Balfron Matters
Monday 4 March 2024
Weekly communication for staff
Dear colleagues,
Timetable Change
At the SNC on March 11th, we will be discussing our proposal to bring the timetable forward two weeks. Key points that we propose:
Timetable change moves forward from 3/06 to 20/05
To increase S4 certificated time
Extra time for specialism in S2/3
Future Pathways 31 May (new S5/6)
No tracking implications in this year's calendar
Pupil Parliament, 11 March (periods 2 & 3)
Our 2nd Pupil Parliament will take place on Tuesday 11th March. The purpose is to provide a forum for our young people who lead and contribute to pupil voice activities to share progress, ideas and plan together for future improvements.
Charities Week, also week beginning 11 March
There have recently been a number of charity fundraising requests. The S6 Charities Committee have proposed a Charities Week. They will lead assemblies on the benefits of supporting charities and provide an overview of three charities that we are supporting. There will be a range of fundraising events throughout the week with Friday being a dress down day in line with Comic Relief. The money raised will be split between the three charities. More from Murrin and the team in due course.
S2 Activities Week
We are keen to provide alternative activities for our sixty S2 pupils who are not going on the outdoor activities trip to France. If you have an activity that you would like to lead that week, please could you let me know what that would be: https://forms.gle/htMMjYWpKntdsxbXA
Please note that regular excursion paperwork should be completed in line with guidelines and trip request once we have the overview. When we have confirmed the alternative offer, where we do not have activities for everyone each day, I will ask teams to offer a half day equivalent.
#MobileMarch Form Class Activities
Here is the link to Form Class Activities for #MobileMarch. I changed it slightly from last year to focus on screen time rather than social media. There is a link to the movie Social Dilemma. You can watch this in chunks as best suits. The discussion is based on learners' reflections on the film.
If you have not had a chance to review and feedback on the draft Mobile Phone Policy, please do. I will review all feedback at the end of this week.
Thanks again for your professionalism and hard work. Have a great week.
Elaine
This week at Balfron High:
4/5 Course Choice Interviews
Mon: S3 Assembly
Tues: S5/6 Coppafeel PSE, P2
Parent Council, 7pm
Wed: S4 Assembly
S5/6 Parents Evening
Thurs: S5/6 Assembly
Fri: S1/2 Assembly
This week's assemblies
I have updated our 'Are You Ready to Learn, The Balfron Basics' poster to reflect classroom expectations and to further encourage pupils to arrive on time and staying in classrooms.
If you would like to print copies for your classroom or Home Area, you will find it in the 2023-24 Positive Relationships folder in the Staff Google Drive.
Let's all keep working on:
Meet and greet at your door at the start of the lesson
All outdoor jackets/ hoodies removed in class
Mobile phones away and silent in class
Pupils should be not be dismissed before the bell
Balfron High Relationships Policy
Last week at Balfron
Pics include:
Winners of the S2 DNA Speed Building Challenge
Inter-House University Challenge
Catapult making in science club
Flexible Learning celebrate the Leap Year
S1 Maths completing a car survey (counting, tally, bar graph) & marching around the car park into March
S1 Football Squad
Girls and Boys Balfron Strathendrick Rugby Squads
Senior Football squad
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
CLPL Corner
This week:
Promoting more active engagement with
Generative Learning Part 3:
Thursday lunch, C8
Graphic Organisation
Last week at lunch n learn
L&T Book Club March-June
A group of us met last week to choose a book, and once again,
Making Every Lesson Count
was the winner!
There are lots of copies of this book in our school, so if you want to join us please do.
We will meet every third Monday lunchtime to discuss a chapter
If you have a copy and aren't actively reading it, please can you give it to me so I can redistribute - thanks!
SQA Calendar for Coursework and Assignments 2023-24
The Brew Box ☕
It will be open at break & lunch to pupils as follows, staff are always welcome to come along and enjoy a coffee and the chat.
Monday S1 & S6
Tuesday S2 & S6
Wednesday S3 & S6
Thursday S4 & S6
Friday S5 & S6
February is LGBT History Month
Thanks to Ansley and Andrew for organising activities as follows:
from the 1st Feb until Purple Friday, house competition to cover the most miles in aid of LGBT visibility
w/b 5th Feb LGBT icons form class activity
Friday 23rd Purple Friday, wear purple accessories to raise money
Learning & Teaching Updates
Updated padlet:
L&T Resources
Lots and lots (and lots) of new links have been added to the resource padlet around the themes of our working groups. Click below to access.
BHS L&T Toolkit
GLOW tile
This is now a tile on the glow BHS landing page - look out for it!
Powering up our seniors for successful studying
Quick links for form and class resourcing
Our Priorities for improvement 2023-24
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
Assemblies January- March 2024
CLPL opportunities
Digital CLPL
always available through the links below:
Below is a link to Dougie's Tech Tips Play list. Always worth a look - great tip on getting rid of adverts from presentations using YouTube this week.
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Teachers Guide to the BHS Study Planner - 3 min watch
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BHS senior study planner
e-sgoil weekly online supported study timetable
One portal to hold all information
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Useful Links