Dear colleagues,

Happy New Year!   I hope that you all had a restful and positive break.

Thanks again for your support and commitment to all of the end of year festivities, and for your help with Balfron Larder donations & deliveries. As Oscar Wilde said, "the smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention." Together, the collective input contributed to a more positive, caring and nurtured Balfron community.

We all recognise the importance of setting and maintaining high standards.  I am a firm believer in the phrase, what you permit, you promote.  With that in mind please ensure that our policies are followed and that we help each other with consistent, clear expectations.

Our Mobile Phone Policy kicks in on Monday for all young people.  The purpose of the policy update is to ensure that classrooms are focused and purposeful, free from the risk of distraction.  Please do remind young people of that.  A quick summary:

1. All phones on silent/switched off

2. S1-3 asked to put phones in box at the beginning of lesson & collect at the end

3. Any phones seen in lessons should be confiscated, placed in an envelope with name and class and taken to the office.

As there are no exams on Monday we will tannoy to remind young people of expectations at form time.

The update to the mobile phone policy has been added to January's Expectations Presentation.  Please ensure that you remind you classes of our shared expectations when you first see them this term.  

As per our quality assurance calendar, the last four weeks of behaviour data is summarised for action.  Form Class Leaders and PTs PS, please pick up issues with young people and their parents/carers as required. 

• Behaviour Overview by year group

• Individual statistics by House

• Relationships Policy

Prelims and assessment catch-up begins on Tuesday for S4-6.  Many thanks to Phil, Claire and Lynne and the wider team for their input in organising these.  Most recent details, as sent by Phil at the end of term, are below for your info and quick access.  

Thanks also to Neil Cameron who has coordinated assessment catch up time for our less secure learners who do not require prelim leave. Here is a link to their timetable.  You can also access this information in: Balfron Staff> DYW> Non-Exam 24-25.

This month, Michelle is running CLPL sessions on feedback.  Helpfully, the first of these is focused on whole class feedback post prelim.  There is further information in the CPL section below.

Replacing the working group input, we have agreed that a whole staff meeting will be helpful on Thursday to provide information and facilitate discussion on:  

• mobile phone policy update (quick issues for addressing)

• relationships policy & managing behaviour (expectations)

• interventions for pupils using Read, Write, Chrome 

The meeting will take place in the Strathendrick Suite on Thursday at 3.45pm.

Have a great week.  Thanks in advance for your contribution.  #buildingfuturestogether

Elaine