Balfron Matters 

Dear colleagues,

Welcome back!  I hope that you had an enjoyable and restful break.  The final week prior to study leave is always a busy one. Just a reminder that the plan is:

• Wednesday 17: Senior Prefect Graduation Rehearsal, period 5

• Thursday 18: S6 breakfast (atrium) and then Final Countdown (theatre) until 11am - all welcome if free

Graduation 6pm for 630pm start 

• Friday 19: S1-5 on timetable as normal

S6 Study Leave starts

• Monday 22: S4-6 Study Leave

It has been a positive transition over the last few years but please join the leadership team in keeping an eye out and ear to the ground for any shenanigans.  If you are free and able to join us this week in the corridors, balconies and generally out and about, it would be much appreciated.

Priorities for this term are:

• Improving learning & Teaching by

  • planning and delivering our first Learning Festival on 3rd May

  • completing and sharing observations from Tri-Learning visits 

  • conducting Open Doors across the school

  • collating and reviewing observation feedback to inform planning

  • PTs & Working Group leads participating in Osiris Collaborative Leadership CLPL

• Improving wellbeing & Inclusion by

  • providing staff with follow-up CPI training (tbc)

• Improving Attainment & Achievement by

  • ensuring all pupils have the maximum qualifications (all levels) prior to term end (target unfinished internal assessments)

  • following up all leavers' destinations

  • reviewing and acting on Insight leaver data

  • amending tracking & Monitoring approach following PT feedback

• Improve our curriculum by

  • delivering increased depth in new S3 curriculum plan

  • preparation for new SCQF courses & pathways for 2024-25

  • review S1-3 courses in preparation for earlier timetable change in 2025

• Reviewing SIP/TIP progress and impact and begin planning for 2024-25

Congratulations to our junior rugby squads pictured above.  They have qualified for the next round of the Glasgow Warriors national schools tournament. It is brilliant to see the continued success of our rugby players, particularly the girls.  Nella Jonsson, Eve MacKay and Lucy Ronald have all been selected for the Scottish U16 programme. In hockey, Rohan Marwaha was selected to play for Scotland against Germany over the holiday.

Massive congratulations to Marie-Claire Maxwell who has been selected again for the Scottish Womens 27s Touch Rugby Squad.  This selection will see Marie Claire playing in the World Cup.  Please join me in congratulating M-C and getting behind the squad during the July tournament in England.

Elaine