Brief updates... click on photographs to enlarge
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.
Tuesday 22 December - Not how we had hoped to start our New Year, however the Health, Safety and Wellbeing of our pupils is of the upmost importance. I will provide an update to all pupils/parents/carers on Wednesday 6 January, once I have had an opportunity to discuss with staff and Local Authority colleagues. Remote learning for pupils will start on Monday 11 January and we hope pupils will return to school on Monday 18 January 2021.
Updates will be given on Wednesday 6 January, via SMHW and the School Website/Facebook, detailing our plans to support all our pupils. Local Authority updates can be found via: www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/schoolsupdate-2212
Mr Johnson 
Friday 18 December - I wish my last update of 2020 to be one of pride. As much as we have had a very difficult year, it has also been one where the achievements of our pupils, staff, parents/carers and wider community has been recognised as outstanding. I am so proud of our children, in how they have adapted and the positivity shown in taking on all challenges - especially in supporting each other along the way. I would like to finish with you reading a poem written by Olivia......
Merry Christmas and all the very best in the New Year Mr Johnson 
Friday 18 December - I would like to ask for the support of all parents/carers in encouraging their children to arrive promptly on Wednesday 6 January, to ensure that they are in school by 8:47 am and making their way to class. We wish to maximise Learning and Teaching time and start lessons at 8:50 am. Could I also please ask that pupils are in full school uniform.
Thursday 17 December - Following on from last Friday's Christmas Jumper Day for 'Save the Children', the results are in for the Best Staff Jumper. As you can see, the standards were very high. Especially well done to Mrs Taylor (Science) and Miss Monaghan (Music) for their efforts. They qualified for the ‘Best Christmas Dressed Teacher’ competition with a vote taking place with S1 pupils. Well done to Miss Monaghan who came out on top.
Tuesday 15 December - We wish we were having our usual Christmas Concert in our School Theatre, where we have always had a feast of music, fun and laughter..... no one mention the Twelve Days of Christmas or Mr Laird might just pop up and get you singing!!!!
For the moment things are different, however we are delighted to provide the link to our Virtual Christmas Concert..... Enjoy, reflect and think positive for the year ahead. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BM1Xef7xfsg 
Tuesday 15 December - Ewan Mitchell and Oscar James (both S6) took part in the first round of the Donald Dewar Memorial Debating competition, organised and run by the Law Society earlier this month. Like all debating competitions this year, it took place online with teams from St Columba's, Holy Cross and Broxburn Academy. Proposing the motion "This house would make voting compulsory" the Gryffe team were up against a formidable Broxburn team (semi-finalists in last year's competition) and this was certainly a very strong debate with great performances from both teams. Deservedly, the teams from Gryffe and Broxburn both progressed through to the second round. Well done to Ewan and Oscar for impressive performances in the first round and good luck in the next round at the end of January.
Monday 14 December - Only ONE more sleep until the link to our Virtual Christmas Concert is revealed. Unfortunately we are unable to have our usual Christmas Concert in the Theatre, which was scheduled for tomorrow evening, Tuesday 15 December. However, tomorrow evening you can watch our pupils performing, albeit in a slightly different way....... the link below is a video advert for our Virtual Christmas Concert.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MORMtihYv68&feature=youtu.be We are looking forward to you joining us on Tuesday 15 December and the link will be announced here at 18:59pm ready for a 7:00pm start. 
Friday 11 December - Today we had a taste of Christmas round the school as pupils and staff took part in 'Christmas Jumper Day', with all donations received going to 'Save the Children'. The geography department had posted some photos on Twitter and 'Save the Children' replied 'Thanks so much for your support, the money raised will make a huge difference to children in Scotland and around the world!'.
Friday 11 December - LGBT Silver Charter
We are proud to announce that we have been awarded the Silver LGBT Charter Award. We have been working towards the Silver Charter, to be able to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to equality and diversity & ensure that Gryffe is inclusive of all LGBT+ people. The Charter requires staff and pupils to demonstrate that they have undertaken LGBT awareness training and that all practices, resources, and policies are as inclusive as possible. Congratulations to all staff and pupils - another proud day for us all!
Friday 4 December - Advanced Higher Modern Studies focuses on Crime and Law for the whole year. As part of our study of responses to crime, we invited Procurator Fiscal Mairi-Clare McMillan and Defence Lawyer Matthew McGovern to speak to both Advanced classes online. The students gained great insight into the operations of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) and developed more of an understanding of their relationship with the police and their role in directing aspects of police investigations.
Wednesday 2 December - As you know, this year the Citizenship Committee has been working with Renfrewshire based ‘Night Before Christmas’ Charity who aim to give Christmas Eve boxes to families living in poverty, who would not otherwise be able to afford this tradition for their children. We are delighted to say that the donations were collected today, and around 150 packs will go to children across Renfrewshire. Well done to all those involved.
