Dear colleagues,

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the smooth running of trips, both home and away, last week.  I appreciate that it is a big responsibility with loads of organisation. The photos show that amazing opportunities were offered which will no doubt be remembered for life.  As well as learning some new skills, our young people will have developed positive relationships with peers and teachers.  The value of these opportunities is not in doubt.  Please share your view by clicking the link.  The question is, should we develop this into an Activities Week for 2025? 

The link between pedagogy and attainment

Continuous improvement of pedagogy is a key part of our Raising Attainment Strategy.  

"It's the commitment we make as teachers to never stop learning that

will build good habits, develop great teachers and ultimately move the

lives of the young people in our care forward.  Every teacher needs to 

improve, not because they are not good enough, but because they can 

be even better."   Dylan Wiliam

On Thursday after school, we share our feedback from Tri-Learning visits.  It is a key part of the Balfron ethos, reflecting our shared views with the great Dylan Wiliam. We will meet in the Strathendrick Suite, where cake will, of course, be waiting for you!

I have shared two short videos from the two Open Doors days completed to date.  I must remember to take more photos - I'm not sure these do the visits justice.  It is really helpful to be able to use these visits as part of a moderation process.  The visiting and receiving PTs and I discuss the observations relative to the QI, 2.3 and our own L&T Toolkit.  This is a busy week for Open Doors.  I am really looking forward to visiting Maths, Expressive Arts and Health.  Thanks to everyone in advance for having us.

Have a look below at this weeks CLPL offers: Co-op Learning workshop, AI and Lunch n Learn which takes a look at how we can use practice sets in Google Classroom to power up formative assessment.

Behaviour Matters

Following discussion around how we better recognise and celebrate positive behaviour, Claire Appelquist is going to set up a working group to identify how we maximise this in a regular and efficient approach as possible.  If you haven't already, please do share your thoughts on what we might do to improve this: celebrating success ideas.

On that note Form Class Leaders, please do not forget to complete your Monday Merit checks. Please award all the pupils in your FC who did not receive a demerit last week a weekly cooperation merit.

The Last Word

To continue with our vocabulary focus, the upcoming word of the week is 'frivolous'. Pupils in English will be rewarded with merits when they use this in their spoken and written answers - it would be great if we can continue to push this throughout the school in our own contexts.

Thank you for your professionalism and commitment to Balfron High.  There is nothing frivolous about that 😉

Have a great week.

Elaine