Balfron Highlights
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November 2025
Update for Parents and Carers
Building Futures Together
Welcome to Balfron Highlights #3 of the session
Welcome to Balfron Highlights #3 of the session
Dear Parents and Carers,
It has been a great term with much to celebrate since the last newsletter. I have attached loads of photos and videos below that show our most recent highlights. It is hard to believe that there are only a couple of weeks left.
To help the busy last few weeks run smoothly, here are a few dates for your diaries:
Thursday 4th December: S2 Parents' Evening
Friday 5th December: Christmas Fair - all welcome to come along!
Wednesday 10th December: S3/4 Christmas Ceilidh
Thursday 11th December: S5/6 Christmas Ceilidh
Friday 12 December: Christmas Jumper Day
Monday 15th December: S1/2 Christmas Ceilidh
Wednesday 17th December: Christmas Concert, 7pm
Friday 19th December: School closes at 1pm
Monday 5th January School re-opens
Wednesday 7 January S4-6 Prelims & study leave begins (individual emails to pupils)
You will have received an email this week telling you about the launch of the Parentsportal. 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.
To recognise the support offered to us by the charity, Back Onside, we a collecting for them on Christmas Jumper day. Young people are encouraged to wear a Christmas jumper over their uniform on Friday 12th. If they can donate to our charity, that would be brilliant.
On the last day of term, 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 young people, the prelims are looming. They will be emailed an individual prelim timetable this week. If there are any issues, please contact Mr Slavin urgently. Our study ambassadors have been working with S4 pupils on study skills. If you are a parent of a senior phase pupil, ask them about the Balfron Core 4. More information on that below.
In addition, I am holding monthly drop-in sessions between 330 and 5pm on the dates above. If there is something you would like to ask or share, it would be fantastic to see you. Of course, you are welcome to make contact any time via email or phone.
Feedback on Balfron Highlights is always welcome. I am grateful to receive that directly
Thank you for your support. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and holiday period when it comes.
Very best wishes,
Elaine Bannatyne
Head Teacher
bannatynee01s@glow.sch.uk
Head Teacher Drop-ins
Head Teacher Drop-ins
You are welcome to drop-in to school to chat with the HT without an appointment at the drop-in times listed below. Parents will be seen on a first come, first served basis.
Thursday 11 December, 330-5pm
Tuesday 27 January, 330-5pm
Wednesday 4 March, 330-5pm
A5 Flyer August 23.pdfUsername: BalfronHS
Pin code: 2001
The Core 4
The Core 4
BHS Guide to Study Skills
BHS Guide to Study Skills
Continuing on from the excellent work by head prefects last session, Head Prefect, Fearne Condron is building on promoting good study techniques with a new team of S5 study skills ambassadors.
Ambassadors are currently working with S4 Form Classes to embed the 4 keys stages of effective study, why we do them and what techniques can be used at each stage:
Understand - Retrieve - Practice - Use Feedback
The group has developed this new poster to reinforce these steps, to be delivered to S4 & S5 form classes this week.
They have lots of ideas brewing including a study skills website, year group assemblies, and working with S2 & 3 later in the session - they're doing a great job!
Quick Links to study resources for seniors
A peek into our classrooms with the HT
A peek into our classrooms with the HT
Open Doors - Languages, Social Subjects, Health & Technologies
Open Doors - Languages, Social Subjects, Health & Technologies
Some of the key strengths in classes across the school were:
Every lesson observed was very well planned and carefully structured
All lessons had starter tasks that forced learners to retrieve prior knowledge and made learners think deeply
All lessons had a plenary where the teacher gathered further information to check levels of understanding
There were many opportunities for learners to be active in pairs, groups and teams
Teachers frequently checked for understanding and provided individual and group feedback throughout
Have a look below 👀
Below are the wider achievements organised by week since the last edition
Below are the wider achievements organised by week since the last edition
We hope that you enjoying seeing our young people's successes
Wider Achievements - Week beginning 27th October
#findyourthing
Active Girls Day is important because it raises awareness about the participation gap in sports and physical activity between girls and boys, inspires girls to get active, and empowers them by breaking down barriers. The day celebrates progress, challenges stigmas, and encourages more girls to try new activities, build leadership skills, and become role models for their peers. We are proud to support Active Girls Day at Balfron High.
