MINUTES OF MEETING ON TUESDAY 30 MAY 2000 AT STOCKBRIDGE PRIMARY SCHOOL, AT 7.00PM. 

Present:                      Graham Bodenham (Chair), John Burton, Helen Cox, Kate Jones                                                      

Apologies:                     Maggie Darling, Fiona Fraser, Gregor Henderson, Joan Cook                 

In Attendance:            Jacqui Horsburgh (Head Teacher), Emila Knight (Clerk)                                                           

1.0               WELCOME and apologies: Graham Bodenham (Chair) thanked those present for attending and made apologies on behalf of the board members who could not attend. 

1.1   Minutes of the meeting of 2 May 2000 were approved without amendment.                                    top 

2.0                 MATTERS ARISING 

2.1     Pelican Crossing – Hamilton Place. John Burton confirmed that the Council report on the Traffic Proposals, had been delayed. John will continue to monitor the progress of the report and let us know what the officials advise when it is published..

With regards to Scotmid deliveries in Hamilton Place, John Burton confirmed that a standing agreement between Stockbridge Primary School and Scotmid, was indeed in place. The agreed time for deliveries to be avoided by Scotmid employees, is between 8.30 – 9.30 am. Previous complaints with regards to the above had been reported to Gayfield Police Station, and it has been suggested that we might consult the council for further support, e.g. to approach traffic wardens with regards to double parking by Scotmid delivery trucks. Mrs Horsburgh wondered if we could get Scotmid to agree to a window in the afternoons to coincide with pupils leaving School. The problem of the asymmetric week was identified in that we would ideally need a clear period from 2.30 – 3.30pm Monday to Thursday, but 12.20 – 12.50pm on Fridays only. It was agreed to write to Scotmid to open discussions.

          Mrs. Horsburgh (Head Teacher) reported back with regards to a previous survey into levels of lead pollution at Stockbridge Primary School. It was believed that the localized lead pollution measured at the time was due to stripped paints, etc during renovations. Mrs. Horsburgh will contact Dr. Ross again to share any further information with regards to this issue. Mrs. Horsburgh will also meet with Chris Hill on 1 June 2000 to discuss further issues regarding “Safer Routes to School”.                                                                                                                                   top 

2.2     Review Co-opted members. Joan Cook of Stockbridge Health Centre has expressed an interest in getting involved with the School Board.  Joan works with pre-nursery aged children who eventually attends Stockbridge Primary School. Unfortunately, Joan was unable to attend the meeting, but was looking forward to visiting the School Fair on 3 June. 

2.3     Review School Budget Proposals 2000/2001. The final budget figures were announced by Mrs. Horsburgh (Head Teacher). The devolved school budget is based on a per-capita basis.  The total sum of £65 per pupil and £60 per nursery child was allocated. The total financial allocation is £14102 and £1800 was allocated to Nursery Supplies. The Excellence Fund received a total of £600 and a further £709 was allocated to IT resources, which would include teachers support. The school will also continue with the existing specialists as follows: 

Art  -  1 full day per week  for 1 term

Swimming  -  half a class for the whole session

P.E  -  half a day for the whole session 

One additional task force leader is to be instated. Mrs. Horsburgh confirmed that auxiliary support will be enhanced from the devolved budget and Stockbridge Primary has to express requirements before end of June for the next session.

Stolen & Damage Threshold allocated £441 to be funded by the school.                                            top 

3.0               ELECTION OF OFFICE BEARERS. Graham Bodenham was re-elected as Chair, unopposed. He proposed that Fiona Fraser be asked to continue as Vice Chair, if she has no objection. Kate Jones expressed her intention to step down as Treasurer before the by-elections in November. John Burton expressed an interest in taking up the latter position in addition to Environmental Issues as at present. 

4.0               REPORTS 

4.1    Communications Sub-Committee half yearly report was postponed due to Fiona Fraser’s absence. 

4.2      Links Sub-Committee half yearly report was presented by Helen Cox (D. H. T.).   
In accordance with the aims set out for Links Sub-Group we have endeavoured to strengthen our present links with the local community.

