Balfron Matters
Monday 27 November 2023
Weekly communication for staff
Morning everyone,
Last week was yet another busy week with many subject areas embarking on assignments, following their return to the SQA Exams. Assemblies built on the previous week with Isla Rodger speaking about the work of UNICEF.
Congratulations to Harry Braid and Jasper Burnside for getting through to the next round of the Donald Dewar Debating Competition. Thank you to Emma Slavin and Kate Reid for their time preparing both Harry and Jasper and taking then to the event.
There were a huge number of sporting events last week which I have tried to capture in the photos below. Thank you to all staff involved with the various teams and competitions. Congratulations to Lily Winther on her second place in the Stirling Schools Dance Competition.
This week we have the Course Choice Information Evening on Wednesday. There will be presentations for S2/3 at 6pm followed by S4/5 at 6.45pm. There is also a CLPL Science of Learning at 3.45pm in C8.
The staff photo will be on Thursday lunchtime. If the weather permits it will be taken at the back of the school near the polytunnel otherwise in the theatre.
A reminder that Forth Valley College Foundation Apprenticeship will be serving breakfast in the Brew Box on Friday morning - all staff are welcome to come along.
Finally, Advent Reflections hosted by Strathendrick Baptist Church are in the Community meeting room all week. Do go along for some quiet time. They open at 830am and close at 8pm.
Have a good week everyone.
Kind regards
Claire
Link to Easyfundraising Balfron HS
Link to Thankful Thursday Nomination's
This week at Balfron High:
S4,5,6 Tracking & Monitoring
Mon: S3 Assembly
Tues:
Wed: S4 Assembly
Course Choice Evening
Thurs: S1/2 Assembly
Staff Photo
CLPL Science of Learning at BHS (1545)
Fri: S5/6 Assembly
FVC Foundation Apprenticeship - Breakfast
Advance Notice
8 December 2023
Fri: Christmas Fayre (10-2pm)
15 December 2023
Fri: Christmas Jumper Day
21 December 2023
Thurs: Staff Lunch
Last Week at Balfron High School
Balfron High School
The collection of photos are from Isla Rodger's assembly about UNICEF, S2 Netball Team and the Senior Boys Football. Congratulation to Harry and Jasper for getting through to the next round of the Donald Dewar Debating Competition. Also, included are photos from the Stirling Schools Dance Competition and Science Club.
The Brew Box ☕
1st December 2023
Forth Valley College Foundation Apprenticeship will be serving breakfast - all staff are welcome to come along
It will be open at break & lunch to pupils as follows, staff are always welcome to come along and enjoy a coffee and the chat.
Monday S1 & S6
Tuesday S2 & S6
Wednesday S3 & S6
Thursday S4 & S6
Friday S5 & S6
Assemblies week beginning 20 November
Staff CLPL Inhouse offer
Twilight sessions 3.45
All sessions are designed to be short bursts with lots of sharing of ideas
All welcome
Upcoming this Term
Science of Learning at BHS
What is this and how do we use encoding and retrieval to power up our pedagogy at BHS
Probationers, new staff and the well seasoned, all welcome!
Revisiting Retrieval
Power up their memory!
A quick revisit of retrieval and sharing our strategies - lots of new ideas on show!
Learning & Teaching Updates
Updated padlet:
L&T Resources
Lots and lots (and lots) of new links have been added to the resource padlet around the themes of our working groups. Click below to access.
BHS L&T Toolkit
GLOW tile
This is now a tile on the glow BHS landing page - look out for it!
Powering up our seniors for successful studying
Quick links for form and class resourcing
S4 Study Skills
Form Class Activities
All S4 form classes will have a series of study skill activities delivered to them between now and Christmas. This will happen during form class.
It will include training in the Science of Learning in order to improve the effectiveness in the way they study, and filling in weekly study plans with support.
S4 will be re-familiarised with the terms encoding and retrieval, and how we can use study methods that maximise the effectiveness of study though these processes.
Using this language in class with help our S4 to consolidate this learning and see the relevance across their curriculum.
The BHS Senior Study Planner S4 will use can be viewed below.
SQA Calendar for Coursework and Assignments 2023-24
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
Assemblies October - December 2023
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.
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