Head Teacher Blog
Dear Parent/Carer
I hope you are well.
This week has been very much shaped around receiving a lot of positive news regarding pupils reaching finals of assorted competitions. As such, I come to the end of this week exceptionally proud of the huge amount of achievement within this week’s HT Blog.
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.
Family Views
The views of families are really important to us in helping shape the plan for school improvement for next year. If you could, I would greatly appreciate you finding 5-10 minutes over the course of this weekend to complete this form (family evaluation form) to help shape our school to ensure that all our pupils achieve their best.
Athletics Success
On Saturday 7th June, Laura Howat in S1 and Sophie Robertson S4 were both crowned Scottish Schools’ Champions in their respective age groups in the Hammer Throw competitions. These Gold medal performances were outstanding achievements and testament to their dedication in training and strength of mindset in this challenging environment. Laura threw a personal best and Sophie retained her title from last year with a huge throw of 58m!
We also had 2 first time appearances in these National Championships from Ella Lawson in S1 and Jamie Fairclough in S2 who both acquitted themselves admirably in a large pool of athletes from schools across the country in the Combined Events discipline. The challenge of competing across multiple events against more senior pupils will stand them in great stead as they progress within the sport – a massive well done to both for wearing our school colours with pride and doing so well!
Huge congratulations also goes to the Girls U17 Relay team who enjoyed great success at the Scottish Schools’ Relay championships held last Friday. They qualified fastest for the final but were just pipped at the post by The High School of Dundee. Their Silver medal very much consolidates their success from last year where they were joint winners with the same opponents. It was the most competitive race of all the finals on the day and an embodiment of the Ambitious value we are working hard to encourage in all Greenfaulds pupils. The team consisted of Hannah MacLeod S3, Lily Cutler S2, Ava Gaffney S4 and Niah Taylor S4. Thanks to the friends and families for their support on the day and transport.
Skye Trip
Last week a number of our amazing Gaelic Pupils spent the week on my childhood home of the Isle of Skye. Isla Duke and Carly Hall have generously given me the following account in Gaelic and in English.
Hai, an t-seachdain sa chaidh, chaidh sgoilearan bhon roinn Ghàidhlig dhan t-Eilean Sgitheanach airson turas cultarach agus airson ar Gàidhlig a’ leasachadh. Tron t-seachdain ghabh sinn pàirt ann an iomadh cuir seachad.
Chaidh sinn gu taighean-tasgaidh (taigh-tasgaidh dìneasaran agus taigh-tasgaidh beatha nan eilean, bhruidhinn sinn ri daoine bhon eilean mu cultar agus eachdraidh na Gàidhlig agus an sgìre mun cuairt oirnn. Chaidh sinn gu Ratharsaigh far an robh Chrissie Gillies, a tha a fuireach air an Eilean, gar teagasg mu eachdraidh an eilean. A bharrachd air seo, chaidh sinn air turas mu thimcheall an t-Sabhal Mhòr (Colaiste Gàidhlig an Eilean) is chaidh sinn chun na tràghad, agus…dhan chippy!
B’ e turas air leth spòrsail agus buannachdail a bh’ ann agus tha sinn an dòchas gum faigh sinne agus daoine eile an cothrom a’ dhol ann a-rithist. Rinn sinn tòrr cheangalan cudromach is dh’ ionnsaich sinn an uiread mun chanan is ar cultar.
Hello, last week some pupils from the Gàidhlig department went on a cultural trip to the Isle of Skye to improve our knowledge of Gàidhlig. During the week we took part in a variety of different activities.
We went to museums (the dinosaur museum and the Island Life Museum), and we spoke to people from the island about the culture and history of Gàidhlig and the surrounding area. We went to Raasay and were shown around by Chrissie Gillies who lives there, and she taught us all about the history of the island. We went on a tour round the Sabhal Mòr Ostaig campus (the Gàidhlig college on the island) and got a taste of student life there and we went to the beach… oh, and let’s not forget the chippy!
It was a highly fun and beneficial trip, and we hope that we and future pupils get the chance to visit again. We made many very important connections and links and we learned so much about our language and culture.
New College Lanarkshire Winners
I was delighted to hear this week that Greenfaulds High has won the New College Lanarkshire Schools’ Prize for the Arts category.
Their submission really captured the essence of the brief, with a clear focus on sustainability and reusing material to support the circular economy.
The winners will be visiting the NCL Coatbridge Campus on Monday 16th April to receive their prize.
