Balfron Matters

Massive well done to Neil for maintaining the 2k runs, leading & raising the profile of male mental health, even in the most challenging of weather.

If you can, please support our focus on Movember and help raise money for male mental health in memory of FP, Sandy Holroyd.

#malementalhealth #positivemasculinity

Monday 25 November 2024

Weekly communication for staff

Building Futures Together

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Dear colleagues,

Standards Matter - Setting the tone together.

We all want to work in a great school and care about Balfron, so the small day to day things really matter as they impact our ethos and tone.

Our behaviour data overall tells a positive story. In the last 4 weeks staff gave 4610 merits and 1175 demerits - that's almost 4 times as many merits as demerits. It's fantastic to see so many citizenship, excellence and good work merits going to S1-3 pupils. Please keep catching our our young people being good. It reinforces expectations and, well, who doesn't like to be recognised for their hard work and effort? The breakdown of data is below. Please could Form Class Leaders and PTs PS pick up issues with individuals and their parents/carers if you haven't already.

Holding the line with school rules and expectations can be challenging but never underestimate its importance. There are a few basic expectations that set the tone where our collective input is required in order to ensure a safe, purposeful environment that we can all benefit from. When one or two of us forget, ignore or avoid supporting any of them, mixed messages are sent to young people and standards quickly fall. As professionals we understand the importance of pulling together.

Registers

Registers must be taken every period - this is non-negotiable to ensure safeguarding. Where possible complete these within the first 15 minutes of your lesson. If there is a technical issue with SEEMiS, contact the office.

Uniform

Young people are expected to be in uniform. Inevitably as winter takes hold, we see more winter clothes, hoodies and other jumpers. Let's not accept that since we have a season change, we have to lower our standards in our classrooms.

We have a huge amount of uniform in the medical room and in a uniform store. We can provide items for any young person who does not have or has grown out of uniform.

Pupils must wear black trousers/skirt, shirt & tie, school or plan black jumper or cardigan.

FCLs - complete & return an orange uniform sheet to the office if a pupil is non-compliant. A text will be sent home. If we stop doing this (regardless of the response) it suggests that our expectations have changed.

Outdoor wear or non school uniform should be removed in all classes.

If there is an issue with room temperature, please alert Bellrock

Note House Captains have earned the right to wear their House Captain Hoodie in addition to uniform- no body else.

I am aware that there is a small core of young people who continually push this boundary and that makes interactions tricky when we are trying to build positive relationships and focus on learning. However, it is important that they and their parents are reminded of the expectations. The Pupil Support team are likely already in touch and will update us on the position. Let's concentrate on the vast majority and keep the tipping point in the positive.

Phones

Our current policy states that phones should not be out in class with out the teacher's permission. As you know we change to a stricter policy and approach in January.

While confiscation is not yet in place, phones should not be out in class. Please continue to be vigilant and act on that.

PTs - If your team needs resource to avoid the requirement to use a phone, please let me know asap.

Now we can think about great learning...

Have a great week.

Thanks in advance for your contribution. #buildingfuturestogether

Elaine

This week at Balfron High:

Music Practical Exams

Mon: S3 Parents Night

Tues:

Wed: Mobile Phone Parents Meeting. 6.30pm

Thurs: S4 Live-N-Learn

Live-N-Learn Parents Meeting, 6.30pm

Fri: S3 Geography Trip

Notice Boards

Assembly Programme

Supervision Rota

Parents: What's on at Balfron

BHS L&T website

Equally Safe At School (ESAS)

Expressive Arts Team

Pupil Equity Matters

Leadership Reflections

Maths Team

Pupil Support Team

Science Team

School Counselling Service

Pupil Landing Page (Inc notices)

Collegiate Calendar 24-25

Click the hot chocolate to nominate someone for a Thankful Thursday hot drink

Input from assemblies & general information

Supported Study

Let me know if there are updates or amendments. I have shared this on the Parent Padlet and Senior Phase Google Classrooms.

Supported Study 24-25

Behaviour Matters

Here is the data for the last four weeks. Please continue to use merits, demerits and referrals as per the policy (below).

28 Oct - 22 November Behaviour Stats by Year

Behaviour Data 28th Oct - 22nd Nov 2024

Relationships Policy 2023-2024

Last week at Balfron - Wider Achievements

Video clips include:

Senior Girls Netball against Dunblane High School
U16 Girls Rugby Squad

Pics include:

Swimming club
Volleyball Club
S3/4 Girls rugby team
S1/2 Netball Team
Former pupil Jamie Sweeney competing for GB in Belgium in the U23 Madison cycling event
Iona McQuater wins a silver medal for Balfron High at the Scottish Schools 10m Pistol Championships. She has now qualified for the British Schools Championships
Rugby Festival
Gabriella Treglia, Cara Stephen and Bethan Henley-King (all S6) represented Balfron High School very well in the senior solo competition in the Stirling Schools Dance Competition - Wed 20.11 in The Peak, Stirling.
MVP - S5 pupils delivering PSE to S1

Please take photos and share with me directly or through Twitter (with pupils' permission). Let's recognise and celebrate all the good stuff. We will also share in the Parent Noticeboard. #wearebalfron #buildingfuturestogether