BELMONT ACADEMY PARENT COUNCIL
Minutes of Meeting
Wednesday 28th October 2015
Present: Graeme McLean; Margo Cathcart; Russell Phillips; Julie McTaggart; Joanne Bishop (minutes); Jayne Stevenson; Lindsay Andersson; Emma Smart; Michelle Muir; Lesley Dobbie; Elise Girvan; Janice Lindsay; Jill Ross; Cllr. Ian Douglas
1. Apologies : Sue Beattie; Chris Rodden; Andrea Kirkhope; Pamela Gray
2. Minutes of Last Meeting
As is usual practice the minutes of the AGM will be agreed at the start of the next AGM.
3. Treasurer’s Report
Russell advised that the Accountant had agreed to audit the books. The paperwork for the new bank account is in hand. No other issues to report.
4. Head Teacher Report
Graeme provided the following update in Sue’s absence:
· A visit was due to take place the following day from the Directorate and Education Department team as part of a two yearly visit to carry out a self evaluation. This visit will take approximately three and a half hours and will include a comprehensive presentation followed by a rich and varied program. Graeme advised that the team will look at statistics and data and showed the Parent Council the folder which is split into the five quality indicators and which will be handed out to the team. Graeme stated that the overall message is that Belmont are in a good place at the present time.
· Prior to the October holidays the S6 pupils took part in the annual sponsored walk for Malcolm Sargent. The event was a great success and Malcolm Sargent provided a £100 prize for the most money raised by an individual pupil.
· The annual Kyle and Belmont Academy Halloween party will take place at Kyle on Thursday 29th October.
· The school show rehearsals are well underway. Julie advised that refreshments would need to be organised and she will be meeting with Jill and Elise to clarify what is required in terms of ordering ice creams etc. During the week of the show the Parent Council agreed to be present to sell raffle tickets and Christmas Fair tickets. Margo suggested Julie e-mail the group to organise a rota for the week.
· Graeme advised that the school Timetabler would be meeting with Principal Teachers throughout the month of November in order to begin the task of constructing next year’s timetable.
· All Departments will be planning their usual round of Senior Leadership team observations and will compile a report which will go to all staff.
· Christmas dances will start in PE in three weeks time in preparation for the Christmas parties.
· The result of the recent parent survey relating to times for Parents’ evenings had resulted in a majority of parents opting to remain with the 7.00-9.00pm option.
5. Christmas Fair
Russell suggested that the Fundraising Committee members meet again on Monday 2nd November at 7.00pm as there are still a number of items to be discussed and organised.
6. Any Other Business
· Careers Information - Following on from the discussion at the last meeting regarding revamping careers information, Ian Watson has organised a breakfast meeting at 8.30am on Thursday 26th November with the local Chamber of Commerce. It is hoped that this initial meeting will establish some useful contacts and lead to some meaningful work experience opportunities with the hope that later next year the School can hold career fairs for S2’s and S3’s. The School are looking for any parents amongst the school who would be willing to share their knowledge and contribute to the event. The question was asked as to whether any work experience offered had to be within South Ayrshire and this would have to be looked into in terms of authorisation.
· Staffing - Joanne asked for an update on Staffing as she was aware that the English department were to lose two staff and raised concerns that this was happening at a critical time for S4’s and S5’s. Graeme advised that Kim Williams will leave at the end of November and that Philip Ross has secured a position at Marr College. Jim Guthrie (English) had taken early retirement, Cora Algie (Maths) is leaving to go to Australia and John Dunlop will be retiring after Christmas. Lynne Alexander (Geography) has taken up the post of Acting Principal Guidance (part-time). There was some discussion regarding the concerns at not being able to replace staff quickly due to a lack of availability in some subjects.
· The S4 Parents’ Night is on Thursday 26th November and the School Fair takes place the following evening on Friday 27th November.
Meeting ended.