Balfron Matters
Monday 20 June 2022
Weekly communication for staff
Dear colleagues,
It has been great to feel the buzz around the school that has come from a fabulous range of successful activities - the School Concert, the Sports Awards, P7 Transition and visit from the Calcutta Cup, to name a few. We should never under estimate the power of celebrating success and promoting school ethos. Thanks to all thse whose hard work made these things happen. They really lifted me and everyone involved.
Congratulations to our newly appointed Project Leads: Michelle (Pedagogy), David (Family Learning), Elaine (DYW Senior Phase), Heather & Pam (Targeted support). They have some fantastic plans for the new session and I'm really looking forward to working with them.
Killearn Primary School were unable to attend the transition days, so we welcome them as a class today (monday) for the day. I will meet them in the atrium for Form Time and take them to their first class (PE). Thanks to all of you involved for your flexibility in accommodating them.
S5 will be out of class all day today (Monday) to do the first day of the Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) training. Our young people will explore and challenge the attitudes, beliefs and cultural norms that underpin gender-based violence, bullying and other forms of violence. It adddresses a range of behaviours including name-calling, sexting, controlling behaviour and harrassment, and uses 'by-stander' approach where individuals are not looked on as potential victims or perpetrators but as empowered and active bystanders with the ability to support and challenge their peers. Good luck to Claire and the team with this very intense but important programme.
It was a wise decision by the PE team to postpone the sports day. Tuesday afternoon looks much better. Here is the link to staff jobs - thanks in advance for your help.
It is a busy week but I hope that everyone will be able to make CfE on Wednesday and the staff lunch on Thursday.
Thank you all for your hard work, commitment and enthusiasm throughout this challenging year. It has certainly had its moments but you have made it successful none the less. I hope that you enjoy a well deserved break and a fantastic holiday when it comes.
SQA results are shared with pupils on Tuesday 9 August and I'm grateful to PTs who are able to come in to phone and touch base with all of our candidates on Wednesday 10 August.
Have a great last week of term.
Elaine
This week at Balfron High:
Monday: S5 MVP; Killearn PS;
House Captain Interviews
Tuesday: Sports Day
Wednesday: CfE Science
Thursday: Staff Lunch
Girls in Engineering
Friday: School closes at 1pm
Some great learning at Balfron High
Thanks to Jen for sharing this S2 work from last week - using model making to help learners understand the structure of carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
Saying goodbye and thank you!
While the end of term is general a happy time, it is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye (some just for a short break) to some great colleagues. Let's hope we'll see them again back at Balfron in some way. So join me in a massive thank you to:
Aidah Anwar, Joanne Gannon, Ross Haig, Robyn Mcintosh, Eadie McCallum, Scott Mason, Amna Nadeem, Jen Stein Robbie Willison, Rhys Williamson
CLPL Corner
If you find time to listen to just one educational podcast during the holidays, here's my recommendation: Dylan Wiliam on learning, Teaching and Continuous Improvement (link to apple or soundcloud below)
For those who might want to listen in while lying on a beach, take a look at the Learning, Teaching and assessment padlet - all of our previous suggestions are there. Here is the link Learning, Teaching & Assessment CLPL
Leadership Thoughts
Whether you are a leader of learning in the classroom or a leader of a team, the graphic below helps support reflection on our intent in these roles.
Do we lead with intent?
A few highlights from last week
Anna conducting the orchestra
Flute Trio
Cairi conducting choir and orchestra
The Show Group
Heather, Jack and Noah at the YPI national event
The highlight of my week with Lewis #containingexcitement
Charis, Summer and Lilah at SEET awards - won Best Acting for their langauge video
Excellent Seniors who helped with P7 sports day
S2 High Jump Winners, 1.55
Kyle and Rory
S2 High Jump Winner, 1.20
Iona
S3 High Jump Winner, 1.40
Lucy
Sports Awards
Andrew interviewing Ross Murdoch & Jenna Clark
Colin Gregor and Robbie presenting rugby awards
Rachel presenting netball awards
Neil Thomson and Ross Murdoch presenting Freya Sports Leader of the year
Connor and Valencia receive the Ross Murdoch award
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Inservice Day Programme
I know that we will continue to work on and confirm aspects of the programme this week, but here is a link to the draft August inservice day schedule for those who might find that helpful.
No need to look until August if you don't want!!!
Calendar 2022-23
14 August Inservice Day 1 & Staff BBQ
15 August Inservice Day 2
16 August Pupils return
8 September Gen Z screening for parents & carers
15 September Senior Awards Ceremony
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
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Quality Assurance 2021-22 - Classroom Visits
Term 1 Classroom Observations
Our observation pro forma is based on the HGIOS QI, 2.3
Features of highly effective practice are on page 2 along with challenge questions.
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Quality Assurance 2021-22
Open Doors Dates
I will be joined by a PT for Open Doors this session as follows:
7 October Expressive Arts L McAllister
19 October English G MacKay
28 October Science N Macquarrie
9 November Health M Skinner
25 November Mod Languages A Barrie
29 November Technologies D Gormal
6 December Social Subjects S Boyle
10 February Maths M Young