Balfron Matters
Monday 23rd October 2023
Weekly communication for staff
Morning everyone,
I hope the October break has been relaxing and you feel refreshed and ready for a new term.
Challenge Poverty Week at the end of last term helped raise awareness for many in the Balfron Community. Thank you to all who donated to the Balfron Larder and to Fiona Fisher and Ansley Clark in leading the assemblies. I know the Form Class activity was powerful in it's message, making many young people stop and think.
The Awards Ceremony was a great occasion and a chance to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our young people.
This week will be the first of our in person parents evening, house assemblies and the Interhouse Cross Country.
Also, excitingly the new Barista Cafe named 'The Brew Box' will be opening on Tuesday and Thursday at morning break and lunch time for staff only. See the email from Lynne Rice for details.
On Monday the 30th October there will be a Halloween Disco for S1, 2 and 3. If you would like to help out then see Grace Shaw.
Have a good week everyone and welcome back.
Claire
PS: Link to Thankful Thursdays
This week at Balfron High:
S4 Parents Evening
Mon:
Tues:
Wed: Lomond House Assembly
Thurs: Campsie House Assembly
S4 Parents Evening
Fri: Endrick House Assembly
Interhouse Cross Country
Last Week of term at Balfron High School
Balfron High School
The collection of photos are from the Outstanding Awards Ceremony, Challenge Poverty Week assembly , MVP and the Swimming Gala
Our Priorities for improvement 2023-24
Increased consistency in Learning & Teaching
Improved Wellbeing & Inclusion of all young people
Increased offer in Curriculum
Increased Attainment & Achievement
Increased influence of Pupil Voice on Improvement
New for session 23/24
Learning & Teaching Working Groups
We will celebrate our learning in a Pedagogy Festival, at April In service 2024.
The groups and their leads are as follows:
Climate for Learning - Routines and Relationships for inclusive, productive learning environments - Connor H, Andrew L & Shari L
Digital Technology - Exploring technologies to enhance learning experiences - Dougie S & Cari M
Lesson Structure - What we do and how we keep can doing it even better - Pam G & Fiona F
Meeting Learners Needs - Exploring the practices that make our lessons more accessible - Nicola D & Oonagh M
Formative Assessment - Developing our feedback loops and increasing challenge - Andrew B & Alistair B
Assemblies October - December 2023
CLPL Corner
CLPL opportunities
Digital CLPL
always available through the links below:
Below is a link to Dougie's Tech Tips Play list. Always worth a look - great tip on getting rid of adverts from presentations using YouTube this week.
External CLPL
BHS Professional Learning Notice board.
Search. Click. Book
Powering up our seniors for successful studying
Study Skills Resources
National weekly study sessions: https://www.e-sgoil.com/
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=/
Teacher's Guide to the BHS Study Planner.webmTeachers Guide to the BHS Study Planner - 3 min watch
Weekly Study Planner 2022BHS senior study planner
e-sgoil weekly online supported study timetable
One portal to hold all information
ERP MyPortal.pdfHealth & 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