Tuesday 1 December - The countdown starts to the Christmas Festivities. Unfortunately we are unable to have our usual Christmas Concert in the Theatre, which was scheduled for Tuesday 15 December. However, on the evening you can watch our pupils performing, albeit in a slightly different way....... the link below is a video advert for our Virtual Christmas Concert.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MORMtihYv68&feature=youtu.be We are looking forward to you joining us on Tuesday 15 December. 
Friday 27 November – It is with great pride that we inform you that The Sunday Times has just announced Gryffe High School as:
SCOTTISH STATE SECONDARY SCHOOL OF THE YEAR with full detail being published in their paper on Sunday 29 November. We went through our Her Majesty’s inspection in February, with the report published in August, and came out with recognition of our EXCELLENT practice. In June, Gryffe won Respect Me’s ‘Change Starts with Us’ Award for our efforts in regard to anti-bullying. In September, Gryffe was accredited as a Vision School for Holocaust Education in Scotland. In October, UNICEF accredited Gryffe as a Gold Rights Respecting School, and in early November, Gryffe was Awarded their 3rd Eco Green Flag. Now SCOTTISH STATE SECONDARY SCHOOL OF THE YEAR.
Mr Johnson stated ‘To say I am proud of our pupils and staff is a complete understatement. To be the Head Teacher of a school where the pupils, day in day out, impress with their enthusiasm, drive and persistence is an absolute pleasure and privilege.’
Tuesday 24 November - Last week we had a focus on National Anti-Bullying Week, and ran a variety of events throughout the week from Bee scavenger hunts, to refreshing lemonade drinks to Do-nut Worry donations. Gryffe also featured on Respect Me's twitter page with our very own stigma reducing mental health group 'Like Minds'... #BeeKind. This focus is obviously not only for the one week, it is week in week out. The picture has some wise words from our Pupil Management Group.
Monday 23 November - Physical Education/School Sport
For a few weeks we got a good bit of life and soul back into the school as our sports clubs were getting back up and running. However, whilst in Level 4, a reminder that all PE lessons will now take place outdoors again. Pupils are asked to prepare accordingly for potentially cold and wet weather and are encouraged to bring plenty warm and waterproof clothing. Classes will remain outdoors for all lessons unless any conditions become dangerous. In line with Education Scotland guidelines, all school sport sessions are suspended whilst in Level 4. 
Monday 23 November - ‘Maths Inside’ is a photo competition open to everyone living in Scotland hosted by the University of Glasgow. As part of Maths Week Scotland 2020, pupils were asked to make some maths connections called ‘Complete the pattern’. Two photos were presented and entrants were asked to complete the pattern with a photo and commentary of their own. Very well done to Aidan Smith in 1B who took first prize in the third/fourth level category. His entry was called ‘Round and Round, Up and Down’. Brilliant work, Aidan.
Friday 20 November - Well done to Gregor and Iain in S6 for their work with Brian Costello of Headstrong for International Men’s day. A lesson created on Men’s Mental Health that will be delivered to all S1 and S2 in Gryffe over the next week and opened up to schools across the country. A big thanks to Brian for all his help!! https://fb.watch/1SDvkYrE_F/
Tuesday 17 November - Today a group of S3 /S4 pupils from Gryffe's Digital Ninja Group took part in a virtual bootcamp as part of the #DigiInventors Challenge. Throughout the day, the team joined in a series of online sessions to help them develop their app idea in preparation for presenting it to the judging panel in an upcoming final in December. Focusing on Wellbeing, their app 'Gryffe Cares' was designed to offer a digital solution to ensure that pupils had somewhere to go if they needed to talk to someone about their mental health or felt that they were victims of bullying. The team are now looking forward to refining their app idea and getting ready for the final.
Saturday 14 November- Just Announced...... Gryffe High has been successful in gaining a share of the Celebrating Renfrewshire Fund 2020. The Celebrating Renfrewshire Fund - by young people, for young people - gives you, as a young person, a voice in your community and lets you decide how to make living as a young person in Renfrewshire better. Gryffe Wellbeing put forward their idea of the 'Find your Angel' project and it received the most votes in the 'Villages' category.
Look out for further detail on this project in the coming weeks. Very well done to the Gryffe Wellbeing Team for their hard work in making this happen. 
Wednesday 11 November - Today was the day that we delivered our Foodbank collections to the Trussell Trust: Renfrewshire Foodbank. Every house contributed, with Mackintosh just out there in front with the most donations. Well done to everyone who contributed to such a worthwhile cause. The House Captains had the responsibility of packaging up donations. On the way to the drop-off, they dropped by Houston and Killellan Kirk to ensure their weekly donation was dropped off safely as well. On arrival at Trussell Trust in Renfrew, they were given an informative talk about the next stage for the donations and how they are distributed to those in need. Gryffe Pupils, Parents, Carers and Staff should be very proud of their contributions and the benefit they will have to those in need in the local area.
