The Sunday Times top 50 state secondary schools …...Iain Hedley Molly Harper Megan Judge Saskia...

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: 3/12/14 Dear Parents/Carers/Relatives/Pupils I hope you enjoy this month’s newsletter.

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Promotion of Achievements November House Points Total

Burns – 760 points Fleming – 785 points MacKintosh – 610 points Wallace – 885 points

Well Done __Wallace! The Sunday Times top 50 state secondary schools in Scotland I would like to congratulate all pupils, staff and parents on Gryffe being acknowledged in the Sunday Times as the 8th top attaining state school in Scotland. The last 3 years results are taken into account in their analysis. However, with great annoyance, I also state that for the last two years the wrong 2013 results have been used, and as such I belief that with the correct results Gryffe would have been the 6th top attaining school in Scotland! All being told however it is still a fantastic achievement and I offer a genuine well done to our pupils for their efforts. I would add to this, as you would expect, that attainment is only one aspect of what we strive for. Our major focus on achievements in the school has equal status, particularly in recording and giving pupils’ credit for their successes. I would hope that we will push forward on both fronts and continue to be amongst the top attaining and achieving schools in the country.

Index Achievements; Top 50 2 Feedback from S1 Parents’ Meeting 3 Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert 2015; PTA Christmas Fayre 4,5 Leadership 6,7 The Reflections Room;

Dyslexia Awareness Week 8 Inspire >Aspire 9 All of S2 visit to the Science Centre 10 Gryffe pupils enjoy a Skills Event 11 S3 Spanish El día de los muertos 12 Operation Christmas Child 13 Collection for local Food bank Eco – Almost litter free day 14,15 MAD Show 16 Gryffe High Skiff Boat; Champions yet again! 17 Strathclyde Youth Jazz Orchestra; Hockey Club News 18 Science Club News;

Scottish Space School 2015 19 Charity News; S3 Public Speaking Success 20 Dragons’ Den News.......Cinema Showings!

Upcoming priorities/events

Please feel free to give the codes a try and tell us what you think via

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Caring • Learning • Achieving www.gryffehigh.renfrewshire.sch.uk

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Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly

disagree Don’t Know

Q1 The school helps my child to be more confident 35% 65%

Q2 My child enjoys learning at school 57% 35% 4% 4%

Q3 My child’s learning is progressing well 48% 52% Q4 My child is encouraged and stretched to work to the

best of his/her ability 35% 57% 8%

Q5 I am kept well informed about my child’s progress 35% 52% 9%

Q6 My child receives homework on a regular basis 61% 35% 4%

Q7 My child is treated fairly at school 53% 43% 4% Q8 I feel staff really know my child as an individual and

support him/her well 43% 53% 4%

Q9 My child benefits from schools and clubs and activities provided outwith the classroom 53% 39% 4% 4%

Q10 The school actively seeks out my views 35% 43% 9% 13%

Q11 The school takes account of my views 31% 43% 4% 22% Q12 I use the school website for information on a regular

basis 39% 57% 4%

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

35% 61% 4%

Q14 I am kept informed about the structure of the curriculum within the Broad General Education via meetings, handouts, CfE section on school website.

35% 61% 4%

Q15 The school is well led 70% 26% 4%

Q16 Overall, I am happy with the school 78% 22% Q17 The school meets my child’s needs (including additional support needs) 61% 39%

Q20 My child feels safe at school 61% 39% COMMENTS ......... and Action • I feel the current progress reports do not provide enough information throughout the year. Both reports

should be informative to allow support when needed........ We have formed an in school Working Group to look at our current Reporting procedures in order to address this concern.

• My child has settled in very well into first year. • My child is working well at school and enjoying the time he is there. I am happy with his learning. • Very happy with the way my child has settled in at High School. I feel that the school is very well run and offers

many opportunities for children. • The Gryffe HS app looks great and I am sure will prove invaluable • Great teachers’ comments. Really encouraging start. Couldn’t ask for more. Senior pupils very helpful. • I found the S1 Parents’ meeting invaluable. It gave us a more rounded picture of my child’s life in Gryffe,

enabling us to meet with teachers and discuss her progress. Re-assuring for us that our child has settled so well into high school.

