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school mins jan 2010
NORTH KESSOCK PRIMARY SCHOOL PARENT COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 19th JANUARY 2010
PRESENT
Helen Barton Lesley MacLachlan
Jo Hazell Ian Mackenzie
Susannah Leslie (Chair) Sally Martin
Graeme Lyon Hazel Henderson
Tilly Grist
APOLOGIES
Lorna Reid
Vicky Bicknell
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 10th NOVEMBER 2009
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.
The following topics were covered therein:-
School roll; staffing; playground equipment; Safer Routes to Schools; HC energy saving initiative re solar panels; cycling proficiency; a news up-date; visitors to the school; out of school activities; enrolment dates for 2010 nursery/ Primary 1 children and February school closure dates.
Miss Henderson advised that most of the work and units are now in place in the library. She thanked the Parent Council for their donation of £241.00 to purchase books to add to the school stocks.
Miss Henderson also advised that the school computer system has been updated with the existing router being replaced by a server and training is ongoing in its use. Two new colour laser printers have also been bought and have been installed, one on each floor of the school. The 4 teaching classrooms have been updated by the removal of the old blackboards and the installation of new computer SMART boards and whiteboards. The total cost of the printers and the boards has been approx. £3,500. It was noted that the funds used to pay for these improvements was accumulated by Miss Henderson off-setting her management hours against teaching costs over a number of years.
This was a great achievement and the Parent Council would like to thank Miss Henderson on behalf of all parents for this invaluable contribution to the school.
The recent snow and ice caused damage to the roof, guttering and down pipes. The work repairing it is under way and should be completed by Friday 23rd January 2010. There was also a small leak in the kitchen but these repairs should be covered by the Highland Council winter damage fund.
The school being closed on Monday 21st December meant that the proposed visit to the VUE cinema had to be cancelled. The school will be celebrating World Book Day during the January-March term and a week of events is planned this year. As part of the planned events, the school has contacted the cinema to help arrange a new “U” rated film showing for the pupils to attend. This proposal will be included in the January school newsletter and it is hoped that all parents will agree with this re-arrangement. Frasers of Munlochy who were to transport the children have agreed to set aside transport once we have an agreed date.
INSET DATES for next year. A draft has been provided from the Council asking for a response to which of the proposed models the Parent Council and Staff would prefer for next year’s allocation of dates. Following discussion model was agreed:-
Model 2
Monday 16 August 2010 (1)
Change February long weekend to Monday/Tuesday 14 & 15 February 2011
Wednesday 16, Thursday 17 and Friday 18 February 2011 (2, 3 & 4)
2 days in June 2011 (5 & 6)
Miss Henderson advised that the anticipated school enrolment for the August term is 11 pupils leaving, with 14 coming into primary classes.
MATTERS ARISING
Susannah Leslie advised that she would chase up Mr Mackenzie, Head of Support Services, re her letter sent on 25th September 2009 regarding the reduction of cleaning services being provided to the school. As previously advised the school has 2 cleaners who are each allocated 2 3/4 hours per day to clean the school. Concerns have been raised by the teaching staff and Parent Council members with regard to the adequacy of these hours to comply with general hygiene and health and safety guidelines. The main areas of concern are that the school no longer receives a deep clean during the summer break, the gym area/canteen area being cleaned once a week as opposed to twice previously, carpets not being shampooed and cleaning of tables and shoeboxes. Ian Mackenzie suggested we looked at compiling data to build up a case against the cleaning reductions. This could be done via swab analysis and/or recording of outbreaks of illness. Miss Henderson will record specific incidents with immediate effect.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Graeme Lyon advised that the Parent Council Account has a current balance of £277.45; no items of expenditure have recently been paid from this account and the balance has risen due to annual interest being credited.
The Fund Raising account has a current balance of £1,826.51. The balance has increased due to funds raised by 2 recent activities – circa £20.00 from coffees and mince pies sold at the carol singing event in December and approximately £1,055 from sales of the school cook book to date. Miss Henderson and the Parent Council took the opportunity to thank Ian Mackenzie and other parents involved in the production of the cookbooks. Susannah will write a letter of thank s to Alec Main of HOE, the main sponsor of this activity.
As discussed previously, the nursery staff would like to purchase a washing machine/dryer to comply with health and safety guidelines and wonder if the Parent Council could contribute to this purchase in any way. The washing machine/dryer would also be used to wash all sports bibs used by pupils. It was agreed that £250.00 would be donated in this respect and Lesley MacLachlan will advise the nursery accordingly.
