Head Teacher Blog
Dear Parent/Carer
I hope you have had a good week.
So week 1 of the new timetable has come and gone. For our Seniors it also marks the return to school for them after their exam diet in May. For all other pupils, they have all moved up one year and make way for the new P7s who join us next week. A big thank you to staff and pupils for the way they have handled the change to classes and staff over the course of this week. In the next few weeks there will be further opportunities for our pupils to engage in the life of the school in a range of ways as we all start our new year.
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.
Timetable Update
As I said above, a big thank you to the whole school community which has engaged brilliantly in the new timetable which started on Monday. Particular thanks to those pupils who have worked really well with staff regarding the necessary re-coursing which has taken place this week. Personally, I’ve been struck by the maturity of the pupils I’ve spoken with about which classes they are unable to take due to low numbers or over-subscription. We always try to meet all pupils’ choices but I know you will appreciate that fitting in the many competing demands of over 350 young people over 5 columns with the wide variety of options makes making all the people happy all the time a real challenge.
For those pupils who have requested a subject change, for a reason other than an oversubscription or low numbers we will look to speak to these pupils in the next couple of weeks. However, I would stress that changes will only be actioned if the course they are wanting to move out of and into is:
- Based on exam/course performance
- Based on a requirement for ensuring that they meet entry requirements for an apprenticeship/college or university course.
Dancing the day away
Once again, Greenfaulds High School proudly hosted the North Lanarkshire Dance Championships on Thursday 4th June. Eleven schools from across North Lanarkshire came together to take part in a fantastic day of dance, showcasing the talent, dedication and hard work of our young performers across the authority.
We are delighted to announce that Greenfaulds High School retained the title as Overall School Champions. Our dance teams achieved an outstanding three first-places and two second places, which secured the points for the overall victory. We would like to congratulate all of the students who took part and extend our thanks to the dance team for their hard work, dedication and excellent representation of the school. This success is a testament to the commitment, effort and enthusiasm shown by our dancers throughout their preparation for the competition.
To finish our day of dance we had the Dance Showcase in the evening for our Dance teams friends and families to come and see what our Dance teams have been working on this year.
We continue to be incredibly proud of all our dancers and the positive example they continue to set within our school community. Well done!
Tinto Hill
As you will remember over 150 of our S1s took on the Tinto Hill recently to raise funds for St Andrew’s Hospice. Ms Kirkwood who led and organised the event passed on the following information to me this week.
A huge well done to all S1 pupils involved in our recent charity fundraising event. Together, you raised an amazing £4,002 for the hospice. Everyone’s hard work and enthusiasm has made a real difference, and I am sure the Hospice will be thrilled with your efforts.
A special well done goes to our top fundraisers: Zeke Keatings (1st), Emilia Sutherland (2nd) and Kyra-Lily Hyslop (3rd). As a well done for your efforts, you will receive a small prize. Zeke, Emilia and Kyra-Lily.
Thank you to everyone who donated, supported and took part.
Litter
As you know, I consistently stress to all pupils that their behaviour in the community is just as important as it is in the school. Greenfaulds is and should be very much part of our local community. As such, it does make me very disappointed that the actions of a minority reflects upon all of us. This week I have had contact from local residents regarding pupils dropping rubbish at lunchtime. As well as a visual mess it does create a hazard for animals as well as encouraging rodents in the area. Could I ask that you raise this issue with your son/daughter and ensure that they are not dropping litter in our lovely area.
Family Views
A big thank you to the families who took the time to complete our survey in relation to reports for this session and our plans for next. The majority of families indicated a preference to stick with the tracking reports stating the regularity of communication was preferable alongside the opportunity to find out more during parents/carers nights.
School Show Tickets
I came in on Wednesday morning and as I was crossing the car park I witnessed the carrying in of a huge prop (no spoilers) for the school show. A huge thank you to Mr Gunn for his work on this and to other family members who are supporting our show which takes place next week. A reminder that tickets are now on sale for GHS’s production of Little Shop of Horrors. Show nights are the 9th, 10th and 11th of June with a 7.15pm show start time. The kids have been working really hard and it promises to be a fantastic evening! Tickets are £5 and can be purchased from Ms Duncan or Mr Sharpe in Music.
Art Award Winners
This week we received notification that out of 750 entries to the RSA School Art Award that
these pupils had proven exceptional and been awarded the following prizes:
Eleyna Hamilton – 3rd Place: Junior Category
Additionally, the judges wish to recognize the following student as Highly Commended. All highly commended students also appear in the online exhibition.
Daniel Daley – Highly Commended: Senior Category
The judges also considered proposals for the Brodies Inspirational Art Department Award.
This was a particularly difficult prize to award as many proposals were of strong merit, resulting in the decision to award 3 schools this year – One of which was Greenfaulds. Amazing stuff!
GHS Primary Transition June 2025 – 3 day visit
As part of our ongoing P7 transition programme, our P7 Greenfaulds High School 3-day visit is taking place from Tuesday 9th June to Thursday 11th June from 8.55am– 3.30pm each day. This will allow pupils to follow their timetable for the three days in the classes that they will be in come August.
They will have the opportunity to meet staff and their Pupil Support teachers, and this will hopefully allay any of the fears and anxieties that they may still have.