Wednesday 11 November - At 11:00 am on 11 November 1918 the Armistice, which ended the fighting during the First World War, came into effect. Since then it has been traditional to honour the millions who have died during all wars and conflicts by observing Two Minutes Silence on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
As a school we will have a Two Minute Silence today, Wednesday 11 November, at 11:00 am. All classes will also be shown a video clip on Remembrance, will stop for the two minute silence, and then continue with the clip. The bell will ring at 11:00 am then again at 11:02 am. Please take time to view the video https://youtu.be/V4szU_fMy00
Wednesday 11 November - Last year, four talented and brave Gryffe High School pupils stood in front of staff and read a poem that they collectively wrote about their experience of Dyslexia. This year we got together again and recorded it to share more widely, as part of Dyslexia Awareness Week - enjoy!
https://youtu.be/J8reMTOZdWM Monday 9 November - To mark the start of Gryffe High's Dyslexia Awareness Week, here is a short video outlining some of our plans and highlighting some important facts about living with dyslexia. This has been uploaded to the school YouTube channel.
https://youtu.be/LANY7ic72d8
Friday 30 October - On Friday, non-uniform day, it was a pleasure to see the S6 pupils in their ‘Eighties Theme’, bringing back a few distant memories!!!, and to see smiles on faces. The picture is from the Pupil Management Team weekly Friday 8:00 am meeting.
We long for the return of ‘fun’ and the normality of learning and teaching without restrictions. Wednesday 28 October - We are delighted to be confirmed as the first school in Renfrewshire to have gained the prestigious GOLD Rights Respecting Schools Award. Please see the update letter for further detail.
Sunday 25 October - Mr Paul McClelland attended his Lowland Leader Assessment on Thursday 22 and Friday 23 October and passed with flying colours. This is a requirement for DofE. Our thanks to Stuart from Outlook Adventures for his time in recent months to support a number of staff in gaining their Lowland Leader qualification.
Thursday 22 October - Some of our S4 pupils are currently out completing their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. Group 3 can be seen here getting ready to tackle Gleniffer Braes earlier on in the day. Their reward is the enjoyment of toasting marshmallows this evening.
Tuesday 20 October - Our system of recognising achievements through tokens has gone digital. The value of each token and categories you can receive a token for remain the same as in previous years. Please watch the video for more information in this link. https://twitter.com/GryffeAchieves/status/1318525933448474625?s=20
Tuesday 20 October - Gryffe High has applied for funding for a local community project. To be successful young people within the authority must vote on the Young Scot website. Can pupils please take 2 minutes and follow the steps below to vote:
1. Check your glow email account for a unique Young Scot Number which will give you access to vote (search for Celebrating Renfrewshire Fund) 2. Go to: http://voting.youngscot.org and put in your unique Young Scot Number 3. Look for ‘Gryffe High – Find Your Angel’ project 4. VOTE!! The voting period is October 12th – October 30th (5pm). 
Friday 9 October - Today, we supported Young Minds UK mental health campaign 'Hello Yellow' in celebration of World Mental Health Day.
Our Hearty Lives ambassadors sold pre-packaged yellow food, yellow masks, yellow bracelets, and yellow badges! All money raised will be donated to Young Minds UK, the UK’s leading charity in young people’s mental health. It was a wonderful way to begin the October holidays!
Thursday 8 October - As part of Global Diversity Month, Citizenship are celebrating other cultures by holding Mehndi stalls. All the money raised from the stalls will be going to the “Show Racism the Red Card” charity. Some beautiful artwork by some talented artists.
Wednesday 7 October - Please have a look at the great ideas for Christmas from the PTA. Do try to support the PTA in their work as they strive to raise funds to benefit our pupils.
All the detail that you need is here - https://www.gryffehigh.com/pta-xmas-shop.html 
Tuesday 6 October - Congratulations to Alfie Sidebotham in S6 who won the Old Course Ranfurly golf course 3rd annual Generation cup with his brother Jamie on Sunday. Photo used with kind permission from Old Ranfurly.
Tuesday 6 October - A second informative video has been uploaded to the school YouTube channel as part of ADHD Awareness Week. Here is the link -
https://youtu.be/wWIAauHgEqI 
Monday 5 October - 'Quote of the Week' - from our School Captains Rachael and Calum.
Today marks the start of ADHD Awareness Week at Gryffe. Here is a link to a short video which has been uploaded to the school YouTube channel, with some important facts to kick us off! https://youtu.be/UEPOtfi4nJQ 
Monday 5 October - If you have any tokens from last session at home, please bring these back into school before the October break. Points from tokens put into tubes this week will be counted in this year's house competition.
Friday 2 October - S1 Meet The Teachers: Thursday 8 October 2020
You will be aware that under the present circumstances parents/carers are not allowed in the school building. As such we are unfortunately unable to hold the S1 Meet The Teachers Evening. Further detail has been sent to all S1 Parents/Carers via Show My Homework, including detail on further S1 subject information that we intend to issue. |
CalendarTHIS 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
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