Head Teacher Blog
Dear Parent/Carer
I hope you are well. It was lovely to welcome the school back on Monday morning after the two weeks of the Easter Break. I commended them on Monday as to their manner and approach to coming back to school. Pupils were focussed immediately back on their learning which was fantastic to see.
As many of you will appreciate this has also been the last week of school for our Senior Pupils (S4-6) prior to study leave, and I would like to thank you as family members for your support that you have given them and the school in the run up the start of the exams on Monday.
As always, if you have any questions in relation to the information contained within this blog or any other school matter please do not hesitate to be in touch with the school.
S6 Graduation and Last Day
On Thursday evening this week we held our S6 Graduation. This was our opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our S6. Whilst there is still the small matter of the SQA Exams to complete this was an opportunity to say a formal goodbye to all of our S6 pupils alongside their families. Supported in school by Ms McNaughton as Year Head all the other staff within the school, this year’s S6 have been a wonderful group of young people to work with. I wanted to pay tribute to a year group who have made a real difference to the lives of people within school and across the community with a small excerpt from my speech on the evening
I would challenge anyone who is quick to lambast young people to come and spend time in the company of this S6. I know they would find a motivated, passionate, engaged, kind and supportive group of people. Spending time with you this year and watching you go about your business has always given me a faith in humanity which social media tries it’s best to erode.
Moreover, you have been an inspiration. This is a year group who have lived the values of this school community. You have been brilliantly led, represented and supported by your Captains Grace and Shafa over this year. Moreover, the work of the Captains Cabinet and the wider Parliament have been incredibly instructive to me both in terms of raising issues to address but also in the way you discuss things. I was lost for words (something my colleagues can attest to being rare) after one cabinet meeting in the way that you discussed a sensitive topic in such a measured and respectful manner…
Your future is incredibly bright, you have demonstrated your ability, your compassion and your drive. I know that if you demonstrate this in your next steps beyond school you will achieve whatever it is you want to achieve – and you can all achieve so much.
On Friday morning we took the opportunity to mark the final day for S6 with a series of events and activities to ensure that the final day in school as a year group was as memorable as possible. This involved a leavers breakfast, a leavers assembly, some fun and games and being given a guard of honour as they were piped out of the school for their last day together as a year group.
SQA Information
As families in S4, S5 and S6 know the SQA Exam Diet starts on Monday.
SQA EXAMINATIONS
All of our S4/5/6 pupils sitting Exams will stop for Study Leave on Friday, 19 April. They have now been issued with their second, and final personal exam timetable which details dates, times, rooms and seats, as well as their personal details and candidate numbers. Pupils have also all been issued with the SQA ‘Your Exams’ booklet. (link below) We would encourage all parents to read this also via the link.
https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/Your-Exams-2024-school-edition.pdf
Teachers have taken pupils through the booklet, discussing important information relating to Before, During and After Examinations. In particular, we must stress that for all SQA exams, pupils are reminded to arrive in plenty of time – at least 15 minutes before the start, dressed in full school uniform. Mobile phones, Smart watches, Earbuds, Notes etc are not permitted inside the exam room at any time – failure to comply can lead to an automatic fail.
Pupils and parents are also reminded that the SQA Exam dates and times cannot be altered. There is no option to sit at any other time, therefore it is imperative that pupils and parents set reminders of dates and times. The SQA timetable can be accessed using this link.
https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/nq-2024-exam-timetable.pdf
Assemblies were held with all senior pupils on Thursday morning. Amongst other things, pupils were reminded to be early for exams, arriving at least 15 minutes before their start time and in full school uniform.
If pupils or parents have any issues at all during exam leave or if you have queries relating to an exam etc, please don’t hesitate to contact the school. In the event of any serious issue affecting an examination, please contact the school (Mrs Beattie) at the earliest possible opportunity.