• Parents’ night – a bit confusing for a first time, struggled to see the teachers on time....... This is the first time that this has been stated. We will try and signpost better and have more sixth years on hand to help.

• The school newsletter is not greatly important regarding my child, but as you ask ... The newsletter is a very large document to take time to view online or download and print. I wonder how many parents actually take the time? I know I don’t always............... very valid statement. The Newsletter is our way of trying to keep parents informed of what is happening in their child’s school. We are open to any suggestions on this one!

Feedback from S1 Parents’ Meeting Questionnaire: November 2014


Miss Iafrate selected as a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert 2015 Geography teacher Annette Iafrate has been selected by Microsoft, the global IT giant, as a Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert (MIE Expert) for 2015 for her excellence in using technology to help pupils learn and achieve. Miss Iafrate is one of only three teachers from Scotland (all from Renfrewshire schools) hand-picked to join an elite team of just 800 people worldwide, to help deliver the firm’s innovative educator expert programme. She was chosen as a result of her efforts in using Glow and Office 365 tools to support pupils’ learning in the Broad General Education of Curriculum for Excellence. In September she presented the project with other Renfrewshire teachers at the Scottish Learning Festival. Miss Iafrate has been invited to visit Microsoft’s HQ in London on Friday 5 December for the official, UK MIE-Expert launch. As an MIE expert she will help other teachers use technology to improve learning and advise Microsoft, and educational establishments, on how to integrate technology into the classroom. S3 pupils give their thoughts on using Glow and Office 365 last session: The updated website is colourful and easy to navigate. Using Glow in lessons was a different, fun and interesting way of learning about the Commonwealth Countries. We liked how you can personalise your own page. It is also good because you can contact your teachers by email (for work purposes). Although there are lots of good things about using glow there were some things we found difficult. Firstly because some of us hadn’t used Glow before it was took a while to learn where everything was. Also it takes a while for some pages to load in class because the internet connection in school is slow. Overall though we really liked using Glow. - Amy McColl and Seonaid Murray It was fun to make the hoodies and leave feedback for others using Onenote - Matthew Cameron

Really good idea how you can see other pupils work but not know who it was then leave comments on it for them to see – Ross Connolly

Really enjoyed this topic and using the newsfeed - would do it again! Reece Ballantyn

PTA Christmas Fayre We would like to thank all the parents who took the time to support our PTA event through attending the Christmas Fayre. Mr Holsgrove was delighted to win the draw for the signed St Mirren Football. More detail will be in the January Newsletter.


