Stockbridge School Board - Parents' Room Online

Stockbridge Primary School, 23 Hamilton Place, Edinburgh, EH3 5BA. Tel/Fax: 0131 332 6109
Home    Back    Archive Minutes    School web site    Contact us

STOCKBRIDGE PRIMARY SCHOOL BOARD 
Meeting on Tuesday 25 January 2005 
Stockbridge Primary School Library 6.30pm

Present: Anna Benyon (chair), Liz Grierson (head teacher), Robert Black, Moira Mcgovern (co-opted members), Frank Crowe, Katerina Stein, Alex Black (parent members).

1. Welcome & Apologies 
Anna welcomed members and wished everybody well for the Burn's celebrations.
Barbara Cartwright sends her apologies.
2. Minutes of Last Meeting.
Approved.
3. Matters Arising
Anna has been circulated copy of the anti-racist & anti-bullying policy among members. Alex passed it to Robert Black and it was emphasised that members need to be aware that the policy exists.
Anna put the proposed session dates on the notice board and in the Bridge, for parents' consultation. There is no response from parents yet. Teachers are happy with the proposal.
The 20m/hr proposal is mandatory.
4. Car Parking/Playground
Barbara Cartwright sent a note to the board in which she presents the views of teachers on this issue. To reduce the limit from 8 to 6 will affect staff moral.
Members emphasise the need to ensure that there are no movements of cars during home times. Anna has noticed a change in car movements at these times. There is still no change in car parking outside P1 & P2.
Moira suggests locking the gates LG is not happy about this. For safety reasons, one gate has to remain unlocked. She will look into ways of living access for pedestrians while the main gate is locked.
Alex Black suggests we revert to the original limit of 6 cars. Anna suggests we keep it to 8, in the light of Barbara's note. Meanwhile, we work on other issues as highlighted above. Members agreed that this is a reasonable compromise.
Anna wraps up the discussion by saying that the board will keep coming back to the issue as required.
5. Head Teachers Report 
Development plans for the nursery was drafted in September and work is gradually progressing. Works have been done in the kitchen and Gate and some deco will come in February. The nursery is in the process of deciding what to do re: outdoor play area. The nursery plans to work closely with parents in arriving at a decision.
Primary 1 enrolment for August 2005 took place in Nov/Dec 2004. There are 13 interests within the catchment area and 20, out with.
Office Staffing. Jackie Cree has left her post. Alison Smart is willing to take on more hours.
The split break for the playground is working well. The football team has started going to the Academy for practice. Funding possibility is being explored for a mini bus (?) to aid transportation.
Arts improvement in the playground. To bring out the heritage, Diversity/multicultural aspects of life today. P5 will front the work which is expected to commence before Easter.
Library Update. The library is not ready for the launch but nearly there. Authors and Illustrators will take part in events for the day. Pupils already make use of the library.
Open Morning in May. Amanda has been working on event plans for the day, where parents are welcome to come into the school.
Road Safety Week. Next week. Questionnaires will go to parents.
6. School Motto.
The current one is 'Fear God Only'. 
LG has been looking into the history of the present motto but nothing significant has come up. She will talk to pupils about mottos and the purpose of having them.
As a starting point, the pupil panel will carry out a guided pre-selection.
Board members, PTA and parents will be involved in deciding a new motto for the school.
7. PTA Ceilidh. This will take place in March. The date is yet to be decided.
8. AOB. 
Anna attended the Consultative Committee with Parents. She passed her reports to LG for further action.
The Education & Social Work Department will be merged into one. On 1 April 2005, the new Children & Families Department will be launched. 
Anna wonders how this merge will affect our school.
Review budget for 2005/2008. Anna has had some discussions with LG. Advertising costs will now come from the school, rather than the central budget.
Anna noted the school's objection to the council.
9. Date of Next Meeting.
22 March 2005

This page is provided by