Balfron Highlights

Dear Parents and Carers,

Welcome to the May edition of Balfron Highlights.  I am really pleased to share  below photos and videos that will give you a taste of the many activities on offer in addition to our curriculum since last month's Highlights.  I am firmly of the view that school should give our young people the opportunity to find their thing. I am proud of the offer that our hard working staff provide in addition to their core job. 

It was with mixed emotions that we said goodbye and good luck to our outgoing S6 last month. They had a fantastic morning of celebration and fun, followed by a formal graduation with their parents/carers in the evening.  They are going off to many and varied new chapters that include gap years, college places, apprenticeships and university places the length and breadth of the country.  While we are sad to see them go, we are proud of their achievements and privileged to be part of their story.  We all wish them well on their next adventure beyond Balfron High.

Progressive Masculinity

Recently the programme Adolescence raised the profile and got many of us talking about the negative impact of influencers, social media, the manosphere, online gaming and knife crime.

Following surveys and reports at our school, we have noted that some young people are increasingly using concerning and offensive  language associated with the manosphere.  When we returned after the holiday, some staff took part in some excellent training with Progressive Masculinity who provide input for young people, staff and parents.  

I have booked Progressive Masculinity for a series of assemblies for our young people in September 2025.  The assemblies aim to engage and educate our pupils on the importance of positive masculinity.

Progressive masculinity also offer an online parents input that lasts approx. 1.5 hours.  I would be happy to book this if there are enough parents keen to attend.  In the last year we have offered sessions for parents with Live and Learn (study skills) and Landed (vaping and cannabis use) with very little uptake.  As there is a significant cost, I am keen to  gauge whether to go ahead with this before diving in.  If the  online parent workshop is something you would be interested in, please could you note your interest through this Google Form.

Mobile Phones Update

In March/April, our school working group met, Ms Miller led a focus group of young people and the group reflected on feedback.

We believe it is the best interests of young people to roll out the use of boxes for phones into S4.  From May 19th, S2-4 will be expected to put their phones in the box.  A link to the policy is below. 

The School App

I am pleased to share that following your feedback from our communication survey, we have purchased and are starting to use The School App.  This will run in addition to our usual communication and as a replacement to Twitter.  I hope that it will provide an efficient way for you to access news, photos, information and key dates.

Information on how to download and access the app is on the right. The username and pin code for the App is below.  We ask that this is not shared outside of the school community.

Username: BalfronHS

Pin code: 2001

We are trying out the app as a way of communicating to parents from our school trips in addition to other news.  It has been a wee bit glitchy, so be patient with us as we learn how best to use it.

Timetable Change

The timetable changes on Monday 19th May for new S2-4.  This is a couple of weeks earlier than usual adding two weeks to time spent in S4 preparing for National Qualifications.  We are sure that this will have a positive impact on achievement overall.

Feedback in general  is always welcome.  I am pleased to receive that directly 

Elaine Bannatyne

Head Teacher