Balfron Matters
Standing ovation for Laurie Mohaupt who receives the 2025 School Dux medal
Standing ovation for Laurie Mohaupt who receives the 2025 School Dux medal
September 2025
Weekly communication for staff
We're Building Futures Together
Dear colleagues,
Thanks for your hard work and professionalism in another week that was both challenging and successful in many different ways.
Attainment & Achievement
The Outstanding awards Ceremony was excellent - massive thanks to Claire, Anna and the admin team for their hard work behind the scenes making the ceremony so professional and run seamlessly. Thanks also to Neil for capturing the photos below.
It was lovely to Erin McKee, former Head Girl (2012-13) return to Balfron to give a keynote speech. Erin is currently special advisor to the First Minister, advising on Health and Social care. Erin delivered a motivational speech outlining her journey highs and low from starting at Buchlyvie Primary School to the present day. She was extremely positive about her time at Balfron and the significant impact Mrs Reid as her Modern Studies teacher had on her learning and development. Through modern studies and debating, Erin found her thing!
SIP Update 2025-26
Given analysis of Insight data showing outcomes for ASN pupils are lower than the VC, this is a priority area for school and team improvement. The SIP will be updated accordingly. Teams should also add this to TIPs. We must know our ASN learners, be certain about their individual needs (from Pupil Profiles) and support and track their progress more rigorously. Consideration to our curriculum and getting the pathways right for learners is also essential. Every young person should leave Balfron with 5 qualifications including a literacy and numeracy qualification.
Wellbeing
Thanks to Monica for shining a light on healthy eating and promoting Snack-Tember. If you haven't already, please make use of the powerpoint and video that Monica has shared to promote healthy snacking.
Thanks to Andrew for organising the S5/6 PSE programme. We do work an extraction model so as part of that S5 and S6 girls will be working with Stirling Women's Aid this week. They will be looking at various aspects of gender based violence, how to identify GBV and consider what can be done to change behaviours. This dovetails with our ESAS work.
Recalibrate - we're building futures together
When we are knee deep in the business and challenge of a busy term, it is important to recalibrate particularly when it feels hard. Remember what we are collectively trying to do - build futures for everyone - the most important & privileged jobs in the world! Our young people need a broad range of different things - I guess that's the crux of the challenge. While remaining focused on the achievement and attainment of all, your patience, understanding of individual needs and unwavering commitment to get it right is crucial. Thank you for the difference that you make, particularly with our hardest to reach learners who need us most.
Family Learning - let's do this!
Questions for parents from Feb 2025 HMIe survey:
The school gives me advice on how to support my child at home
More than 50% of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed.
The school organises activities where my child and I can learn together
34% disagreed, 30% didn't know.
With this in mind and to invest in positive and trusting relationships with parents of S1, Andrew Burns is arranging for a supporting learners evening on Wednesday 1st October at 5:30-7:30pm. We are hoping to offer inputs on supporting literacy and numeracy with drops ins, as well as any other supportive ideas you may have. Staff will be paid the supported study rate for this (£25 per hour). If there is something you feel would be helpful to offer please let Andrew know via email. It would also be great to give S1 parents a taste of what goes on in each area of the school.
Raising Attainment & Achievement - Targeting pupils update
I have had some robust and positive conversations with colleagues about our focus on 5 Higher candidates. Some colleagues raised that the focus on only 5 Higher candidates for targeted support was proving problematic. Instead, to ensure we act in keeping with our school values, we should extend the target group to all higher candidates who have progressed from a weaker N5. With that in mind, please DO include these learners in your interventions.
Please do make use of out of the supported study funding available. Liaise with your PT and they can complete the Supported Study Request Form outlining the plan and target pupils. I will quickly get back to you with a response. Thanks in advance for offering this. This is for targeted pupils only.
Thanks again for your hard work and professionalism. Have a great week.
Elaine
This week at Balfron:
Attainment Meetings
Team Meetings
S5/6 tracking
Mon: S1 Auchengillan Assembly
S3 Duke of Edinburgh Assembly
Tues: Campsie S1 Team
Building
P3/4: S5 Girls PSE
P5/6: S6 Girls PSE
HT Drop-in for parents
Wed: Lomond S1 Team Building
Thurs: Endrick S1 Team Building
Netball v Bishopbriggs Academy
Back Onside Counselling
Fri:
Insight Update - what new data tells us and what we need to improve
Detail in the Slides
Please analyse your data relative to ASN learners
Outcomes for our ASN pupils are more significantly poorer than the VC
Literacy
S4 level 4 and 5 literacy is below the VC (2 year trend)
Outcomes for ASN S4 pupils achieving levels 3, 4 and 5 literacy are below the VC (3 years level 3; 2 years level 4 & 5)
S5 levels 4, 5 & 6 literacy are below the VC
S5 ASN learners who achieved levels 4, 5 & 6 literacy are significantly below the VC
Numeracy
S4 level 4 and 5 numeracy is slightly above of the VC
S4 ASN learners who achieved levels 3 are above the VC
S4 ASN learners who achieved level 4 or 5 are below the VC
S5 learners achieving level 4 & 5 is slightly below the VC
S5 learners achieving level 6 is above the VC
S5 ASN learners achieving level 4 & 5 is slightly below the VC
S5 ASN learners achieving level 6 have seen steady improvement to slightly exceed the VC
#findyourthing
Photos last week include:
Inter-House Mastermind - Congratulations to Henry!
Sports Leaders deliver a session for BPS
Lomond v Campsie Football
Ava Pirie - Chef of the Week
Lucas Smith - Chef of the Week
Rose Miller - Chef of the Week
Stirling Schools Cup - Golf
Sandy Holroyd Rugby Inter-House Memorial
Grant Stewart from Glasgow Warriors at our Sandy Holroyd Memorial Event
Back Onside - Suicide Prevention
Eve Mackay & Lucy Ronald umpire Inter-House Netball
Inter-House netball action
S3/4 Inter-House Chess
Pupil Council Feedback & Planning
Congratulations to all of our young people on these fantastic achievements!
National 5 Subject Award Winners, Junior Proxime Accessit (Jamie McColl) & Junior Dux (Beth Stephens)
Straight A Awards at N5 and Higher
Higher Subject Award Winners, Senior Proxime Accessit (Ailie Mailer) & Senior Dux (laurie Mohaupt)
Special Achievement Awards
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
Co-operative Learning Techniques
Wednesday 28th, C8
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