Dear colleagues,

I hope you have had a nice weekend.  If you are looking for some extra joy this week, why not join us in the theatre for the Rock Gig at lunchtime on Friday.  Thanks to Ashley for his inspiration and guidance to our young people who are thriving as part of the rock bands. #findyourthing

Another busy week ahead here at Balfron, interviews for PT Pupil Support posts take place on Monday and DHT (0.4) post on Friday. Please note that some young people will be involved in these (marked in SEEMiS).

Thanks to Claire for her hard work in leading the plans for our P7 transition this week following on from the enhanced transition programme that has already been running successfully.  Thanks also to those of you who have supported the enhanced programme. Some pictures of young people in science have been included below.  We have increasing numbers of anxious pupils and the activities and support you have provided have gone a long way to help familiarise young people with our school and prepare them for the main transition.  We had a positive Information Evening with parents and carers last week.  Understandably some parents are also worried about the move from small primary schools to Balfron High, particularly those whose young people have a significant level of need.  

The presentation that we delivered to P7 parents is below. Thanks also to David has who has devised a bespoke transition timetable that provides broad range of subjects to maximise their experience. The transition will start in the theatre with an assembly on Tuesday morning.

Raising attainment

Phil and I have been meeting with PTs to discuss our improved approach to tracking and monitoring for next session.  As you know, like many other Stirling schools, we are moving to Sequential Progress. Phil has been working hard to adapt the program in order to build-in the parts of our tracking that have been helpful.  

So, why change?  While our tracking has been successful in delivering regular and understandable information to parents, it has not been in a format where we can easily review progress over time, or by group (sex, ASN, Care Exp, FME, Y Carer, etc).  This is an important feature of HGIOS QI 3.2 (theme 2). 

We have had very positive and interesting discussions with PTs where we have unpicked the challenges, differences and needs of curricular areas.  BGE assessment approaches have been a central feature.  We have also spent time on discussing what we mean by engagement and the nuance that is linked to young peoples' needs.  

Live N Learn are in to work with our new S4 on Monday.  The sessions are mandatory for young people and take place in the theatre throughout the day.  Please could S4 Form Class Leaders remind pupils that they will be attending sessions as follows:

Period 1&2: 4C1 & 4C2

Period 3&4: 4E1 & 4E2

Period 5&6: 4L1 & 4L2

Parents have been invited to a session at 6pm to hear how they can support learners during their first NQ year. If anyone is free at any of the times, you are welcome to come along to a session. 

Wider achievement

As you know, a small group of our senior phase pupils without exam leave have been taking part in a bespoke programme.  Thanks to Neil Cameron for planning and coordinating this. I am delighted to highlight the success of Hannah Irvine, who has certainly found her thing in the alternative programme.  The group had the opportunity to research, write and record podcasts with Creative Stirling. Many of you will know Hannah as a very quiet young person.  She has created a highly professional and engaging podcast.  Please have a listen (7 min) if you can - the link is below. This week some of the group are away to Loch Eil with Marie-Claire and Duncan this week for an Outdoor Bound experience. 

Thanks to S2-4 Form Class Leaders for asking pupils to complete the pupil participation survey.  Most young people have now done this (320 /450).  Here is a link to the responses.  You can sort by year and form class and see all of the completed details.  Please can S2-4 FCLs, pick up with pupils in their form class who have not completed the Google form and ensure that they do it.  Pupils can access the survey from their year group Google Classroom.

We will be linking wider achievements such as participation to recognising in class achievements in our short life Celebrating Success working group.  The first meeting is period 7 on Tuesday 27th May.  Here is a link to the recent survey conducted collating the range of ways that teams currently recognise and celebrate success. I am still looking for reps from each team to join me.

Learning, Teaching & Assessment

A highlight of our L,T & A strategy takes place this week when we get together for Tri-learning on Thursday afternoon. This brings an opportunity to share our depth of knowledge and understanding of pedagogical approaches and to discuss their impact, as seen in observations. Linked to the plus ones, seeing practice in action and reflecting on that will bring a positive and rich discussion.  Thanks to Sheena for coordinating this important feature of our professional learning.

As always, thanks for your hard work and professionalism. 

Have a great week.  #buildingfuturestogether

Elaine