schools & clubs

clubs & schools

Bridge of Weir Primary

Written by the News Team It might have been a December like no other, but Bridge of Weir Primary School and ELCC managed to make it as much fun as possible in a safe way. Reindeer Run On Monday 7th December every class in school had their own time slot to head out into the playground to run the famous ‘Daily Mile’ for a good cause. Complete with class-made antlers and accessories, pupils ran laps around the playground - accompanied by strains of ‘Run, Run, Rudolph!” Several teachers even joined in the fun. A fabulous £841 pounds was donated. A cheque for £500 was presented to CHAS, the children’s hospice charity. The rest went to school funds. Maxine Campbell from CHAS said “We are so happy to hear that the pupils had a great day taking part in their sponsored Reindeer Run – the pictures are fab! We appreciate this has been a difficult year for everyone, so we are very grateful for the support from Bridge of Weir Primary.” The (virtual) panto also came to school and pupils enjoyed the laughs (and terrible jokes) of Robin Hood. And you may have noticed the new Christmas lights in Bridge of Weir. Some of these lights were designed by pupils who won the design competition. These talented pupils had their drawings turned into actual lights for the village to enjoy (see the Community Council Facebook page for pictures). We’re looking forward optimistically to 2021 - more learning, laughing and good times ahead. Happy new year!

Kilmacolm Playgroup

It has been lovely being back at Playgroup seeing the happy, smiling children enjoying themselves. We have been very busy welcoming our new boys and girls to playgroup life and they have all settled very well. Our themes we have been exploring have been Autumn, Halloween and fireworks. Lots of fun crafts and busy tuff table sensory play has kept the children very busy. The children have also enjoyed plenty of physical play in our large hall upstairs playing on the trikes and bikes and practising our balancing skills on the stepping stones.

Houston Primary School

Houston & Corseford School Enterprise Team The pupils from Houston Primary and Corseford School took part in a joint project to raise funds for Children in Need. The pupils in the committee came up with the idea to have a nature photograph competition and choose the best ones to create a calendar. We received a huge amount of entries from very many talented photographers. The subject matter was amazing with fantastic shots of woodpeckers, roe deer, ladybirds, trees and flowers to name but a few. The judges from both schools had a very difficult job. The calendar is on sale now at £5. Fundraising At this time of year when online spending is at a peak we would very much appreciate it if you can help us by collecting free donations each time you shop online. Click on the link below to register. easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/houstonpsc/ Christmas Light Competition Congratulations to Stephanie Ingham, who is this year’s winner of the Christmas Light competition. Her design will take pride of place in the village display and for many years to come. Poppy Pebbles Primary 7 pupils have been learning about Armistice. They created their own poppy pebbles and placed them at the War Memorial in the village.

Duchal Nursery

We have been making the most of our park location taking walks around the local green spaces, collecting leaves and being creative in our outdoor classroom, whatever the weather the Duchal children love being outside! Thank you to Colin Cox Fitness for running a personal training session for us in the park, the children were so engaged and loved all the activities, a fabulous way to introduce them to the benefits of exercise. We’ve been using our outdoor space for creativity and messy play, there has been plenty of time at the mud kitchen and painting autumnal images using broccoli paint brushes!!! Inside as well as imaginative play, there has been an emphasis on team work and interactive learning. Our pre school year are flourishing and progressing so well with their fine motor skills and learning preparing them for starting school. They really benefit from the quiet space which allows them to work separately from the younger children, making the most of our 3 separate classrooms. We are currently taking registrations for August 2021, Duchal is an independent nursery with our children moving on to various local schools in Inverclyde, Renfrewshire and Glasgow. We are open daily until 6pm during term time and offer free funded hours. If you would like to find out more, please get in touch and we can arrange a visit the Nursery to meet the teachers and see our facilities. Email info@ duchal.com. Visit our website www.duchal.com and our Facebook page for further information.

