Dear Parents and Carers,

As we head into the Christmas holidays, I would like to thank you all for your support over the term.  On reflection, we have had a fantastic term (October-December).  We continue to promote an ethos of achievement beyond the classroom where everyone has many opportunities to find their thing through:

Inter-house activities

Our House Captains are doing a fantastic job increasing participation and contributing to a strong inter house culture where everyone is encouraged to join in.  Some examples from this term include volleyball, caricature, debating, swim gala and Christmas doors competitions.

Participation

Our list of clubs is below. We have 19 sports clubs on offer and 23 creative and academic clubs.  In addition we have STEM Ontrack, Chat-N-Chill, boys football squads, many music groups and bands.

Additional activities and clubs this term include the Robotics Challenge Club on Thursday lunchtimes,  Balfron Bletherers podcast, Board games on Monday lunchtimes (C10) and Yoga on a Wednesday after school.

These activities are valuable and contribute greatly to the development of our young people. They widen friendship groups, build confidence, develop cognitive and life skills, increase aspiration, teach discipline, resilience and support our pupils to experience success and find their thing.

Join us in encouraging pupils to take part in the many opportunities available at Balfron High.  Our participation tracking shows the number of pupils that have taken part in activities beyond the classroom this session are:

S1: 127 out of 143 

S2: 140 out of 150 

S3: 126 out of 153

Pupils leading

• • Our sports leaders have been successfully delivering sessions at our associated primary and secondary schools. 

  • The Pod, a HWB drop-in led by S4 pupils who have undergone training by SAMH (with support from Mr Haig) is running on Monday lunchtimes.  

  • Through the Mentors in Violence Prevention programme, our S5 pupils were trained, planned and delivered sessions on not being a by-stander to our S1 pupils through PSE. It gives young people the chance to explore and challenge the attitudes, beliefs and cultural norms that underpin gender-based violence.  A strong emphasis has been placed on building healthy, respectful relationships both in the school and in the community. 

  • Our senior boys led excellent assemblies on Male Mental Health to all year groups. 

  • Our Equalities Group have led valuable assemblies this year on Black History month, Challenge Poverty, 

Wider achievement recognition 

We had our second set of wider achievement recognition assemblies.  Teachers nominated young people who have consistently displayed school values and others who have taken part in activities representing the school.  The slides are below by year group with the names of all of those who have been recognised this term. We continue to identify and celebrate the achievement of pupils who gain international status on our board and through our ceremonies. Please let us know if there is something new, we may not be aware of.   We would love to recognise all achievements.

It is a given that we all work towards maximising our young peoples' attainment.  So far this year, our raising attainment strategy has included:

• observing classes and sharing best practice - all faculties have been seen. Reports and videos shared with staff.

• improvements to the Balfron L&T Lesson and toolkit

• implementation of a new tracking & reporting system - you can access your child's reports through https://my.didbook.com/mobile/en-gb/Login/.  If you have any issues with access please let us know through this link: Tracking report questions

• targeted after school supported study based on tracking data

For those interested, our Standards and Quality Report 2024-25 is available through this link and on the school website.  

We are working hard to ensure that communication is efficient and effective and will contact you by phone, email, the Parent App and most recently we have added the Parentsportal.   If you haven't had a chance to sign up for the Parentsportal, I would recommend doing that when you get a minute.  This is an online service that lets you alert us electronically when your child is going to be absent.  It also will allow you to update your child's details.  Over time we hope to increase the functions available on the portal.

Just a reminder that the last day of term is a non-uniform day.  We ask those able, to donate dry and tinned food or toiletries to the Balfron Larder.  We will be making some Christmas runs, so your help is really appreciated to quietly support those in our community who may appreciate a little help.

For our senior phase pupils, the prelims begin on 7 January.  They have been emailed an individual prelim timetable.  Those with additional arrangements will have had these checked and confirmed by Mr Murphy (PT ASN).  If there are any issues, please contact Mr Slavin urgently. 

2026 Dates for your Diary

• Monday 5th January School re-opens for S1-6

• Wednesday 7 January S4-6 Prelims & study leave begins (individual emails to pupils)

• Friday 16 January S1/2 Tracking reports 

• Monday 26 January Course Choice Evening (S2-5)

• Tuesday 27 January Headteacher Drop-in, 3:30-5pm

• Wednesday 28 January S4 Safe Drive Stay Alive

• Monday 9 February Half Term holiday begins for pupils

• Monday 16 February School re-opens

• Wednesday 18 February S4 Parents Meeting

• Friday 20 February S4 Tracking Reports

• Friday 27 February S5/6 Tracking Reports

• Monday 2 March S5/6 Parents Meeting

Thank you to everyone who bought raffle tickets for the Marr Hall Afternoon Tea.  Congratulations to the winner, Yvonne McMaster.  Here is a link to the draw. 

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

Thank you all for your support. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and holiday period when it comes.

Very best regards,

Elaine Bannatyne

Head Teacher

bannatynee01s@glow.sch.uk