November 2007
Ormiston Primary School Parent Council
Minutes of the meeting held in the school on Tuesday 20th November 2007
Present Claire Pedder (Chair), Lynne Archibald, Jim Blane, Scott Gillies, Tracey Jefferies, Angela Kinnear, Mark Malcolm, Jill McCaul, Linda Stirling, Gail Walshe.
In Attendance Anne Torley (Head Teacher), Alex Mackay (Clerk), Cllr Jim Gillies
1. Welcome and Introductions
Claire welcomed Jim Blane and Councillor Jim Gillies to the meeting.
2. Apologies
Received from Tina McAvoy, Cllr Donald Grant, Cllr Ruth Currie and Cllr Kenny McLeod.
3. Approval of minutes of last meeting
Minutes approved by Parent Council and signed by Chair.
4. Matters arising from minutes
ACTION : Alex agreed to confirm details with Val McIntyre regarding extended liability insurance and to check payment details with Gail once bank account opened.
5. Correspondence
Claire advised the Council that a lot of correspondence had been received from the SPTC and she will pass on to the next Chair of the Parent Council. A folder has been complied with all relevant documentation to pass on as the chair rotates.
ACTION: Claire will also forward the SPTC’s website address to all PC members.
There followed a discussion about the merits of joining the SPCA but the general feeling of the PC was that it was not necessary.
ACTION: Claire will ask Val what her thoughts are on the matter before a final decision is taken.
6. Anne Torley’s resignation and tie up with Recruitment and Selection Training
Anne advised that she would take up her new post at St Gabriels from 7.1.08. Anne outlined to the PC the general process for replacing her post at Ormiston. The post will be advertised on an acting basis within East Lothian only. The PC are not involved in the recruitment of this post. An acting head has to be in place from January.
Anne informed the PC that the Recruitment and Selection process for a new head was very specific and followed strict criteria. PC members need to have undertaken the Recruitment and Selection Training before they can sit on the interview panel. Val is coming to the next meeting to give an overview of the procedures that will be put into action over the coming months.
Jim Gillies advised that two PC members, 2 Councillors and 1 person from the Education Department (advisory capacity) are usually on the appointment panel.
Claire wished Anne good luck in her new post.
7. Feedback from Gail Walshe re ELC Parent Council Cluster meeting
7.1 Gail attended the above meeting on the 11th October 2007. The main points that Gail took from the meeting were
- The ‘5 Cs’ which Don Ledingham discussed - Consistency, Continuity, Collegiality, Creativity and Collective Responsibility.
- The aim of East Lothian Council to be within the top 3 of education authorities in Scotland.
- Gail has copies of a list of guidelines of ‘dos and don’ts for PCs.
7.2 Gail went through the application form for the bank account and advised of certain formalities that had to be agreed by the PC before an account could be opened. It was agreed that two of the three signatories would sign (the Treasurer must be one of these).
ACTION: Gail will email round a copy of the Terms and Conditions of the account once this is received from the Bank.
8. Feedback from Scott Gillies re ‘Effective Membership of a Parent Council’ induction training
Scott and Claire attended this training. Scott outlined the following:
•· Role of Parent Councils
•· Responsibilities of Chair and Clerk
•· How to run a meeting
•· Importance of general members of PC (not just office bearers)
•· Effective Communication and fostering partnerships.
•· Help is available from ELC for two ½ days per week so assist in setting up a website
•· Val would be a contact point to forward ideas to all Parent Councils.
9. PC thoughts re goals over next 12 months
Anne suggested the Calendar of Activities used in previous years to assist School Boards as a starting point.
ACTION: Scott and Claire agreed to look at this and plan what to put on each agenda.
Scott advised that Val had thought that we might not have enough PC meetings in this academic year. However it was agreed by the PC that another one would be called as and when necessary. Separate meetings would be arranged for the Spring Fayre.
Anne advised that the school was approximately ¾ of the way through their Development Plan which would be completed by Summer 08. The new Head would start the process of developing the next plan.
The PC agreed that emphasis over the next 12 months should be effective communication and making the PC known to the parents. Ways to do this were discussed as follows: -
•· Email for PC members which parents could use to contact with any queries (either a collective email address or individual ones)
•· Photos of the PC members on display at front door (similar to that of staff)
•· Suggestions box
•· PC stand at Parents nights and other events.
•· Emailing important dates in the school calendar to parents
•· Include information about PC in the school newsletter.
•· PC newsletter
ACTION: Claire will email Jess Gilmour regarding the school website.
Anne will include a piece about the PC in the next school newsletter and advise parents that a PC newsletter will follow shortly.
Ross High has a very good PC website/leaflet. Tracey agreed to look at these and report back to PC.
10. PC thoughts re structure of agenda
It was agreed by the PC that a Head Teachers update and Parent Forum feedback would be included in the agenda at each meeting.
Anne suggested that it would be of benefit if the Head Teacher were advised of parent concerns in advance of a PC meeting.
The agenda will be circulated prior to each meeting and copies passed to Linda to display on parent notice boards in playground.
11. Meeting dates / attendance
ACTION: Alex will email Val to confirm the change of date for the next meeting to Wed 23rd January.
It was agreed that Tina, Scott and Jill would attend the Recruitment and Selection Training course 26.11.07. Tracey will attend the course on the 18.02.08.
Tina and Angela will attend the Ross High Cluster meeting 15.1.08. If there are any items for the agenda Val should be advised.
Parents Evenings - March 18th/19th
12. AOCB
Anne informed the board that Level 2 accreditation Health Promoting Schools had been achieved by Ormiston Primary.
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