Minutes: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at Netherlee Primary School
Present: Ailsa Crum; Sara Lang; Sue McMillan; Val Graham; Kirsty McNeil; Sandra Mitchell; Lisa Bullen; Margaret MacDiarmid; Karen Hussain (part); Cllr Ralph Robertson, Steve Galloway, Liz Grant, Brenda Williams, Vivienne Wilson, Cress Maher, Cllr Gordon McAskill (part)
Apologies: Lesley McKenna, Margaret Kyle;
Aida Santory Goslan, Tim Adams
Minutes of previous meeting held Dec 12, 2007 were approved.
Matters arising not otherwise on the agenda
a. Ailsa Crum confirmed that after the recent ERC review Netherlee Primary School would remain the local polling station for the area despite approximately 100 objections. The reason given was that other local premises were not of suitable size or provided suitable disabled access and parking. PC members were keen to find out what size the polling station would need to be and remained keen to pursue the option of Netherlee Pavilion. Action: Ralph Robertson said he would talk to Tony Watt at ERC about the parents’ continued disappointment.
b Sue McMillan reported that there was still no link from the school website to the PC site but was aware of the technical problems Bryan McLachlan encounters so it was unlikely his fault.
Action: Brenda Williams to expedite
c. There was general disappointment at the lack of attendees to the internet session on Jan 17 which attracted around 20 people. Parents had been communicated to regularly about this evening in advance. Those who attended found it informative and extremely useful.
Correspondence received since the previous meeting
AC reported that the previous school board bank account required to have its signatories updated.(Now SC & AC)
Action Vivienne Wilson will contact Gordon Brown (previous signatory) and help AC progress
AC had previously emailed PC members regarding the Local Attendance Council (which deals with non attendance & appeals procedures for ER schools). Nominations have to be passed to AC as soon as possible. The school has previously been represented by Brenda Williams (staff) and Vivienne Wilson (parent). Margaret Kyle had agreed to be nominated. Action: Interested parents should email AC within the next week
c. The PC received an invoice from the Scottish Parent Council Association (membership fee £45). There was discussion whether membership carried the benefit of free Disclosure Scotland checks. It was agreed the PC would join again for 2007-08.
Action: AC to check position regarding Disclosure Scotland
d. Sandra Mitchell reported on the current position with the two PC budgets, one for administration and the other for clerk fees. These had to be committed for spending by March 31, 08 before the budget for 2008-09 became available on April 1. Money that was not allocated could be returned to the school. It was noted that the money in the PC clerk fees budget would not be spent as Val Graham had agreed to fulfil this role and could not receive fees as she is a PC member. There might be a small number of expenses to be allocated such as the SPCA annual membership fee, but otherwise the PC agreed that the remaining money should be passed to the school.
Action SM to transfer money as appropriate
New doctors’ surgery in Netherlee
Lisa Bullen reported that as of Feb 13 no detailed application had been submitted and there was no update on whether the land transfer had taken place. LB said that once the detailed plans were through the PC should consider material aspects (traffic/ safety and design issues) as well as issues of amenity. Neighbour notifications would possibly come to the school (SM) and residents in First Avenue (AC)
AC also reported that she had written separately to the Director of Education outlining the PC’s concerns and had received a response from the Education Dept indicating a desire to remain in contact on this matter. There was some discussion about the PC’s concerns relating to the surgery, which in summary, still remain:
- to request that the school boundaries be made secure, possibly by fencing, to ensure pupils and nursery children are kept safe when patients are attending the surgery – in particular it was noted that the school is completely open at the front and may be used as a short cut between the surgery and the existing chemist on Clarkston Road.
- to find out about the nature and timing of clinics, in due course, as part of PC concern to ensure child safety while traffic calming measures might be proposed, the PC was aware of difficulties changed driving habits might bring to this previously quiet and safe area.
- the loss of amenity to the area would be significant if the children’s park was just “placed” back down in an inferior location as the park was in a lovely green open safe environment flanked by trees. No other such area exists locally. The PC considered it would be highly desirable for the park to be upgraded and to ensure it had equipment appropriate for a wider age range. There was a discussion about the PC campaigning for this as partial recompense for the play park being hemmed in on all sides by car park and buildings. There was concern about the space that would be created between the planned surgery and Linn Park. It was noted that the vicinity of the play park and Linn Park was likely to become less safe as a result of that space being shielded from view by the new surgery building.
- It was noted that the planning application had been advanced through ERC when the local councillor was seriously ill and therefore unable to represent the Netherlee ward.
The Muirend and Netherlee Residents Association had taken some action to oppose the proposed surgery and was interested in any joint action with the PC.
ACTION: LB & AC to continue to monitor. SM to check neighbour notice. RR to monitor and give notice of any relevant information. It may be deemed appropriate for the PC at a future date to write to the doctors’ practice directly.
6. 75th anniversary
The 75th anniversary celebrations started successfully on Feb 6 ( the school’s actual opening date) with excellent feedback from the children (and teachers) about a memorable day. Following the sub-group meeting on Jan 16 Karen Hussain drafted a letter to parents to be circulated on Fri, Feb 15 asking for artefacts and memorabilia for use at an exhibition in the school. The letter will also be circulated to two local churches and the synagogue. The sub-group will have a follow up meeting on Mar 17 at 7.30 pm to discuss what material has been offered and how best to proceed. Other PC members who are free on the two Friday mornings (Mar 7 and 14) can help catalogue any material that has been handed in. A school open morning (parents/carers only) and evening (wider community) is scheduled for May 21 to view the exhibition.
Action: Those available please help on Fri, Mar 7 & Fri, Mar 14 at school. Sub-group meeting Mar 17 for KM, KH, MM, MK & SG. VG to contact local historian Douglas Nisbett.
7. Curriculum info
SM reported at the most recent in-service day the staff considered the school operational plan and had an early look at priorities for 2008-09. It was thought that the PC could assist in three key areas:
- working in partnership to review maths homework. This was an area that although working well would gain from an in depth look perhaps with a series of pilot projects to explore parental involvement.
- contributing towards health and well being topics. It was noted that there was concern about the contents of pupils’ packed lunches and this might be an area for joint working with the PC. The school has also submitted a bid to run a healthy eating project in August 08.
Enhancing communications with parents generally.
There was discussion about the kinds of information relating to the curriculum that parents would be particularly interested to receive and would find most beneficial in supporting their children’s education. A number of parents had suggested additional information on homework including tips on supporting children generally and particularly on the approaches being adopted by the school (eg the maths techniques being taught). There was also some discussion on the kinds of information it is useful to have about the topics being explored in class.
Some parents had expressed interest in receiving information about the topics that were about to be covered during a year or a term. Staff present indicated that there could be benefits to children beginning topics without having previously explored the subject matter at home, and suggested that there can often be more significant benefits in children receiving home support after a topic has been covered in class. It was agreed that this matter would be returned to at future PC meetings and in partnership with the school.
Updates:
Headteacher
SM reported that the Deputy Headteacher post was currently being advertised with interviews scheduled on Mar 26 and asked for two parent representatives who have attended training to attend the interview process. Val and Ailsa indicated they would be available. Subsequent to the meeting, Sandra indicated that a male PC member would be desirable to help with the overall gender balance on the interview panel. Tim agreed to replace Ailsa on the panel.
PTA activity
Cress Maher reported discos were planned for the coming week and ladies’ night is planned for March. The PTA is subsidising some 75th anniversary polo shirts and a gifting a memento for all children.
Next meeting: Wednesday, April 2 at 7.00 pm in Netherlee Primary School