Head Teacher Blog
Dear Parent/Carer
I hope you are well.
As you read this, I hope you are having a good Friday the 13th and that no issues have befallen you. Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and I was very touched this week to receive a rose from our S6. They may or may not have been looking for a favour from me, but to be honest, I’m a sucker for gifts so I would have totally agreed to any request. I hope you have a weekend where you get to spend time with your loved ones (no easy task in this hectic world).
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.
Parents’/Carers’ Night
A big thank you to the families of S4 pupils who joined us for our S4 Parents’/Carers’ Night on Thursday of this week The event itself was intended to give families an opportunity to both discuss their child’s progress in the subject area as well as gaining some more information about pathways for S5.
Authority Visit
I had a meeting with a member of the central team this week to discuss an authority visit which will take place in March. This will be a 3-day visit where we will get the opportunity to showcase the work of the school community. To help us ensure that we have captured the most up to date views of families, I would greatly appreciate if you could complete this brief survey about the school – Survey. Thank you so much.
Battle of the Bands – Rockfest
This years ‘NLC Battle of the Bands – Rockfest’ is going to be taking place in Airdrie Town Hall on Wednesday 25th of Feb.
Bands from schools all across NLC will be competing for top place, which comes with a free recording session as well as a cash prize!
This years band entry from GHS will be ‘Redwood’, Consisting of:
– Freyja McIntyre (6NE2) – Vocals
– Aaron Mason (6LO1) – Bass Guitar
– Calvin Kerr (4SK) – Electric Guitar
– Arran Masson (5TH1) – Drum Kit
The band have been ‘quietly’ working away on their setlist (covers + an original) and are set to put on a fantastic show! It’s shaping up to be an amazing night and tickets are going fast.
Ticket are £5 and can be bought from Mr Sharpe in Music.
Sky Up Studio Visit
On Wednesday, some of our S2 pupils attended the Sky Up Studio in Livingston to develop their knowledge and understanding of performing in front of a camera, learning to use recording and editing equipment. Each group took on different roles including – Actors, Directors, Cinematographers and Editors. Our pupils really enjoyed the workshop, and their feedback has made us keen to look at introducing some of this content into our curriculum.
Outward Bound Opportunity
As a school, we work closely with Outward Bound. A number of our S5 and S6 pupils go on residentials with them, and for a number of years now we have been prioritised for funded places on Summer Programmes. Outward Bound has a worldwide reputation for being leading providers in outdoor education, which give young people skills in team work, resilience, leadership, and problem-solving.
We have 10 remaining ‘Golden tickets’ providing 50-75% off summer programmes. See information below. There are a variety of dates, centres and lengths of residential to choose from (the most popular for us is 7 or 14 day residentials to Loch Eil or Ullswater)
If your child is interested, please ask them to speak to Ms Jones in G086 asap. Closing date is the end of February for using the Golden tickets. Information is below about the summer programmes. Please note that this is an opportunity that school are providing, however this is not a school residential and there will be no school staff going.
Outward Bound Summer Adventures | The Outward Bound Trust
S6 Update
All families of pupils in our S6 should have received the following communication from Mrs McNaughton this week. But just in case it has landed in the wrong folder I thought it would be helpful to share it here:
Graduation
There has been a change of date for the S6 Graduation, this will now take place on Wednesday the 1st of April in school. More information will come out regarding the arrangements for this, including ticket allocation.
Leavers day
Our leavers celebrations will take place on Thursday the 2nd of April. We will have a number of fun activities planned and will share this with you nearer the time.
Leavers Merchandise
Our Hoodies and Yearbook planning are well underway and working toward a completion date of the end of this month. Pupils can now pay for their Greenfaulds mementos on iPay under each of the following items:
Leavers Hoodies – £22
Yearbooks – £15
These can be paid in full or paid up in instalments. If pupils are wishing to buy these items, they must be paid in full by the 13th of March
Prom – Friday the 5th of June 2026 @ Voco Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow.
All pupils should now have paid their £10 deposits prior to Christmas. Final balances are due by the 24th of April. Total cost for Prom including transport to and from the venue, is £50.
Seachdain na Gaidhlig Ceilidh
Community Learning and Development in partnership with North Lanarkshire Council and Comann nam Pàrant are hosting the Family Ceilidh on the 27th of Feb. This event is for the whole Gaelic community and is not being organised by the GME schools. If your child would like to perform a solo, instrumental piece, a poem or dance please complete the form below with the details. If there are duets/groups of children that would like to perform together, please email Hendersoncat@northlan.gov.uk
Performers will be allocated on a first come first served basis should we find we are time limited to include all applicants. The concert will start at 6.30pm with the first half finishing at 8pm. There will then be a 15 minute break followed by a Ceilidh dance 8.15 – 9.30pm.
There will also be performances from Norrie Maciver, Cumbernauld Gaelic Choir and 2025, An Comunn Gàidhealach Gold Medal winner, Caitlin Yule.
If you require any further information please contact,
Seachdain na Gàidhlig Ceilidh – child performer sign up form – Fill in form
Any adults wishing to perform should sign up via this link:
To reserve tickets for the event please use the Eventbrite link:
Languages Survey
I was contacted this week by North Lanarkshire Council to request pupils to complete a short survey as part of the Curriculum Improvement Cycle for Languages.
The purpose of the survey is to gather the views and experiences of young people about learning languages, so that their perspectives can inform the next version of the Languages curriculum.
The scope of the survey is deliberately limited and focuses on what children and young people think should be part of the Languages curriculum.
Education Scotland – Languages Pupil Feedback 2026 – Fill in form
Generation Tech – Student Opportunity (Glasgow)
This week we received information about a an event in Glasgow taking place in early March which looked like a great opportunity for a number of our pupils.
Generation Tech is an exciting one-day technology challenge designed to boost young people’s digital skills. Students will work in teams to solve coding problems, debug robots, and complete a series of hands-on technology challenges — all supported by professional technologists from JPMorganChase.
Participants will develop valuable skills including:
- Problem-solving
- Introductory Python coding
- Teamwork
- Communication
Basic to intermediate Python knowledge is helpful but not required. Enthusiasm and a willingness to learn are what matter most!
Eligibility
To take part, students must:
- Be 14–18 years old
- Have a parent/guardian complete the registration form
- Be able to attend in person on 7 March
- Agree to the AV Waiver & Additional Release Terms during registration
Date: Saturday 7 March 2026
Location: JPMorganChase Glasgow Office
Audience: Secondary pupils aged 14–18
How to Register
Students can register here: https://tinyurl.com/GenTec
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 23rd of February
Monday 30th of March
Monday 27th of April
Monday 25th of May (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
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 with a photo, their address to send the card to and give permission to apply for a card.
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.
Dates for your diary
Monday 16th February: School closed to staff and pupils
Tuesday 17th February: School closed to staff and pupils
Wednesday 18th February: Inset Day for Staff (School closed to pupils)
Thursday 19th February: Pupils return to school
I hope you have a lovely weekend.
Moran Taing
Jamie
Jamie Vaughn-Sharp
Head Teacher