HEAD GIRL Gwen Gillham

HEAD BOY Tom Lightbody

DEPUTES Louise

McMillan

DEPUTES Kadey Adams

DEPUTES Abbie

Robertson

DEPUTES Hannah Meikle

DEPUTES Hannah Ross

DEPUTES Duncan

McGlynn

DEPUTES Lewis Doak

DEPUTES Matthew Dickie

DEPUTES Scott Martin

DEPUTES Ewan Mallinson

CITIZENSHIP PROM CHARITIES BUDDY

LEADER

ACHIEVMENT

Hannah Bottone Ross Gale Ellie Ward

Christy Chambers Amy Mobbs Clare Munro

Gwen Gillham Kaitlin McGuigan

Laura Green Scott Martin Euan Rankin

Emily Campbell Jenna Stirling Laura McGinn Megan Hunter

Sophie Rutherforth Taylor Turner Grace Murray Adam Loose Heather Kidd

Georgina Milnes Tiffany Linn

Danielle McKinnon Claire Telfer

Megan Brawley

Lauren Smith Cailum Reay

Duncan McGlynn Danielle

McKinnon Bryony Lovett

Ruth Huey Gwen Gillham Carley Brett

Hannah Meikle Sara Thomson Amy Mobbs

Beth Thomson Stephanie Hill

Ellis Scarff Karen Finnie Joanna Birrell Greg Moyes

Hazel Kennedy Emma Millen

Sophie Watson Iain Hedley

Molly Harper Megan Judge

Saskia Robinson

Laura Green

Kate MacLaren Louise

McMillan Saskia

Robinson Ruth Huey

Cobi Hunter Laura McGinn

Hannah Meilkle

Claire Telfer Danielle

McKinnon Amy Mobbs

Bryony Lovett Amy Mobbs Ellis Scarff

Karen Finnie

Abbie Robertson

Adam Loose Martin Mullaly

Michaela McStay

Cailum Reay David Bogan

Louise McMillan

Kate MacLaren Shannon Docherty

Molly Harper Rachel McGinn Laura McGinn

Karen Finnie Abbie Robertson

Amy Murray Shannon Docherty

RIGHTS

RESPECTING Tom Lightbody Gwen Gillham

Louise McMillan

SPORTS

AMBASS-

ADORS

MODELS OF

EXCELLENCE

ECO

SCHOOLS

YEAR

BOOK

YOUNG

ENTERPRISE

Lewis Doak,

SPORTS

LEADERS

Rachel McGinn

Ross Robertson

Christy Chambers

Laura McGinn Taylor Turner

Scott Torrence Andrew Irvine

Luke Horton Fraser Bone Fraser Quigg

Adam Burnett Kayleigh Docherty

Kane O’neil Lewis Early

Gwen Gillham Georgina

Milnes Cobi Hunter

Tom Lightbody Hannah Bottone

Euan Gillham Matthew McCabe

Lucy Jowett Mark

Armstrong Laura Green Amy Murray

Michael Storey Luke Horton

Louise McMillan

Bob Dradge Niamh

Nicholson Taylor Turner

Lewis Doak

Laura McGinn

Laura Green amy Mobbs

Danielle McKinnon

Lucy Jowett Tiffany Linn

Kayleigh Docherty

Sarah Caulifield

Karen Finnie Ellis Scarff

Hannah Ross

Abbie Robertson Ellis Scarf

Kadey Adams Hannah Meikle Greg

Moyes Rachel

Mccolgen David Hill Stephanie

Hill Michaela McStay Louise

McMillan

Kadey Adams, Kirsten

McMahon Scott Martin

Tom Lightbody Michaela McStay

Ian Hancock Emily Clark Fraser Bone

Christy Chambers

Rachel McGinn Tiffany Linn

Louise McMillan


Committee Updates November; An insight into some of our sixth year committees

This year the Buddies have organised an event in which we met our S1 pupils and got to know them individually before combining with other groups to take part in team building exercises. Throughout the past months we have created a rota in order to meet with our S1s every week at lunch time in order to chat and make sure they are feeling comfortable in school. We are looking to organise another event in the coming weeks which would involve a buddy Christmas lunch and more team building games and competitions between the first years and their sixth year buddies in order to continue the system. Abbie Robertson and Adam Loose Head of Buddy Leaders

This year the Model of Excellence initiative has gained great support from sixth years. Our main aim is to use our experience to help younger pupils with their studies out of the classroom. This may involve help with homework, revising current class work or helping with study techniques before exams. We tutor in subjects we enjoy and are most successful in so we can offer the best help possible to younger pupils. We hope that we can help younger students engage and succeed in their subjects by giving them support from older pupils who have recently studied the same course and can offer insight into the exam process. Euan Gillham and Laura Green Models of Excellence

The Charities Committee have raised money over the past few months for several different causes. A Weakest Link Quiz was held for Smile Train – a charity that pays for the surgery of children born with cleft lip palates. Pupils paid £1 to watch the quiz. This was an inter-house event and each team consisted of both pupils and teachers. A lot of hard work went into the preparation of the event which proved to be most enjoyable for both the participants and audience. The event raised a total of just under £100 for the charity which will help to fund an operation for a person in need. We sold poppies in the run up to Remembrance Day and we did face painting in the canteen. We also have an ongoing teenage cancer trust stand in the canteen which sells badges and wrist bands. Louise McMillan and Kate MacLaren Head of Charity Committee

