261 June 2016 - Gryffe Advertizer

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Bridge of Weir
Primary School
T h e
whole
school
w a s
enraptured when the
wonderful Travelling by Tuba came
to call on Friday 13th May. It certainly
wasn’t unlucky for us as Chris and
Stewart played a wide range of
instruments from didgeridoos to Swiss
mountain horns, sharing stories and
fascinating facts and
providing plenty of
opportunities for fun
and participation.
This performance
coincided with the
final day of our Walk
to School Week
when pupils were
allowed to wear
their pyjamas
(or onesies!) to
school. The sun shone
throughout the week and was no doubt
a factor in encouraging so many people
- pupils, parents and teachers - to leave
the car at home and walk, cycle or
scooter to school instead. Every class
in the school also joined in the fun by
taking part in Try
Twenty, a challenge
to try and walk
20 minutes each
day. The Walk to
School committee
would like to
thank everyone
for their fantastic
response.
Green fingers
at Abbey
Nursery this
month
This month the children in the
nursery playroom have been
getting green fingered by looking
after our sprouting vegetables
and they can’t wait to taste the
end result shortly in their soups
and dips.
We also have some new arrivals
in the nursery just now – our
caterpillars and the children
have named our new friends
and have been watching them
grow and change every day.
Everyone is eager to see the
transformation from caterpillar to
butterfly before setting them free
and children have been inspired
by this opportunity to read lots
of stories and create beautiful
artwork.
The Busy Bunnies and Rising
2s visit to Lamont Farm recently
was great fun – with lovely
weather and a VIP tour where
they learnt so much about the
animals and we would like to
thank the staff and parents for
helping out on the day.
Our Little Ladybirds have also
been spending lots of time
outdoors in the garden, helping
to plant some seeds and
learning about what we need
to do to help our plants grow.
The children were very good at
following instructions and were
very careful and gentle with the
little seeds and loved watering
the plants.
One of the favourite activities
this month was the vegetable
hunt in the compost tray!!. What
a lot of fun they had getting
dirty using their hands and a
variety of digging tools to find
the vegetables and identifying
them. Some of the children even
enjoyed tidying up afterwards.
Finally a big thank you to all the
parents who cleared out their
old clothes and helped us fill
over 30 recycling bags which
will be distributed to those less
fortunate and raised £69 for
charity.
Gryffe High Awards Ceremony
Mr. Scott Taylor our Education Support Manager introduced the guests,
including Mr Peter Macleod who is the Director of Children’s Services at
Renfrewshire Council.
This year Mr Brian Costello was the Principal Guest who had the task of
presenting the Awards.
Top mind and motivational expert Brian Costello, whose work has been
featured on national TV and Radio and in national newspapers and
magazines, is a familiar face to the pupils. He is the founder of Headstrong
and using NLP techniques, he regularly works with pupils, supporting them
through many situations from exam worries to building self esteem.
Prizes included Certificates of Excellence and Merit, Mathematical Awards
and Duke of Edinburgh Awards. These were followed by some really
impressive achievements in a whole range of sports including many
Scottish Internationalists. Around 30 pupils received Special Category
prizes. These highly acclaimed awards merit a range of fabulous silverware
and glassware. These include academic excellence in particular subjects
as well as outstanding endeavour in various categories. Many of these
prizes are sponsored by local companies including the Gryffe Valley Rotary
Club who are always represented at the Awards Ceremony and provide
support in various ways to pupils. There was also a Headteacher Award for
outstanding contribution.
The Head Boy and Girl, Calum
Russell and Katie Bone were
awarded their prizes and followed
this with their Vote of Thanks,
which included their memories of
their years in Gryffe.
Our congratulations go to the
award winners but always
with a reminder that they are
representatives of ALL of the
pupils at Gryffe High who ALL
deserve our congratulations in
recognition of their hard work
and achievements.
Photographs by Kate McFarlane
S6
Gryffe Staff receive Heartstart
Instructor Training
20 staff successfully completed
Heartstart Instructor training this
month and they are seen here with
their certificates. Heartstart is a
British Heart Foundation initiative
that teaches people what to do
in a life-threatening emergency.
British Heart Foundation trainer
Angela also spent time repeating
the defibrillator demonstration
to a further group of staff at
lunchtime.
Finally we have
been delighted to welcome children
from several local nurseries who have
visited the school to meet their P6
buddies, have a look around the school
and try out eating lunch in the school
dining room. Everyone had lots of fun
- younger buddies and older buddies
alike - and can’t wait to see each other
again at our induction afternoons at the
end of May.
Houston Baby & Toddler Group
We are thrilled to say our fundraising Coffee Morning and Craft Fair on 23 April was even better than we
had hoped for. Thank you so much to everyone who helped to make it such a success - organise, volunteer,
contribute and support our event. We are now planning to buy some new toys, resources and dressing up
clothes with some of our funds.
Children from 0 - 4 years old are very welcome with their parents/grandparent/carer. You’ll receive a warm
reception and the children can have fun playing with our many toys while the adults chat over a cuppa! We meet
every Thursday between 9.30 - 11.30 (term time only - closed during summer hols, 29 June - 14 August) in the
West Hall, Main Street, Houston, PA6 7EL (next door to the Carrick Centre) – pop along when you can. We look
forward to meeting you. Sharon, Lesley & Fiona. (lesleyannjackson@outlook.com)