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:
outdoor jackets off
reminders about uniform
mobile phones off/silent and in bags
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:
identify learning gaps - discuss & support young people to set learner goals
identify patterns - consider areas for reteaching/learning, homework, focused revision
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
Notice Boards
Learning, Teaching & Assessment CLPL
Pupil Landing Page (Inc notices)
Inservice Programme:
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
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.
Teachers Guide to the BHS Study Planner - 3 min watch
BHS senior study planner
e-sgoil weekly online supported study timetable
One portal to hold all information
Useful Links