The Citizenship Committee aim to help the school and its pupils become involved in areas of citizenship like Fairtrade, Global Diversity, Operation Christmas Child and more. So far we have been involved in Global Diversity month, where volunteers gave henna tattoos to pupils, and the money raised is being donated to a global charity. We have also been involved in the rainbow turtle Fairtrade stall and are working towards more ways in which we can help maintain school’s status as a Fairtrade school. Currently, we are occupied with operation Christmas child, where we endeavour to raise awareness and help the school send off many shoe boxes! We also held a ‘wear your own shoe day” which was a great success! Hannah Bottone and Ross Gale Head of Citizenship Committee


The Reflections Room On Thursday 13 November, 20 pupils from each year group got the opportunity to visit the Reflections Room which took place in the Conference Room. The Reflection Room was set up by members of staff and members of the local communities to show pupils the importance of the effects of World War One and the reasons behind Remembrance Day. In the Reflections Room there were many different stations filled with stories of soldiers, games and War poems. The first station we came across was a game with cards laid out in a circle, and the aim of the activity was to see how easy it is to forgive somebody no matter what the situation may be. As we progressed through the game, we started to realise that it becomes hard to forgive and forget when the situation is as agonizing as World War One. The second station that we approached was the story of a young soldier who fought for his country on the front line. The story of the young soldier tells us what the conditions were like in the trenches. Then we were informed of, that each soldier owned a small box and which they filled it with the letters they had received from family and friends back home. Every soldier was given a pocket sized bible which a lot of them kept on them at all times during the War. As a gift from Princess Anne, all soldiers received a brass engraved tin which contained tobacco and cigarettes for the older soldiers, the younger soldiers received sweets in their tin and all the nurses on the frontline received a tin of chocolates. When reading the letters it put it into perspective that World War One did actually occur. Some letters were filled with light hearted jokes and others were filled with sad but loving words from the families back home. As we read through some more letters we both began to realise how important family and friends are in everyday life and we shouldn’t take them for granted because we never know when we are going to lose them. As we progressed through the stations we came across a map of old Bridge of Weir, it was filled with black dots which represented the soldiers who died as a cause of World War One. When looking at the dots we soon realised that there were more than one dot on some of the houses. This signified that in a household there could have been more than one family member who fought for this country. The last station we reached was a chance where you could write your own prayer/message to the troops that have fought and the newer troops that are still fighting today. When reading many of the prayers and messages that some people had left it showed us how people still care about the fallen soldiers and will continue to care for wars that still take place today. In conclusion, we really enjoyed the experience we were given and grateful for this opportunity. The Reflections Room was a great way to get the community involved with the school and with the pupils. We had a very informative afternoon but yet still very enjoyable. Article - Honor Campbell & Fern Adams S3 Photographs – Matthew Dickie S6


Reflections Room

Dyslexia Awareness Week

November 10th -14th was Dyslexia Awareness Week at Gryffe High. Pupils and teachers donated money for Dyslexia Scotland blue ribbons, along with engaging in a lesson that explained the condition and provided thought provoking questions. Resources will include tool-kits for every department and training for staff. All pupils and teachers enjoyed learning further about the condition with the demand for blue ribbons being so high that we had to order more mid-week! The week consisted of several activities that helped raise the profile of Dyslexia and increase funds for much needed resources. Gryffe are hoping that this will become a regular feature within the school calendar and are already planning for next year! Article - Mrs S Costello


