Balfron Matters 

Dear colleagues,

Thanks for input on inservice day, particularly those who delivered sessions and ran meetings. The aim was to focus on curriculum and pedagogy with consideration around how nurture and support contribute to our decisions and planning. 

It is important that we consider how we can best meet the needs of those who struggle to get into the classroom regularly. We have 19 pupils who come to school but cannot get to class due to anxiety.  Thanks to Heidi for giving us a compelling perspective on that.  It was great to hear that simply using the live feature of a google meet during class time offers a lifeline to pupils while keeping them connected. The plan is to roll this out in partnership with Flexible Learning so that learning needs can be met in the most efficient way for everyone.

As mentioned at the inservice day, I am keen that we focus on consistency of message to our young people.  My priority is to ensure a safe, calm and focused environment in classrooms, corridors and social areas. To ensure this we, the adults, need to set the tone:

• Meet and greet at your door at the start of the lesson

• All outdoor jackets/ hoodies removed in class

• Mobile phones away and silent in class

• Pupils should be not be dismissed before the bell

The corridors, toilet areas and atrium should also feel safe for young people. Some of our youngest pupils have reported that they do not always feels safe, so we need to address that.

Please can you review the Supervision Rota.  The more of us the better particularly at the start and end of break and lunch. If you can help contribute to this please add your availability. If you are no longer available, please remove your name. Hilary is happy to provide a snack or lunch to those on duty.

This week at assemblies, I will reinforce the expectation messages linked to UNCRC articles 3 and 28.  

• The best interests of the child must be a priority in all decisions and actions that affect children

• Every child has a right to education...Discipline in schools must respect children's dignity and their rights

Based on an idea stolen from Twitter, I have created a Balfron version of a poster that can be used in classrooms.  A copy is below (blue). If you have feedback that could help improve it, please pass it on.  

To positively complement the core message and educate our young people on the impact of mobile phone use, David Whiteford is presenting on Mobile March this week. It is great that Nicola Douglas will be highlighting and promoting World book Day (2nd March). Let's all get behind that too.

Commitment from everyone at all times to reinforce the messages will build our positive ethos and make a significant difference. I truly believe that we are stronger together.

Finally, if you have not already completed the Ethical Conduct Survey (staff) please take a few minutes to do so.  A pupil version is going on year group Google Classrooms for Monday morning.  I will share all of the data next week.  FCLs, please encourage young people to complete this in form time this week.

Welcome back. Have a great week.

Elaine