gryffe high school · 4,5 boogie nights 6 s1 induction days – question time 7 careers fair and...

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: 4/07/12 Dear Parents/Carers/Relatives/Pupils I hope you enjoy reading about the significant achievements of our pupils in this edition of our monthly newsletter.

Index Michael Carries the Olympic Torch 2 Advanced Higher Chemistry Visit to University of

Strathclyde 3 Scottish Space School 4,5 Boogie Nights 6 S1 Induction Days – Question Time 7 Careers Fair and Skills Conference 8 S5 Vision Statement Presentations 9 Scott Mackie wins PACE Performer of the Year

Netball Team Fundraise for New Team Kits 10 Cinema time for House Winners 2012 11 World Challenge – Himalayas

Final Preparations for Departure 12,13 Annual Awards Ceremony June 2012 14 International Cross Country Championship

Ewan Mallinson representing the Welsh Exiles Upcoming priorities/events

SQA Examinations We finished last session on a high, via our Awards Ceremony, where we celebrated the significant achievements of so many of our pupils. (pages 12/13) I will upload a letter onto the news section of the website on Wednesday 8 August detailing SQA results as well as arrangements for the new term.

Michael Carries the Olympic Torch

Michael Secker, Depute Head boy, thoroughly enjoyed his recent honour taking part in the Olympic Torch Relay. Michael carried the torch along Rutherglen Main Street on Friday 8th June. It was a great experience and he absolutely loved being a part of it.

Well done, Michael!

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On Tuesday 12th June our Advanced Higher Chemistry class visited the Chemistry Department of Strathclyde University to take part in some practical experiments in the labs. After receiving a health and safety talk, the students carried out four experiments. As well as being fun, these experiments were designed to develop skills required for the practical work involved in Advanced Higher. The experiments included making slime and creating a stalagmite. The staff and pupils thanked the Chemistry Department of Strathclyde University for giving them this opportunity which was enjoyed by all. Photographs – Mrs Stark Article – Iain Doig

Advanced Higher Chemistry Visit to University of Strathclyde


Scottish Space School – Residential at University of Strathclyde At the beginning of June, Ben Hortin, Susie Little, Lisa Baird and I were fortunate enough to go to Space School for 5 days at Strathclyde University. Although in the months leading up to it we had all been extremely excited, nothing could have prepared us for just how amazing it was going to be! We took part in a variety of activities, one of my favourite being the rocket construction and launch, where my team and I took the rocket design to a whole new level upon discovering the fun of making up characters in the form of ‘Mars’ and ‘Milky Way‘! However, it did become slightly worrying when we decided to make up a story for the egg (or Eggbert as he was correctly called) whom we dropped in the Mars Lander challenge- a challenge which involved dropping an egg from a certain height and building a parachute-like structure to stop it breaking. (Eggbert survived in case you were wondering!) It was not all challenges though, for we also got to meet some pretty awesome astronauts (as you do!) who all inspired us - Heather Paul inspired us to the extent that I think we all wanted to become astronauts right that minute! Article – Chantelle Christian (New S5) and Space School Participant

The Skype call with Chris Hadfield (another astronaut) was also extremely powerful and the atmosphere was electric in the lecture hall during his sensational presentation. Our teams then further socialised through events like the Open Mic night and the Ceilidh (which was SO much fun!!) and our closeness remained unscathed despite the microbiology lab workshop uncovering some rather disgusting bacteria growing on some of us which best not be mentioned! The work on the big project also brought the teams closer for we had to design something which would help astronauts overcome problems with eating in space and although we may all have had a nervous twitch at the end of the week when someone mentioned the words ‘big project’ we did manage to come up with developed ideas- our team worked on a capsule basis. Throughout the coalesce of activities and astronaut meetings, there was a definite sense of team work and space school is as much about meeting new friends and working in a team as it is about informing us about space. We left with not only newly found confidence (who knew I was capable of building a rocket?!) but with newly found friendships and promises to stay in touch. Space school was incredible and I would wholeheartedly urge you to apply if you are thinking about it- you will definitely not regret it! Photographs – Courtesy of Ben Hortin and Chantelle Christian


