school mins feb 08

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NORTH KESSOCK PRIMARY SCHOOL PARENT COUNCIL
MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2008



Present

Helen Barton (chair)
Hazel Henderson (head teacher)
Graeme Lyon
Alan McDiarmid
Julia Sinclair
Jo Hazell
Susanna Leslie
Lesley MacLachlan (clerk)



Apologies

Ann Graves
Mrs MacLeod


Helen Barton opened the meeting and welcomed Jo Hazell to the Parent Council. It was unanimously agreed that the Council’s presence at the parents’ interviews helped raise the Parent Council’s profile and was a great success in terms of obtaining parent volunteers for future activities.


Minutes of Meeting on 29TH January 2008

Those present agreed the minutes of the meeting held on 29th January 2008 as a true record.


Head Teacher’s Report

Miss Henderson advised that one of the log seats had been removed but she was eager to remove the remaining logs as soon as possible. Alan McDiarmid advised he should be able to arrange removal of these in the foreseeable future. Alan also advised that there were picnic benches at Millburn Academy that this school might find use for. Miss Henderson and Alan will liaise in this respect.

Miss Henderson advised that the school had been quoted a cost of £150.00 to fit a dishwasher for the nursery. She felt this cost was excessive and was in the process of looking for a cheaper quote. Shelves also require to be fitted in the nursery.





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Miss Henderson advised that there had been a problem with dog walking/fouling in the school grounds. She has spoken to the individual(s) in question and is hopeful that the problem has now been resolved.

It was noted that the rope on the flagpole was inoperable, Miss Henderson asked for volunteers to repair this.


Priorities for the 2008 School Year

Following Parent Council representation at the parents’ meetings held on 19th and 21st February, a wish list has been compiled which represents parents’ views on priorities for the year ahead. Trips & visits together with playground games were deemed the 2 immediate priorities.

It was noted that David Howell, has offered free joinery services to the school – labour will not be charged for, but materials would incur a cost.

Dave Hazell has volunteered to provide gardening services to the school on a monthly basis.

Miss Henderson enquired if Millburn Academy had a bike shed and/or stands they were looking to dispose of. Alan McDiarmid advised he would look into this and feedback in due course. He had also noticed that there was bi-cycle stands no longer in use at the Safeway site in Rose Street, which is currently being re-developed and will check what future plans there are for the equipment.

The Highland Council Sport’s Co-ordinator has provided details of a company who supply rubberised playground matters. Miss Henderson will contact them to obtain indicative costs.

It was agreed that an initial target of £1,000 would be set for these priorities.


Treasurer’s Report

Ann Graves was unable to attend the meeting but had indicated that there was no change to balances held in the 2 accounts.











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Fundraising

Initial targets were agreed in terms of funding proposed school trips: -

· Trips in summer term which are educational and enjoyable
· Other trips limited to school work e.g. farm visit; visit to Fort George
· Pantomime trip
· Swimming
· School competitors e.g. choir, badminton, etc

Alan suggested that a transport fund account is set up or a specific amount of funds raised is ring-fenced for trips.

Graeme Lyon advised that having reviewed the list of fundraising ideas a Spring Fete had attracted a lot of interest. It was agreed that this event would be held at the School on Saturday 17th May 2008.

Discussion then took place between members as to equipment required and type of activities proposed: -

Lifeboat Station Hardware; bunting, tables etc.
Additional Stands Possibility of deriving income from other organsiations’
stands e.g. Inverness City, North Kessock Bowling Club, Groove Club, WRI, etc.
Proposed Stalls Baking, books, plants, bottle stalls; CD/DVD/computer
& Activities games stall; face painting; biscuit decorating; various foods
and refreshments; target football; other games to test your
skills; pony rides, raffle, etc.

A newsletter will be issued in March to promote the event and request donations to stalls.

Lesley advised that she would check if pony rides were covered by the insurance policy. No response had been received to date with regard to lottery registration. Jackie Dey, the school secretary, will chase this up on behalf of the Parent Council.











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Any Other Business

New Development (Growth of the Village)

Helen had received data from the Highland Council regarding the proposed development at Bellfield Farm. This seemed to contradict earlier forecasts provided by the developer and Helen Barton has contacted the Community Council in the first instance to clarify the accuracy of this data and will chase up a response.


Hit Squad

Alan McDiarmid suggested that Dave Hazell lead the gardening squad. Alan will contact all volunteers after the Easter break to progress timings of proposed activities. The School will advise Alan what gardening work requires to be undertaken.

Miss Henderson advised that Lifescan has contributed £300 to the school and provided transport for the school choir to attend the Lifescan factory.


Date of Next Meeting

This being all the business to be discussed the date of the next meeting was agreed for Thursday 17th April at 7.00pm in the staff room of North Kessock Primary School.


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