We were successful in securing the first Business Partnership Venture with our local branch of Pizza Express in April.  This project was designed for primary 7 pupils and involved them in a two-day placement at the restaurant, working alongside the staff there.  During the venture the pupils were introduced to planning, designing and costing menus, table setting and serving etiquette, making pizzas and counting up bills.

The highlight of the project resulted in every Primary 7 parent being invited to the restaurant for lunch and seeing their child in action.  Without doubt, the enterprise activities improved pupils’ self-confidence, self-esteem and the ability to work as members of teams.                                                                                                                        top

The Links Sub-Group is delighted to report that the venture has been so successful that the Education Manager for Pizza Express UK has expressed an interest in the continuance of this project next year.  Information about the project will be published in the next Pizza Express Magazine published nationwide.

From an educational standpoint the creation of this venture brings Stockbridge into line with the recent HMI report ‘Education for Work in Schools’ 1999.  The report values partnership between business and school to develop core skills and key aspects of the Environmental Studies programme; enterprise activities and opportunities for personal and social development.

The Sub-Group has been successful in becoming involved with an art project at the Botanical  Gardens.  This project has arisen from The Millennium Forest for Scotland Awards and is intended for community involvement.  In June, Primaries 4 & 5 will each spend one day at the Botanics and experience artistic development in sculpture, wood-cutting and relief painting.  A booklet about the project will be produced.  We are delighted that Stockbridge will be involved in this Millennium Project.

We intend to continue the Drama contact with Telford College again later this month.  Jane Garven’s Drama Students will offer workshop session for middle school classes.

There has been so much pressure with HMI inspection and other initiatives this session.  This has prevented the publication of School Magazine or Newspaper.  However, The Stockbridge Swan Newspaper will be submitted for the Scotsman  Award this year.                                                                                                                                            top 

4.3       Board’s Annual Report 1998/99. This report has still no been submitted by the previous Chair. In view of the imminent publication of this year’s Board Report, and the fact that last year’s report had been presented verbally to the PTA AGM, it was agreed to drop this item from the agenda and not pursue it any further. 

5.0               OTHER BUSINESS 

5.1     Review Board’s objectives 1999/2000. On analysis, it was found that virtually all of the objectives for this year have been achieved or are in progress. 

5.2     Draft Board’s objectives for 2000/2001. The Chair submitted draft objectives for the session 2000/2001 (copy attached) which contain a few amendments and updates. The document was accepted by the Board and will be presented to the next Board/PTA meeting in August. 

5.3     PTA Summer Fair 3 June 2000. Most Board members are already involved in preparations for the Summer Fair and/or will be helping on the day. 

5.4     PTA Annual General Meeting 6 June 2000. The Chair will present the Board’s Annual Report to the AGM. Following the meeting, the report will also be published and distributed to parents via the pupils.                        top 

6.0             CORRESPONDENCE 

The following correspondence has been received since the last Board meeting: 

a)         CEC Education

1.         Issue 22, School Boards Information Update newsletter April 2000.

2.         Summary minutes of Consultative Committee With Parents meeting 25 April 2000.

3.         Raising Achievement Education Annual Report 1998/1999

4.         Community Use of Schools – Application form for use of school premises 

b)         CEC Education – Education Support Services

1           Finance Statements – Financial Year 2000/2001 (see item 2.3)

2           School Board Information – Glossary of terms, Cluster Groups, Meetings calendar, etc.                 top

c)         Scottish Executive Education Department.

1         5-14 Focus Issue 6 May 2000

2         Special Educational Needs – The Programme of Action 

  d)     HMI Inspectors Of Schools.

          Letter of acknowledgement and thanks for contributions to the inspection. 

7.0          ANY OTHER BUSINESS. 

7.1     No other business was raised 

7.2     Meeting closed at 8.39pm 

8.0                    DATE OF NEXT MEETING:            Tuesday 29 August 2000 at 7:00pm  Joint meeting with PTA