Balfron Highlights

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to the June edition of Balfron Highlights.   As we speed towards the summer holidays, it is a pleasure to reflect on the last six weeks of events and activities at Balfron High.  I am grateful to staff who work tirelessly to create and offer opportunities beyond the curriculum to help our young people find their thing.  You will see many examples in this edition of Balfron Highlights.

This is the tip of the iceberg, but some food for thought... at Balfron high during session 2024-25:

• teachers each taught 900 lessons per year (on average)

• each learner goes to 1209 lessons (plus 156 form classes) per year

• senior phase pupils sat approx 2578 exams this SQA diet (72 fewer than last session)

• 25 regular weekly sports clubs (4 more than last session)

• 22 creative, weekly gaming and academic clubs (6 more than last session)

• 54 Inter-House activities (13 more than last session)

• 3 international trips - Austria, Spain, Zanzibar (same number as last year)

• 9 residential trips in UK (including Duke of Edinburgh Bronze expedition)

• 451 excursions during or after school hours (twice as many as last session)

• 4 school show performances

• 2 concerts (orchestra, brass ensemble, ceilidh band, choir, flute ensemble, jazz band, rock band, string quartet, wind band)

• 2 Rock Gigs (3 bands)

Last Day of Term

Friday is our last day of term.  This will be a non-uniform day for pupils and staff.  We ask that everyone who can, brings a donation of dry food or toiletries for the Balfron Larder. We quietly and regularly support families in our community when they need our help, so keeping the larder stocked is a priority.  Anything you can do to contribute to our larder is much appreciated.

If you have senior pupils who had SQA revision guides and have finished with them, we would be very happy to receive and distribute them to those who may struggle to buy them.  Please ask your child to pass them to Dr Burns who will see that they get to a good new home! 

Mr Braid has requested that all buses pick-up at 12.10pm on Friday.  We hope that this will make for a smooth dismissal. School formally closes at 1pm.  

Exam Results & Course Changes

SQA exam results will be with young people on Tuesday 5 August.  The Balfron Leadership Team will be in school to call each home on Wednesday 6 August to check-in with candidates.  

If your child is going into S5/6 and wishes to make changes to their subject choices you can make an appointment for them to see Mr Braid on Wednesday 6th August between 10am and 4pm or on Thursday 7th August between 10am and 2pm. 

These bookings can be made using the same website that is used for booking parents' evening appointment. Once you have made your booking, you will be able to add a message stating whether your child wishes to discuss subject changes in-person at school or over the phone. Whilst you will make the booking, it is not essential for you to attend the meeting as I am happy to discuss subject changes just with your child. Also, if you wish to leave your child’s mobile number, I am happy to call them directly during the appointment slot.  

The booking system will open at 6pm on Tuesday 5th August and can be found using the following link: https://balfron.schoolcloud.co.uk/

You can log in using your full first name and surname, and the pupil’s date of birth.

We recognised a dip in school uniform over the year and a working group have updated the policy.  Pupils have been advised of an update to our approaches that will start in the new term.  The presentation shared with young people is on the right. You can buy uniform online from Borders Embroidery or from the Balfron High Parent Council Clothing Co.  The Balfron Clothing co will be running pop up shops in school on Friday 27 June, Wednesday 30 July, Wednesday 6 August and Wednesday 13 August.  If you have items in good condition that you would be happy to donate, please drop them in.

School Priorities for 2025-26

• Increased consistency in high quality Learning & Teaching

• Improved Wellbeing & Inclusion of all young people

• Increased Curriculum Pathways (increased range of courses)

• Improved Attainment & Achievement (5 qualifications for all)

• Increased influence of Pupil Voice on Improvement

Feedback on Balfron Highlights is always welcome.  I am pleased to receive that directly 

Wishing you a wonderful summer holiday.  Pupils return to school on Wednesday 13 August. 

Elaine Bannatyne

Head Teacher

Planning for Next Year

S4 pupils took part in study sessions when the timetable changed.  We all have access to Live N Learn revision resources.  If you'd like to have a look or want to encourage your child (any yeargroup) to get organised for the new term, log-in to the portal through the website:

www.live-n-learn.co.uk portal code: SP2021  (The icon is on the top right corner)

Progressive Masculinity - date for your diary

Thank you to those who registered an interest in an online parents workshop.  46 people responded and I have gone ahead and added a parent session to coincide with the pupil assemblies. These are booked on 8th October 2025.  Please pop this date in your diary - everyone is welcome to log-on.  Here are the details for the parent session:

Progressive Masculinity are inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting hosted By Howard Turner.

Topic: Progressive Masculinity Parental Support Session
Time: Oct 8, 2025 06:00 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81522574205?pwd=MqvqL4EAmFEB6TPGEVqqaz08cSOzbi.1

Meeting ID: 815 2257 4205
Passcode: 117873