Ross Laird, 4Mk, was our Gryffe High School winner for the 2014 Inspire>Aspire competition. He then went on to win a bronze award at the national finals and part of his prize was tickets to the Commonwealth Games Closing Ceremony. Ross has received further recognition for his efforts by being featured in the Awards magazine. We are delighted Ross continues to be recognised and are proud that our Gryffe High School pupil will be forever immortalised in print! This is a perfect opportunity to launch the Inspire>Aspire competition for 2015. The theme, once again, is Global Citizens in the Making – continuing the legacy of the Games in Glasgow 2014. Pupils are invited to complete a poster looking at their own values, Curriculum for Excellence Four Capacities, and also the four outcomes of the Games in section 1. Section 2 encourages entrants to think about their favourite fictional character and how this person offers lessons for life. You also have the opportunity to think about an inspirational figure whose actions and achievements inspire you (Ross chose the Dalai Lama – a man whose life has been full of adversity but he still continues to promote peace, freedom and understanding). The final section is ‘My Arc of Destiny’ – your vision and commitment to making the world an improved place. This includes detailing the kind of person you wish to be and your vision for a better world. We would encourage as many pupils as possible to take part in this competition – and we imagine the prizes will be equal to, if not better than Commonwealth Games tickets, this year! You are a global citizen and this competition encourages you to think about the wider world we live in, possibly spurring you on to action – similar to that of great inspirational figures. ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world’ Mahatma Ghandi Entry forms are available from Mrs Davey (RMPS). Deadline hand-in date is Friday 24 April 2015. The National Awards Ceremony is held in early June. Good Luck!

Mrs Davey RMPS


All of S2 enjoy a visit to the Science Centre ‘Who Needs Science?’ is an interactive show offered by Glasgow Science Centre featuring spectacular demonstrations in biology, chemistry and physics including information on careers in Oil and Gas. It is designed to inspire pupils as they discover the role of science in their everyday lives and their future careers. Here is what the pupils had to say - ‘Our trip to the Science Centre was on Wednesday 12 November and the whole point of us going was to look at possible career choices for our future. It was a really interesting day for us as we were able to explore each of the floors as well as watch an interesting and exciting Science Show. The Science show was brilliant and we got to take part in the show as well as watch. Mr Blue’s hand was set on fire, it was hilarious! Exploring each of the floors was also really good as we were able to look into how things, such as pulleys and our bodies work.’ Kate Dorrian 2W ‘We were given time to go around all the levels of the Science Centre and then went to a show about what jobs you can get with different Sciences. I found this very interesting and it has helped me with what I might choose for subjects next year. When going around I found some very interesting stuff, such as the Physics section. There were three floors, General Science, Engineering and a Body Works section.’ Matthew McCaw 2W ‘There was a show about where Science could take you later on in life and it highlighted what careers need Science. I learnt that every career actually needs a little bit of Science.’ Elin Paton 2W ‘It was great fun as we got to explore all the floors. For the job I want I would like to take all three Sciences.’ Morgan Shearer 2W


Gryffe pupils enjoy a Skills Event

Skills Scotland Glasgow in conjunction with ‘My World of Work’ from Skills Development Scotland is a two day event which takes place at the SECC in Glasgow. Skills Scotland events are all about inspiring the nation’s youth about their future careers and opportunities. The event allows pupils to try different activities that give them a taste of the skills and challenges they will meet in a range of careers. (www.skillsscotlandglasgow.co.uk) Here is what one of the pupils had to say about it – ‘The Skills Event 2014 gave us an insight into the endless career and training options on offer. It allowed us to see that it is not all about exam results; that it is about skills and experience too. Throughout the day we were given challenges to complete. These challenges showed that the workplace is about motivation and that by picking a job that you can motivate yourself and others in, is really important. The various stalls and people gave us an insight into the real day to day duties of different jobs and we were then able to look at our career options with greater understanding. The various stalls also allowed us to sign up for amazing opportunities such as apprenticeships or training for some much desired jobs. Going around the stalls also enabled us to see what our skills and qualities made us suitable for and also highlighted careers that we had never before considered. Overall, it is fair to say that everyone was able to take something away from the 2014 Skills Event, including some freebies, which never go amiss!’