Some photos from the Balfron High Active Girls Day include Girls Football, Dance, CrossFit and Netball. Look out for the staff pupil challenge below - well done Mrs Fisher!
S4 Balfron High School Endeavour Awards .pptxCongratulations to S4 Pupils who received Endeavour Awards last week
A wide range of Endeavour Awards were presented to fifty S4 pupils on the first Monday of the new term. Thanks to Ms Montgomery for pulling the awards together and to all staff for the nominations.
After the assembly I discussed the awards with a wide range of S4s. Some of those who were surprised to receive the award were really proud of their achievements.
Photos from wb 27 October include:
COP 20 Climate Negotiation Simulation Event at the Albert Halls
S4 Scottish Mathematical Council Enterprising Maths Team - Alex, Felix, Harry, Charlotte
Shona Hyde at Space School in Houston
Sports Leaders supporting at Fintry Primary School
Duke of Edinburgh Silver Expedition
Shaping Stirling's Futures Event
Halloween celebrations below
Halloween Disco
Week beginning 3rd November
Open Netball Team after their game against Dunblane HS
S6 Sports Leaders deliver a Session at Fintry Primary
S3 Gymnastics (core PE)
S3 Drama costume designers
U16 Football Squad
Senior Volleyball Teams
Congratulations to our Chefs of the Week, right.
Week beginning 10th November
History Students do a brilliant job of leading Remembrance Assembly
N3 Science Active Learning - pathogen transmission
Congratulations to Izzy and Rowan who progressed to the next round of the Law Society's Donald Dewar Debating Competition. Well done to Felix and Sorcha who stepped in after a team withdrew and did brilliantly against senior teams.
Senior Phase RME visit to the Scottish Parliament to learn about the Euthanasia Bill and structure of the Parliament
Congratulations to our Chefs of the Week, right.
Remembrance Day Assembly
video clips
Wider achievements
Wider achievements
Week beginning 17th November
Congratulations to our Chefs of the Week!
New activity - pickleball being tested out
Olly, George, Leo and Arran support primary football event
Sports Leaders at Strathblane Primary
Sports Leaders deliver a lesson at school
Sports Leaders helping at the nursey
Congratulations to Jessica Conway and Mitchell McIntosh who won gold and silver medals in the World Karate championships in Japan
Great idea to get learners interested in reading - Banned USA - promoting reading and literacy
Senior netball Squad played & beat Bishopbriggs last week
S3/4 Festive Baking underway
Christmas Fair Workshop
It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas....🌲🎁
Senior Netball
Some great play from Balfron in the video below. Well done to our senior girls who dominated two games against Bishopbriggs A and B teams. Scores were 28-1 (at half time) so the fair play rule was used. The second game was 31-7. Players of the match were Holly and Daisy Sutton.
Wider achievements
Wider achievements
Week beginning 24 November
#findyourthing
Last week at Balfron High:
U18 Rugby Squad v St Columba's
S5/6 Social Dance
S1/2 Girls Football
Trip to the Kings to see the Little Mermaid Panto
Top of the Bench Chemistry Competition
Rotary Young Musician of the Year. Congratulations to our winner Rory and runner up, Calum, Luisa and Rowan 🎉
Science club made fizzing Christmas trees
Congratulations to Iona McQuater who won the senior (S4-S6) 10m pistol section for BHS at the Scottish Schools Shooting Championships. She will go down to the British Schools Championships in February 🎉
Pupils with their GCHQ participation certificate and Ethan with his positive potato prize.
Congratulations to last week's Chefs of the Week below 🎉
UPDATE - Balfron EX Clubs Schedule 202526 (3).pdfPage updated
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