Minutes of Athelstaneford Primary School Meeting April 30th, 2019 6.30pm-8.30pm 1.Welcome and apologies:
Present: Sarah Morgan (Head teacher), Mellony Bertram (Principal Teacher), Gillian Zanre (Chair), Tora Harrison (Vice Chair), Niela Khan (Clerk), Alice Beveridge (Parent), Sandra Delahooke (Parent) Jane Brand (Parent), Jenni Lai (Parent), Lucy Calder (Parent), Harley Louden (Parent). Mhairi Dickie (Parent),
Apologies: Jo Mair (Parent), Nikki Fallowfield (Parent), Susan Begg (Parent) Jo McNicol (Parent). Derek Swan (Parent), Mary Swan (Parent), Carol Leslie (Parent).
2.Head Teacher’s Update:
Parents successfully PVG’s and are now volunteering in school. Staff are thrilled and enjoying the additional help. Unfortunately, due to weather and lack of number we have not yet managed the playground tidy up. Can we set another date? Dividing of sand pit – possibility of wooden lid? Removal of top of water tray in nursery garden Trees in large black pots moved from nursery garden to top playground Painting of furniture in garden – benches, shelves Mud Kitchen Pupil Council have been consulting pupils with questionnaire and following up with areas for improvement. P6/7 thoroughly enjoyed Risk Factory – thanks for funding towards bus Nursery parents have received questionnaires from Care Commission so we can expect a visit at any time from them. Staff and pupils have been evaluating progress with School Improvement Plan and alongside the consultations and feedback we have had we are formulating our priorities for next session:Digital Learning (ELC priority) RRS – continuing our journey to Silver Health and Well-being Positive Relationships (Cluster Training from Pivotal Education/ Restorative Practise Approaches) Resilience – (cluster training to deliver programme to help build strategies for resilience) Raising Attainment in Literacy and Numeracy Working with and supporting children with ASD
We will evaluate the changes to parent consultations and homework during our next round of consultations at the end of May.
3.Communication Policy:
East Lothian council have produced a Communication Policy. The school Communication Policy complements the Parental Engagement Strategy. The purpose of this policy is to ensure there is a consistent approach for schools to apply in ensuring effective communications between colleagues, with pupils, parents and wider community. Communications with Parents/ Carers if they send in a letter will be acknowledged within 48 hours (2 school days). The school will continue using their email and text system to communicate to parents. They will still be sending out newsletters. This Policy with be monitored through on-going self-evaluation.
4. Positive Relationship Policy:
The Policy we have in the school is from 2010 and is outdated and does not reflect the current practice of the school. Sarah is currently evaluating the policy to establish what can remain and formulating a new one that will reflect the approaches used in school. She is looking at for example:
Vision values/rights respecting school which underpins our ethos. Recognition of positive behaviour? Links with East Lothian anti-bullying policy Respect Me Included engaged & Involved document and the overall themes which underpin the management of behaviour across schools in East Lothian Positive Head teacher referral.
Sarah will produce this policy, and have it updated to share with parents for consultation.
Action:S/M
5.Financial Update:
Financial Balance is at £5600.80, see attachment for more details.
Action: L/R
6.Fundraising Team Update:
Fundraising team had a successful curry night made profit of £1,177 and more money is coming in. th
The next event is the Summer fair 12 May will be having a BBQ lots of fun stalls. Home baking will be needed please get in touch with fundraising team. The 2019 saltire trail race is on the same day so hoping this will bring more people to the fair. Tunnocks teacakes for runners being donated. Still time for people to join up the race.
Action: A/B.
7.AOCB:
The Rights and respecting committee school children came and explained there working on the journey to silver. They shared with us the things they are doing. And have kindly requested if we can fund them some money approx. £300. They are wanting to buy a Rights Respecting Rufus teddy dog. They are wanting some books supporting children rights and respectives, so it will be like a book bag including Rufus and books that children can take home and read. Parent council have agreed to fund Mellony will get in touch with exact cost.
Parent council have agreed to pay for the school bus p 5/6 for approx. £180.
Sarah and Mellony will be looking into what else the school needs as we have enough funds. Sarah will investigate the outdoor stuff i.e. netball.
Jobs that need to be done around the playground parent council happy to pay a handyman to come and do these jobs.
Decided that the next AGM will take place in the next meeting.
Committee of roles- Gillian will send email with details o the roles so anyone wanting to take a role can advise at next meeting. Action:S/M,M/B,G/Z.
9.Date of Next Meeting: th
18 June 2018 AGM.