FRIENDS OF CULTERCULLEN SCHOOL

Staff Room, Cultercullen School

Monday 25thApril 2016

1830-1930

Present:Susan Watt (Chair person), Nicky Strachan (Secretary), Fiona Massie (Treasurer), Mrs MacArthur, Mr Anderson, Mike Whyment,, Dawn Anderson, Kirsty Kemp, Jane Brebner, Cath Smart, Angela Douglas, Craig McKenzie, Lynsey McAllister

Apologies:Mae Campbell, Marie Gilpin, Shona Grey, Helen McPherson

Summary of Discussions

  1. Matters Arising

Mrs MacArthur introduced Mr Anderson, Head Teacher (maternity cover) to the Committee.

Laptops– Mrs MacArthur updated the committee on money received from Hill of Fiddes Wind Turbines. Approximately £3000 was received from the wind turbines with an additional £500 provided by Friends of Cultercullen School. This was used to purchase laptops, charging station and a set of beetbots. This means that there are sufficient laptops for each child to have their own laptop. Mrs Watt thanked Mrs MacArthur for her efforts to reach this level.

  1. Chair Report

Mrs Watt has applied for the council funding which should amount to approximately £275.

Education City was purchased by the committee at a cost of £520 – a saving of £80 compared to the previous year.

Emails and other communications from the SPTC contact will continue to be emailed out to parents when they are received.

  1. Treasurer Report

The balances of the accounts are:

Friends of Cultercullen Fundraising Account£3312.45

Friends of Cultercullen School account£925.47

Cultercullen Football Team£511.89

Parents are encouraged to make any suggestions for items that could benefit the whole school and therefore could use money in the Friends of Cultercullen School account.

  1. Head teacher Report

Mr Anderson indicated that the forthcoming term was a busy term and to monitor emails for upcoming dates.

A whole school trip is planned to the Apple Store where the children will participate in a workshop organized by the store. Following this they will have a visit to the cinema in Union Square. Details are being finalized at the moment.

Mr Anderson indicated that the Behaviour Policy has been reviewed. All parents had been provided with a copy prior to the meeting and he welcomed any comments in relation to the policy. The committee was in agreement with the policy.

Mr Anderson will discuss the school Improvement Plan at future meetings and would welcome any comments from parents when it is distributed.

  1. Fundraising

Bags to School is scheduled for 24thMay 2016.

The school sponsored cycle will take place on Saturday 28th May at 1330. The route would be as in previous years on the cycle track from Udny Station to Dyce. The risk assessment for the event has been presented to the Insurance Company and approval has been received. The committee agreed that, as all children will be accompanied by an adult, there is no need to have a specific refreshment station at Newmacher. This will reduce the number of additional volunteers needed. Mr Strachan and Mr Whyment will carry additional refreshments as required. Mr Anderson and Miss MacDonald will man the crossing. Details will be circulated closer to the time.

  1. Any Other Business

Lindsay McKenzie will distribute school uniform forms next month. Consideration was given to an increase in pries. Mrs McKenzie will update.

Mrs Kemp asked if programmes to encourage healthy snacks in school could be adopted. Mr Anderson indicated that healthy snacks were already encouraged and any changes would be discussed with the children. They can discuss this further as part of the health and wellbeing topic next term.

Mr Whyment asked on progress towards getting an outdoor classroom. Mrs Watt indicated that the council had declined the most recent application for the use of planning gain money. Mrs Watt is to distribute council guidelines for items that the council will consider acceptable for the use of planning gain money.

Mr Whyment suggested that the school playground should be repainted. Mrs MacArthur indicated that this would be brought up with the school caretaker. It was also suggested that the planters be replaced and repainted as they are in a state of disrepair. Mr Anderson is to take this on.

Mrs Brebner offered her assistance to restock the library with fresh books from central library stocks. Mrs Brebner to progress.

Mrs MacArthur informed the committee that the Early Years Team are moving out of the library and there will be more space for the school to use.

Mrs MacArthur thanked the parents for all their help and support over the years. This is a huge support and makes a difference to both the running of the school and the workload of the teachers.

Mrs Watt thanked Mrs MacArthur for all her hard work and wished her well for her maternity leave.

Next Meeting: AGM set for Monday 13th June 2016 at 1830.