Category: Parent Council

Please read important information below.

Parent Council Letter re Collective Leadership Model – 2021.12.10

We want to thank the parent council for all of our new outdoor learning resources. The parent council have supported the provision of outdoor learning by purchasing a range of outdoor learning equipment, these have included loose parts, a new water station for ELC, new waterproofs for the upper school, den building equipment and many open ended resources. We look forward to having fun in the outdoors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B o w m o r e   P r i m a r y   P a r e n t   C o u n c i l

Zoom Meeting Minutes

24^th August 2020, 5.30pm

Present – Lynn Campbell, Arlene Mckerrell, Maureen McDonald, Marcin Paradowski, Amy Hannet

Apologies – Jane Deakin, Gemma Donachie

Future Meetings – Last meetings minutes have not been presented. Mishap on the chairs behalf. In future these should be sent before or with the next meetings log in details. Ask Jane to send these to all members of the committee so we can sign them off.

Back to School Update – All children have adapted really well to being back in school surroundings and enjoying it. Teachers and parents have also found the transition has gone better than expected. A questionnaire will be going out to get wider feedback also.

Parent Questionnaire – There will be a questionnaire sent to parents to gather feedback on the return to school and how they feel. The school providing snacks has been working well, the children are trying new things, all healthy, and more children are finishing their lunches. Snacks are proving costly, and the suggestion of parents paying a small amount towards this could help. One pound per week was suggested, much less than it would cost parents to provide a snack all week.

School Meetings – These don’t happen in person as there are too many staff, going to be done through Google meet.

Internet Safety Week – There will be an internet safety week after the October holidays, week commencing Monday 19^th October. Important to pupils, staff and parents with a higher volume of learning now done using online resources.

Bank Balance – Marcin reports there is just over 8000 pounds in the bank. About 5,500 is from the coop fund. [Worked out afterwards as 6,200 is coop money].

Coop Spend – Some parents had flagged up the remaining money could be spent now to purchase some new outdoor learning resources, as there is now more emphasis on outdoor learning in line with new guidelines due to Covid19. It was suggested we spend in the upper area of the school. Arlene and Maureen had some suggestions to what the school are needing and will work with the other teachers to create a wish list and present to the parent council to pick from. This included things like waterproofs for upper school, mini bus hire for woodland trips for upper school, hulahoops, chalk, outdoor paint brushes and other smaller items and sensory items for lower end of school. To date we have spent 3027.30 pounds on the nursery outdoor area, 1145.35 pounds on 5 new Ipads and are in the process of purchasing a shed for storage in the outdoor area for loose parts and toys. This is quoted around 800 and should be completed soon. Leaving around 5,500 for spend [later worked out as 6,200] 

Covid Protocols – Maureen ensures us there will be full transparency with Covid cases within the school. Once there are 2 confirmed cases it will be classed as an outbreak, the Local Authority and public health service would step in to decide on School closure, local or island wide, and further steps. School maintains a record of staff and pupils who are tested.

Outdoor play equipment is used for each class bubble, if these change round, the appropriate 72 hours are applied.

The school can be randomly spot checked at anytime to ensure the correct procedures are in place. There is more extensive cleaning in place. A separate cleaner is available at lunch time and some mornings to cover Janitor breaks. Staff feeling very safe at work with all the protocols in place.

Seesaw – Seesaw will continue to be primary source of contact and used for homework for the children. Thanks to parent council and the authority there are now enough ipads for the children primary 1 – 4 to each have sole use, preventing any spread of germs between the children.

Technology – In case of any future lockdown the school can now provide an i-pad to families P1-4 requiring access school work at home. Results from the recent survey shows that only 1 dongle is required and everyone has sufficient access.

All Weather Pitch – Looking to use the all weather pitch for P5-7 EM and 4-7 GME, just have to work round high school timetabled use.

Cashless catering – Julie to send out information on how to use, so parents in P1- 3 receiving free school meals can pay any milk costs.

Outdoor Area – Primary 1 / 2 , Primary 3 /4/ and Gaelic Primary 1/2/3 teachers are working on developing the grassy area on the left when entering the school grounds for a new loose parts and sensory area. Arlene to show Mathew what is required to see if we can get the digger work done.

AGM – Our AGM is set after the October holidays. Monday 26^th October, 5.30pm via Zoom. This will be sent to parents through Seesaw nearer the time, and we are to put in the Ileach.

Bowmore Primary School Parent Council Meeting Minutes

12th November 2019

Present: Maureen Macdonald , Arlene Mckerrell, Lynn Campbell, Jane Deakin, Gemma
Donachie, Neill, Marcin, Susan Main, Marcin Paradowski, Neil Woodrow

Apologies: Jane Hanlon, Claire MacGregor, Leanne McTaggart

a) Seesaw App: Maureen reporting a majority of positive feedback from
parents following the roll out of the new system. Parents will be receiving
an email and text about GDPR.
c) Children in Need fundraiser on Friday 15th November with a Bake Off and
Coffee Morning
d) November: Early Years Inspection followed by Learning and Development
visit
e) 25th November In Service day for School NOT Nursery
f) Christmas Events:

b) