MINUTES OF MEETING ON TUESDAY 14 NOVEMBER 2000 AT STOCKBRIDGE PRIMARY SCHOOL, AT 7.00PM. 

Present:            Graham Bodenham (Chair), John Burton, Fiona Fraser                                                             

Apologies:            Gregor Henderson, Kate Jones, Helen Cox, Joan Cook, Maggie Darling, Emila Knight (Clerk)                 

In Attendance:            Jacqui Horsburgh (Head Teacher), Carron Stoker (PTA), Moira McGovern, Andrew Glen (prospective new members)                                                            

1.0                WELCOME and apologies: Graham Bodenham (Chair) thanked all those present for attending and introduced Andrew Glen (father of Lois P3) as prospective new parent Board Member and Moira McGovern (member of Stockbridge Community Council) as prospective new community Board Member. 

1.1     Minutes of the meeting of 10 October 2000 were approved. No amendments to be made.                            top

2.0                MATTERS ARISING 

2.1          Review Co-opted and elected membership

               Under the new simplified system for filling vacancies, as no election has been called for, Andrew was unanimously co-opted to replace Fiona Fraser. He will serve the remainder of Fiona’s four year term - until November 2001. Moira McGovern was unanimously co-opted as community member, serving until November 2003. Kate Jones sent a message that although she had intended to stand down in November to make way for someone new, she would be happy to continue until a replacement is found. Our thanks go to Fiona Fraser, who has served the board for many years. The Chair proposed that John Burton take over her position as Vice Chair. 

2.2          Environment Sub Group update Pelican Crossing and Sports Facilities.

Graham Bodenham, John Burton, and Joanna Franceschi from the PTA, attended a Route Action Plan meeting on 17 October. At the meeting it seemed that the prospect of a pelican crossing was good, but that it depended on possible objections. John reported an update to this - Cllr Lazarowicz had been in contact to say that definite proposals were on the agenda for both the Consultative Committee with Parents, and the Council Executive Committee within the next two weeks. The intention would be to provide firstly a Pelican Crossing outside the Primary School, and subsequently one outside Edinburgh Academy, before the end of the present financial year. JB had received detailed accident statistics relating to Hamilton Place/Henderson Row for the previous three years. A breakdown of the details in relation to the immediate area outside the School was given.                                                                                    top

          A positive reply from Scotmid in request to an extension of the delivery restrictions during school hours (Friday Lunchtime) had been received. 

          JB reported agreement with Edinburgh Academicals regarding access to the sports field on Raeburn Place. From March - Summer, and from August to October the school will have use of the facilities Tuesday 13:00 to 15:15. Access will also be available for the annual Sports Day. It was agreed to highlight the Mini Rugby Club run at the ground on Sunday mornings in the next newsletter. 

2.3       Head Teacher’s Annual Report to The Board 1999/2000 – follow up

Mrs Horsburgh presented details of attainment by class, and staffing levels as an addendum to Standards and Quality Report for the Board, as agreed at the previous meeting. 

2.4          Sex Education in Scotland’s Schools etc Act 2000 - & questionnaire

The Guidance documentation from the Scottish Executive was reviewed and thought to be thorough, precise and carefully considered. Mrs Horsburgh outlined the manner in which consultation with parents was undertaken in the school. She also explained the current sex education programme in the school - in P6, emotional and personal development followed by the feeling yes / feeling no programme.                                                                                            top

The questionnaire on Sex Education in Scottish Schools was completed to reflect this response from the Board. 

2.4       Playground link door to nursery

Mrs Horsburgh explained that the door was sealed in response to a security review, following the attack at Dunblane. As the aim was to prevent pupils from moving between the nursery and main playgrounds, John Burton wondered if it would be possible for the door to be opened after the bell has rung and once the primary children are under the teachers’ supervision. It is clear that a 10 or 15 minute access period would be a great help to many parents who also have nursery children to drop off. The point was accepted that security is very important and should not be compromised. Mrs Horsburgh agreed to check if John’s revised proposal would be acceptable to the authority. 

3.0                 Half Yearly review of budget expenditure & HT’s plans to vire monies

Mrs Horsburgh presented details of her planned virements from the budget carry over. These related principally to the new IT suite, the new Playground Auxiliary, and expenditure on Language Resources. 

4.0                         REPORTS 

4.1           School Meals Sub Group Half Yearly Report                                                                                            top

There was no report from the School Meals Sub Group, but there was a long discussion on the suitability of the breakfast bars distributed at the behest of the Scottish Executive as part of a Healthy Eating Campaign. It was resolved to write to the Catering Department indicating support for the campaign, but also pointing out that the bars were not the best way of highlighting the campaign. 

4.2           First Link focus group meeting 6 November 2000

Graham Bodenham attended this meeting and found the editorial team to be very responsive to ideas from the assembled parents. It transpired that distribution was a common problem but this has now been resolved. The Board agreed that the publication is worthwhile and contains useful information for parents so parents’ views will be sought to take to future focus group meetings. 

5.0                 OTHER BUSINESS 

5.1       Family Fun Quiz Night 31 October 2000

John Burton reported that the fun night was generally considered a success, making a profit of £116.51 The PTA had distributed a follow up questionnaire to parents, and a review of the content/format would take place, but that it was hoped that it would now become a regular annual event in the social calendar of the school.                         top

5.2       A 21^st Century Vision for Leith and North Edinburgh – Conference

          The Board have been invited to attend this event which will comprise a seminar and workshops. The workshops will include a discussion of the future transport plans for North Edinburgh and Leith. Graham Bodenham will attend and the £5 registration fee will be paid from Board funds, subject to approval from the School Board Unit. 

6.0           CORRESPONDENCE 

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

a)           CEC Education

1.         Summary minutes of Consultative Committee With Parents meeting 3 October 2000.

2.         Full minutes of Consultative Committee With Parents meeting 3 October 2000.

3.         Agenda for CCwP meeting 21 November 2000 

b)           CEC Education – Education Support Services                                                                                        top

1           Revised Budget Statement 2000/2001 (see item 3)

2           Annual Meetings Calendar 2001/2002 - amendment 

c)           CEC – City Development Special Projects

1          Route Action Plan – Summary and statistics for Stockbridge (see item 2.2) 

d)           First Link magazine

        1   Thank you for attending focus group meeting (see item 4.2) 

  e)          David Hill (Edinburgh Representative on Scottish School Board Association)

1         Personal proposal for an Edinburgh Parents Forum

2         Minutes of meeting at James Gillespie’s High School on 10 October 2000 

f)           Elizabeth Maginnis                                                                                                                                 top

1         Invitation to 21^st Century Vision for Leith & North Edinburgh Conference (see item 5.2) 

7.0            ANY OTHER BUSINESS. 

7.1          John Burton had attended the SPTC (Scottish Parent Teacher Council) AGM (4 November 2000) and was elected as a Director of SPTC. The next Directors meeting is 02/12/00, and he will report back to the Board on that meeting.  

7.2      No other business was raised. Meeting closed at 9.00pm 

8.0                    DATE OF NEXT MEETING:            Tuesday 16 January 2001 at 7:00pm