Wednesday 20th and Thursday 21st June were extra special nights in the Gryffe High School calendar. These nights saw the spectacular production of the school show ‘Boogie Nights’. This was the result of A LOT OF HARD WORK OVER THE WHOLE YEAR by a very special group of talented pupils. Staff had worked so hard with pupils rehearsing for hours, days and even weekends. The end result was immense enjoyment for their eager and enthusiastic audience. Everyone agreed that the colourful show was a fantastic night and there was even some brilliant audience participation towards the end of the show. Many staff helped out with this event but the show would not have happened without producer/director Zoe Inglis, musical director Anne Ritchie and Assistant Director Sonja Smith. Photographs – Courtesy of Barry Hedges (Parent) and Ian Malcolm S1 (Media Group)

Article – Media Team


S1 Induction Days – Question Time

Recently at Gryffe High School while the Primary 7 pupils attended their own induction days at the school, the soon-to-be Gryffe High School pupils took part in the S1 Question Time Conference. Earlier in the month, Gryffe High School asked the Primary 7 pupils for questions that they would like to be answered while at the induction days. The questions were then addressed by a panel at the Question Time Conference. The panel was made up of different aspects of life at Gryffe High School with Mrs Anderson and Mrs Henry representing teachers; Molly Mitchell (S6) and myself, Iain Doig (S6), representing students at Gryffe High School; and Mrs Dunlop from the Support for Learning Department. The range of questions asked was extensive from Extra Curricular Activities (including Activ8) to the structure of the school day. I personally found the event very enjoyable and I would hope that it was able to reassure the new S1 pupils of what life may be like once they move up to Gryffe High School, and hopefully it helped them feel more comfortable over what is a very momentous change in their lives. Photographs – Stephen Hedges New S6 Article – Iain Doig New S6


New S1 (P7) New S2 New S4 Careers Fair and Skills Conference

On Friday 15th June, P7s from Houston and Bridge of Weir Primary were invited up to Gryffe High School to take part in the Careers Fair. This happens every two years so you will either take part when you are in P7 or S1. People from many different backgrounds were invited to tell the students about their jobs and how the students could apply for them.

Many thanks to the guests who came from a wide range of backgrounds as follows – Solicitor, Careers Advisor, Royal Navy, Army, RAF, Dentist, Physiotherapist, Nurse, Podiatrist, GP, Medical Physicist, Ward Sister, Project Oskar, Botanist, SCIAF, Entrepreneur, Science Teacher, PE Teacher, Primary Teacher, Fashion Brand Retailer, Hairdresser, Nail Technician, Dance Teacher, Magician, Houston Cake Company, DJ / Entertainment, Web Design, Accountant, Business Transformation, Global Supply, Author / Columnist, Graphic Artist / Photographer, BT Engineer, Servisair Ground Staff Glasgow Airport, Malcolm Group – IT, Finance

Every student had picked four that they wanted to find out more about and the teachers would pick two wild cards for them. It was a very enjoyable day for everyone including the staff and at the end I’m sure lots of pupils had something in mind that they wanted to do when they were old enough. Photographs – Ian Malcolm S1 and Aqib Afzal S1 Article – Alison Hedley S1


S5 Vision Statement Presentations

Five teams of S5 pupils recently presented a clear vision of what they feel is important to Gryffe High School and they gave a presentation to staff in the staffroom over a lovely lunch of soup and sandwiches. The presenting teams were: Alpha Tigers, Cooper Troopers, Jack in the Box, Team Amigos and The Jasons Each team had spent of a lot of time preparing a very thoughtful and serious presentation. A ballot took place and all staff present were invited to vote for the team with the best Vision Statement for the school. ‘Alpha Tigers’ received the most votes and we will certainly give consideration to all of the points raised by the teams and take these forward. Further detail will follow in the next newsletter on Wednesday 5 September. Congratulations to the ‘Alpha Tigers’ and indeed all of the teams that took part. The event was organised by the Pupil Support Team.


Scott Mackie wins PACE Performer of the Year Scott Mackie (who is in the new S5) has won the much coveted OGADs Performance Award 2011 – 2012 with PACE Theatre Company. Very well done Scott – an absolutely fantastic achievement from such a busy theatre company!

Netball Team Fundraise for New Team Kits On the last Friday of the summer term our S1 and S2 netball teams showed they have the flour power by baking and decorating delicious cakes for a bake sale at morning interval. Girls from our S3 and S4 teams became nail technicians at lunchtime painting the nails of staff and pupils (many boys included too!). Both events were a great success and showed how thoughtful and talented Gryffe High pupils are. In just under an hour they raised £130 towards which will go towards new team kits. Thanks to all who came along and to the staff who helped. Ms. A Iafrate


Cinema Time for House Winners 2012

September 2011 saw the launch of the new house system and the birth of Burns, Fleming, Mackintosh and Wallace house. The year has seen many house events providing an opportunity for pupils to gain house points. Mackintosh house came out as the clear winners and they were rewarded on the last day of term to Cinema Time in the theatre. This included snacks and drinks. Mrs Thomson said ‘The house have worked hard all year and deserve this award. I am particularly pleased that they have won in this first year of the new house system.......and it seems the weekend training paid off!’

