Wednesday 10th October 2022


Dear Parents and Carers,

As we approach the end of half-term, and following my previous communication, I wanted to get back in touch to relay some further information relating to our ‘Reset on Respect’.


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As you are aware, the BHS Learner was developed in collaboration with both staff and students over a significant period. The associated imagery is displayed all around the school. It outlines the learning dispositions and values we endeavor to instill and develop in our community. The BHS Learner is far more than a poster. It outlines the ‘way we do things’ at Ballakermeen.


708_708_f651175d80cda7030d693c46d7f6f424.png?m=1666166383 EPRAISE:

As outlined in my previous letter, we have established clear and high expectations which are steadily being embedded. A vital aspect of our push on positive habits and norms is our reward system, Epraise.


Epraise links directly to the Ballakermeen Learner and students are awarded praise points each time they demonstrate any of the learning attributes or values. Praise points are awarded both inside and outside of lessons.

The Epraise dashboard allows students to monitor how many praise points they have achieved and in which categories. As well as encouraging students to set themselves individual targets, the dashboard also allows students to ‘spend’ their praise points to enter prize draws.


As of writing, (18th October), staff have awarded over 90,000 praise points to students thus far this year. This is evidence of the wonderful work taking place all over the school. The house praise points competition is certainly heating up. Patrick are currently leading the way, but there is a long way to go! Best of luck to all involved.


In terms of behaviour point in specific year groups:

  • In Year 7 - 88% of students have had 5 or less behaviour reminder points this year (40% with zero!)
  • In Year 8 - 76% of students have had 5 or less behaviour reminder points this year (44% with zero!)
  • In Year 9 - 67% of students have had 5 or less behaviour reminder points this year (36% with zero!)
  • In Year 10 - 73% of students have had 5 or less behaviour reminder points this year (32% with zero!)
  • In Year 11 - 71% of students have had 5 or less behaviour reminder points this year (34% with zero!)

It is clear, with 75% of the school receiving 5 or less behaviour reminder points this year and 37% having received zero, that positive norms are being established. We thank you for your support in reinforcing our high but clearly achievable expectations and we are pleased to see most students maintaining positive approach to school and to their learning.


I hope that this information provides you with an understanding of the priority that we are all placing on positive learning behaviours and reassurance of the importance that we place on positive reinforcement. On the final page of this letter, I have outlined our ‘Praise Ladder’ which describes recognition at various levels. I sincerely hope that I will be contacting many of you personally when your child displays sustained positive behaviour and reaches Stage 4.

For most students, the positive praise and rewards will be the main things that they will notice in relation to the Reset on Respect; praise, rewards plus a calm and focused learning environment!


I would finally like to invite you to complete a survey that will contribute to our initial review of the ‘Reset on Respect’. We will also be involving staff and students in this review to identify any areas that we need to revisit without compromising on the standards that we expect. You can find the link to the survey by following the link below.

Reset on Respect Parental Survey


I wish you and your family a lovely half term break.

Yours sincerely,


Graeme Corrin

Headteacher



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