Dear colleagues,

School Improvement Matters

It was an inspiring and productive experience working with Mark Burns from Osiris last week.  Both PTs and Working Group Leads had some time to step back, take a breath and review our approaches to improving learning and teaching.  While we will definitely continue with our Working Group model 2024-25 culminating in the Pedagogy Festival in May, we have had a chance to consider how we can improve our approach to improve the impact that the work will have supporting our learners and each other. More details to follow.

Our SIP 2023-24 is under final review.  While our overall priorities will remain the same, I would welcome your views on your views/suggestions on actions that will support further progress in 2024-25.  I am hoping that some time at TMs this week can be used to review our progress and success with the 2023-24 actions.  It will be helpful in the TM to quantify progress with reference to data, views & observations - spell out how we know the extent to which we have made progress.  

Our School Priorities 2024-25 will remain improving our approaches to and impact in:

• Learning & Teaching

• Wellbeing & Inclusion

• Curriculum

• Attainment & Achievement

• Pupil Voice

As we prepare for next session, our Head Prefect candidates will upload videos for our community to consider.  Please show these to your form class on Wednesday morning.  Instructions regarding voting will be shared by Phil.  Those who get through the voting will be interviewed in Friday.  House Captain interviews will take place on Monday and Wednesday.

Transition Matters

Many thanks to Claire and everyone involved in the P7 Transition days.  We have had some lovely feedback from pupils and their families. You have set the tone positively for the new cohort who cannot wait to start in August!

The School Show rehearsals are looking fantastic.  Massive thanks to the Expressive Team, Ansley Clark, Gerry Eckersley and Heidi Spence for huge investments of time and effort in the run up to the show. I am really looking forward to the show and am sure that the young people will do you all proud. The show runs from Tuesday to Thursday - come along and support our show team and young people.

Remember S2 pupils have been invited to buy a ticket (£3) to watch the matinee on Tuesday afternoon so classes may be quieter than usual.

Our social subjects trip to Barcelona Trip leaves on Sunday 16th June.  This involves some of last year's S6 along with some of our new S6.  It is great to offer our pupils these opportunities and I am mindful of the work that goes with the trip. Thanks in advance to everyone involved. We all wish you safe travels.

Finally good luck to Jasper Burnside and Harry Braid (Emma and Kate) in the final of the Law Society of Scotland's Donald Dewar Debating Competition.  Their last Balfron High School debate, it would be lovely for the team to go out with a bang!  We wish them every success in Edinburgh on Wednesday night. 

Thanks to everyone for your hard work and professionalism.

Have a great week.

Elaine