LOIRSTON PARENT COUNCIL

Minutes of meeting 7^TH October 2009

Present:  , Karen Paterson, Lesley Hill, Pam Chapla,  Tracy Robinson, Shonagh Neave,  Cath McLeish, Hazel Scott, Sharon Toseland, Scott Shearer, Michelle Monks, Michaela Towler, Sarah Boyne, Shona Grieg. Teachers: Miss Kay MacDonald, Mrs Trish Pert

Apologies:  Lynn Meldrum, Tracy Leach, Fiona watt, Angie Balloch

Upcoming Events:  Halloween disco will be on Tuesday 27^th October. 6.15 – 7.15 pm for the 1^st disco, 7.30 – 8.30 pm. If you haven’t volunteered to help, but are able to, please turn up on the night.

Christmas Fayre will be Saturday 28^th November. This year it will take a slightly different format with the pupils running their own stalls. There will still be tea/coffee & butteries, Santa photos, home baking, kid’s raffle, stallholders and the book fayre, plus a tuck shop and a popcorn stall. Note there will be no toy stall run by the Parent Council, it was decided to organise a charity lorry collection – Lesley Hill to find out the details.

Karen put forward the idea of having a Spring/Easter Fayre, which was accepted by the Council.

It was decided to wait to the New Year to do a Family Bingo night.

Treasurer’s Report: Scott informed us that we have approximately £3,300, some of which will be used to purchase disco tuck shop supplies (Pam & Hazel to arrange this). Scott asked that any receipts being handed in for re-imbursement, could it be written on the back what the purchase is (if it doesn’t already state this) and what it is for e.g. disco. He informed us that we can now get debit cards for the account, and it needs to be decided how many and who will hold them.

Teacher’s Report: Miss MacDonald asked for any feedback on the Inspection Report. It was thought that it was a true reflection of things at that point. As the Inspection was carried out only 6 weeks after Miss MacDonald had joined us, she stated that as many things as possible had now been tackled (or were in the process of being so), achieving many things including a new maths scheme, jotter format & P1 literacy system. The teaching staff would be looking at homework, a new tracking system, and lots of other things after the holiday, but they can’t go any faster than their present speed! Miss MacDonald said they knew where they were headed and what needed to be achieved and she was very happy with the progress, and had the support of the new Director of Education, Annette Bruton. The next inspection will be February.

The Head Teacher’s post has been advertised with the closing date being 5^th October. It is not know how many people have applied, but the process of deciding on interview candidates will start once Roddy Duthie, Education Officer, returns from holiday.

 The budget for this year will be very tight, and the school has been told they have to save more than they will be given. However, it looks possible that the school will not have to cut a class.

New windows are being put in all round the building, with a lot of work being done in the holidays, starting with the hall and nursery. Pupils in the rest of the school will be moved for 1 day from their classroom to another part of the school while the windows are being fitted in that particular area.

The P7 trip to Dunolly has been booked and information will be sent to parents after the holidays.

Mrs Pert requested money for the nursery children’s Christmas presents which was agreed by the Council.

Date for A.G.M.  The A.G.M. will be Wednesday 4^th November at 6.15 pm in the Community Lounge.

A.O.C.B: Karen attended a Chairperson’s meeting, whose agenda included The Curriculum for Excellence and the amount of money being given to the Parent Council this year which will be less than last year at £540.

We are now fully insured.

Disclosures update:  This is ongoing as bank statements are required in the Parent Council name as opposed to the PTA’s. Alistair to continue dealing with this.

Christmas Night out:  to be on next agenda.

A.G.M. WEDNESDAY 4^TH NOVEMBER 6.15 PM

Dear Parents/Carers                                                                        1 October 2009

We have reached the end of a very busy first term.  We hope you all enjoy the October holidays and that the weather is kind to us.  We also hope that all our families and staff have found the start of the school year a pleasant one.  School finishes at 3.15pm on Friday and re-opens on Monday 26^th October.

HMIE Return Visit

You should all have received a copy of our follow up inspection report stating progress up until June.  Should you have any queries or have not received a copy please contact the school.

Work on Building

During the holidays there will be contractors around the school replacing windows.  Work will be ongoing and as a result the turning point at the front of the school will be out of use.  The contractors require the space for storage and must be kept clear.  Thank you in advance for your co-operation.

Committees

This session we have set up two committees with the pupils.  We have a Pupil Council and an Eco Committee who will be working to improve all aspects of school life.    There are representatives from each class.  Next term we will give details of their activities

Homework during holidays

We have received a number of requests from parents for homework when children are taken out of school prior to the end of term.  It is a policy of the school not to give out homework on such occasions.

Pick up of Children

On a number of occasions we have had parents opting to pick up other children from the playground that have not been collected at the end of the school day.  We are aware that on such occasions parents are being helpful, however this has lead to confusion as to where children are. Therefore can I appeal to you not to pick up any child without having planned this with their parents.  Thank you for your support on this matter.

Reminder

As stated in the previous bulletin dogs are not permitted at any point on school grounds.  This is a City Council policy.

 Wear Pink Day

Someone is diagnosed with Breast cancer every 11 minutes in the UK.  By holding a Pink Friday event we can help provide some much needed support to this charity.  We will be having our Pink Day on Friday 30th October.  The children and staff are encouraged to wear something pink that day and are asked to contribute £1 which will be donated to the charity.  Last year the school raised £630.29 which would have made a significant difference.

 Halloween Disco

We are having a Halloween Disco on the Tuesday 27^th October.  The cost of entry is £1 per pupil and there will be a tuck shop. Entry and exit will be through the red unit doors. Please provide a note if you are happy for your child to walk home alone.     

P1 – P3  6.15 – 7.15pm

P4 – P7 7.30 – 8.30pm

 Box Tops for Books Scheme

The school has just registered for this scheme.  The tokens can be found on Nestle products especially cereals.  The more tokens we get the more books we can get for the school.  Please hand in your tokens to the school office.  Again, many thanks for your support.

Spree Books

Thank you to everyone for contributing to the school by buying a spree book.  The school made £705 and this will be put to good use for resources this session   

Dates for your Diary

Monday 16^th November – IS Day, School closed to children

Monday 30^th November – IS Day, School closed to children

Friday 18^th December – Last day of term

Thursday 5^th & 12^th November – Parent Interviews (times to be advised)

Wednesday 4^th November  - Parent Council A.G.M. – All welcome