294 March 19 - Gryffe Advertizer

46
Houston Primary School
Young Musician of the Year
Pupils from Primary 6 & 7 who have a passion for music were invited to
attend Gryffe High School’s annual music competition. The pupils were
blown away with the local talent. Former pupils, Sasha Kaloheris and
Laura Workman were the winners in their categories. Well done girls!
Scottish Celebrations
Each year all classes learn Scottish poems and songs to celebrate
Scottish culture. Our gym hall was decorated with famous Scottish
buildings ready for the performances. Well done to all of our finalists.
Ruby and Beth from Primary 6 were winners of the Scots poems
competition organised by Morrisons in Johnstone. They each won
a voucher for the store and cupcakes for their class - a very popular
reward!
St Vincent’s Hospice
A number of our families over the years have been supported by St.
Vincent’s Hospice and we as a school really appreciate the support
they give to our young people. The pupils of Primary 6 have chosen to
support this very good cause by raising funds to purchase a concrete
toadstool which will be decorated by them and then transported to the
woodland walk at Howwood. Pupil Millie Wilson, has taken the lead in
this project and presented her ideas to her peers who all agreed that
they would like to help.
Pug Visit
The pupils in Primary 3 have been reading, ‘Pugs of the Frozen North’
and requested for a real pug to come to school to learn more!
Primary 4 are busy rehearsing with their class teachers and Mrs Hey,
for their performance of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on 18th
March. We are most definitely in for a treat!
Sports News
Our football team is so popular that they are now training at Gryffe High
School as they need more space to practice their skills. Next match
20th March.
Gryffe High News
World Challenge Bolivia
Team make Lunch
Thanks to S6 pupil Shaun,
part of the World Challenge
Bolivia Team, who provided
a splendid, healthy lunch
for staff at the February In-
Service Day to raise funds
for the trip in June. The lunch
tied in well with Health and
Wellbeing Activities that staff
took part in just before lunch.
The In-Service day started
with an interactive session on ‘Teacher Led Improvement’ with Mr Ian
Fraser, followed by a presentation and discussion groups on ‘Promoting
Positive Relationships’. The rest of the day was spent in Departmental
Development work for CfE and National Courses.
Phoebe takes part in the Young Chef District
Final
Well done to Phoebe, S2, who recently participated
in the District Final of the Young Chef Competition
at South Lanarkshire College, East Kilbride.
Phoebe had won the qualifying round of the Gryffe
Valley’s Rotary Club’s Young Chef Competition
that took place in Gryffe High last November.
Phoebe planned, costed, prepared and presented
three courses in two hours.
~Menu~
Carrot and Orange Soup served with Irish Soda
Bread
Caramelised Baked Chicken served with Rice
and Spiralised Vegetables
Molten Chocolate Puddings
Fantastic work Phoebe!
The Advertizer
Port High praised by inspectors
National body Education
Scotland visited Port Glasgow
High School for a week of
observing classes and holding
meetings to examine the work
of the school. Now they’ve
published their report with the
school receiving ‘good’ and
‘very good’ ratings across the
board and a range of areas Photo courtesy of George Munro (Greenock Telegraph)
being commended.
The inspection highlighted a range of strengths including the head teacher’s
leadership; the renewed values which underpin the friendly and nurturing ethos
in the school; improvements in pupil attainment and the number of young people
supported to move on to positive destinations from school and the way staff
teams work across the school and with other schools in the wider community.
Port Glasgow High School, head teacher Stuart Clark said: “I am delighted that
the school community has been recognised. Our staff at Port Glasgow High
School know how positive an environment this is to work and learn. Inspectors
have recognised this positive climate and I’m delighted that our hard work to
ensure success for all has been commented on so positively. The real stars
of the inspection were our pupils, who showed what a fantastic community this
is.”
Inverclyde Council education and communities convener Councillor Jim
Clocherty said: “This inspection report highlights a school being led by a strong
management team with the head teacher and staff being highly praised. It
shows school teams working well and that our young people are learning in a
positive nurturing environment and achieving.
Leadership of the school was highlighted for particular praise due to a number
of important improvements in the school over recent years. HMI recognised
that exam results have improved and that the most recent year showed the
school’s best ever exam results.
The success of pupils leaving the school has also been commended. Almost
all leavers now move on to a positive destination. Staff have designed bespoke
packages to engage and instil aspiration in the most disengaged learners. For
example, the work to prepare groups of young people for employment through
the Greenock Morton partnership, is helping to support them as they move into
the world of work.”
According to Education Scotland, a rating of ‘Very Good’ means the school has
‘major strengths’ and a rating of ‘Good’ means ‘important strengths’.
Kilmacolm Primary School
In the Kilmacolm nursery class, the
children have been exploring space as
their theme this block. They have looked
at different planets and constellations
and even making their own space
station!
The Kilmcolm Primary STEM club
have been testing the pH range of our
water samples from around the school
and local community! This involved the
STEM club getting their wellies on and getting into the burn in Duchal Woods
togather samples. Some of us were surprised at the results! The data was then
collected and a displayed on a chart detailing the findings.
Primary 3/2 have been reading the Owl Who was Afraid of the Dark and have
been using the fabulous school grounds and Duchal woods to bring the learning
to life. Firstly they discussed what makes a Forest a good habitat for nocturnal
animals! P3/2 took their learning outside by visiting our own school grounds to
explore the local wildlife habitat. They then worked with the fantastic rangers
from Clydmuirshiel to learn different facts about Owls and we even installed two
Owl Nest Boxes in our local woods for the local Tawny Owl and the Barn Owl.
We hope they like them!
On the 6th of February Primary 1 celebrated
Global School Play Day where the children
led the learning for the entire day. This saw
pupils creating their very own Michaelangelo
inspired paintings, using musical instruments
to form a rock band and entertaining visitors
in the Chinese New Year restauraunt. It was
a fabulous day full of fun!
Deadline date for our April 2019 issue - Friday 15th March - you don’t want to miss it!!