Bishopton Primary Parent Council Scottish Charity No. SC039422 | Bishopton Primary School Old Greenock Road Bishopton, PA7 5BE |
MINUTES FROM THE MEETING HELD ON 26TH OCTOBER 2009 Present:
Fiona Esplin, Catherine Murray, John O’Reilly, Susan Barton, Kathleen McIlroy, Jackie McCrea, Linda Gilles, Agnes MacKillop, Gladys Crozier, Shona Honeyman, David Hazel, Ruth McAlpine, Angela Wilson, Mhairi Peden
In the chair: Carolyn Keown
Apologies: Alison Hendry,Mark Stevenson, Karen McKinlay
1. Previous Minutes Carolyn Keown proposed the minutes from 31st Aug‘09, John O'Reilly seconded them.
2. Action Tracker Carolyn reviewed the action tracker from the previous meeting, and identified all items closed, the relevant action that took place & any follow up action.
3. School Report Gladys and Agnes provided an update. Planning in progress based on Curriculum for Excellence & feedback from HMI. Discussion re the Traffic Light system adopted per Curriculum For Excellence. A new system, and is subject to learning curve, with a few teething problems. Discussed the option of a parent forum to give parents an understanding of the Traffic light system. Initial questions have now be resolve and there is not a standard rule e.g. what behaviour merits red/amber/green , teachers discretion. It is not a system that reflects a pupils academic performance and that has no bearing on the pupil's score, it is based purely on the individual child's behaviour in class. If there is a interest from parents to hold a discussion to have more information on the traffic light system a forum can be arranged.
Discussion of School budget and any implications.
Staffing discussed - one change to infant department.
4. Local Meetings John attended two meetings on behalf of BPPC - one discussing the plans for Park Mains High School, the other re School Funding at Renfrewshire Council , with respect to Free school meals for P1-P3 pupils and school transportation costs.
Park Mains High School
Cost of new school is proposed to be £33M, which will be owned outright by Renfrewshire Council. The planned commencement is August 2010 with a completion data of Aug 2012. It will be future proofed to take account of the school role - potential to incorporate a primary school should numbers fall for high school. No theatre in new school. Sports facility to be included which will be for public use out with school hours. Used this opportunity to ask if Primary schools will be looked at re "refreshing of facilities" and the opportunity to acquire any of the obsolete items from Park Mains which are new but will not be brought into or are surplus to the new school.
School Funding / Budgets
Lively meeting. The focus of the meeting was to discuss the plan of free school meals for all P1 - P3 and school transport. It was pointed out that for certain schools this wouldn't be a huge benefit and could that funding be used for something else within the school 50% of the school's budget is for Educations & school essentials will always be covered. There is a grey are re the budget and what has been given to the schools. They have been significantly cut year on year and the budget figure originally provided has in part been clawed back by the council. It was confirmed and agreed that no parent council would or should be expected to fund raise for basics e.g pencils, jotters, books etc. Peripheral & consumables, maintenance testing etc are all expensive items and currently purchased via the business support officer from the Council list of approved vendors. John to follow up with Renfrewshire council & to get further information re budgets and impact to school from Business support officer.
SPTC - Carolyn advised they have been in touch re BPPC reputation and would like information for their annual meeting to display. Carolyn will arrange if possible to send some details. John will attend SPTC meeting if possible & provide feedback at next meeting.
5. Treasurers Report Audit completed & signed off. Submitted to OSCAR the charity regulator & has been validated. Forth coming events requiring cash - Halloween Party & Dragons Den.
6. Uniform Shop Significant sales of uniform at Parent's evening. Carolyn to test the online shop with Stuart Duffy then role out training.
7. Funding/Grants Mark Stevenson is unable to assist with grant applications, but will continue to support BPPC. Carolyn & John will pick up. More to follow.
8. Events Update Halloween Party – the Community Centre refused the application on the grounds that the Guides have a regular let on a Friday night. Carolyn has booked the scout hall and DJ, arranged fish suppers (Gios Fish & Chip shop), Scouts (Explorers) to assist on the night for small donation. Carolyn has confirmed with Caledonian Fiddle Orchestra to support at fundraising ceilidh / burns night. Date to be confirmed & venue proposed as Community Centre. John will co-ordinate with Community centre & initial discussions re catering with the coffee shop.
Clean Renfrewshire Campaign - Carolyn said the turn out for the "paint the railings day" had went well and will be revisited in the Spring time. Since we supported this campaign it led to a couple of pupils from the school being invited to attend a gala/fun day at Renfrewshire Council promoting this campaing. Linda attended and said there was a lot of positive feedback re Bishopton Primary with respect to the garden & fundraising. Minister for the Environment interested in seeing school as are several other parent councils.
Health Week - John arranged the donation of highland spring water to school for health week - water Wednesday initiative - proposed by BPPC.
Christmas Fayre - Santa will definitely be there. Linda & Carolyn meeting with the Church committee to discuss set up etc.
Ladies Pamper night - Carolyn has arranged the beautician's and stall holders & beverages.
Dragons' Den - Dragon's have been round all the classes & provided the funding. Tasks to be completed by Thurs 3rd December. Carolyn taken stall at Erskine Christmas Fete to sell any left over.
Eco Bag - Carolyn has arranged for production of the Eco Bag due for sale at Christmas fayre. .
8. BPPC Website Testing for shop to be completed - some additional items added.
9. AOB Carolyn thanked David Hazle who had attended this meeting with a view to helping create a survey for the BPPC to get an insight in to how the BPPC are viewed by Parents, how they think we are doing, why won't more people help, & to find out what the parents really want the BPPC to do on their behalf. Carolyn started a round the table discussion asking those present what they perceived their role to be in the BPPC and what did they hope to achieve from the BPPC. This offered up lots of discussion but in the main most felt it was to make improvements, establish a relationship & have involvement with the school and to try and enhance the school. John & Linda have agreed to follow up with David re the survey. Carolyn thanked David for his help & attending the meeting.
Ruth McAlpine advised that the village nursery would be keen to get involved in working with the BPPC in joint venture fundraising. Carolyn has been suggesting to local groups to work together so that parents are attending an event which benefits more that one local group. Several are interested.
Christmas Assemblies - P1 - P3 10th & 11th December Tickets 9.30 - 10.30am
p4 -5 Christmas Show 15th December Evening
P6 - 7 Christmas Show 17th December Evening
Possibility of afternoon performance too - being discussed.
School disco - Christmas Disco to go ahead - thereafter may be cancelled .
Letter of Thanks received from Gayle Taylor re flowers to wish her well.
Carolyn asked if school/ parents would nominate the BPPC for provost's award in order to boost profile & recognise the achivement of a charity group.
Next Meeting 23rd November 2009, 7pm |
