Dear colleagues,

Our yeargroup assemblies focus on improvement priorities in mental health & wellbeing, wider achievements and equalities this week at Balfron High.  It is busier than usual particularly for S4 and S4.  

• Neil Cameron is launching S4 work experience on Monday.  We are going for a model where young people are encouraged to use exam leave time for a placement.

• I am delighted that we are partnering with SAMH to launch an exciting new peer support project.  Thanks to Neil Macquarrie, Ross and Lucy for leading and liaising with SAMH on this. 

• This and next week's theme is LGBT+ History Month. Thanks to Ansley and Andrew for planning and leading on this with our pupil equalities team.  

• Lesley Smith continues to have great success with Bronze Duke of Edinburgh and requires time with S3 and S4 participants to ensure they are clear about expectations, planning and evidence.

Attainment Matters

Thanks for your hard working marking and moderating prelims.  Tracking is nearly ready to go.  To support pupil progress, interventions start now. To improve attainment, teachers and teams should:

• identify individual learning gaps - discuss & support young people to set learner goals

• identify cohort patterns - consider areas for reteaching/learning, homework, focused revision

For consistency, it would be useful to discuss this at team meetings this week. I have added a useful overview of the purpose of tracking & monitoring from Education Scotland below.

Standards Matter

Thanks for your help in keeping expectations high and learning focused. I know it can be challenging but definitely worthwhile.  Our priorities are:

• Ready (uniform, phones, Chromebooks)

• Respectful (follow instructions, actively involved, working with peers)

• Safe (bags, behaviour)

Thanks to Paula for sharing information that helps raise our understanding of the challenges our autistic learners face and how we can support them.  I have shared the overview below. It is useful to note that routines and consistent expectations are especially helpful for our ASD learners.  We currently have 38 pupils with an ASD diagnosis. 

Here is a link to the draft inservice day programme.  There are one or two tweeks to make based on staff availability. I will confirm at the end of the week.

The next BM will be shared for week beginning 17 February since we have the mid-term break next week.   Those on the senior ski-trip, have a safe and fun time; everyone else, have a great holiday when it comes.

Planning ahead, in the next couple of school weeks we will be reviewing the mobile phone policy, feeding back on the pupil learner and engagement focus groups, reviewing whole school tracking data, communicating with parents regarding withdrawal from X and planning alternative, improved methods of sharing information, successes and events. All suggestions welcome!

And finally, our former pupil James Steele, aka Kenny Mgee, is performing as a rap and hip hop artist and is finalising his music college course.  Part of his course is to set up a small event.  We have agreed to help him and some other performers with this, for a short (profanity free) concert.  The Hip Hop artists will each perform a song and talk briefly about how music has helped them to manage mental health and wellbeing.  Our young people will be invited to come along to the theatre for a 1.10pm start.  The cost of entry for pupils is £2 which will be donated to Back Onside.  You are most welcome to come along to the theatre on Friday lunchtime.  It is likely to run about 10 minutes into period 5.  Apologies in advance for the inevitable inconvenience.

Thanks again for your professionalism and hard work. It makes a massive difference. #buildingfuturestogether

Elaine