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Netherlee Parent Council: Annual Report session 2008-09

 

Introduction

 

1.     This annual report has been prepared following a request made by ERC to Netherlee Primary School.

 

Meetings

 

2.     The PC held six formal meetings during 2008-09, including the inaugural AGM on 21 October 2008. In addition, the PC had three sub-groups to work on: arrangements for supporting the school’s 75th anniversary celebrations; organising (in conjunction with the PTA) a sports event; and promoting (in conjunction with school staff and pupils) health and well-being.

 

Members & office bearers

 

3.     Given the size of the school, the notional maximum membership of the PC is 24, not including co-opted members (of which there may be up to four). During 2008-09, the PC had a total of 20 members comprised of 17 parent members and three staff members, the latter including the headteacher. That represented an increase of three parent members on the previous year. The PC chose not to co-opt any members during the year. All three councillors for the ward attended meetings at various points, and one of the councillors attended all meetings. Attendance by PC members during 2007-08 was good, with an average of 14 members in attendance at each meeting. A small number of members had difficulty attending the evening meetings but were nonetheless active in providing support and assistance with projects.

 

4.     The PC had four office bearers: a chair (Ailsa Crum), vice chair (Karen Hussain), minute secretary (Lisa Bullen) and a combined post of webmaster & treasurer (Sue McMillan).

 

5.     The membership and office bearers for 2009-10 will be confirmed at the AGM on 2 November 2009. New members may join the PC during the year, and are encouraged to do so.

 

Communication with Parent Forum

 

6.     The PC communicated with the Parent Forum in a variety of ways including:

 

    • Holding an AGM incorporating an opportunity for all parents to suggest ideas for PC action

    • Maintaining the PC email address and website

    • Issuing PC newsletters (including highlighting the email & website) with some of the school newsletters during the year

    • PC members attending school meetings and events such as parent drop-in sessions and the coffee morning for P1 parents

 

7.     Links between the PC and other school groups were facilitated through the PC membership: the PTA chair and the member of staff responsible for coordinating the Netherlee Pupil Council were both members of the PC.

 

 

Links beyond the school

 

8.     Continuing the previous year’s practice, the PC has kept itself informed of key issues in parental involvement through attendance at the ERC Parent Council Forum and regular reference to the material made available through Learning and Teaching Scotland and the Scottish Government (eg Parentzone). For 2008-09, the PC agreed that it would not renew its membership of the Scottish Parent Councils Association, awaiting the establishment of the new national body for PC representation. The PC participated in the consultation relating to the establishment of the new representative body by responding to the written consultation and the PC Chair attending a seminar session. The school continued to have membership of the Scottish Parent Teacher Council through its PTA.

 

9.     The PC has retained links to the community through the wider involvements of its members, the participation of the councillors for the Netherlee ward, communication with the local residents’ association, and specific contacts with residents and local places of worship in pursuit of the school’s 75th anniversary celebrations.

 

Areas of involvement

 

10.  Key areas of interest and involvement for the PC during 2008-09 have included:

 

  • School anniversary – working with the school and PTA on celebrations for the 75th anniversary, specifically significant involvement in the organisation of an open evening and producing a commemorative booklet (which raised around £500 ‘profit’ for school funds).

 

  • Journalism club – a sub-group to establish a journalism club for pupils was discussed during the year. It is hoped the club will be able to operate during 2009-10. The idea for the club was, in part, a spin-off from the 75th anniversary booklet project following a generous subsidy from the PTA which funded the purchase of software (Quark Express). to enable the typesetting and design of the booklet.

 

  • Sports event – in conjunction with the PTA, the PC organised a sports event to coincide with the biennial Gala Day in June 2008. Particular thanks are extended to Liz Grant for leading this activity.

 

  • Health and well-being – a series of activities, including a poster competition for pupils related to healthy eating, were organised through the PC sub-group in this area. The PC will continue this involvement in 2009-10 in line with the school’s planned work.

 

  • Doctors’ surgery – following developments and communicating with relevant departments of ERC regarding plans for a doctors’ surgery in the school vicinity.

 

  • School resource – communicating with the Parent Forum and senior staff of the school and ERC Education Directorate concerning proposed staffing resource, particular PSA support, for the school in 2009-10.

 

11.  A number of these topics will be carried forward to 2008-09. In addition, the PC has discussed making the sports day an annual event, and has identified safety and security around the school as a likely focus for 2009-10, including conducting a survey of Parent opinion in this area.

 

 

Budget

 

12.  Despite the ambitious and varied programme of work, the PC used little of the budget provided by ERC. Some PC activities were cross-subsidised by others including the PTA and PC members (for example stationery and postage being provided by PC members). The 75th Anniversary Booklet was funded through advertising by local businesses, and by cross-subsidy from the parents involved. The PC minute secretary was a member of the PC (and of the Parent Forum) and, therefore, the role was fulfilled on an honorary basis. The budget provided by ERC in order to pay an external PC clerk was unused and returned for the benefit of the school at the end of the 2008-09 financial year. 

 

Ailsa Crum

Netherlee PC chair 2008-09