Head Teacher Blog
Dear Parent/Carer
I hope you are well.
A week of two halves really for me. Firstly, another busy week in school with regards to staffing discussions for next year, family information sessions and classroom visits. On the flip side of that, I have been away for a couple of days at different meetings with Education Scotland firstly regarding Coaching of staff and secondly with regards to the new curriculum which is being formulated currently by the Scottish Government. Despite all the high level discussions (and free coffee!) you still can’t beat coming back and being part of this amazing school community. I truly miss it when I’m away from it.
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. Moreover, I’m always delighted to share good news of pupil achievements outside of school as many pupils are participating at an exceptionally high level in a range of activities. If your son/daughter is involved in something, please do share this with me.
SCQF Report
A couple of blogs ago I was able to share with you that Greenfaulds had been awarded a Silver Ambassador Status for the work that we have done on diversifying our curriculum. This week, I’m delighted to share their views of the work that we have done as a school community. What I find most satisfying is that it recognises the hard work that we as a community have done over the last few years to make our pathways for pupils as positive as possible. A copy of their 1 page report is available here and I would urge you to read it as it is a lovely reflection of our school.
Course Choice – S2
A big thank you to the families of S2 pupils who joined us for our S2 Option Evening where Mr Adler and Mr Vaughn-Sharp as well as the pupil support team discussed the option process and the options available to the students in S3. As was stressed on the night, if you have any questions about the process please do reach out to clarify anything.
On Tuesday evening the link for the upcoming S2 Parents’/Carers’ Night went live. The event itself is on the 3rd February from 4.30 till 7pm. On the night it will be an opportunity to both discuss your child’s progress in the subject area as well as gaining some more information about pathways for S3 and S4. We look forward to seeing you there.
Road Safety
All families will be aware of the email from Mr Adler, issued on Tuesday regarding Road Safety.
We have just taken a call from a member of the public concerned that students are crossing the road outside the school and then standing in the middle of the road waiting for the traffic in the opposite direction to pass before going across. Can you speak to your son / daughter about road safety and we will reinforce this in school. There are bridges to get into the school to prevent them needing to cross the road. The person who reported it had to slam her brakes on and narrowly missed some pupils. She is concerned there may be an accident.
Suffice to say incidents and situations like this cause all of us a great deal of concern. We have spoken with all pupils regarding the importance of crossing roads safely and using bridges and underpasses where possible. A big thank you to the families who have been in touch regarding this already and if you have not had the chance to have a discussion with your child, could you please reinforce this message this weekend?
Kooth Supports
We are all acutely aware of the need to protect and at times improve our mental wellbeing. As such, Kooth (an online resource that all pupils in North Lanarkshire have access to) are running some sessions which a number of our pupils may feel relevant to them. The details are as follows:
I just wanted to share our upcoming webinars for children and young people, including Staying calm during exam season.
These will take place on:
24th of March at 9:10am
26th of March at 2:30pm
Another webinar we are offering is Anxiety: know it, name it, calm it.
These will take place on:
17th of March at 9:10am
19th of March at 2:30pm
If you would like to sign up to any of those webinars, please do so here
As always, we have our professional webinars available to give you some information about Kooth.
To see when they are happening and to sign up, please do so here.
Future Fridays Cooking Up a Storm
Last Friday afternoon, after the blog was shared, I had the arduous task of helping to sample and judge the Future Fridays Cooking Club that has been running over the last few weeks. Run and led by a member of our school community Lorna Robinson and in conjunction with Tony’s Safe Place a number of pupils over the last few weeks have been developing their cooking skills. Friday marked the culmination of the block with pupils choosing and then cooking their own dish. The feedback has been brilliant and fingers crossed we get to run this activity again soon.
Goodbye Jacqui
Today marked the last day in school for one of our ASNA’s Jacqui Reilly. Jacqui has been redeployed by the council to work at Westfield Primary School where she starts on Monday. Jacqui has been a wonderful addition to the support team in the school and her calm, pupil centred approach will be greatly missed by pupils and staff alike.
Pupil Voice in Action
In the next few days, the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit are working with pupils in Greenfaulds as part of their project. I’m delighted that they are keen to hear the voices of our young people which will help shape a national report. A summary from the team is as follows:
The project seeks to enhance understanding of the narrative within media and wider public perceptions that there have been significant increases in violence amongst young people across Scotland. The way this is framed often stigmatises and demonises children and young people, the majority of whom are not involved in violence, and never will be, whilst overlooking the challenges of growing up in today’s society.
By engaging with children and young people across Scotland, The Way We See It project will gather insights about their perceptions and experiences of violence as well as supporting them to shape the solutions they want to see – practical changes that can keep them and their communities safe and free from violence. Importantly, the project gathers diverse perspectives from across geography, demography, and the range of experiences relating to violence – from those who have never witnessed it, to those who have been victims and/or perpetrators.
Photography Competition Opportunity
I was contacted this week by Doracina Maule, a photographer based in Cumbernauld. They are currently developing a photography project titled “Bedside Tables”, which explores the personal spaces and objects of adolescents aged 13–19, offering a visual insight into their interests, routines, and personalities through the intimate lens of their bedroom bedside tables.