Well done Mackintosh and MANY THANKS TO THE HOUSE COMMITTEE for all their hard work all year.

diary check

ACTIV8

maths challenge round 1

racism bands

highland games participants

s1 scottish bingo

s2 RME Investigation

UK Maths Challenge

MAD Graphics

SCIAF

Fairtrade Wrapper

Reading

Athletics


World Challenge – Himalayas Final Preparations for Departure

The pictures show both teams busy on their final preparation on Saturday 23rd June. I had the privilege of seeing the excited teams depart from Glasgow Airport the next day (Sunday 24th June). We wish them a fantastic trip – it will be hard work for a month but worth it! Watch out for a FULL REPORT in our September newsletter. Photographs – Mr Gibb (World Challenge Leader) Other Accompanying Staff – Ms D McNeil, Ms J Lynas and Mr S McLatchie

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Annual Awards Ceremony June 2012

‘One Moment in Time’.........The Jazz Band added to the atmosphere at the Annual Awards Ceremony on Monday 25th June. Mr. Scott Taylor did a great job of keeping the proceedings on track. Mr. Johnson gave a summary of his Annual Report and the full report will be available on the school website. Principal Guest, retired DHT Mr. Peter Hempsey made the presentations to the hard working pupils. This was a welcome change for Mr. Hempsey who has been on the other side of organising the Awards for many years. The Head Girl, Lisa Wright and depute Head Boys Ryan Cracknell and Michael Secker delivered a superb bilingual speech which certainly provided much entertainment for the audience. Head Boy Liam Torrens had a good excuse for not attending, as he was thousands of miles away as part of the World Challenge Team in the Himalayas. The Jazz Band finished the proceedings with ‘Fly Me to the Moon’........ Considering that there were 468 awards given out on the evening celebrating a HUGE range of areas of achievement, then clearly for Gryffe High pupils the ‘Sky is not the Limit’ .......so perhaps ‘Fly Me to the Moon’ is more achievable than we think! Our photographs show a selection of the many award winners of the evening. Congratulations to all of the Award Winners! Article and photographs – Mrs McGeough


Ewan Mallinson representing the Welsh Exiles The Welsh Exiles side were drawn from all corners of England and Scotland and this was their first outing together so the quality of rugby they produced was to be commended against a Mid Wales side who have had much time together. The pace and standard of rugby from both sides was a pleasure to see, and the Exiles side took an early lead from which they were never to look back, running out 43-0 winners. It was a massively proud moment for Ewan and his family to represent the Welsh Exiles, which he qualifies for owing to his Welsh mother, Liz. Thanks for his development must go to the coaches at Greenock Wanderers RFC under-14s. Ewan was awarded his Welsh Exiles tie by Terwyn Williams, secretary of the team and has been invited to attend the Welsh Exiles North Wales Assessment Centre at Rydal Penrhos School, Colwyn Bay from which selections will be made for the next match.

Upcoming priorities/events: AUGUST

Tue 7 Pupils receive their SQA Results Wed 8 New S5/6 Timetable negotiation Update letter to Parents via website Mon 13 In-Service Day 1

Tue 14 Pupils return for new term Wed 22 Activ8 – Session 1 Mon 27 Parent Council Meeting; 7:00 pm Wed 29 Activ8 – Session 2 SEPTEMBER Wed 5 Activ8 – Session 3 GHS Newsletter 1 publication on website

International Cross Country Championship Four pupils from Gryffe represented the school and their country in the International cross country championship between Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales . Euan Gillham Gwen Gillham Euan Trout Emma Kelly The four pupils also represented the school in the Scottish Schools Track and Field Euan Gillham came 2nd in his race Gwen Gillham came 2nd Euan Trout was 2nd in both 800m and 1500m Emma Kelly came 1st in the heat and 4th in the final. Euan McKerrel came 5th in the final of the 1500m.

gryffe high school · 4,5 boogie nights 6 s1 induction days – question time 7 careers fair and...

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