306 MARCH 20 – Gryffe Advertizer

Next deadline - Wednesday 11th March
Duchal Nursery
We have had lots of fun with
Chinese themed activities
celebrating the New Chinese
Year of the Rat and have
learned the number words
for 1 - 5 (phonetically spelt
here as Eee, Ar, San, Se and
Wo). We ventured out in
the garden to do a Chinese
treasure hunt for little red
packets containing a gold
coin. These are called Hong
Bao and are a fun part of the New Year celebrations.
This year Chinese New Year coincided with Burns Night, so to
commemorate both we read Julia Donaldson’s book “The Highway
Rat” in its Scots version (The Reiver Rat). Both children (and
teachers!) were a bit baffled by some of the words - ettercap
(spider), eemock (ant), heelstergowdie (head over heels) to name
a few, but the story is well enough known to the children for us
to get the gist and we didn’t find the process of translation too
scunnersome !
With spring nearly here we are delighted with the gorgeous flash
of colour outside the nursery as the snowdrops and daffodils
poke their heads out. Thank you so much to Colourful Kilmacolm
who donated the bulbs and assisted the children with planting
them. The children have been fascinated watching them steadily
grow. The children are loving spending a bit more time out in our
garden with the occasional spring like day. Being creative in the
mud kitchen, imaginative play on our Duchal plane and collecting
precious treasures from around and about!
Please visit our website for more information www.duchal.com
and find us on Facebook. If you would like to come and visit the
Nursery please get in 01505 874358 or email: info@duchal.com
Houston Toddlers
We have been very busy at Toddlers. Jackie from Little Down Dogs
Yoga came along and showed us some yoga movements that we
all enjoyed and had good fun doing them. Making Valentine crafts
kept us very busy with some outstanding results hopefully the
recipients liked our efforts. On the sporty side two coaches came
along from Strathgryffe Tennis and Squash Club and taught us some
ball skills that will hopefully help us reach Wimbledon. We had a
Music Class from Hartbeeps which we all loved. Every Thursday we
have great fun at Toddlers held in the West Halls from 9.30am until
11am, there are plenty activities and also tasty snacks. Please come
along and join us you will be made very welcome. Please bring a
cup (preferably with a lid ) and a cup for the children.
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Gryffe High School News
Gryffe High PTA News - Burns Supper & Ceilidh
Friday 24th January saw Gryffe High school host the inaugural
Burns Supper and Ceilidh, with over 60 family and friends tucking
into traditional Scottish fare whilst being thoroughly entertained
by pupils and teachers.
The evening started with a welcome from school captains, Lewis
and Lauren followed by the ‘Selkirk Grace’ delivered by Aaron. The
haggis was then piped in by Matthew, Ben and Jenna and toasted
by Esme and Sarah.
A Scottish feast then followed including soup, haggis, neeps and
tatties followed by delicious trifle, all carefully prepared and served
by staff and pupils of the HFT department.
Throughout the evening poems were read, songs sung and games
played all celebrating the life of Robert Burns. After a short break
for tea, coffee and shortbread the evening finished with some
energetic ceilidh dancing.
The PTA would like to thank all staff and pupils who contributed
to the evening and to the family and friends who came along for
making the night the fun filled success it was.
We would also like to thank Holmes Butcher Bridge of Weir for the
haggis, McHarg Bakers for rolls and shortbread and Brian Steele for
providing Irn Bru and water for the evening.
Personally, I would also like to thank the PTA members who worked
very hard to make this event happen.
A total of £550 was raised for school funds ….well done everyone!!
Watch out for the date of the Ceilidh next year…..I think it will be a
sell out.
Sheila McHarg - PTA Chairperson
Our thanks to Gordon McHarg and Mrs Thomson for photos.
REHIS Awards for 52 S3 Pupils
Well done to fifty two S3 Health, Food and Technology pupils who
were presented with their ‘Elementary Food Hygiene’ certificates
after successfully completing and passing the course!
To achieve this award, which is an external exam, pupils study areas
in
• kitchen and personal hygiene
• keeping food premises and equipment clean and disinfected
• the importance of reporting possible food safety hazards
• food storage temperatures
• food poisoning sources and symptoms
• food allergies
The pupils use this knowledge gained in the many practical activities
undertaken in HFT.
This nationally recognised qualification from The Royal
Environmental Health Institute of Scotland was emphasised to be
a worthwhile certificate to have and one that is highly valued by
employers.
A great achievement S3!
Mrs R Thomson and Miss C Marshall – Teachers of Health and Food
Technology
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