NORTH BERWICK HIGH SCHOOL

PARENT COUNCIL

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

TUESDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER 2012

Date of Meeting / Tuesday 25 September 2012

Venue

/ Dining Hall, North Berwick High School

Purpose

/ Parent Council Meeting
Present / Jeff Knight, Pam Floyd, Zoe Pinkerton, Lorna Scott, Evelyn Patrick, Alyson Henderson, Brian Spence, Judith Booth, Nicola Falconer, D Falconer, Michael Ingram, Kath Thomson, Cheryl Barratt, Dee Quantrill, Janie McCafferty, David Blevins, Liz Noar, Anne Whiteside, Elaine Smith, Jane Pye, Chris Freer, Marie Caie, Anne Goodall, Karen Price, Jennifer Swan, Victoria Hogg, Fiona Wilson, Aileen McMillan, Sandy Casey, Gordon Wales, Bob Crowley, Judy Williamson, Ian Armstrong, Jerry Clements
Apologies
Staff In Attendance
Pupils in Attendance / Cllr Tim Day, Cllr David Berry, Fergus Jones
Colin Sutherland (HT), Lauren Rodger, Lara Neri, John Rutter, Joanne Bloomfield, Chris Young, Ailsa Gairdner
Maggie Goodlad
Clerk / Rosemary Gray

Circulation

/ All Parent Forum, Valerie McIntyre, Local Councillors
Next Meeting / 9 October 2012
1. / Welcome
Colin welcomed everyone to the 2012 AGM.
Jeff introduced the agenda and gave a short presentation on ‘What is the parent council’.
2. / Minutes of the AGM on 20 September 2011
Minutes from the Annual General Meeting held on 20 September 2011 were circulated and approved.
3. / NBHS Parent Council Annual Report 2011 – 2012
JK provided a brief presentation on Parent Council work in 2011– 2012, accompanied by a handout.
The presentation covered the following areas:
-Careers Fair – organised by the Parent Council, the inaugural Fair was held in September 2011 and attracted over 700 people and over 50 exhibitors. The next Fair will be held in September 2013, organised by the school.
-Appointment of Depute Head – members of the Parent Council were actively involved in the recruitment process for John Rutter, as Depute Head.
-Homework Policy - following the launch of the homework policy at the start of the year, a small survey of parents was taken, which indicated that parents and teachers were much more aware of the policy and identified areas that needed to be considered further. Homework will be monitored again in the coming year and volunteers to assist in keeping a log of homework delivery would be welcome.
-Parent Survey - it is important that the Parent Council represents the voice of the parents, and working with the school, the Parent Council developed a detailed survey which was undertaken in May/June using Survey Monkey. Thanks to all who took part and a report is being drafted to summarise the results.
-East Lothian Area Parent Council Meetings - at least one member of the Parent Council regularly attends cluster group meetings on a regular basis. This provides an opportunity to discuss, share and exchange ideas with other parent councils, discuss issues with the Council and remain abreast of new developments.
-Planning Development affecting NBHS – the Parent Council have been actively monitoring and responding to consultations associated with proposed developments around the school. The loss of any land set aside for the expansion of the school and playing fields would be irreversible.
-Sub-groups - the following sub-groups were set up in 2011/2012 to discuss issues identified within the Parent Forum:
Planning and Development
Representation and Networking
Communication, Education and Vocation
PTA Liaison
Sports Initiatives and Fundraising Co-ordination
Volunteering and Careers
School Sponsorship Group
Eco-schools
4. / Election of Parent Council Members
Members leaving the Parent Council – Robin Duns, Vanessa Hutchison, Laura Burnside and Christiane Maher. Jane Law is also stepping down but will remain as an associate member.
Members remaining on the Parent Council – Penny Lochhead, Ian Armstrong, Evelyn Patrick, Jeff Knight, Lorna Scott, Victoria Hogg, Pam Floyd and Chris Freer.
Jeff Knight was re-elected as Chair, Victoria Hogg was elected as Vice Chair.
New full members are Jane Pye, Michael Ingram, Kath Thomson, Liz Noar and Odile Haugan.
Three new reps from the teaching staff were Joanne Bloomfield, Chris Young and Ailsa Gairdner.
5. / AOB
PTA
Evelyn Patrick encouraged everyone to attend the Coffee Morning, run by the PTA on Saturday 6 October in the Hope Rooms. The turnout last time was very disappointing.
The Pupil Council have been asked how they would like monies raised to be spent and the Headboy and Headgirl have asked for school diaries again this year, which cost around £1500. The PTA also gave money towards the Outdoor Classroom.
Website
Colin apologised for the current lack of access to the school website due to problems with Edubuzz.
6. / Dates of Parent Council Meetings 2012-2013
Tuesday 9 October 2012
Tuesday 20 November 2012
Tuesday 15 January 2013
Tuesday 5 March 2013
Tuesday 23 April 2013
Tuesday 18 June 2013.
7. / Presentation to PC and parents from Phil Denning, HMI and Area Lead Officer, followed the 2012 AGM.