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Friday 08, December 2006
School Board Minutes - 06/06/06 |
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School Board Minutes Tuesday, 06/06/06
Opening
The regular meeting of the Graeme High School Board was called to order at 7:05pm on Tuesday June 6th 2006 in Graeme High School, by Allister Perston.
Present:
Allister Perston - Chairperson
Alan Harris - Vice-Chairperson
Tony Matchett - Treasurer
Liz Rankine - Parent Member
Carole Christie - Parent Member
Ken Donald - Parent Member
William Thomson - Rector
John Jenkinson - Councillor
Grace MacDonald - Co-opted Member
Natalie Finlayson - Student Member
Apologies:
Ian McLean - Staff Member
Pat Reid - Councillor
A - Welcome and Approval of Minutes
The meeting was opened at 7:10 by Mr. Perston. Natalie Finlayson was introduced to the Board as the new student member and the Board extends a warm welcome to her. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved. (Copies available).
B - Action Points Arising from Previous Minutes
Regarding item B, Co-opted Vacancies, Mr. Harris has spoken to a representative of My Futures in Falkirk, and although there did not seem to be much interest, he will try to bring it up at their next meeting.
Regarding item B Dates of meetings of the Falkirk/Braes Forum, a meeting of the Falkirk Area Forum will take place at the Municipal Buildings Falkirk on June 8th. Topics to be discussed include Community safety funding and youth activity.
Regarding item B, School Buses; It is not Education Authority policy to ask companies to complete Disclosure Scotland checks on their existing employees however all new drivers are checked. Employees who will have a 1:1 involvement with children (eg. Taxi drivers) are disclosure checked. There is a good working relationship between the licensing body and Falkirk council and the transport planning unit is happy to receive any complaints about the service. A note to parents and carers highlighting the complaints procedure will be included in the newsletter. Ms. Finlayson indicated to the Board that often drivers were no patient, and that some drivers have asked all children to disembark if there has been a disturbance. Mrs. MacDonald suggested the use of Bus monitors and Mr. Thomson indicated that buses have CCTV to catch trouble makers and that there have been problems with smoking on buses.
C - Correspondence
The following pieces of correspondence were tabled:
- Falkirk Council: Education Matters Newsletter
- In The Know - Learning To Achieve publication
- Falkirk Council: Partnership Newsletter
- Survey of Education Service Delivery (to be discussed later)
- Letter from parent re; Army recruitment at GHS
This letter relates to the presence of an Army stand at a recent career fair. Mr. Thomson read his response to the board, stressing that Graeme High does not promote a career in the armed forces over any other career path and stressed that the Army will not recruit a 16 year old without express parental permission and that the army have a presence at most career fairs to provide information to those who may be interested. Mr. Perston will respond on the Board’s behalf stressing the Boards unanimous support of the School and Mr. Thomson.
D - Rector's Report
1. Timetable Changeover
Mr. Macintosh is the main player with regards to timetabling within the school, and the Board were saddened to hear of his recent ill health and the repercussions this was having in relation to the timetable changeover. Mr. Thomson has put 5 PT’s through a timetabling course in order to lighten the burden on Mr. Macintosh. Mr. Thomson confirmed that many schools do not change timetables until the August and that a timetabling consultant who has been brought in to tie up the loose end of the timetable will advise whether or not the new timetable is ready to go live in the last week of term. Mr. Thomson indicated he did not know if it would be worth changing over in the last week due to the various disruptions that occur at this time of year. He did however confirm that educational provision must continue and staff members who do not provide educational provision may be subject to disciplinary action. Mr. Thomson will write to parents later this week to inform them of the situation.
2. S4 Study Leave
Mr. Thomson distributed a summary of pupil requests versus actual attendance at study classes for the study leave period. From the data it could be seen that the numbers of children attending gradually diminished but this had a lot to do with what exam was taking place, especially since a pupil who had sat their full compliment of exams was not required to return to school until May 31st. Out of the 230 pupils in S4 Mr. Thomson received 11 letters advising their child would be kept off school and one letter of complaint regarding a cancelled class, for which the child in question was not registered. Mr. Thomson added there is value in providing supported study on an individual subject basis, although the general study sessions were less favorable. The Council Policy cannot be discussed for a further 6 months as I was pushed through despite a large number of objections. The Board will write expressing their opinion to the Council, and the issue should be raised in the newsletter to canvas parent/carer opinion.
S4 Study Leave to be brought up at the first meeting of the next academic year, in order to discuss a way forward.
3. School Improvement Plan
Mr. Thomson distributed a copy to Board members so that it can be digested and discussed at the next meeting. Mr. Thomson will also give a presentation on the Curriculum for excellence at this meeting.
E - Education Survey
Mr. Perston will respond on behalf of the Board. Members are encouraged to write/email their comments. Mr. Perston will distribute a copy of the response.
F - Newsletter
Issues to be included in the newsletter include:
- School Transport
- Update on the Parental Involvement Bill
- Dates of Board Meetings
- Study Leave
- School Website
- Introduction from Mr. Perston, Chair of Board.
G - Financial Status
Accounts have been submitted to Falkirk Council. Figures stand as last meeting. Mr. Matchett will distribute approved accounts.
H - Any other business
- Honors Roll, need to be updated
- Clerk's Salary
I - Dates of Board Meetings for 2006/2007
Tuesdays
- September 19th, 2006
- November 7th, 2006
- January 23rd, 2007
- February 27th, 2007
- April 24th, 2007
Monday (Note day)
Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 by Allister Perston.
Minutes submitted by: Nicola Matchett (Clerk)
Approved by: Allister Perston (Chairperson) |
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