EARLSTON HIGH SCHOOL

PARENT COUNCIL SUB-GROUP MEETING

WEDNESDAY 21st SEPTEMBER 2011

Present:Michelle Strong, Jayne Turner, Lynn McCulloch, Ann Reid, IslaMcQuarrie,

Sue McLennan, Jenni Robertson, Linda Docherty, Elsa Paterson, Karen Orr,

Caroline Turner (Depute Head), Andrew Bond (Depute Head)

Apologies:AvrilToben, Hilary Jackson

MINUTES

Previous minutes were approved.

SCHOOL UPDATE

Michelle updated on recent events and activities:

-Both the UCAS Higher Education Convention and Uni-Life evening were as successful as the previous year, with parent and student speakers giving very informative and useful advice to prospective parents/pupils.

-St Andrew’s University visiting the school on Friday 23rd Sept.

-With deadlines approaching soon for early admissions to University, career’s and guidance are helping pupils with advice and preparation.

-6th Year – had a recent “Driving into the Future” day, this focused on giving the message about speed, safety and driving etc.

-Freshers Disco – for all year groups. This was a success with the theme being fancy dress with year groups choosing a different letter of the alphabet. The head team were very impressive with the letter “O”, they were very convincing OAP’s.

-Modern Studies students – they have been focusing on looking a the needs of old people with visits to Drygrange home and attending a forum in Edinburgh looking at Infant mortality in Africa.

-School Travel Plan – Pupils have been monitoring travel and traffic speeds on the street.

-Safe T in the Park – SBC have run this event in conjunction with safety services – students attended and mixed with other schools.

-Thursday 15th September – Was the Curriculum for Excellence Night which was a first for Earlston where the parents of 1st & 2nd Year pupils were given a brief presentation on CfE. They took part in 3 lessons and rotated every 25 minutes to enable them to experience their children’s learning experiences.

-Head Team conference last Friday where all Head Teams got together, in the morning teams gave presentations and a tour of the school, then in the afternoon they concentrated on team building activities, dealing with problems etc., they reported how useful the experience had been.

-On Monday we had a Staff v’s S6 Football Game, this was a very competitive event and thoroughly enjoyed by all, with the S6’s winning over the Staff.

-There is a growing number of pupils involved in the Duke of Edinburgh, which is very useful for UCAS entry requirements. Bronze – out on expeditions, Kelso outing went very well with good behaviour during all activities.

-Geography Trip are away today for two days.

-Tomorrow 22nd Sept – S1 Study Skills evening for pupils and parents.

-Thursday 29th – S6 Special Assembly – group photograph taken and Dux Medals awarded.

-3rd – 7th October – S4 Work Experience – where S4 pupils have the chance to experience the working environment in their chosen placement.

-Staffing- The school is saying farewell to Bob Beattie this Friday who will be missed after his many years at EHS, he is being replaced by Gavin Duffy, with new janitor Ricky Lynch joining the team.

-2-

TREASURER’S REPORT

In Hilary’s absence Jayne noted that the bank balance at present stands at £2342.20.

CORE GROUP

They are meeting next week with the focus on 33 period week.

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Earlston’s Got Talent – Thursday 3rd November

Meetings took place and 16 acts have attended the 1st Rehearsal, so looking promising.

Mix of instruments, singing, dancing, juggling, comedy with individuals and groups.

Judges – Hilary Morton – Lynn to confirm with her

2 other members of staff to be approached Sue and Lynn looking into this

Compare- GraemeMeikleand vote of thanks

Lighting/Sound – RoganInglis and others

Michelle to give introduction to show

Refreshments – 6th Year Volunteers and 6th Year possible dance act – Caroline Turner to chase up.

Raffle – Elsa Paterson happy to man stall will need help – committee to donate something (NOT ALCOHOL)

Jenni Robertson – bringing lights.

Sue & Lynn will need 2 people to help backstage/cloakrooms/light switches etc.

Ella Inglis – To bring trophy back

Hilary J – Could Hilary organise Vouchers £10 x 3

Accessories Evening (renamed Handbags & Gladrags) – Wednesday 9th November – 7pm

It was decided to rename the event to “Handbags & Gladrags”

Tickets – Priced £3 adult, £2 students, tickets/flyers to be numbered to enter into prize draw.

Borders Radio –event to be advertised

Priority to collect items, so everyone again please ask as many of your family and friends to donate and to attend the evening.

Facebook advert – Elsa Paterson

Raffle – committee to bring on the night, any other donations gladly received eg. Local shops/vouchers etc.

Organise to have changing rooms opened for people to try items on.

Michelle is organising the wine/soft drinks

Canapés served on the balcony

Everyone bring carrier bags/coat hangers

Musical Items – Caroline T to ask 6th Year musicians to help

Flyers to be numbered – with luck flyer drawn for prize

Sell tickets at Earlston’s got Talent evening.

Elsa P to ask Scarves, Colour me beautiful etc.

Jenni to ask Beauty contact

Lynn to ask local beauty/hairdressing contact

Burns Supper – January

Scott Renwick – Immortal memory

CammyRudkin – Michelle to ask Scott to approach Cammy

Alastair Kidd – Compare – Lynn to ask

Next Meeting – Wednesday 26th October

Meeting closed – 8.30pm

EARLSTON HIGH SCHOOL

PARENT COUNCIL SUB-GROUP

MEETING WEDNESDAY 26th OCTOBER 2011

AGENDA

  1. APOLOGIES
  1. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
  1. MATTERS ARISING
  1. SCHOOL UP-DATE
  1. TREASURERS REPORT
  1. CORE GROUP
  1. FORTH COMING EVENTS

-Earlston’s Got Talent

-Accessories Evening

-Burns Supper

  1. CORRESPONDENCE AND REQUESTS
  1. A.O.B.
  1. DATE OF NEXT MEETING