MINUTES OF STRATHBLANE P.S. PARENT COUNCIL MEETING- 02/02/2010
In attendance: Traci Leven, Anne Scott, Debbie Bolton, Wendy Hamilton, Sandra Logan, Anne Spencer, Libby Brittain, Beate Beck-Schwahn, Sheena Mylles, Morven Bulloch, Vivienne Mackay, Sandy Kennedy, Cathie Moir, Lynda Barclay, Mandy Malcomson (clerk to PC).
Apologies received: Seonaid Byles, Lynne Kelly.
1. Formal business – Sandy Kennedy opened the meeting, welcoming everyone. It was agreed not to adopt minutes of previous meeting due to some members not having received a copy.
2. Head teacher’s Report– Sandra Logan thanked PC for support for Christmas parties etc.
Recent events have included an assembly for Mr. Green, Pantomime for CHAS, Viking Society workshop, Scottish National Basketball Team visit (leading to coaching), Celtic Connections workshops (funded by the Burns Club), P6/7 cross country event (silver medal winners).
Upcoming events organised so far include P7 quiz team event, lacrosse tournament, Hopscotch Fairtrade show (June).
Update of School Development Plan: as part of Curriculum for Excellence (CfE), each class will undertake a Rich Task Experience (focusing on literacy/numeracy/research and ending with a presentation). Sandy requested that 3 questions from each task be submitted for use on Quiz Night fundraising event– Sandra will liaise.
Sandra reported that an extra CfE staff development day has been added (04/05/10) and parent information leaflets have been received. These will possibly be available during Friday workshops or at Meet the Teacher evenings. Vivienne will post a reminder about these workshops on website.
Morven Bulloch reported on strategies to improve House System i.e. House assemblies linked to school values, Golden Time celebrations/extended time, House songs.
Anne Spencer reported that pupil council will revamp notice board, including a suggestion box and will link with Debbie Bolton for internal painting project. They are also organising a fundraiser for the Haiti Earthquake Appeal and possibly be working towards Green Flag Ecoschool status. Anne Spencer will look into and feedback on this.
3. Report from Chair – Sandy asked group members to report on key areas of PC Action Plan.
a. Non-sports extra curricular activities- Cathie Moir extended thanks to Lynne James in helping to set up the monthly Chatterbooks Book Club. Sandra Logan and Lynne Kelly will also assist. Sandra suggested registration with Author Scotland. There will be a visit from the author of the Ben 10 series.
Cathie also reported that members of Strathblane Gardening Club are keen to get involved with a school gardening club. Sheena Mylles suggested a competition for ideas and Strathblane Gardening Club have offered a school stall at the plant sale (08/05/10). Cathie will liaise with Sheena Mylles and Sandra Logan to move this forward in terms of grant funding and approaching sponsors. Sandy will ask parents to help with heavier work. Traci suggested asking parents for tools/pots/half kegs etc.
b. School Grounds- Debbie Bolton reported that painting work on toilets will start on 11/02/10. She has requested any paint remnants from parents. Vivienne will put this on website. Anne Scott will also liaise with local painter/decorator. Debbie is hoping to tie in with gardening club for exterior painting ideas. Beate Beck-Schwahn reiterated need for visualisation of fundraising wall chart. She will take lead on this and aim for completion at start of summer term.
c. Sports/Physical Activity- Traci reported extensive progress. A line marker machine and 32 sports tops have been purchased (£149 and £360 respectively). Sports tops have been a success with some children requesting to buy them. The School House t -shirts have been launched with good response. There remains money in sport equipment ‘pot’ for future use.
Extra curricular sports opportunities will continue on rotational basis e.g. netball, TOPS, table tennis (lunch time club), hockey, cross- country running, tennis, cheerleading, yoga, cricket, athletics, rugby and possibly football, if a coach could be found. Sandy will ask parents. Traci will liaise with Sandra Logan as to whether yoga could be offered during curriculum time to P1/2/3.
Competitive sports opportunities will involve Inter-House Activities (also National Sports Week and Sports Day) and Inter-School tournaments. There was some discussion about how transport should be funded. Sandra Logan felt that children representing the school should not be asked to pay for transport. Beate suggested informing parents about costs involved and possibly asking for donations as needed. Ongoing discussion will be required.
As part of the “Big Project” Traci also suggested making a basketball court at the back of the school. She will research cost etc. Lynda Barclay talked about possible concerns from neighbours about this. Sandy congratulated all members for incredible progress and also asked for dates of tournaments. It was decided that the school would not support Sport Relief this year but focus on Haiti Appeal.
d. Road Safety – Sandy thanked Vivienne Mackay, Eleanor Forrest, Debbie Bolton and David McNally (Community Police Officer) for their hard work.
Around school- bushes around the library have been cut and leaflets to parents distributed. Due to legal hurdles new/extra road markings may be delayed until August 2010. Vivienne will post details on website.
Traffic attendant- unfortunately Stirling Council have withdrawn budget at short notice, despite position being filled. Councillor Graham Lambie is now involved. The Community Council is also involved and has been advised to initiate a pelican crossing application (medium term). Sandy suggested a possible parent rota (short term). Mandy Malcomson suggested that story should go the media for extra profile.
e. Communications- Vivienne reported that the PC website now had a link to the P3 Blog and suggested that teachers may want to use News section of the website to ask for parental skills in any areas, particularly Rich Task Experience. Vivienne will manage this.
Sandy and Vivienne will work on strategy to encourage parents to sign up for automatic updates. Sandra requested that downloadable forms e.g. medication form be added to website. Wendy Hamilton will liaise with Sandra on this.
f. Big Spend Project- Wendy reported that school has managed to fund one interactive whiteboard and asked PC to fund another (possible discount for two). Staff members present considered purchase of these a great advantage – most schools already have started using them. It was felt that demonstration workshops to parents would be useful – possibly at the Quiz Night. Sandy emphasised that purchase would be a leap of faith and PC voted to fund one whiteboard. Sandra will liaise with Rachel Allen to help promote use of this tool.
g. School/Parent liaison – the group felt that this was improving consistently.
4. Treasurer’s Report- Libby Brittain presented balance of funds as of 30/12/09 to be £9331.92. The Christmas Fair made £1130.09 and hampers made £332.10.
5. Fundraisers- Beate reported on Strathblane Primary Fundraisers successful and forthcoming events and has suggested that Summer Fair funds be divided between whiteboard funds and Greenheart, as Fair will be a community event. Details of events are posted on the website. The group was reminded that MUGA money is still earmarked for outdoor facilities.
It was agreed that funding would be allocated as follows:
£50 for paint/mirrors
£3000 approx. for interactive whiteboard
6. Dates of meetings for remainder of the year- all meetings to start at 7:15pm sharp.
Tuesday 9th March 2010
Tuesday 20th April 2010
Tuesday 15th June 2010
7. AOCB
Libby Brittain introduced a Christmas card fundraising idea.
Sandy closed meeting at 21:50, thanking everyone for attending.