April we will try and offer a further variety of supports for all pupils.

Letter to S5 & S6 pupils and parents-carers
File Size: 362 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Picture
Friday 19 March -  What a lovely sunrise captured this morning by Mrs Costello. Week 1 of Blended Learning has been most enjoyable in our journey back. A big thank you to everyone, pupils, parents and carers and staff for making this happen. 

Monday 15 March - S2 Reports were issued today, and attached is our S2 into S3 Options Presentation, with talk over detail from Ms Dhesi, S2 Year Head. We invite you to join our Teams questions and answers session at 7:30pm. The code to join the S2 Options 2021-22 live Q&A is:        h3xcj8t
This Presentation and code have also been issued via SMHW.

Monday 15 March - It was an absolute delight to have pupils back in school today, getting back into the 'school routines'. Smiling faces all round, pupils and teachers. I hope the S4,5&6 Burns/Fleming pupils enjoyed their day and look forward to returning on Wednesday. I also hope the S1,2&3 pupils from Burns House enjoyed their day, and although they are now back to remote learning I am sure they will look forward to returning next Tuesday.
Tomorrow we welcome S4,5&6 pupils from Mackintosh/Wallace, and S1,2&3 pupils from Mackintosh House. Please remember that it will be packed lunches, or food from the canteen, as all pupils must remain on the school campus in line with our Health & Safety procedures.
​
Wednesday 10 March - Head Teacher's update letter regarding the phased return of pupils to school on Monday 15 March, as well as a letter from Mr Steven Quinn, Director of Children's Services.
​
Head Teacher's Update
File Size: 523 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Update from Steven Quinn
File Size: 174 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Tuesday 9 March - We would ask that all S4, S5 and S6 pupils complete the attached consent form and bring it with them on their first day back in school. We have copies of the consent form available at the main office should it be preferable to collect any time this week.
A  whole school update will be given tomorrow, with a further update, including timetables, given on Friday.
​
Consent Form for self-testing
File Size: 75 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Picture
Friday 5 March - We continue to promote Wellbeing to all our pupils. You will know that we have allocated 3 wellbeing slots within pupil timetables - Monday, Tuesday & Thursday from 3:00 - 3:40 pm. The picture shows S6 pupil Jennifer, who states ' I really like to do baking during my wellbeing period and this carrot cake was also made for the Fairtrade bake off during Fairtrade Fortnight.' Well done to all pupils who use their time well - feel free to send in your pictures - gryffehighenquiries@renfrewshire.gov.uk 

Friday 5 March - The Pupil Management Group, all 24 pupils, continue to have their Friday morning meetings - although at the ridiculously later start of 8:20 am!!! They discuss their remits, detail progress to date and aims for the next week. It is an absolute pleasure being amongst such forward thinking and dynamic young leaders.
Each pairing of leaders are in the process of making a video presentation, of their work to date, for the current S5 pupils. Our key principle, as it has been for quite some while, is to build for the future and to support the next grouping of young leaders to take us to the next level. 
Picture
Picture
Friday 5 March - Head Teacher's update letter regarding the phased return of pupils to school on Monday 15 March, as well as a letter from Mr Steven Quinn, Director of Children's Services.
There will be a further detailed Head Teacher update on Wednesday 10 March.
​
Head Teacher's update
File Size: 275 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Update from Steven Quinn
File Size: 173 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Picture
Thursday 4 March - A great achievement for Beth Callaghan in S2. Beth was nominated to play Schindler’s List on her violin in the Renfrewshire String Ensemble for the Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire joint Holocaust Memorial Programme. Well done Beth.


​Wednesday 3 March - Ewan Mitchell and Oscar James (both S6) took part in the Oxford Union Schools Debating Competition last night. This is a really tough competition with many of the long established debating schools in central Scotland participating.  There were almost 40 teams in total, and although the boys were not in the half dozen teams "going" to the final later this month, they again performed extremely well.  Hopefully both boys will continue their burgeoning debating careers at University. Well done for another fine performance.
​
Monday 1 March - Just a gentle reminder for all of us to consider our own wellbeing. Built into our school timetable, on a Monday, Tuesday and Thursday - from 3:00 - 3:40 pm, we have our own wellbeing block. I was delighted to see pupils, and parents/carers, walking by the school, some pupils on our school pitches running, walking, non contact sports..... and we have Rachael at the Tennis Club, as well as Fox and Gregor out litter picking in Houston, South Mound. Please feel free to send any of your wellbeing activities photographs to :
                gryffehighenquiries@renfrewshire.gov.uk

Picture
Picture
Picture
Monday 1 March - A lovely article in last Thursday's Paisley Express, featuring Naomi Patterson in S4. Naomi has been keeping herself busy during lockdown taking some really fabulous photographs. Well done, Naomi! Article Photo used with kind permission of the Paisley Express.
​

Picture
​Thursday 25 February - Miss Iafrate's entry for the Fairtrade Bake Off competition has set the bar high! Get baking and decorating and submit your entries via the link on Show My Homework by Friday 5th March - prizes for the winners!

Picture
Fairtrade and climate change
File Size: 780 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Tuesday 23 February - Head Teacher's update letter to senior pupils S4 S5 S6, who are returning this week, and parents/carers, as well as a letter for senior pupils from Mr Steven Quinn, Director of Children's Services.
Senior pupils who are returning this week
File Size: 494 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Senior Phase Students letter from Mr Steven Quinn
File Size: 637 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Picture
Monday 22 February - Rachael and Skye are using their Monday wellbeing block to do some extra 'litter picking walking' in Bridge of Weir. We have pupils covering both Bridge of Weir and Houston, so we are trying our very best to help keep our community clear of rubbish.

