Dirleton School Partnership Meeting

2nd March 2017 at Dirleton Primary School

Minutes

Present: Vicky McArdle (Joint Chair (VM)), Katie Johnston (Vice Chair (KJ)),Brian Moody (Head Teacher (BM)), Sonia Bruce (SB), Sam Hutchison (SH), Jim Goodfellow (JG), Annabel Stirling.

Apologies: Carol Middleton, Elspeth Lamb, Mandy Hodgson, Jane Hogg, Caroline Freeman, Becky Wilkins, Jo Hood, Harley Louden, Sharon Wellwood, Elly Douglas-Hamilton.

1. / Welcome: VM welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. / Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the last meeting were approved by the DSP.
3. / Matters Arising:
Parking around the school: Issues on-going
Anti Bullying/ Positive Behaviour – VM to look into the options for parents to attend a workshop on this topic.
VM thanked JG for his help in getting the ‘Playground’ sign put up by the Castle.
Mrs Robertson’s present: BM reported that Mrs Robertson was unable to come to the School on a Friday it was therefore suggested that she be invited to a Monday Assembly to receive her card and gift.
Basketball Hoop: BM agreed that another hoop could be put up in the playground however the next one would need to be much more robust. If needed the DSP agreed that they would be happy to cover the cost. / VM
BM
BM
4. / Treasurer’s Report:
VM reported in EL’s absence. The current balance is standing at £15,661.21p; this included £7,500 that had arrived from Tesco for the Playground development project.
5. / Head Teacher’s Report:
BM reported that the new P5 teacher, Mrs Fletcher, was due to start on March 20th.
BM confirmed that the school inspection had been very positive and it was likely that the school would be ‘signed off’. SB requested feedback from the council at the end of the year after the report was issued. It was suggested that David Scott (Quality and Improvement Officer)should be asked to attend a DSP meeting just before the year has expired (January time). BM confirmed that follow-up reports/ letters were only distributed on-line, no hard copies would be sent out unless specifically requested by a parent. SB requested that the letter be put on the school website.
The school’s links with Nurseries, mainly Gullane and North Berwick, was discussed. It was agreed that this could be improved from both sides as it should be a two-way relationship. JG suggested that at letter to David Scott about this would be a good idea. / BM
BM
VM
6. / OLD Group:
SB reported that there had been a very successful Willow/ Orchard maintenance day. The willow structure in the playground had been rebuilt/ planted and a willow bank had been planted in the Orchard. It was requested that if at all possible the children be kept away from the willow for 4-6 weeks. SB thanked everyone involved on the day in particular Erica the head gardener at Archerfield and for the supplies that Archerfield donated. Monday 20 March was the day chosen to do the crafts that weren’t done on the 1st.
SB informed the committee that she would be happy to organise a willow-weaving workshop for anyone interested The total cost would be £100 so the cost per person would depend on how many people attended the class. The aim would be to have the workshop one evening next term.
Orchard Gate: It was reported that there has been a delay in installing this. JG informed the group that the underlying problem could be the parking/ traffic at school drop-off and pick-up. JG suggested that it would be a good idea if the DSP wrote to the Transportation Department at the Council about the parking issue on Gylers road and a second letter regarding the parking at the front of the school also requesting that someone from the council come to the school at 8.45am or 3.30pm to see the problem.
Tesco Playground Improvement: It was reported that the money from Tesco had been received. In SW’s absence SB reported that SW, BM and SB had met on 16th January and agreed the following actions: BM would speak to Pamela Currie (Head at Aberlady PS) regarding their implementation of a playpod and how they did this particularly with reference to staff/ child training (delivered by Kelly Clarke). BM also to meet with the head of the PE Department at the council given Mrs Robertson’s departure regarding the playground lines. These actions have been delayed due to both Mrs Robertson’s and the P5 teacher (Mrs MacLean) leaving the school at Christmas resulting in BM being required to teach 2.5 days a weeks and the need to recruit a new member of staff. These meetings are now being rescheduled.
SB suggested that if available Ali Clark could man a stand at parents evening to communicate to parents more information about the 3D play project and also to seek feedback/ interest.. It was also hoped that at some point Kelly Clarke would be able to come to an Assembly to talk to the school about it. / SB
VM
VM
BM
7. / Fundraising Report: VM reported that a social night was being organised for parents on Friday 24th March at the Kirkhall. Tickets would be going on sale shortly.
Fete & Games: Following an emergency meeting in the village the Fete and Games will be happening this year and the date set is Saturday 24 June. As in previous years the School would be helping with the Tea tent.
8. / Tempest Photography – BM reported that other companies had been looked at but at present it was felt that there was no need to change company.
9. / Outdoor Learning: BM reported that the Run-a-mile had not happened due to the delay in installing the Orchard Gate as the plan is for the route to include going round the orchard.
Bikeability: BM reported that at present this was not happening. Mrs Robertson had been the teacher responsible for outdoor learning and now that she has left there is no one with available time to take this up. If Bikeability is to happen then it will need parents to get involved and ideally someone from Outdoor Education. BM to speak to the Outdoor Education Department. / BM
10. / PE Kit: BM reported that the new system of the children coming to school in their PE kit on Mondays and Tuesdays was working well. If any parents had any issues regarding this then they should speak directly to BM.
11. / Should the DSP become a Charity – to be discussed at the next meeting.
12. / A.O.B: SB asked who would be organising the Hoodies for the P7 leavers. VM to speak to Carol Middleton. As in previous years the DSP would pay for these. / VM
13. / Date of Future Meetings:
Tuesday 25 April, 7 – 9 pm at the School.
AGM – Wednesday 24 May, 7 – 9pm at the Open Arms –venue tbc.