Balfron Matters
Monday 14 November 2022
Weekly communication for staff
Dear colleagues,
Thanks again to everyone for your hard work, enthusiasm and professionalism last week. It was so evident in a range of contexts that I had the pleasure to be part of - walkarounds with DHT candidates, interviews, S1 Family Learning event, parent council and general day-to-day activities.
As mentioned, I am pleased to confirm that David Braid, currently of Kings Park Secondary in Glasgow, will join us as DHT Lomond House. I hope that David will be released from his current role for a few days to allow for some transition time with Amanda and the Lomond team.
Enormous to Lizzie for putting together the fantastic STEM Newsletter for parents. It is an excellent overview and celebration of the work done with S1 and S2 in the additional STEM lessons this year. The photos really capture the joy and enthusiasm that the learners have experienced.
Massive thanks to Michelle for continuing to offer CLPL online and in person. The double approach (supporting staff & pupils) to up-skill young people in study skills should have a really positive impact.
The Advanced Higher History pupils, led by Gordon, did an excellent job of planning and delivering a sombre, thought provoking and insightful Remembrance Service for S5 and S6 pupils. Thanks also to Anna for providing accompanying piano to John McCrae's 'In Flanders Field' read beautifully by Katie McDonald.
This is national anti bullying week. Claire has been working closely with Head Prefects to plan and deliver assemblies every morning this week. Jenny has prepared some great resources for use in Form Class time. We have been working hard as a school to emphasis the importance of kindness and not being a by-stander through buddying, MVP, and out day to day interactions. This is a fantastic opportunity to reinforce and emphasise our values.
On Tuesday the Head Prefects will be running year group Pupil Council meetings focusing on the rescheduled Stirling wide Pupil Voices for All Event (21 November), anti-bullying week, national discussion in education, dyslexia awareness and safe use of technology.
National Discussion in Education closes on 5th December. Look out for opportunities to contribute individually, in school meetings and professional discussion groups. The questions are in a padlet link below. I will make a return from the school as well as an individual one. I would urge you to do the same. It is so important that those of us in schools day to day have a voice in the discussion.
Finally, it is Children in Need Day on Friday. S6 pupils will resume their annual PJ day to raise money for the charity. Thanks for your patience in advance for inevitable disruption.
Have a great week.
Elaine
This week at Balfron High:
Mon: S3 Assembly
S5/6 Parents Meeting
Tues: S1 Assembly
Pupil Council day
Wed: S4 Assembly
Thurs: S5/6 Assembly
Fri: S2 Assembly Children in Need (S6 PJ day) CfE - Campsie 1
Tuesday's Pupil Council Meetings:
S1: P1
S2: P3
S3: P7
S4: P1
S5: P6
S6: P5
Study Skills Resources
National weekly study sessions:
BHS Study techniques website
https://sites.google.com/stirlingschools.net/bhs-study-skills/home
NeLO Learning Spaces:
https://www.thinglink.com/card/1421866155961745410
Achieve:
https://achieve.hashtag-learning.co.uk/user-start/?next=/
National Discussion in Education -
The key principles underpinning the national discussion are that:
- it is inclusive
- it is in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) which states that children and young people should be at the heart of the process.
- parents and carers are involved and meaningfully engaged in the process as outlined in the Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006.
The discussion closes on 5th December, so I am keen that you all have the opportunity to contribute.
The Ten Open Questions:
The padlet below will help provide a vehicle for capturing views. Please do add responses to the questions individually or following a team meeting. I have invited all PTs to be editors of the padlet. I hope that helps.
I am Gen Z
Here is a link to the 50 and 100 minute versions of the film, 'I am Gen Z'. along with classroom supporting resources. We showed this last week to parents and are planning showing the film to young people. Feedback below. It has started a discussion with parents on how we can work together to understand and support our young people deal with the world of technology that they live in.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/19uhabw85de32ve/AACTByOOClW1saChn3J6enXqa?dl=0
We have the license until Christmas.
The plan is to work together to:
Support for parents from parents?
Support for parents from the school?
Monthly how to…. Practical advice on Airdrop, location services , understanding algorithms, keeping safe, etc
Workshops… Partnership delivery in the new year.
If you'd like to be involved, let me know. The expertise of more 'in-tune with tech' colleagues would be very much appreciated!
Last week at Balfron
When people outside your walls know what you are doing, it gives value to those inside.
This week we have pictures of our Design a book door week, Family Learning event, science lessons, music rehearsals and performances in Killearn, weightlifting club, eco club at Wildhearts COP 27 event, fabulous baking and knife skills in HE, and Netball teams. What a fantastic school!
Thanks for the pictures - keep them coming!
Here is the link to our school improvement plan. It is a real, working document that will be updated and amended as we go through the session. Thanks to everyone for input. If there is anything that you would like to add or ask, let me know.
CLPL Corner
Powering up our seniors for successful studying
John Dunlosky collated decades of research into what makes successful study methods and released a paper called 'Strengthening the Student toolkit'. It's one of the most cited papers in this field.
Its a easy read it and central to the work of the project leads with supporting our seniors and families this year.
![](https://www.google.com/images/icons/product/drive-32.png)
Read: Dunlosky's round up
Listen: Putting it into practice
Retrieval Practice
Retrieval practice is only one part of the jigsaw when it comes to our classrooms, as shown in this infographic. Here is the link again to a collection of activities shared by Hannah at a recent CLPL session.
Calendar 2022-23
8 November Parent Council
9 November DHT interviews
10 November S1 Family Learning sessions
14 November S5/6 Parents Meeting
24 November S4/5 Drama practical prelims
S1 Parents Meeting
30 November Course Choice information evening
1 December S4 Retrieval, Recall and Remembering
2 December S5 Retrieval, Recall and Remembering
5 December Rotary Young Musician of the Year
12 December EB, HMIe deployment (all week)
14 December S2 Parents Meeting
14-16 Dec N5 & Higher Music Practical Prelims
16 December Christmas Jumper Day
20 December Christmas Concert
Health & Wellbeing - Counselling for staff
Did you know counselling is available through Stirling Council?
Employee Counselling is available through our Occupational Health provider, People Asset Management (PAM)
There are a few ways employees can request Counselling.
Stuart Shaw on shaws@stirling.gov.uk
Contact hr@stirling.gov.uk
Call Ann at PAM on 0800 882 4102
If you want some more information about counselling, what to expect or looking for self-help resources then please pop in and see Karin Figliolini or drop her an email.
Useful Links
![](https://www.google.com/images/icons/product/drive-32.png)
![](https://www.google.com/images/icons/product/drive-32.png)