Balfron Matters 

Dear colleagues,

I hope that you have had a great first week and that our new staff are settling in really well. 

I know that the inservice days were particularly busy.  It is a massive challenge to address everything that is required . We changed a few things based on your previous feedback.  Please take a minute to complete this evaluation.  It will influence future improvements.

A huge priority and investment this session is our continued focus on pedagogy.  Thanks to Michelle for her sage and inspirational ideas that have shaped the plan. We have three sessions before the October holiday ear-marked for working groups.  the first one is next Thursday (31st August). Staff will be given information about the groups and be invited to choose one to join. All staff are expected to contribute to one group.

We have built up a great L&T padlet that has links to a huge amount of really great CLPL.  Do check it out prior to the working group.  It may provide some inspiration and ideas.

I have created an new Parent Noticeboard.  Parents and carers will be reminded of the link every week.  If you have anything that you would like to add to this padlet, please email the details to Kelly Marie in the school office.

Here is a link to the SIP 23-24.  This is in draft.  Please let me know if there is an inaccuracy or an addition to make.  You will note the new format that shows the whole school and each team's plan on a tab of the same spreadsheet.  It is designed to be a working document. This will allow us to filter across the school to review work done in a particular area.  Team plans should be put onto this format by 22 September. Thanks for your input with that. 

I was pleased to hear that our S1s have settled reasonably well.  Moving to high school is a massive change for our younger pupils and being in a bigger environment is a huge challenge for some. I know you will support hem with this.  

David is putting a supervision rota together for the atrium.  As you know we have a new format for young people to buy food and refreshments.  Given the change and thevolume of pupils that use the facility, your help with supervision is very much appreciated. Similarly, in order to offer access to the astro to pupils at breaks, Neil is putting a rota together for supervision.  Again, your support of this is very much appreciated - particularly bu young people.

As mentioned last week, I have an appointment on Tuesday 22nd that will help inform planning for school, acting opportunities and cover.   There has been much for the SLT to deal with beyond the normal running of the school already. They are a person down, so please give them your full support and understanding. 

Finally, please ensure that you hold young people in classes until the bell unless they have an exceptional circumstance that the pupil support team have alerted us to.

Many thanks for your hard work and professionalism. Have a great week.

Elaine