Wednesday 17 February - Head Teacher's update letter to S4 S5 S6 pupils and parents/carers, as well as detail in regard to the asymptomatic testing.
​
Update letter to S4 S5 S6 pupils and parents-carers
File Size: 421 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Detail on covid-19 asymptomatic testing
File Size: 254 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Picture
Wednesday 17 February - What is your Wellbeing activity? Here is our very own school captain Calum, going for a run during his Wellbeing period last Thursday. Remember links to Wellbeing activities can be found via SMHW & SfL website found on school website under curriculum.

Monday 15 February - Head Teacher's update letter to pupils and parents/carers.
Letter to S1 S2 S3 pupils and parents-carers
File Size: 344 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Letter to S4 S5 S6 pupils and parents-carers
File Size: 345 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Picture
Friday 12 February - We were delighted to be accredited as a Vision School for Holocaust Education by UWS at yesterday's online awards ceremony with guest speaker Robert Rinder. Thank you to the amazing efforts of the Gryffe High Citizenship committee this year!

Wednesday 3 February - An update letter from Mr Steven Quinn, Director of Children's Services in Renfrewshire Council.
Parent-Carer update letter
File Size: 149 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Picture
Thursday 28 January - Enjoy the creativity of S3 Art and Design pupils in a short video presentation of Object Art compiled by Miss O'Hara. Most impressive work - you are all doing so well - please keep up the hard work - we know it is not that easy. Also shown is a collage of work from Art and Design Technology.
 
You can access the video here - https://youtu.be/ROS3HDL1TxY

Picture
Wednesday 27 January - Today is Holocaust Memorial day.
 As a Gold Rights Respecting Schools and Vision School for Holocaust Education, we ask you to remember those who have died in all genocides. We are asking you to light a candle and share a picture on social media with the hashtags #HMD2021 #Gryfferemembers
 
Please take time to visit these links.
Pupils read poems of the holocaust: https://youtu.be/sznQ_O5lTiU
 
You can also take part in a virtual tour of our installation: https://www.thinglink.com/scene/1410587345006100483?buttonSource=qrcode
 
You can ask any questions on instagram @rmpsgryffe and @GryffeHistory
​

Tuesday 26 January - Head Teacher's update letter to pupils and parents/carers.

Letter to pupils and parents-carers
File Size: 288 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Please also look at the Wellbeing section on our Support for Learning website (address below)

https://gw07brownfiona6.wixsite.com/support/wellbeing 
​
​
You will find interactive links that can be opened direct from the site. Wellbeing is critical at this time, and I would ask all pupils and parents/carers to consider how best to keep in a good frame of mind. Here are some simple examples of activities currently being undertaken.
​
Picture
Picture
Friday 15 January - A Head Teacher's update letter has been issued to all pupils and parents/carers via SMHW (Satchel), and is also available to view here. Each Year Head has also provided updates through the week as we continue to focus on providing an engaging online programme for our pupils. Please note the detail within the letter in regard to the Parent Portal - parents/carers are required to register via the Parent Portal in order to get access to online pupil reports, attendance....
​

Update letter to pupils and parents-carers
File Size: 301 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Friday 8 January - A Head Teacher's update letter and our alternative timetable has been issued to all pupils and parents/carers via SMHW (Satchel). As much as we are desperate to see our pupils and get back into the way of normal school life, we still look forward to starting our full online learning programme on Monday 11 January, following our alternative timetable. Should you have any questions to ask regarding the timetable then please contact our school office on 0300 300 1323 or email gryffehighenquiries@renfrewshire.gov.uk  ...... email, even if it is questions over the weekend, and we will get back to you as we want all pupils prepared for a smooth start on Monday.

Below you will find reminder help links, tips to help you access digital content
Sign into Glow Computer: https://youtu.be/MywvlVAFIT8
Sign into Glow XBox: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWTwAfLKbkU&feature=youtu.be
Sign into Glow PS4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHTHaXhccDE&feature=youtu.be
Access a teams live lesson: https://youtu.be/kr6oxecYRuc
 
All phones and tablets can download the Show My Homework and Teams app, which you sign in to using your Glow details. Remember that you can download the full Office 365 suite via your Glow account as well.

Wednesday 8 January -The JANUARY NEWSLETTER has been uploaded and can be found as usual under the 'NEWS' tab, then 'Newsletters'. Please enjoy reading about the many achievements and successes of our pupils. The Newsletter might give you a feel of 'normality'. Due to current circumstances I have also put the newsletter file here for quick access.
​

January Newsletter 2021
File Size: 10067 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Tuesday 5 January - Head Teacher's update letter to pupils and parents/carers.
​
Letter to pupils parents carers
File Size: 304 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Calendar

THIS WEEK:      .... this is week 3 for school meals, menus shown under the 'MORE' tab 
​​​​

NEXT WEEK:     .... this is week 1 for school meals, menus shown under the 'MORE' tab


                          Please look at brief updates for any further information          

SPORTS UPDATES    ... click in photographs to enlarge
Tweets by @gryffe_sports




Brief Update Archive
Sport Update Archive
Picture
Gryffe High School 
Old Bridge of Weir Road, Houston, Renfrewshire, PA6 7EB 
Tel: 0300 300 1323 
email: gryffehighenquiries@renfrewshire.gov.uk 
      Head Teacher:  Mr Colin H Johnson BSc