THE RYDE PRIMARY SCHOOL

PARENT COUNCIL MEETING – 25 SEPTEMBER 2017

MINUTES

Present Sue Thompson

Caroline Curtis

Emma Newland

Milena Nuti

Sandra Ison

Hing Shek

Jacqueline Welch

Amanda Halliwell

Mrs Vydyanath

1 / Apologies for absence – Standing Item
Amanda Pedley and Georgina Jones
2 / Terms of Reference – Standing Item
The Terms of Reference were handed out to everyone.
3 / Minutes of Previous Meeting – Standing Item
The minutes of the last meeting were approved.
4 / Safeguarding – Standing Item
Fire Drill – We have had two fire drills so far this term – the children have known about these. The next fire drill will be held later this term.
Lockdown – We will be having a lockdown drill this half term as well.
Single Central Record – A record is held in school of details of all staff, volunteers and contractors. We have highlighted an issue with Herts Catering Limited staff. They do not have to have ID. When the new cook started she was asked for DBS and ID but the HCL manager said that everything was ok with their staff and they do not need to give this information to the school. Mrs Thompson has now changed the way HCL staff enter the school. They now have to sign in/out of the visitor book.
5 / To receive notification of any other urgent business – Standing Item
None
6 / After School Clubs
We have started charging for the After School Clubs. There has been a small drop in numbers but not significant.
7 / Acorn to Oaks
The school’s after school club will need to put their prices up by 10% after half term. The prices have not increased since it was set up.
8 / Holiday Club
All For Sports (our PE provider) will be running a Holiday Club in the October half term.
9 / Newsletter
There was a new style newsletter sent out. Feedback has been good about the style and ease of reading of the newsletter. The aim in to produce a newsletter once a half term.
It was requested to send the newsletter out on its own. Action: Sandra Ison
10 / Slip Box
There will be a box in the School Office Foyer for parents to put reply slips in. This will save parent time and queues at the office window.
11 / Apple Day
On Saturday 14th October there will be an Apple Day. It will only run for a few hours. There will be crafts, apple press, apple juice etc. The Ryde Gardening Club will be invited to attend. Milena to send out flyers to residents.
12 / Library
There are now two libraries – KS1 and KS2.
The KS2 library is almost complete, just a few books which need labelling.
The KS1 library – children were asked what they would like in the library. Their wish list was a castle, a tree, seating in the castle and murals on the wall. Thomas Debrut has built them a castle with seating area and a tree. We have a parent who is going to paint the castle and murals on the wall. It is hope to have this completed by Christmas.
13 / Bat Walk
There will be a Bat Walk on Friday 29th September between 6pm and 7pm. This opportunity will be given to children in Years 3 and 4.
14 / Next meeting dates
Monday 20th November at 9am.
15 / Any other business
School Cook – We are pleased to say that we have a new school cook, Mrs Clark. She has already made a big impact on the school meals. We have received lots of good feedback from the children and have received several complimentary calls from parents.
Awards – We have been successful in 3 awards which we are very proud of.
1  Learning Outside the Classroom – Gold Award
2  Green Flag Award
3  Geography Silver Award (only 1 other school in Herts have this award)
In recognition of all the hard work to achieve these, we are hoping to hold a big celebration before half term.
Acacia Mews – We have formed links with them. They have come to the Wednesday Luncheon Club. A group of children will be attending the Acacia Mews coffee morning.

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