Article - Laura McGinn S6 Photographs – Mrs L Darroch


http://www.skillsscotlandglasgow.co.uk/

S3 Spanish El día de los muertos and Cinema Trip ‘The Book of Life’

El día de los muertos is a Mexican tradition where they celebrate life and remember those who are no longer with us. In October S3 pupils were fortunate enough to go and see a film called “The Book of Life”, which is all about el día de los muertos. The film really contributed to our learning because it gave us an understanding of how important the tradition is to the people of Mexico. Not all of us have visited the country or been able to witness this event, but it certainly felt like it came to us! Alex Pieri S3 The Mexican 'Day of the Dead' was celebrated by S3 pupils when they made a traditional altar during Miss Tate's Spanish class. Day of the Dead took place on Sunday 2 November and is a Latin American festival which originated and is strongly celebrated in Mexico. This is a joyous event which involves people painting gravestones brightly and creating colourful altars with decorations like bright skills, marigolds, photos of loved ones and the things they valued. People also dress up as skeletons - all of this is designed to 'bridge the gap' between worlds and to encourage the dead to join the world of the living for that day. To show our understanding of this, we brought in significant items to create our own altar. The end result was a spectacular 3 tier altar decorated with handmade paper marigolds, skulls and offerings like fruit and sweets. The altar is an incredibly important part of the celebration and is usually very extravagant. It is so important in Mexico, competitions are held to find the best altars. Matthew Cameron S3 In Spanish we learned about the Day of the Dead in Mexico. We watched a short animation of a girl who is reunited with her mother who has passed away. They have fun celebrating Day of the Dead together before having to say goodbye and going their separate ways. The Mexicans believe that their loved ones who die are with them on this day. It is a happy and colourful celebration. All of Miss Doherty's S1, S2 and S3 Spanish classes contributed to the making of the Altar in her classroom. We all made paper flowers and skeleton masks (calaveras). Miss Doherty and her classes decorated the altar with the flowers, masks, candles and sweets. Nicola Armstrong Cervantes S1 Photographs – Rowan Seel S1


Operation Christmas Child Thank you once again to pupils, parents and staff for helping our annual Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal. This year we managed to get in and send off 207 boxes and £133 raised from our ‘Shoeday’ – this will help the cost of the transportation of boxes. It is a fantastic achievement for the school and we could not have done it without your help. Can we also note a special thanks to those pupils who gave up their own time to help us check boxes to ensure they were sent off in time. This Christmas, you have helped make a difference to so many children across the world who would not otherwise receive a Christmas gift. These gifts will undoubtedly bring joy and happiness to children, in otherwise difficult situations – many of whom will be victims of war, famine and homelessness. At Gryffe High School we pride ourselves on your charitable efforts, but also our awareness of our advantaged position. We are global citizens who CAN make a difference in the world we live in, no matter how small. We recognise that all children, no matter where they live have the Right to be well cared for, as well as the Right to play and leisure time (Article 31, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child). Mrs Davey RMPS


An Amazing Collection for local Food bank Trinity High pupil, Kevin Milliken came up with the idea that Renfrewshire Schools could support food banks and Gryffe pupils and staff were certainly happy to support the idea. Gryffe pupils recently exchanged being allowed to wear non uniform for a day with bringing in some food to help boost the supplies of a local food bank. The response from pupils and staff was absolutely overwhelming. Pupils were asked to deliver their food first thing in the morning to the library. It soon became apparent that moving the food was going to be a major operation. The food was handed over to the Trussell Trust who give emergency food to people through a network of local food banks. Headteacher, Mr Colin Johnson said ‘I would like to thank all pupils/staff/parents/carers for their contributions to our Food Bank appeal. As you can see we managed to gather so much that it took an hour to load it all into the Trussell Trust Food Bank van’

