Dear colleagues,

Another super busy week is in the bag and the end of term is approaching at speed.

We had much to celebrate last week. Rotary Young Musician of the Year on Monday provided our young people with a fantastic opportunity to perform in the prestigious competition. My thanks go to Steven McIntyre for organising this - chasing young people, linking with Iain Dickie from the Rotary and organising adjudicator, Katherine Wren (RSNO Viola player). Congratulations to winner Tom Horrocks and runner up and Maggie O'Donnell on their outstanding performances on piano and voice respectively. We had some lovely feedback from Katherine:

..."and thanks for having me. I really enjoyed my morning and was impressed by the standard and commitment of all your pupils. Clearly a thriving department. If you ever need someone again, I'd very happily come over. Wishing Tom and Maggie the best of luck in the next round."

Wednesday night saw some staff and pupils at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre for the finals of The Scottish Sports Awards. It was humbling to be in the presence of top class athletes such as Eilish McColgan, Eve Muirhead, as well as our own FPs, Ross Murdoch, Colin Gregor and Lewis Stewart. While it was not Balfron's night, it was a night to be proud of what we offer, contribute and achieve in sport. I am painfully aware that we would not get anywhere near the finals of such a prestigious competition without the hard work and commitment of staff and partners who give their time, energy and enthusiasm to sport and physical activity in our school. I recognise that this, along with other extra curricular opportunities, makes an incredible difference to our young people.

Our Attainment and Achievement visit took place on Wednesday. Feedback was highly positive and I'd like to pass on thanks to everyone for their commitment, rigour and care of young people sitting national qualifications. Despite the disruption of the pandemic, last session our pupils achieved highly and often better than our virtual comparator. This session I am keen that we do all we can to keep young people in courses, particularly at Higher, improvements should be on the horizon.

Matt Harvey from McLaren High School has been appointed acting PT Expressive Arts while Anna is on maternity leave. He will join us from 16 January.

Congratulations to all nine of our probationers who submitted positive interim profiles to the GTCS last week. Great to see that first milestone overtaken. I hope that they and their mentors can now relax (a bit) and enjoy the end of term.

This week I am on a deployment to the Highlands for an HMIe inspection. It is a massive privilege to be part of the team. I hope to be able to share much of what I learn with you on return. Claire Appelquist is the deputising depute and in charge during this busy week that has dances and a parent nights scheduled. Thank you, in advance, to everyone who is helping with these.

Many thanks for you hard work and professionalism at this challenging time.

Elaine

Christmas Concert

The rehearsals have sounded fabulous after school over the last few weeks. Lots of work and time has gone into preparing for the concert - sincere thanks to Anna, Cairi, Steven and the music instructors for their commitment.

Our concerts are always of an incredibly high standard and the Christmas Concert is a great way to bring in the festive spirit at the end of term. The young people have been rehearsing incredibly hard and it is always a pleasure for them to perform our repertoire to a packed audience.

I hope that you will be able to join us for the concert on Tuesday 20th at 7pm.

Well done and thanks to Bethan, S4, for designing our poster.