local community, local life ............... Gryffe High News

GryffeStyles Week – 3K Fun Run Our annual 3K Fun Run, which has been running now for over 20 years, was brought into doubt this year with ongoing restrictions, particularly with mass gatherings. Not to be defeated, an adapted VIRTUAL 3K Fun Run was organised to take place over our September weekend. This allowed our pupils and staff to continue to experience this annual event, whilst also being able to extend this out to families and our wider community and of course raise money for our chosen charity – Beatson Cancer Charity. This event was the climax to our healthy lifestyles week – GryffeStyles – with all departments contributing to our healthy lifestyles focus on week beginning Monday 21st September as well as our S6 Citizenship and Wellbeing committee delivering lesson to S1 on LGBT, Resilience, Black Lives Matters and By-Stander Approach. With money still coming into our Just Giving page – www.justgiving.com/ gryffehs3kfunrun - we have now reached a total of £2110 to be donated to this great cause. Amazing!!

Charity News – Foodbank Collections are Delivered We recently delivered our Foodbank collections to the Trussell Trust: Renfrewshire Foodbank. Every house contributed, with Mackintosh just out there in front with the most donations. Well done to everyone who contributed to such a worthwhile cause. The House Captains had the responsibility of packaging up donations. On the way to the drop-off, they dropped by Houston and Killellan Kirk to ensure their weekly donation was dropped off safely as well. On arrival at Trussell Trust in Renfrew, they were given an informative talk about the next stage for the donations and how they are distributed to those in need. Gryffe Pupils, Parents, Carers and Staff should be very proud of their contributions and the benefit they will have to those in need in the local area.

St Benedict’s High School

St Benedict’s High School, and in particular Project Leader of Employability Jonathan Cook, were thrilled to see the pupils committing to learning outside the classroom during these unprecedented times. They have managed to form and keep external partnerships, most recently with Law firm DYW, who has set up a four-part programme via microsoft teams. The pupils have not let the pandemic nor the usage of ICT dampen their spirits as they progress through the course which focuses on their skills and employment prospects. PL Jonathan Cook said he was very proud of the pupils and was inspired by their courage, positivity, and togetherness during such hard times.

Old Ranfurly Golf Club

Sadly, we have not been able to restart any of our classes, we look forward to brighter days ahead. Sending best wishes to all class members for Christmas and wishing you all a healthy and happier new year. Take Care and stay safe! Fiona - 07811 766672 Once again the ladies of Old Ranfurly have managed a fun day on the course, inspite of the present diffi culties we are all facing. The Santa Swing is our annual Christmas Event and although it was different this year we had great time and all enjoyed ourselves. Last Saturday 36 ladies took to the course in teams of 4 playing a Stableford competition in greensomes. The ladies also donned a great variety of Christmas outfi ts, including a wide range of fun jumpers and hats. Although cold the sun was shining!! The winners were Shirley Bell and Lana Wilson with a great 34 points!! This year instead of prizes and gifts from Santa each participant brought a bag of groceries for the local food bank. All the

Regular Meet Classes

Move it or Lose it

ladies are now looking forward to the new golf season!! Roll on 2021!! Zumba Light St Fillan’s Church, Kilmacolm Tuesdays at 10am - all levels

Zoom Pilates classes

Mondays at 9.30am - 10.30am & 7pm - 8pm

Tel: Yvonne 07786 224367 or yvonne@ clydephysiotherapy.co.uk Jennifer Sloan Physiotherapy Led Pilates

Kilmacolm Community Centre, Tuesday at 6.45pm - all levels

Wednesdays at 6.15pm - 7.15pm A brilliant new Reebok Step class.

For more information or to book a class call Jennifer 07731 303709 or email: jennifer-mcghee@hotmail.co.uk Mondays at 10am

All the fun and energy of Zumba but at a lighter pace! Fabulous music, full of fun - a fantastic class for for all levels. Contact Mo 07505 126416.

Rebok Step Class

Freeland’s Church Hall, B of W

& 7.30pm - 8.30pm Lots of fun, fab music and a fantastic workout. Why not come along and give it a go? Booking essential. Contact Mo 07505 126416. Due to current government advice many of the classes which usually feature in this section have been unable to resume for the time being. Check out previous Advertizers oR our website for various class details and contact information.