Photograph – Mrs D MacDonald

Eco Committee News – Almost Litter Free Day

The pupils of Gryffe High School have taken a major step forward in helping their school achieve the Green Flag for improving the environment. The conscious effort of nearly all students in throwing out their litter has made the social areas and school canteen become almost litter free every day. A major congratulations to all Gryffe students in achieving a litter free day across the canteen and social areas on Friday 21 November. Although we continue to strive for a litter free school, the improvements over the past months have demonstrated the understanding and motivation of Gryffe pupils, to make their school environmentally friendly. The Eco Committee and its Anti-litter representatives are now taking steps to ensuring that litter outside of the school is tackled. Further, we are now taking steps to ensuring that all litter is separated between recyclables, organic waste and general rubbish in the canteen. Article and Photographs - Mr Toneguzzo


Pupils work very hard to prepare for this show where they display Music, Art and Dance/Drama. In a very fast moving performance, the audience need to keep up with a fine display of pupil artwork including costumes, photography and textile designs. Pupils had also made huge poppies from tissue paper. These created a beautiful background for the drama and poetry which had a Remembrance theme this year. There was a lovely solo of the Last Post. The choir, jazz band and senior pupils provided a selection of styles of music. Fabulous lighting effects added to the atmosphere and the audience were treated to home baking at the interval. Headteacher, Mr. Johnson expressed his delight at the end of the show. He thanked pupils and staff for all of their hard work and in particular Mrs Wilson who is Faculty Head of Art and Design Technology. The show aptly finished with a lively dance routine to the tune of Pharrell William’s ‘Happy’.

Gryffe High pupils in annual ‘MAD’ show


The Skiff is now progressing at a tremendous pace, with numbers attending the after school club steadily increasing. The outer planking is now almost complete, and we are starting to get a real idea of how the finished boat will look. The plan is to have the outer planking finished in time for Christmas, so that the boat can be turned the right way up and the inside can begin to be fitted out with a floor and benches. There is still lots to be done on this exciting project, so if you want to get involved feel free to come along on Wednesdays after school. Article - Mr J Dempster

Champions yet again! Kaleigh Docherty(S6) currently plays for Glasgow Rangers Ladies Team who played in the Scottish Cup Final on Sunday 9 November at Tory Glen against Glasgow City 17's. Kayleigh said “We scored in the first half for a 30 yard free kick and from then on we were comfortable maintaining the 1-0 lead. I play Centre back but can play anywhere, and I have captained my team before too. That was a "triple treble" as we have won the Scottish cup, league cup and the league for 3 years running now. We have also stayed undefeated for three years.” Well done Kayleigh.

Kayleigh Docherty(S6)

Glasgow Rangers Ladies Team


Strathclyde Youth Jazz Orchestra Visits Over the past few weeks, pupils have been joined by the Strathclyde Youth Jazz Orchestra. They taught us jazz concepts such as; improvisation, scales and rhythm techniques. As a class we learnt and performed several Jazz pieces which the band performed to us before we were taught them. They demonstrated harmonies, melodies and chords and how to incorporate them into a tune that would run smoothly and sound rehearsed. We got to listen to many instruments to see what they sounded like as a solo performer within the songs. The classes enjoyed the experience and have many new skills to take away from it. Cerys Middleton and Laura Jack S3

Hockey Club News Gryffe High School hockey club recently went to a competition at Glennifer High School. The team was made up of students from S1-S3. We played five matches and the scores at the end showed that Gryffe won four out of five games and drew one. Well done team! Will Hobbs S1


Scottish Space School 2015

Are you in S5? – then it could be you – read on! Gryffe High has had FOUR pupils who have achieved a place at Space School in NASA HOUSTON TEXAS so it is possible! Ben Harper and Jamie Webb thoroughly enjoyed a place at Space School at University of Strathclyde in June of this year. Ten Scottish students go to Houston. ………SO check out http://www.scottishspaceschool.org.uk/Pages/Home.aspx and apply! Closing Date for applications is Sunday 18 January 2015 See Mrs McGeough (Space School Link Teacher) as soon as possible!

Science Club News

The place to be on a Friday at lunchtime is the fun and very productive science club! Mrs Costello (Biology) and Miss Robinson (Physics) bring science to life making it a great club to be part of.