Participation would be entirely voluntary, and all students’ involvement would be conducted with full parental consent. The project will be carried out professionally and respectfully, ensuring privacy, comfort, and safety at all times.
Students who take part would:
- Allow a professional photographer to photograph their bedside table and its contents.
- Have the option to withdraw at any point.
This project is intended to celebrate the individuality of young people and will be shared publicly in exhibitions, online galleries, or as part of a photography portfolio — always with parental consent and anonymization options where requested.
If your son/daughter would like to get involved please ask them to contact dmaule02@gmail.com
Parent Council Reminder
The Parent Council is a hugely helpful and informative body for me as Head Teacher and for the wider school. If you would like to attend any or all of the sessions this year the dates are as follows:
Monday 26th of January
Monday 23rd of February
Monday 30th of March
Monday 27th of April
Monday 18th of June (in person and always a bring a dish night for a catch up and some lovely food).
If you would like to find out more, please contact me at the school.
Evening Study Support 2025-26
Registration for this year’s evening webinars is now live. Study Support | e-Sgoil
Study support is for Senior Phase learners (S4-S6) who are working towards National Qualifications.
This year’s programme offers 55 weekly webinars covering 29 subjects across N4 to Advanced Higher levels.
PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU WILL NEED TO BE LOGGED INTO GLOW TO ACCESS THE REGISTRATION FORM.
If you do not know your Glow username and password, please speak to a member of staffwho will be able to provide you with these.
Webinars will start week beginning 27th October 2025 and will run through to the SQA exams. Timetable is below:
Support for pupils with ASN
As a parent with a child who has an additional support need, I know that information can be particularly helpful to ensure you are supporting your young person in the best possible way. The Support for Learning department work closely with Speech and Language therapy, Occupational Therapy, Hope for Autism and the Neurodevelopmental Team. If your child is on a waiting list to see any of the services, or have been given an identification of an Additional Support need, the following Facebook pages may be useful to you. They share hints and tips, have rolling programmes of local workshops for parents and children on common themes such as Sleep, Anxiety, language processing, sensory difficulties.
NHS Lanarkshire Children and young people, Occupational Therapy
https://www.facebook.com/share/19hopRtsiN/
Speech and language therapy NHS Lanarkshire
https://www.facebook.com/share/1BevUC39FW/
Neurodevelopmental service-CYS NHS
Hope for Autism
https://www.hopeforautism.org.uk
Free School Meals
A reminder to all families, if your family normally receives Free School Meals please remember to reapply for continuation of this service as it does not automatically continue each year. Families need to apply annually. There have been a few incidences since we returned of pupils not having money on their cards. We did of course ensure that they received lunch but please do ensure that you have reapplied for Free School Meals. Please apply here: Free School Meals and Clothing Grant Application | North Lanarkshire Council
EMA 2025-26 session
The new EMA form is now live on the NLC website for the new session 2025/2026 starting in August. Any students who got EMA last years has to reapply this year.
To apply you must meet the following criteria
| Gross Taxable income | No. of dependent children in household | Award |
| Up to £24,421 | 1 | £30 |
| Up to £26,884 | 2+ | £30 |
Please note – dependent children are all those up to the age of 16 and those over the age of 16 and up to age 25 if they are in full time Further or Higher Education (proof required).
Once students have their form completed and a letter confirming they are getting EMA they should bring their EMA contract to Mr Adler who will then discuss attendance requirements with the students, but to get EMA students must have excellent attendance and be on time to school.
Community News
I am always happy to share community news within the HT Blog and this week have a few information posters to share with you. If you would like to engage with the following relevant bodies, their contact details should be noted on the information posters.
I am writing to introduce ADHD Network Scotland, a local third-sector organisation providing community-based ADHD support across North Lanarkshire, including Chryston through the Community hubs.
We currently offer Monthly, informal drop-in support sessions and Monthly formal facilitated group sessions beginning next week within the Chryston Community Hub for:
- Parents and carers of children or young people with ADHD (diagnosed or on a waiting list)
- Adults who are late-identified or beginning to question ADHD in themselves
These sessions are designed to provide practical, non-judgemental support for those navigating the realities of ADHD at home, in education, and in everyday life. Many parents attending are managing their own neurodivergence alongside supporting their child, and often benefit from having space to understand both experiences together.
The drop-ins can support parents and carers with:
- Understanding ADHD and how it may present at home and in school
- Making sense of regulation, behaviour, and emotional overwhelm
- Building practical scaffolding and routines that support themselves and their young person
- Reducing isolation and helping families feel less alone
The sessions are facilitated by a qualified Advanced ADHD Coach with lived experience and are not diagnostic, clinical, or assessment-based. They are offered as early, preventative, and relational support within the community.
Dates for your diary
Tuesday 3rd February: S2 Parents’/Carers’ Night (4.30pm – 7pm)
Thursday 12th February: S4 Parents’/Carers’ Night (4.30pm – 7pm)
I hope you have a lovely weekend.
Moran Taing
Jamie
Jamie Vaughn-Sharp
Head Teacher
