Balfron Matters
Monday 6 November 2023
Weekly communication for staff
Morning everyone,
Many thanks to Lynne Rice who raised awareness of dyslexia as part of Dyslexia Awareness Week (1-7 November). She will also present at the S3 and S4 assembly this week.
Monday evening will see the launch of Duke of Edinburgh which is open to all S3's. The information evening is for parents and young people. If you are keen to help with any aspect of Duke of Edinburgh then please speak to Lesley Smith.
Haylie Duncan and Imaan Ali are running a mini enterprise this session as part of the Young Enterprise Scotland programme. They are making and selling 3D frames and candles. The girls will be around showcasing their goods to teachers soon. Their Instagram is keepsake.co for anyone interested in taking a look at their work; it may tempt you to order something. Thank you to Amna Nadeem for supporting the enterprise.
Humanutopia will be with us on Thursday all day delivering a session to our S3's. If you would like to read more about the organisation please click on the link Humanutopia - Who am I programme
Remembrance Ceremony - The S6 Advanced Higher History young people will be leading our Remembrance Ceremony on Friday for S5/6's during period 2, following which there will be a minute silence.
As we approach Remembrance Sunday let us reflect on those young people in our community who have been directly affected by war and those whose parents are currently deployed.
Kind regards
Claire
PS: Link to Thankful Thursdays
This week at Balfron High:
S5/6 Parents Evening
Mon: S3 Assembly
S3 Duke of Edinburgh Launch, 7.30pm
Tues: Parent Council, 7pm online
https://meet.google.com/teb-hfuw-jev
Wed: S4 Assembly
S5/6 Parents Evening
Thurs: S3 Humanutopia
Fri: S5/6 Remembrance Ceremony (period 2)
Last Week at Balfron High School
Balfron High School
It was great to see Jack & Victor at the Halloween Disco this week! All those who attended had a great night. Well done to Lynne Irvin, 10 out of 10 for staff participation - the Cat in the Hat outfit was great.
The collection of photos are from the MSYP Husting Event, Science Club, Head Prefects Mirren Thomson and Isla Rodger meeting Head Prefects from the other Secondary School's. Also Interhouse cross country and this week's Rugby fixture with Berth Park High.
Do send any photos you would like put into the Balfron Matters - it's always good for us to see what's going on across the school.
The Brew Box ☕
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
Dyslexia Awareness Week
1 - 7 November 2023
ChildrensPresentation2023.pptx
Staff CLPL Inhouse offer
Twilight sessions 3.45
All sessions are designed to be short bursts with lots of sharing of ideas
All welcome
Increasing participation
How can we encourage more active participation in our lessons and increase cognitive activity
Improve listening
Improve participation in questioning
Get more thinking
Week beginning 13 Nov
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