Our first week was investigating fireworks; we understood how sparklers and colours in fireworks perform. The week after, we studied rockets and we showed how they work with balloons. Most recently we demonstrated density with rainbows, which showed us how density worked and that different types of liquids have different densities.

So why not come along and join us in lab 5?

Overall, it is science, but not as you know it!

Article - James Laurie 2FM Photographs – Mrs Costello


http://www.scottishspaceschool.org.uk/Pages/Home.aspx

http://www.scottishspaceschool.org.uk/Pages/Home.aspx

Charity News

Teenage Cancer Trust continues to be the focus of fundraising for the school this year. There are regular stalls selling wristbands, badges and home baking. This follows in the footsteps of Ferran Hart who is fondly remembered for not only being incredibly talented but that he used his talent to raise thousands of pounds for TCT and has inspired his peers to keep raising money. Miss Inglis recently proudly accepted the Young Artist Award given to Ferran for all of his work as part of the Positive about Youth initiative.

S3 Public Speaking Success.

Our amazing S3 Public Speaking team have done it again! Having won the Renfrewshire round of the Youth Speech Competition last month, they have now won the inter-authority grand prize, beating out teams from Inverclyde and East Renfrewshire in the process.

The competition, held in the Normandy Hotel on Wednesday 26 November, run by the Association of Speakers Clubs (Renfrew Speakers Club, Greenock Ladies Speakers Club, Dunoon Ladies Speakers Club) and supported by Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce and the Royal Bank of Scotland.

The topic, 'With developments such as GPS, security cameras and mobile devices, it is often said that we live in a 'surveillance society'. Is modern technology becoming too invasive in our lives?' was tackled effectively by all participants, and the level of competition was extremely high, but Miss Higgins reported that the consistent quality of all three members' speeches of the Gryffe team ensured their wonderful victory. Miss Higgins couldn't be prouder!


Upcoming priorities/events DECEMBER Mon 1 HOLIDAY – St Andrew’s Day Tue 2 Start of National 5 Prelim Examinations Wed 3 Newsletter uploaded onto website Thurs 4 Young Enterprise semi finals at Soar Fri 5 S3 PSE Event S5/6 Main Reports issued to pupils Mon 8 MyMerIT Week2 Parent Council Meeting, 7:00 pm start Tue 9 S3 Interim Reports issued to pupils S3 IEP Reports issued to parents Thurs 11 S3 Parents’ Meeting, 4:30 pm start Fri 12 Fundraising Non-uniform Day Mon 15 Higher/Advanced Higher Prelim

Timetable issued Tue 16 Winter Inter House Games Christmas Concert Wed 17 Winter Inter House Games Fri 19 Christmas Service School closes for Holiday JANUARY Tue 6 Pupils return to school Wed 7 January Newsletter uploaded to website Thurs 8 S5/6 Parents’ Meeting, 4:30 pm start Mr Colin Johnson Head Teacher

Dragons’ Den News Calling all cotton-headed ninny muggins.........with the Christmas countdown already underway, Gryffe's Dragons' Den team want to get everyone merry by screening not one, but TWO Christmas inspired films in December. So don't be a Grinch in December, bring Frosty, Rudolph and the gang and enjoy the following: Wednesday 10th December we will be showing Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Wednesday 17th December we will be showing Elf

Tickets for these showings cost £2.50 each, and for those keen cinema goers that buy tickets to both showings, there will be special deals available. Tickets must be purchased in advance and can be done so via Mr. Deans in ICT 2 at lunchtimes.

The best way to spread Christmas cheer.............coming to the cinema!

Dragons' Den Team

We currently have an impressive 148 pupils involved in the Award:

91 at Bronze Award 46 at Silver Award.

We also have 11 S6 pupils enrolled for the GOLD AWARD, which is our first Gold Award Group. More detail will follow in the next Newsletter.


The Sunday Times top 50 state secondary schools …...Iain Hedley Molly Harper Megan Judge Saskia...

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