Minutes of the Meeting of Strathblane Primary School
Parent Council
Monday 15th June 2009
Present:
Staff: Carolyn Randall, Anne Spencer, Rachel Allen, Sheena Mylles
Parent Council: Debbie Bolton, Charlie Haggerty, Fergus Mitchell, Cathie Moir, Gun Orgun, Bernd Schwahn, Andy Thompson
Parents: Linda Barclay, Libby Brittain, Wendy Hamilton, Kim Jones, Sandy Kennedy, Traci Leven, Vivienne Mackay, Mandy Malcomson, Jennie McCutcheon, Devin Mitchell, Bronagh Ewart (clerk to the parent council)
1. Welcome
Andy Thompson opened the meeting and welcomed everyone.
2. Apologies
Apologies were received from Morven Bulloch and Elaine Holmes.
3. Minutes of Meeting held on 12th May 2009
The minutes were accepted as a true record.
Matters Arising: All matters arising will be covered in this agenda.
4. Reports
4.1 Chair’s Annual Report
Andy gave his report, a copy of which is attached. Presentations were then made to the following on behalf of the PC: Carolyn Randall (Acting Head Teacher), Linda Barclay (for organising the Summer Fair and co-ordinating MUGA), Vivienne Mackay (for maintaining the PC website), Bronagh Ewart (Clerk) and Andy Thompson (Chair).
4.2 School
Carolyn reported that, with regard to Inclusion, the school had looked again at how it was providing support and addressing pupils’ needs – a difference in attainment is already evident and Carolyn thanked the staff for their hard work, dedication and commitment in this area. After consultation with various people, a set of 5 Shared Values have been decided upon – these will be communicated to parents this week. Positive Behaviour Strategies, in particular Celebrating Success, have been moved forward through assemblies, the house system, the wall of achievement and pupil certificates, again supported by staff commitment. Staff have engaged with Curriculum for Excellence including the P3/4 blog. This will be taken forward and parents will be provided with more information regarding CforE. A good system is in place for Writing from P1-7 and particular strategies are already making a difference. The school has worked successfully in partnership with the PC particularly in the production of healthy snack guidelines. Interviews will take place for a new post of Early Childhood Assistant in the nursery. With regard to the Crossing Patrol, awareness was raised concerning this vacancy in the last school newsletter. As yet there have been no responses. Figures concerning Attainment will be included in the next Standards and Quality Report. Carolyn thanked the staff for working as a team. She also thanked the PC and staff for welcoming her as Acting Head Teacher. She commented that it has been a pleasure to be in Strathblane Primary School. There have been many challenges and a great amount of satisfaction. Andy reinforced thanks to the staff for teaching to a high standard.
4.3 Strathblane Primary Fundraisers
Traci Leven reported on the various events which have taken place this year. A copy of this report will be posted on the PC website www.strathparentcouncil.org . Linda Barclay thanked Traci for all her hard work and suggested setting a target for fundraising in the future as a goal to work towards. Andy reinforced thanks to the SPF and Traci.
4.4 Treasurer
Gun Orgun reported that the current balance of the SPF account is £8128. The sum of £850 was awarded in grants to pay for expenses from the Summer Fair. Since the SPF took over a total of £4500 net profit has been made after the usual contributions have been made to the school. Funds raised this year have included:
Summer Fair £3560
Ceilidh c.£500
Joke Book £220+
Christmas Hampers £450
Christmas Fair £720
Halloween Disco Covered expenses
Donations to the school have included:
Christmas Parties £500
Buses for Trips £1000
Colour Printer £332.60
Theatre group visit £216
P7 leaving party £100
The sum of £7000 has been committed to the MUGA project. This large amount shows that we are committed and making significant efforts to secure funding. However, regular school commitments will always come first and the school can continue to approach the SPF for funds at any time. Gun stated that it had been a pleasure to be involved with the PC and the SPF. Andy thanked Gun for assuming the role of treasurer.
5. MUGA/Greenheart
Linda reported that she is currently working on the Sport Scotland application (stage 1) which is due for submission next week. If successful, stage 2 will take two months. A grant of £5000 has been received from the Stirling Environmental Trust. A total of 30% of funding is already in place. A further 50% will come from Sport Scotland if the application is successful. The remaining 20% will hopefully be sourced from the Rural Development Scheme and the Hugh Fraser Foundation. Linda met with representatives from Stirling Council and negotiated three potential locations for the MUGA – a definite location will depend upon community consultation and a meeting will be organised in early September to discuss plans. In order to secure funding from Sport Scotland the MUGA will have to have floodlights but these must be switched off by 9pm. It is hopeful that Stirling Council will maintain and insure the MUGA. The results of the recent community survey will be posted on the PC website. Andy thanked Linda for all her hard work.
6. Election of New Parent Council Members
6.1 Andy informed the meeting that out of 260 voting slips distributed, 90 were returned giving a response rate of 35%. Voting was very close and the following parents have been elected to the new PC: Debbie Bolton, Libby Brittain, Wendy Hamilton, Sandy Kennedy, Traci Leven, Vivienne Mackay and Cathie Moir. Comments were made regarding the difficulty in voting for 7 places out of a total of 8 candidates and the question was raised as to whether any unsuccessful candidates could be given a co-opted role on the PC.
6.2 As yet, no-one has come forward for the position of clerk.
7. AOB
• There was lengthy discussion regarding the re-introduction of skateboards and scooters to the playground. PC members have been approached by pupils concerning this. Carolyn reported that a decision has not yet been made as there are many issues to consider. Carolyn will liaise with Sandra Logan about this. Comments were also made about the restrictions regarding football in the playground and the desire to set up a chess club next session.
• Bernd Schwahn informed the meeting that the PC public liability insurance is due for renewal at the end of July. This costs £92 per annum with the Scottish Parent Teacher Council. The meeting approved the renewal of this insurance.
• Gun will arrange for the accounts to be audited over the summer holidays.
• Vivienne Mackay will take over the PC email account from Fergus Mitchell.
8. Date of Annual General Meeting
To be decided by the new PC.
Andy Thompson closed the meeting, thanking everyone for coming. The evening concluded with drinks and nibbles.