Balfron Matters


7 March 2022

Weekly communication for staff

Dear colleagues,

With just four weeks left of term, I know that we are all under pressure and going above and beyond for our young people - thank you so much. The post-prelim meetings with PTs have reinforced incredible commitment to attainment in general, and targeted support of individuals.

Thank you for your support in chasing young people who are not in uniform. If we can get on top of the shirts/ties and get rid of non school sweatshirts and hoodies, that will be a positive step forward. I know that our rugby players like their Balfron Strathendrick hoodies. Given that they have the school name and badge on them, I am inclined to accept them over branded equivalents. I am keen to explore adding school hoodies to our approved uniform and am thinking that there is scope to offer House colours or plain black as an option. Please do let me know what you think. We will look to push blazers again when the weather improves.

Now that visitors can come in and give an input, it was great to have the charity Oddballs in to deliver important messages on checking for testicular cancer to our senior boys. You may see some posters around the school.

It is always great to see so many extra-curricular clubs and inter-house running - this is very much appreciated. The Owen Britton debate takes place on Tuesday afternoon in memory of former pupil, Owen. It is hard to believe that we lost Owen suddenly to epilepsy in 2016, just over 7 years ago. It really does not seem that long ago. It is a salutary reminder of how precious life is.

As ever, thanks for all you are doing. You make a huge difference. Have a great week.

Elaine

This week at Balfron High School:

  • Assemblies

  • Working Groups (Mon)

  • S4/5 FCL interviews

  • S3 Tracking week

  • Owen Britton Debate (Tuesday)

  • Parent Council (Tuesday)

  • Post prelim meetings (PTs/HT)


Working Groups on Monday 3.45-4.45pm

  • Behaviour - B22

  • Digital Literacy - A6

  • DYW - C15

  • Equity - B1

  • LGBT charter - B7

  • Learning, Teaching and Assessment - C8

  • STEM - A3




Easter School

As you know we have the funding to run an Easter School. I appreciate that many of you, like me, will already have holidays organised and I understand that we all need a rest.

If you have time to give, and you would be willing to contribute to the Easter school, it will run as follows:


Classes targeting to areas of the course or coursework that you know would support pupils to pass or improve their grades.


The payment for classes is 25.17 per hour. Each session will be 2 hours. Our total budget is £6,400 approx which would give us a max of 128 two hour sessions.


The model for the Easter School is two sessions per day (10.30-12.30 & 1-3pm) over both weeks of the holiday.


To help me collate our overall programme, please complete the relevant Google Forms based on your availability. I have deliberately split them by level and by week, to help me pull together the info. I appreciate you may wish to offer multiple sessions for each course - perhaps planning for revision in different areas.


Once I know your availability I will be able to allocate sessions.


Please confirm by close of school on Wednesday 9 March. I will share a draft programme shortly after this.


Week 1 (4-8 April)

National 5 - https://forms.gle/tqYxBJ5QjZZRYdAB6

Higher - https://forms.gle/pWso2CwvtCNhcx4C6

Advanced Higher - https://forms.gle/Udwq1VbDbYbbvKUw9


Week 2 (11-15 April)

National 5 - https://forms.gle/zXECnrj2myzWNfYF7

Higher - https://forms.gle/NsTow4eJ71htUTaNA

Advanced Higher - https://forms.gle/nwrM1CwXF5R71AiFA


Suggestions that target support to our most vulnerable learners would be welcome in person or by email.

Don't take anything personally... a useful reflection

I generally consider myself to be a relatively calm character, but am embarrassed to admit that last week, I allowed myself to be pushed into an irrational rant by an S3 who will remain nameless. Let's just say, Paul Dix would not have been at all impressed with my response to this young person and in all honesty, I am embarrassed that I let them get under my skin.

The reason for sharing my own shortfall, is that I found a podcast that has helped me regain perspective. It is only 6 minutes long and if, like me you are at times tired and losing patience, it might help!

You can access it via apple podcasts below or any device through the link on the right.

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-cult-of-pedagogy-podcast/id900015782?i=1000548734701

More Brain Dumps in Biology

What a great way to check for understanding and build in peer assessment.

CPL Corner - getting your head round differentiation

When we consider the wide range of needs that young people have in each of our classes, we can be overwhelmed with the requirement to differentiate. Here are some resources to help reassure you that you are probably on the right track.

  • Watch the video, "Differentiating Instruction: It's Not as Hard as you Think"

  • Listen to the podcast, "Try a tiered activity for simple differentiation", or

  • Read, "Easy differentiation - tactics that are NOT time consuming"

Last week in sport

Some highlights of our young people taking part athletics, rugby and football. Please keep sharing.

BHS Assembly Programme Feb - May 2022.doc




Our programme will coincide with updated COVID mitigations. In addition, we will add the following in-house mitigations:


  • staff remain at the bottom (or top) of the tiered seating - complete paper register

  • seat pupils with free row between form classes

  • CO2 monitors at front and back to monitor levels.

If you have items that would be helpful to share in assembly, please let me know. I will be starting with a back-to-basics approach.

Calendar 2021-22


7 March Working Groups

11 March S3 Tracking due

14 March Team Meetings


Calendar 2021-22


wb 14 March S3/2 Course Choice

23 March Leadership Team Meeting

28 March Team meetings

1 April Last day of term

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.

20220107143917395_Changes-to-Self-Isolation-Jan-2022 (1).pdf



H&S should always be on your Team Meeting Agendas.


Although it does look like the Covid situation is improving nationally, please ensure that you continue to be aware of – and observe – all Covid guidelines.


The latest information can be found in the Google Staff Shared H&S Folder here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1NzmJ3aMg1bipnSyVTNJin5hukriH7oKs

And also on the Glow Stirling Site here:

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/st/policiesguidelinesandforms/covid-19-guidance/


Useful Links

Supervision Rota 21-22
Reducing+Risks+in+Schools+guidance+-+version+6.1+-+September+2021.pdf
Extra-Curricular Programme 2021-22
BHS SIP & Recovery Plan 202-22.docx
Extra Curricular Poster Times.docx

Quality Assurance 2021-22 - Classroom Visits

Term 1 Classroom Observations


Our observation pro forma is based on the HGIOS QI, 2.3

Features of highly effective practice are on page 2 along with challenge questions.


Classroom Observation 2.3 Learning, Teaching and Assessment.doc

Quality Assurance 2021-22

Open Doors Dates

I will be joined by a PT for Open Doors this session as follows:


7 October Expressive Arts L McAllister

19 October English G MacKay

28 October Science N Macquarrie

9 November Health M Skinner

25 November Mod Languages A Barrie

29 November Technologies D Gormal

6 December Social Subjects S Boyle

10 February Maths M Young