Art Winner
On Thursday afternoon I received a letter from the Director of Public Health and Health Policy to notify me that of the hundreds of entries to the Director of Public Health Annual Report artwork competition, Runa Lamb of S1 was the Secondary School Winner! Amazing stuff by Runa. Her artwork will be featured in the annual report, and she will receive a plaque and a certificate to mark her achievement.
Ice Cool
Mrs Gallagher in Maths this week updated me as to the progress of Logan Newall in S4 who took part in the ‘U16 Ronnie Millar Tournament’ for Ice Hockey. His team ‘Lanarkshire Lightning’ won!!! He is superb!
A.F.S.O. Champion
This past weekend, Jared Scott of S2 was in Leicster competing in the A.F.S.O. Thai Boxing Competition and becmae the British Champion at 44Kg. An incredible achievement!
Duke of Edinburgh Expedition
We would like to congratulate the 23 amazing pupils who, on Wednesday completed their Duke of Edinburgh expedition. They walked 15miles over 2 days with huge rucksack in the heat working within a team to navigate, cook and independently travel without adult supervision. An amazing achievement – well done everyone!
Future Fridays
A reminder to families that today (13th of June) is the last day this term for Future Fridays. A massive thank you to Ms Kirkwood and Mrs Jeffrey for their leadership of the wide range of clubs and activities which take place each week.
Uniform
As highlighted last week, from August we want to ensure a consistency of messaging around school uniform. To that end, I’m delighted to share the following clearer uniform policy which will be enacted from August.
The school uniform is as follows:
Black shoes
Black trousers or skirt
White shirt or blouse
School tie
School blazer
Black jumper or cardigan (optional)
Hoodies are not part of the school uniform
For PE:
Black bottoms (shorts/leggings/jogging bottoms)
White or black t-shirt.
Trainers.
Bring a bobble/hairband if you have long hair.
If you can’t remove jewellery, you must bring tape and tape it up.
Our rationale for school uniform is namely:
- Pride in attending such an amazing school
- Security in identifying non-Greenfaulds Young People within the building
From August, hoodies will no longer be permitted in school. Whilst some pupils may wear them to come into and to leave school, they will be asked to place them in their bags at form time and leave them there until the end of the day. Pupils in school wearing hoodies during the day will be challenged over this and will be asked to remove them. This decision we believe helps to provide clarity over uniform and helps to improve security around pupils within the school. Unfortunately, this session there have been occasions when young people who do not attend Greenfaulds have attempted to access the building. The absence of hoods across the school will improve everyone’s security and safety.
Moreover, as an incentive to wearing blazers within school the merit system which has been successfully reintroduced this session during form time will now insist that pupils wear a blazer to gain a merit point. Furthermore, as a step towards incentivising the advantage of a blazer, we are changing one aspect of the school at the end of break and lunch. Traditionally the central staircase has been seen as the Senior Stairs. However, from August this will become a staircase that any pupil wearing a blazer can use.
Where pupils are attending school not in any uniform, we will also be contacting home to request uniform is brought into school for them to change into. In our recent survey 80% of families were supportive of this initiative.
To support families in purchasing a blazer, our school uniform supplier Scotcrest has been booked to come in on Wed 16th July from 1pm to 3pm to support any sizing issues. I am also acutely aware of the challenges that many of us are facing due to the ongoing cost of living. And as a school we have a wealth of preloved items of school uniform, all of which are free to good homes. Whilst I am passionate about pupils attending in school uniform, I do not want any family finding themselves stretched financially.
If you are considering purchasing school uniform from our supplier their website is available here.
Where you have concerns relating to this, please contact your child’s pastoral PT or Year Head in the first instance.
Former Pupil News
Last week, I was delighted to share the news of a former pupil, Ava MacKinnon. This week I wanted to share an update regarding another former pupil Georgia Knox. Georgia has just received a First Class Honours in Law from Strathclyde. She’s a former school captain and very fondly remembered by all staff. A massive congratulations to you!
SQA – Your Results Booklet
Click on the link for Your Results booklet – SQA which will give you information on the following:
EMA 2025-26 session
The new EMA form is now live on the NLC website for the new session 2025/2026 starting in August.
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
Cumbernauld Rugby Club are delighted to announce that we will have an U15s team playing competitively next season. This is a great achievement! If you would like more information the poser below should help.
Dates for your diaries
I thought it might be helpful to share with you a few key dates for the next few weeks.
19th June: Prize Giving Ceremony – more information to follow
24th June: S4/5 Graduation Ceremony
I hope you have a lovely weekend
Moran Taing
Jamie
Jamie Vaughn-Sharp
Head Teacher
