Balfron Matters 





Monday 5 February 2024

 Weekly communication for staff 

Dear colleagues,


We have been presented with a Gold Scottish Languages Employability Award! It is fantastic to secure formal recognition from the Scottish National Centre for Languages (SCILT). There are three awards (bronze, silver, gold) and our gold award recognises work done with multiple yeargroups and multiple partners.  Congratulations and many thanks to the Languages Team, Aileen Crawford and all of the young people involved for the important work done.  


Back to Basics

I am doing my best to get round classes and reminding young people about expectations. I think I have seen almost everyone now.  To be successful, this needs consistency, so let's help eachother get this right from the start of each lesson.  I am focusing on being ready and responsible:


As you know from our Relationships Policy , expectations are for young people to be Ready, Respectful & Safe.  Where you can, please use this language peppered with a good smattering of our school values! As per the policy, we ask that staff meet young people at the door to set the tone for lessons. We will reinforce this through assemblies week beginning 19th February.


I am also keen to clarify expectations for young people (particularly the younger ones) at breaks and lunchtime.  I would like to cut down on the running around, carry-on and mess.  PTs will receive an email on Monday morning asking them to confirm who does have permission to be in your area at breaks. If you can lock your door at breaks if you are not in your room, it will help avoid unexpected guests!

  

Attainment Matters

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


I have added a useful overview of the purpose of tracking & monitoring from Education Scotland below.


Mobile March

Thanks to the 56 collegaues who have completed the survey regarding a views on a phone ban, and the pros and cons of phones in school.  I plan to close the survey on Monday and share an analysis on Wednesday.  


Over the last couple of years we have raised issues regarding the impact of mobile phones on wellbeing and learning during mobile March.  This was previously led by David Whiteford, supported by a range of staff.  I am keen that we do something similar, have a half plan and I am looking for help please. I have looked out our previous resourses which are pretty good.  If you could offer a hand, please email or see me.  It would be much appreciated!


Have a great week.

Elaine & Claire

This week at Balfron High:

Team Meetings


Mon: Vaccinations

Tues: Vaccinations

S4/5 Safe Drive, Stay Alive

S6 Blood Donation, pm


Wed: Burns Supper


Thurs: S6 Leavers Planning Day (PSE)

S4 Duke of Ed Presentations, 7pm

Fri: N5 Drama Practical Prelim

Inset Feb 24
poster-purpose-of-tracking-and-monitoring-2.pdf

Last week at Balfron

Pics include celebration of our Gold SCILT Award.

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 on the BM and Parent Noticeboard. #wearebalfron

SQA Calendar for Coursework and Assignments 2023-24

Balfron High School National 5 Calendar SQA Assignments
Balfron High School Higher Calendar SQA Assignments
Balfron High School Advanced Higher Calendar SQA Assignments

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:

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

National supported study, free offer to all learners.


Click here

E-sgoil senior learning spaces


Click here

BHS study technique clips


Click here

Our Priorities for improvement 2023-24



Improvement Plan 23-24 draft

Assemblies January- March 2024

BHS Assembly Programme Jan-Mar 24

 CLPL opportunities

Digital CLPL  


 always available through the links below:

Teacher's Guide to the BHS Study Planner.webm

Teachers Guide to the BHS Study Planner - 3 min watch

Weekly Study Planner 2022

BHS senior study planner

e-sgoil weekly online supported study timetable

One portal to hold all information

ERP MyPortal.pdf

Useful Links