Please note that lunch will be provided free of charge for all 3 days. Transport arrangements will be directed by your child’s Primary School, however, you are welcome to drop off and pick up your child directly at Greenfaulds.
In addition, this year we are offering a parental drop in session on Friday 12th June from 1.00 – 2.30pm for parents to come along and discuss any concerns that they may have following the 3 day visit. Please note that this is optional.
This year our expected S1 roll for August is currently 281 pupils from 13 primaries. We are really excited to welcome our new S1 cohort to Greenfaulds and working alongside families to ensure each child is supported, included and successful in the Greenfaulds community.
If you have any queries or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact Mrs Adler at the school.
Gaelic Family Learning Week
I was contacted this week by the Community Learning and Development Team about the following opportunity for families with pupils studying Gaelic:
We’re pleased to announce that Seachdain nan Teaghlach (Family Learning Week) will be returning to Sabhal Mòr Ostaig in the Isle of Skye 6–10 July 2026.
This is a week-long event which offers families with children in Gaelic-medium education the opportunity to develop their language skills together in an all-Gaelic environment and to mix with families from a similar background from different parts of the country. Parents will have the opportunity to attend Sabhal Mòr Ostaig’s language courses throughout the week, while their children take part in a wide range of Gaelic-medium activities, bringing families together in the evenings for a mix of family-friendly Gaelic-medium social events. The link for more information is here:
https://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk/family-week-2026/?lang=en
Gaelic Job Opportunity
A bheil Gàidhlig agaibh? A bheil thu ag ionnsachadh Gàidhlig no fileanta? A bheil ùidh agaibh ann an cànan agus cultar Gàidhlig?
Working within the Community Learning & Development team you will be responsible for supporting the delivery of CLD services as part of the Community Learning and Development Service, with a focus on community-based Gaelic services.
Your role will be to support the delivery of Gaelic language classes for adult learners in line with the North Lanarkshire Gaelic language plan, and CLD funding agreement.
North Lanarkshire Mod
The North Lanarkshire Mòd will take place on 18th and 19th September at Greenfaulds High School.
A Mòd is a traditional Scottish festival that celebrates Gaelic language, culture, and music. It brings people together to take part in a wide variety of competitions and performances, helping to promote and preserve Gaelic heritage while also welcoming those with no prior experience of the language.
The event includes a range of competitions in singing and recitation for both Gaelic and non-Gaelic
speakers, making it accessible and inclusive for all learners. There are also opportunities to participate in duets, piping, and choir competitions, allowing individuals and groups to showcase their talents in a supportive and celebratory environment.
Please see the link below for the full syllabus and entry form.
Mòd Ionadail Siorrachd Lannraig a Tuath Syllabus- 2026 – Google Docs
Graduate Apprenticeship Opportunity
Whilst almost all our School Leavers have already secured their first step beyond school, the following opportunity may be of interest to some of our budding Accountants from Laura Gruber
Apprenticeship Liaison Manager of the Global Accounting Centre
We’re excited to be recruiting for our 2026 Accounting Graduate Apprenticeship at our Global Accounting Centre in Glasgow. I’d really appreciate your support in sharing this with any students considering a career in accounting.
This is a fantastic opportunity for school leavers, offering:
✅ An Honours degree in Accountancy & Finance (RGU)
✅ A Chartered Accountant qualification (ICAS)
✅ Five years of hands-on experience in a global finance team
✅ A guaranteed full-time role on successful completion
✅ A strong support network and wider GA student community
🎯 Entry requirements: Minimum BBBB Highers (including English & Maths)
📅 Apply by: 9 June | Interviews: 16–19 June (flexibility available where needed)
Current student insight: A Day in the Life of a Current Gallagher GA Student
Link to apply: Graduate Apprentice – Chartered Accounting
Access to the school
As part of a review on building security, we have now moved to the main doors at the front and rear of the building being locked during class time. This is to ensure that only people can access our school via the visitor entrance and sign in at reception. If your young person is running late for any reason can you remind them of this and that they need to come in through the guest entrance. Thank you.
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
Young Scot Cards
Increasingly, the use of Young Scot Cards for our pupils are very important, both in and out of school. As such, if your son/daughter loses their card it can be problematic. We are able to apply for a replacement card on their behalf. However, we would ask that if you would like the school to do this, that parents/carers need to email Mr Adler nladlerp@northlan.org.uk with the students full name, date of birth, a photo, their address to send the card to and give permission to apply for a card.
Child Protection and Safeguarding
If you have concerns of a child protection or safeguarding nature, we would encourage you to use the following information.
Condorrat Summer Fayre
I really do value the help and support I receive from my Primary Colleagues across the Greenfaulds Cluster and as such it’s lovely to repay the favour with a shameless plug for the Condorrat Summer Fayre taking place tomorrow (Saturday).
Dates for your diary
Tuesday 9th of June: P7 Induction Day 1
School Show Night 1
Wednesday 10th of June: P7 Induction Day 2
School Show Night 2
Thursday 11th of June: P7 Induction Day 3
School Show Night 3
Friday 12th of June: P7 Family Drop-In (1.30pm – 2.30pm)
I hope you have a lovely weekend.
Moran Taing
Jamie
Jamie Vaughn-Sharp
Head Teacher
