Auldearn Parent Council

Chair –  David Brownless
Secretary – Alison Footitt
Treasurer – Lee MacLennan

Minutes of Committee Meeting
Monday 25th May 2009

1. Apologies for Absence: Jan Ashton, Sharon McAllister, Julie Hoath, Linda Rawlinson.

2. Approval of Minutes of 27th April meeting: Lee MacLennan, David Brownless.

3. Matters Arising
3.1 Head Teacher Appointment
Angela Cryans has been appointed and has spent one day with Mrs Nesbitt at school. She will next be in school on 5th and 23rd June.

3.2  Youth Club Funds
The bank account signatories are still being sorted. The Community Council has asked whether funds could be drawn for youth provision in the village. It was agreed that a 50/50 split of funds (half to Parent Council and half to Community Council) would work.
There is a meeting about youth provision in the village at 7.oopm in the GP room next Tuesday, 2nd June. Parents welcome, please come along and give your views.

3.3 Janitor’s Role
This will be advertised in the Inverness Courier and Press and Journal. The role will be based at Auldearn with travel to other schools when needed. Mr McMordie is unable to stay on after 2nd July.

 3.4 School Lunches
A School Nutrition Action Group (SNAG) will be formed, to consist of pupils, catering staff and parents. This has worked well in other schools.  Action: Mrs Nesbitt to arrange a meeting.
P1 parents will be invited in for lunch on class swap day.

3.5 Community Field
Action: David to talk to Iain about an Awards for All application for the traversing wall and play equipment for older children. David will make a report for the meeting on 2nd June.
CCTV is working well and will support any new equipment being put onto the field.

3.6 Film Night
Ticket sales were very disappointing but we should still make a small profit. Questionnaires about the event have been returned to school and will be analysed.

4. School Report
• Staffing: Mrs Ranscombe returns to school on 19th June as principal teacher. Mrs Gallie steps down at this point to become class teacher. Mrs Sunde and Mrs Eccleshall will return on a temporary basis after the summer. Mr Campbell and Miss Flannigan sadly will finish their contracts this summer.
• Cycling Proficiency: This starts for P5 children on Wednesday.
• School roll: This stands at 147 for August 2009.
• Interschool Sports: The school will send teams to the Interschool Sports on Saturday 30th May and to a North of Scotland Competition on Thursday 4th June.
• Health Promoting School: The school has been re-accredited as a Health Promoting School.
• Interactive Whiteboard: Mrs Nesbitt will order a Whiteboard with some available funds.
• School Trips: The school is struggling to pay for school buses for trips e.g. £90 for Interschool Sports and £640 for the P7 trip. The Parent Council agreed to pay for buses for the two forthcoming sports competitions. P7s are currently fundraising on two training bikes.
• School Field: The Outdoor Classroom; this will be a circular structure without walls. It will be set-up soon on the school field. Willow planting will go ahead in October.
• School Play: The Railway Children will be shown at the school in August.
• Lost Property: Suggestion that we should run a second hand school clothes stall at Sports Day (agreed).

5. Financial report
The balance stands at £1981.99. Costs to be deducted include Drum Fun, photocopying, agreed bus costs and the Community Centre film night fees. This will leave around £1000.
Action: Alison to contact Rotary to see if we could obtain funding for a new Whiteboard.

6. Sports Day
15th June. There will be a family picnic from 12 noon. Action: Lee to purchase fruit, diluting juice and cups for 189 children.

7. Open Afternoon refreshments, 19th June, 2.00pm – 3.00pm.
Action: Nicola to check supplies and will ask Alison B to make Tray Bakes (Many thanks). Coffees and Teas to be provided by Virginia, Vicki, Lee and Freda Masson. Thank you for your help.

8. Potted Sports/Ceilidh 
Vicki has booked a marquee for this event and has flooring. The Marquee will cost £110 and the music £80. The marquee needs to be put up the night before and flooring laid (help needed). Suggested entrance costs £2.00 adults and £1.50 children (children’s rates include food), or we could increase this entrance cost and include food for adults too. Action: David to check whether another marquee is also available. Vicki to check costs for BBQ from Lynn Forbes, although it was agreed it may be best to provide this ourselves.   Alison to complete a let form.
There will be a meeting to discuss this event at 6.15pm – 7.00pm next Tuesday, 2nd June. All welcome.

9. Any Other Business
9.1 School Car Park: Parents are reminded that this is not an area for open parking and the car park gates are locked at 9.15 each morning. A fence around the trees is needed in this area to stop children using the car park for access.

10. Date of Next Meeting: Tuesday 2nd June , 6.15pm.