STUDY RESOURCES AND EXAM SUPPORTS
A reminder that there is a wealth of support and study resources on the school Padlet on the school website, or via the links below:
SQA Learner support for National Qualifications 2023-24 – SQA
Esgoil Study Resources and FREE EASTER SCHOOL 2 WEEK PROGRAMME Home Page | e-Sgoil
Achieve Study Resources ACHIEVE for Students – ACHIEVE (letsachieve.co.uk)
Pupils with no SQA Exams
Pupils sitting N3, N4 or stand alone units do not have final SQA exams but are expected to attend school to complete all outstanding work and internal unit assessments. They should attend school on Monday morning for a meeting with Mrs Beattie at 9.15am to identify outstanding work and discuss opportunities for possible Work Experience and other opportunities during Study Leave.
Results Day
On 6th August pupils will receive their Certificates via the post, although they have also been encouraged to sign up to My SQA if they want their results by text or email that day. Information about Appeals is on the first link at the top of the page or can be accessed on the SQA website.
S6 Information
Families in S6, should have received the following information regarding their last few weeks in school from Mrs McNaughton.
Prom: Thursday the 30th of May 2024 @ Eagle Lodge, Bishopbriggs from 6:30pm
Final preparations are under way by our Prom Committee for what is shaping up to be a fantastic evening of celebration.
Transport will be provided to and from the venue from the front of the school and pupils have been asked to confirm if they require this by completing the following form before Monday the 25th of April 2024:
The following require to be paid by the date identified below to allow us to pay suppliers on time. All must be paid through iPayImpact. Please contact the school office if you have any difficulties accessing this:
Prom – £35
Primary 7 Pupils Multi Sports
We are looking forward to welcoming Primary 7 pupils to the school on Tuesday morning to take part in wide a variety of activities as part of their transition activities from Primary School to Secondary School. Fingers crossed for sun.
Community Events
As you know, I’m always keen to promote community events in this blog. This week we were contacted about the Friday Night Kick Aboot Initiative.
Cumbernauld Colts are starting a new 10 week free football program for 13-18 year olds, to allow them to get off the street for an hour on a Friday night and get active by playing football with other like minded people.
Sessions will be in the 5’s pods at Broadwood Stadium between 7pm – 8pm.
The program will start this Friday. Any interested pupils can fill in the registration link below.
New Signing-In System
To improve safety and security within the school, if you visit the school there is a new sign in system for all school visitors. This touch screen system requires all visitors to sign in and then to have a picture taken of them – their pass and photo will then be printed and visitors will be given a lanyard. This system will help ensure an up-to-date record of school visitors and fire register.
Bright Red Publishing Offer for Greenfaulds
Bright Red Publishing offer a range of revision materials for National 5 and Higher Courses. Very kindly, they have provided a special discount code for all families who wish to purchase any of their items via their website https://www.brightredpublishing.co.uk/ . Please note this offer runs all the way up until the end of April.
Leckie and Leckie
We also received a special offer from Leckie and Leckie for revision guides and course notes for National 5 and Higher. If you go to leckiescotland.co.uk and use the code N5&HIGHER24 you will receive 30% off all revision and practice workbooks.
Online Study Resources
For Senior Pupils we wanted to ensure that we were providing as much support for them as possible for studying and revising. Alongside traditional supported study in school I felt it appropriate to draw your attention to two online resources.
Firstly, this year we purchased a school account to provide our pupils with access to interactive study materials via the ACHIEVE platform https://achieve.hashtag-learning.co.uk.
When signing up to create their own account pupils should use their school GLOW Email address and use the unique Greenfaulds High School Code (XQfQPVhy) to activate their account. As you will see they will have access to many resources for learning key concepts, testing their knowledge, self-evaluating etc.
Secondly the e-sgoil study resources – Pupils can access a range of resources including help with Study planners, revision tips, managing stress etc. They can also access a wide range of subject webinars every week. Details are posted each week to advise what topics are being covered each evening in the Webinars. They can google Esgoil Study support and it’s very straight forward or can use this link. We have posted the link on Teams for them already.
Dates for your diary
Monday 22nd April: SQA Exams begin with study leave
I hope you have a lovely weekend
Moran Taing
Jamie
Jamie Vaughn-Sharp
Head Teacher
