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school mins may 09
NORTH KESSOCK PRIMARY SCHOOL PARENT COUNCIL
PRESENT Helen Barton Lesley MacLachlan APOLOGIES Alan McDiarmid
These were confirmed as an accurate record of the meeting. HEAD TEACHERS REPORT Miss Henderson issued a report to the Parent Council, a copy of which is attached.
Helen referred to correspondence received from Hugh Fraser in April in respect of teaching staff allocations. She suggested that we go back to Highland Council with regard to a couple of issues mainly; the appropriateness of re-assessing the school roll in September, with changes being effected following the October break and the allocation for staffing in respect of nursery children in terms of management capacity. Issues regarding administrative support for the head teacher and lunch break supervision were also discussed. Miss Henderson enquired as to the possibility of the Parent Council providing the leaving gifts for the current P7 class. It was agreed that Parent Council funds would be used to purchase French dictionaries for all P7 staff to commemorate their move to secondary school. Miss Henderson will order the appropriate number of dictionaries forthwith.
SCHOOL GROUNDS AND SPEED LIMITS Ian advised, that weather permitting, he would use the compressor to clean up the playground, thereafter the janitor would paint some murals, hopscotch, etc. One of Ian’s work suppliers has offered to provide paint gratis. The nursery has requested footprints be painted and this will be actioned on the same day. Miss Henderson thanked Ian for all his assistance in this matter. A number of members raised concerns about the timings of the 20-mile speed limit on the access road to the school. It was agreed that these would continue to be monitored with a view to including nursery, primary and secondary school start and finish times to ensure all children benefit from this safety initiative.
Graeme summarised the purpose of both bank accounts for the Council. The Parent Council account is funded by monies allocated from the Highland Council to assist with various expenses e.g.; clerk’s wages, purchase of dictionaries for P7 each year, etc. Monies raised from various school events throughout the year are placed in the Fund Raising account. £2,873 was raised this school year from the following activities: - Fayre £1,600 Funds raised £2,873 To date £770 of these monies has been used to fund transport costs, which leaves a closing balance of £2,103.64. Possible donations to the following activities are being considered i.e.; contribution to nursery, transport costs for end of term trips, wall climbing and playground equipment. A Highland Council fact sheet was issued to all members which provided guidance and advice on money matters; holding cash, good money handling procedures and spending money. It was agreed that teas, baking and a raffle would be offered at the annual nursery and school sports days to raise funds.
Helen issued a summary report from the Scottish Government in respect of views on a national representative body for Parent Councils. The report stated that 79% of Parent Councils who expressed a view are in favour of a national body. Findings supported the view that both the SPTC and SPCA provide similar services with the former organisation deemed more popular as a point of first contact for advice, etc. It was noted that the North Kessock Parent Council had ceased its membership with the SPTC due to insurance being provided by Highland Council at no cost to the Parent Council. It was felt that for an annual fee of £46, it might be worth considering re-joining the SPTC to benefit from the services it has available. A decision will be made about this next term.
The Eco Committee is holding a sale over the next 2 days to cover the cost of purchasing 4 barrels for the herb garden. Pupils have prepared a wish list, which indicates what the children would like to see fund raising monies spent on. It was agreed in the short term that funds would be used to purchase a free-standing sandpit, re-paint hopscotch, etc and purchase litter bins for the playground. The children have also expressed interest in a climbing wall. As advised at previous meetings, the cost of a climbing wall being affixed to the school building was prohibitive. Graeme advised that he had approached a couple of engineers with regard to looking at adding climbing walls to the free-standing wooden structures in the playground. Unfortunately due to personal insurance and indemnity issues they are not able to assist. It was agreed that the Health and Safety Executive should be approached to see if they had any objections to the structures being converted into climbing walls. The Pupil Council is currently investigating the possibility of constructing a bike shed that may be eligible for funding by Highland Council as part of the Safer for Schools initiative. A second phase of this project would be to look at cycle markings and in the long term, involvement of parent volunteers for cycling proficiency.
The Parent Council thanked Mr. and Mrs. Pim for their donation of the willow trees for the school grounds. It was noted that flowering is coming to an end with regard to the wild garden. Graeme offered to remove the garden refuse from the school grounds. Jo advised she was looking for volunteers to carry out a gardening clean-up of the school grounds. She will contact volunteers on the squad hit list and make arrangements for a volunteer day during the summer holidays.
PARENT COUNCIL MEMBERS UP-DATE It was noted this meeting would be the final meeting prior to the summer holidays. Alan McDiarmid has resigned, as has Mr. Danson, the teacher representative. Helen Barton is resigning as chair, albeit she will continue to be a member of the Parent Council. Ian advised that he has resigned from the Community Council and will no longer be the CC representative but will continue to sit on the Parent Council. All members thanked these individuals for their invaluable contributions to the Parent Council over the last few years. It was noted that an annual report for the Parent Council is due to be distributed. Miss Henderson and Helen Barton will liaise in this respect to produce the relevant report. Susannah Leslie has agreed to be the new chairperson, with Jo Hazell acting as her deputy.
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HeadTeacher’s Report to School Council
· Miss Shonagh Stewart has been appointed to take the P7 class to the end of this session , to cover the secondment of Mr Danson to the Cluster Headship of Teanassie/Tomnacross.
Visitors to School The dog warden has visited the school and talked to the children at Assembly. She will be returning at the beginning of next session to lead the children on a campaign to help alleviate dog fouling in the school playground, working with the Pupil Council.
· Being led by ECO Committee, Mrs Reid and Mr Iain Mackenzie.
· Timings to be confirmed with Parent Council. Topics for discussion with Parent Council and Funding Requests · P7 Leavers’ Party · School Sports Day · Playground toys/games · School Trip buses. · Contribution to Nursery -----------------------------------------------
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