Balfron Matters
Monday 25 September 2023
Weekly communication for staff
Morning everyone,
I hope you have all had a relaxing weekend, perhaps you caught some of the World Cup Rugby or enjoyed Saturday's good weather. I certainly enjoyed the Ireland - South Africa game on Saturday evening.
Last week saw the launch of our school show 'Disco Inferno' which will be week beginning 10th June 2024. Auditions for the main parts will take place on the 1st and 2nd October with rehearsals starting after the October break. I have attached the slides from the assembly which includes all the information. If you would like to get involved then please approach Anna Barrie or Grace Shaw.
The Reading Cafe was a huge success with visiting author Martin Stewart entertaining Balfron High young people and some of their parents. The Primary 6 children from Drymen also thoroughly enjoyed his presentation with one girl keen to get his autograph at the end.
This week is S4 Work Experience where the majority have secured a placement with local businesses, schools or working with their own family. It has been great to forge links with local businesses again post COVID. This will give many of our young people opportunities to get out into the work place going forward.
This coming week is Maths Week Scotland and the theme for the event is Maths In Motion. The Maths Team have put together some form class activities. Please see all the materials that Stuart Baines shared on Thursday of last week.
The S1's will be out on their activity days this week so let's pray for some good weather. Columba 1400, the Climate Change residential and a Geography field trip are also away. Many thanks to staff in advance for giving of their time.
Have a good week everyone,
kind regards
Claire
This week at Balfron High:
S4 Work Experience Week
Network meetings
Mon: S6 UCAS Assembly
Tues: Auchengillan Activity Day Campsie
Wed: Auchengillan Activity Day Lomond
Thurs: Auchengillan Activity Day Endrick
Fri:
Last week at Balfron High School
Assembly slides from week beginnning 18th September 2023
Prefects and S6 Volunteering 2023
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
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 - August-October 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
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=/
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Teachers Guide to the BHS Study Planner - 3 min watch
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BHS senior study planner
e-sgoil weekly online supported study timetable
One portal to hold all information
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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