\Balfron High
Ski Trip A party of 39 S4 and S5 pupils along with teachers Mrs Shaw, Mr Ratcliffe and Mrs Short travelled to Hochfugen in Austria to conquer the Tyrolean Alps. The snow conditions were absolutely excellent with a summit depth of 4.62 meteres of snow. Beautifully pisted slopes and fields of fresh powder snow, blue, red and black runs were tackled by four ability groups. The weather was a mix of blue skies and snow showers with a temperature of 130 below freezing … ski buffs to the rescue! The hotel was situated on the slopes and those more competent skiers could ski to the actual doorstep. The evening entertainment programme consisted of a quiz evening, team challenge, ice skating and swimming in the village of Fugen. The pool complex boasted a leisure, whirl, wave, salt and outdoor pool as well as flumes. Just what everyone needed to relax the sore legs from a day of skiing. The most exciting evening activity was the local ski show when instructors treated the audience to a spectacular of ski jumps through fire hoops, tricks in the air, fireworks and dancing on skis. within Health and Wellbeing that they wished more information on and more support within school. Therefore, in response to this and also in recognition of the importance of bringing discussions around mental health out in to the open, the school highlighted and discussed mental health through learning and teaching, whole school assemblies and interhouse events. There is a newly formed Health and Wellbeing working team and one of the first initiatives has been in the area of mental health. Currently the school has two S6 pupils who are Mental Health Ambassadors with Stirling Council, 24 S5/6 pupils being trained in Mental Health First Aid and one member of staff undergoing training with more to follow. Throughout the week there were a variety of opportunities to start the discussion around mental health. These included: S1-S4 PSHE lessons; Inter-house events including a “Time to Talk” lunch where more than 120 pupils participated in five sports at lunch. This will continue. Junior registration classes were involved in discussions around mental health and completed various tasks and challenges; assemblies involving the community nurse and other external partners and Street Soccer Scotland delivered a presentation to S3 and S4 pupils about mental health and the importance of talking about how we are feeling. S6 pupils organised a bake sale and raised a fantastic £400 with all proceeds going to Action in Mind.