FUNDRAISING
As previously advised the Halloween disco for the pupils had not taken place due to the prohibitive costs of a DJ. Ian Mackenzie advised that one of his staff was a part-time DJ and he would speak to him to see what he would charge to provide DJ services for a Valentines Disco on Thursday 11th February, The nursery-P3 children would have a session 6.00pm to 7.00pm with the older pupils having a disco from 7.15pm to 8.45pm. Ian will advise Helen Barton and Vicky Bicknell how he gets on.
A provisional date of 22nd May 2010 had been agreed for the Summer Fete. However it was noted that this clashed with the Glencalvie Challenge which a number of parents and local residents may be involved in. An alternative date of Saturday 5th June was agreed. Helen Barton will check that the pony rides will be available for this date. A new sub-committee was formed to deal with arranging the Fete consisting of Graeme Lyon, Tilly Grist and Sally Martin. Lesley MacLachlan said she was happy to speak to parents at the school to see if they would be interested in providing help in the organisation and/or delivery of the event. Tilly advised she would speak to the nursery staff and children to enquire if they wanted to be involved in the Fete. Miss Henderson will look at the pupils having more involvement than 2 years ago and will report back to the Parent Council at the next meeting. Ian Mackenzie advised that his work has a marquee which could be borrowed and used on the day.
ECO-COMMITTEE UP-DATE
A written up-date was provided as Lorna Reid could not attend the meeting in person. £467.00 was raised at the coffee afternoon in December and after expenses £439 went to the Eco funds. The current balance of the Eco-Committee account stands at £717. Some of these funds have been put towards purchasing Water Hippos which have been ordered for all school toilets. These help towards reducing water consumption. Four fruit trees have been planted in the wild garden and when the weather improves the Committee’s main project is to create a garden with the help of Mr Martin, Mr MacIver and Mrs Bicknell (parent volunteers). Bulbs are to be planted at the front entrance of the school. A Silver Award Certificate is to be applied for by the Eco-committee and it is hoped their application will be successful.
Jo Hazell advised that she and her husband would check with the progress of the fruit trees to ensure they have been planted in. It was noted that concerns had been raised about the suitability of the ground for the garden due to it being hard and rocky. Raised beds may be an alternative option and Graeme Lyon advised he has some scaffolding which could be put to good use in this respect. He will liaise with Mrs Munro and Miss Henderson accordingly.
CYCLING PROFICENCY
Jo Hazell was issued with the information pack provided to the school in respect of this initiative. She will read through the folder and provide feedback at the next meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE
Susannah advised the following correspondence had been received:-
- SPTC Backchat Newsletter
- Parent Council invitation to a Scottish Government Sharing Practice Event in Edinburgh on Saturday 20th March 2010.
- A SPTC Survey on Funding which Susannah will complete and return accordingly.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Ian Mackenzie enquired as to the possibility of a Come-as-you-like day being held on the last Friday of every month to raise funds for specific causes e.g.; the Haiti earthquake victims. Jo Hazell advised that in principle this was a good idea but care would have to be taken re the financial implications on parents. It was agreed to look at these type of fund raising events on an on-going basis.
As previously advised, the Parent Council had been approached to provide a stall at the North Kessock Community Market on the last Saturday of each month. It was agreed that this would be a good idea and Susannah will decide the way forward in this respect.
Graeme suggested that we look at agreeing on how funds raised should be spent over the coming year. Monies of approximately £1,800.00 will be ring-fenced for school trip transportation costs. Miss Henderson advised the school would benefit greatly from 4 laptops at an approximate cost of £1,600 and in principle it was agreed that the monies raised at the Summer Fete could be used for this purpose. Miss Henderson will get a costing for these laptops.
Vicky Bicknell advised that concerns have been raised by parents with regard to the P1/P2 door not being locked at all times and the internal nursery door being wedged open. Miss Henderson will speak with appropriate staff to resolve these security issues.
Susannah will prepare a Parent Council Up-date to issue with this to up-date the children and parents on current issues and fundraising plans. In future Miss Henderson will advise Susannah when newsletters are being issued a couple of weeks prior to this taking place to allow her and Helen to prepare the Parent Council contribution.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
This being all the business to be discussed the meeting closed at 9.20pm. The date of the next meeting is to be held on Tuesday 23rd February 2010 at 7.30pm.
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