Headteacher Key Information Update
Hi All! Just a brief update on some of the work going on across our school that will affect families and young people as we work through our School Improvement Priorities which can be found here.
Staffing Update
- Ms Adamson (DAS) has started with us on a Monday and Tuesday
- Ms Annandale (Home Economics) starts with us in August
- PTC Mathematics recruitment takes place next week to start in August ahead of Mrs Fleming’s retirement at the end of term
- PT General Science and Pathways recruitment takes place in the next few weeks ahead of Mrs Ramsay-Service’s retirement at the end of term
- Mrs Brown (Modern Languages) will be leaving us at the end of term to pursue new adventures out with education
- Mrs Crawford, who has been in a temporary acting position as Head of House for Tyrie was successful in securing this position on a permanent basis just before the Easter break
Personal Devices (inc Mobile Phone) Use in School - Policy Update
Thanks to all the parents/carers who shared their views regarding how we should manage personal devices (including mobile phones) moving forward. I received 121 responses in total.
In response to the question around whether parents/carers would support the refreshed approaches to minimising the use of mobile phones in school, the feedback was clear that there is a strong desire to make changes to our existing approach:
Furthermore, there were several comments requesting that we include smartwatches and ear pods within the policy too. We’re finalising the details of our refreshed policy which is based upon our core values, the feedback from parents/carers, pupils and staff and reflects the recent Scottish Government guidelines around the use of mobile phones in schools. Our refreshed policy will be shared with all families very soon and will be trialled from the 4th June from the change of our timetable to make sure it works well for us. We’ll make any final amendments over the summer and a final copy of the policy will be put on our website for the start of the new term. At our upcoming assemblies in June we’ll ensure that young people are all clear on the expectations and sanctions within the policy as well as their responsibilities.
I’m really grateful for your ongoing support and appetite for change – I’m sure there’ll be ups and downs as we get used to the new way of managing our personal devices alongside our transforming learning programme (see below), but we’re determined to make a difference and help our young people disconnect from devices and fully connect with peers, staff and, importantly, with learning experiences in school.
Transforming Learning
You may be aware that Fife Council recently announced that they are investing in one-to-one digital devices that will be issued to all learners from P6 - S6. The project is called Transforming Learning Fife and aims to transform the ways we engage with teaching, learning and assessment; this will provide enhanced experiences, improve outcomes, develop vital skills and nurture individual creativity.
Balwearie staff will receive Apple iPads on June 3, as we begin to upskill staff in their usage and plan for enhancing learning using these transformative devices.
Balwearie learners are due to receive their personal Apple iPads in late September. These devices will be used across all learning in the school and at home. As we approach the learner deployment stage of the project we will also be holding parent and carer information sessions and more information will follow to illustrate what this will look like for families, including appropriate usage agreements.
To give a flavour of what this will look like in Balwearie, please click on the link below that will take you to a case study by Apple on how one-to-one devices are being used by Scottish Borders Council. The apps and devices are very similar to those that we will be receiving.
Buildings Update
We’re beginning to move into our new accommodation! S Block (Science and Support for Learning) is still being finished, but the building services team have been working around the clock to let us start the big move ahead of our timetable change. We have 5 science classrooms on the top floor and our new Support for Learning department – part of our continuum of support – will be on the ground floor. Science teachers that will move over are; Dr Rose, Mrs McBride, Miss Darlington, Mr Ross and our new Principal Teacher will be based over there too when we’ve recruited to this post.
Photos of our new accommodation to follow once we’re in and set up fully!
House System Structure Information
From the start of our new timetable (4th June) we’ll be moving our pastoral care structure from a Year Head system (where each pupil has a Guidance Teacher and the Depute Head Teachers have a specific year group they’re responsible for) to a House Based System (each pupil has a Guidance Teacher and each 'house' has a Depute Head Teacher link). Miss MacLaren will continue to oversee transition and S1 year group.
There won’t be any significant changes for families and your child’s Guidance Teacher will not change. The main difference is that you’ll have the same Depute Head Teacher linked to your child’s ‘house’ guidance team for the duration of your child’s time at school.
There are a number of reasons we’re making this move, following extensive strategic work in school with the guidance and senior leadership teams, including;
- greater consistency for young people and their families
- maintaining the relationships between home and school which are built over time
- increased house identity for learners
- celebrate successes and achievements through the house system
- increasing the support network around our young people in school
The House Links will be as follows:
The Depute Head Teachers will retain some year head responsibilities aligned with their strategic remits in school.
Please share this information with your child(ren). We’ll also make sure all young people are aware of this change at our upcoming assemblies early in June.
Timetable Change
Our new timetable will begin after the June holiday on Wednesday 4th June. Mrs Brawley will send more information to families ahead of this to make sure everyone, including those returning from exam leave, know what to do and where to go on the first day of the new timetable.
Previous meeting minutes are available to read here.
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