Kilmacolm Golf Club

Above: Lady Captain’s Day Winner 2020 Below: KGC New Golf Studio

The ladies’ section rounded off the season with a fi nal fl urry of competitions. Lady Captain’s Day saw members young and old, with a range of handicaps, taking part in the tri-am competition over 9 or 18 holes. Winners of the 18-hole competition were Stella Bowie, Shelagh Palmer and Ann Tanner with a great score of nett 66. The 9-hole competition was a family affair with Clair Barclay, Lesley Handley and young Lucie Barclay taking home the prize. A delicious afternoon tea was enjoyed afterwards. 39 ladies also turned out for the Ladies Final Swing competition to mark the end of the season. Winners of the fun 10-hole Texas scramble competition were Ladies Captain, Jackie Sayers, Maura Whyte and Janette Dunsmore. Congratulations too to Nicky Stirrup and Lucy Woods who are through to the second round of the national Daily Mail Foursomes competition after a close match against opponents from Gleddoch Golf Club. Good luck in the next round. The season may be over but there’s still plenty of opportunity to get out on the course as we look forward to our winter knockouts. The Jack Frost singles and the Winter Foursomes are now underway so hopefully the weather will continue to be kind to us. For those looking to play social games, the Tuesday morning Winter Ball game is an informal opportunity for ladies to play 10 holes throughout the winter. Simply book on the App or in the pro shop by 9am on the day. The winter season is also a perfect time to work on improving your game and demand for the ladies coaching sessions has been high with sessions running on Tuesdays and Fridays. If you are keen to improve your game over the winter months, our club pro Stuart Roberts will be running a variety of sessions so please do get in touch. Keep up to speed with the latest news and events - follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/KilmacolmGolf/

The addition of a new state of the art indoor studio providing two bays will be a welcome addition to golfers this winter. The studio is available for tuition, practice and fun rounds of golf, and will add to the already great facilities on offer at the club. Members can book sessions via the App or at the pro shop.

Local tennis players have been enjoying the great outdoors at Strathgryffe Tennis, Squash & Fitness Club. Despite the local restrictions, group coaching has been able to continue outdoors and the children have been having a blast!

Coaching is available for children age 2 years upwards and adults of all ages. All playing standards welcome. The next block of coaching starting in January is now available. For further information go to: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/StrathgryffeLTC/ Coaching. If you have any coaching queries, email: derekbrown@strathgryffe.net. Strathgryffe continues to offer other social and competitive opportunities for tennis players. If you have any general queries, email: info@strathgryffe.net or go to our website: www.strathgryffe.net.

Ranfurly Castle Golf Club and Gregor and Lorne will be central to that. The Clubhouse is being revamped and a new professional will be joining soon. Exciting times are ahead for the Club. The 2020 Ranfurly Castle Golf Club Junior The Junior section at Ranfurly Castle has welcomed a number of new members in Championship final was keenly contested by two 2020 and if you are interested in joining for the 2021 season you should contact the brothers, Gregor and Lorne Rawson. Both boys have Junior Convenor, David Provan at the Club by email to gm@ranfurlycastlegolfclub. been regular team players for the Club in Junior co.uk or come along to any of our events for an informal chat. Newton Shield matches and the quality of golf in the final was excellent. After a close contest Gregor Junior Champion, Gregor Rawson won the match against his younger brother Lorne. receiving his trophy from Club Gregor was the defending champion and in a Captain, Eunice Muir and Junior great season he also won the championship at Old Convenor, Andrew Biggart Ranfurly Golf Club. The handicaps of both Gregor and Lorne continue to tumble and it will not be long before they are both single figure players. Andrew Biggart, departing Junior Convenor and a member of the R&A rules committee said “I refereed the junior final and had more to do on the day than at the Amateur Championship as the boys went head to head! There was some excellent golf on display and the game was played in great spirit.” Gregor and Lorne’s parents are believed to be fully recovered from an interesting day involving their household. Access to golf has been a beacon of light during the global pandemic and has seen a boost in the number of players joining clubs. Ranfurly Castle are preparing an exciting Junior programme for 2021