Dear colleagues,

Thanks for your contribution to a highly positive week.  The school was buzzing with a wide range of activities that contributed to our ethos and reflected our purpose.  Thank you to everyone for your input into Working Groups too.  There were rich and helpful discussions across the groups.  You will have identified your 'plus one' and be beginning to research best practice in that area. Remember we have a great  professional reading library in the Strathendrick Suite that might be helpful.  

Our collective observations last year highlighted that there has been less active learning than we would like.  This will be a general focus for this year and is on our SIP.  Michelle is also be running CLPL sessions that may help provide inspiration and ideas.

Building Futures Together - common purpose matters

I find this well known story inspiring as a reminder of the power that our collective understanding of our purpose can have on our sense of team, contribution and impact.  In 1962, President John F. Kennedy visited NASA for the first time. During his tour of the facility, he met a janitor who was carrying a broom down the hallway. The President then casually asked the janitor what he did for NASA, and the janitor replied, “I’m helping put a man on the moon.”  

For me, Building Futures Together reinforces our collective influence on every Balfron High learner's experience, opportunities, support and outcome.  For those who were not here or others (like me) who may easily forget, we reviewed our school values (May 2023) and sought input on our school motto (staff and focus groups of pupils) in May 2024.  A more detailed overview can be found in the Archive (edition 28 May 2024). 

An overview of our Vision, Values and Aims can be found here.  This is us!

Team Meetings Matter

There has been much informal chat about considerations for assessment, tracking and learner conversations in the BGE around the school.  I hope that you will discuss this at team meetings in advance of the Leadership Team meeting on 9th September where this, and improving our approach, will be a focus. It would be helpful to consider on how we might best respond to questions that will be asked to us and our young people (QI 2.3, below). 

CLPL Matters

Thanks to Michelle for coordinating a fantastic pedagogy focused in-house CLPL programme. The first session will take place on Thursday lunchtime in C8. Please do scroll down to see more and link to the resources available.

Pupil Leadership Matters

It has been great to see a range of young people contributing to plans for the session.  44 seniors attended training to become paired readers.  The sports council met with Active Stirling to plan their two key areas - mental health for boys and fit for girls. Our five Climate Ambassadors were in Stirling contributing to local authority plans. Four senior girls attended a Dance Leadership course. Plans are already in place to support BGE dance classes.

Thankful Thursday is back!

Back with a twist... Please do nominate a young person or colleague for a hot chocolate or fruit tea.  The twist is that those nominating should tick the school value(s) that the person nominated has demonstrated.

Thank you for your hard work and professionalism.

Elaine