Balfron Matters
Good luck to our insprational pupils & staff who are taking part in this week's 15km swim for Sports Relief
Good luck to our insprational pupils & staff who are taking part in this week's 15km swim for Sports Relief
15 September 2025
Weekly communication for staff
Building Futures Together
Dear colleagues,
All of a sudden there are only four weeks left of term. That was quick! Thanks for your enthusiasm and professionalism at sessions with Mark Burns last week. I hope that you and your team enjoyed the session and got something helpful from it. We invested heavily in these workshops, so I am keen to capture your evaluation and the immediate impact of the sessions. Please could you all take one minute to complete this short Professional Learning Evaluation. Thank you!
As a follow-up Michelle has compiled a helpful range of Feedback resources to help support our next steps. There are links to them below in our Pedagogy Corner. There are many resources and Michelle has ranked #1 the EEF resource, 'Teacher Feedback to Improve Learning'.
Learning, Teaching & Assessment - The Moderation Cycle
Linking to our professional learning and preparing to provide high quality assessment data for the new tracking system, we spent some time at the leadership team meeting reviewing the Moderation Cycle. I have asked PTs to discuss the slides at your team meeting and complete a return to help Phil and I accurately understand how confident we all are in relation to the moderation cycle. The feedback provided will help shape the input and provide focus for our improvement. To help influence our thinking and prepare us for inspection, I shared with PTs some of the questions that are asked linked to evaluation of this theme during inspections.
Raising Attainment & Achievement - next steps
It has been great to receive requests for targeted Supported Study aimed to provide early support for those who are likely to struggle. Just a reminder that class teachers should keep a closer eye on those highlighted (red, amber or blue) in this spreadsheet.
Again, if you would like to make use of out of school support, liaise with your PT and they can complete the Supported Study Request Form outlining the plan and target pupils. Thanks in advance for offering sessions. The pay rate for after school hours sessions is £25 per hour.
We have another busy week ahead with team meetings and the Outstanding Awards Ceremony on Wednesday evening. Thanks in advance to Claire and the Office staff who have been working hard to prepare for the cermony - it is looking like a great night. Our keynote speaker is former pupil and Head Girl Erin McKee. Erin is currently working as Special Advisor to the First Minister of Scotland, John Swinney. In addition to subject award winners we will acknowledge twenty-nine S4 pupils who acheived straight As at N5 and nineteen who achieved five straight As at Higher. All staff are welcome to attend the ceremony - please confirm with Claire Appelquist to reserve your seat.
It may be of interest to know that we had one successful priority appeal out of four. BMcC now has been upgraded to a C in Higher Business which is great for her. We wait for news of the general appeals and will update you when we hear.
Balfron High is in a trio with Dunblane and McLaren High Schools for VSE. Claire Appelquist, Michelle Skinner, Elaine Johnstone and I will be out at Dunblane on Wednesday/Thursday working as part of the VSE Team. The focus is QIs 2.3 and 3.2. It will be great to see practice at Dunblane High School. I am sure we will see some great practice and get some interesting ideas to share.
Thanks again for your hard work and professionalism. Have another great week.
Elaine
This week at Balfron:
Team Meetings
Attainment Meetings
S3/4 Tracking
Mon: S1 Fire Alarm walk through
(Form time)
Tues:
Wed: Outstanding Achievement
Ceremony
Thurs:
Fri: Sandy Holroyd Rugby Event
S5/6 Back Onside (P4)
#findyourthing
Photos include:
Advanced Higher Geographers doing fieldwork investigating peatlands
Our Senior Phase baristas have just got started!
Sports Leaders completing Scottish Handball course
Well done to Gavin Rodger, 2nd U20 athlete in the Stirling 10k
Our Running Club in partnership with Central Athletics
U18 Boys Rugby Squad v Strathallan School
S3 Inter House Football
Lexi Seaton leads S1/2 Girls Rugby
Toby Goodier leading S1/2 Boys Rugby
Our Sports Relief Swimmers
Well done to Daniel Morrison on this impressive lift at our Weightlifting Club.
Meanwhile in HE, here are our Chefs of the Week (left). Well done to all of them! 🎉🎉
Please take photos and share with me directly via email or Whatsapp (with each pupil's permission). Let's recognise and celebrate all the good stuff. We will also share in the Parent newsletter, Balfron Highlights and Balfron HS App. #wearebalfron #buildingfuturestogether #findyourthing
Pedagogy Corner
Focus on Feedback: Resources
There are loads of great resources on feedback, whether you like to read, watch or listen.
From blogs, to books to podcasts, have a look!
Book in our
professional library
Book in our professional library
Book in our professional library
Book in our professional library
Book in our professional library
Book in our professional library
Weekly Inhouse CLPL at Lunch n Learn
🌟 Term 1: Co-operative Learning Focus 🌟
Join the google classroom using the code:
The Active Learners Classroom: 6a7mbjk
Accessing our digital resources
More Digital CLPL
always available through the links below:
Education Scotland:
Professional learning modules
to work through at your own pace.on Scotland: Professional Learng Modules
Professional Reading Library - Strathendrick Suite
Promoting Study Skills
Powering up our seniors for successful studying
Quick links for form and class resourcing
Head Prefects will be promoting all things
Good Study this week at lunchtime
Direct your seniors to the stall for:
BHS Core 4 steps to Study Success
QR links: How-to Techniques
QR links: e-sgoil support pages
Grab n Go Study Planners
Grab n Go Flashcards
Top tips on the best Study Apps
Positive physical & mental wellbeing
Increased consistency in Learning & Teaching
Improved Wellbeing & Inclusion of all young people
Increased offer in Curriculum
Increased Attainment & Achievement
Increased influence of Pupil Voice on Improvement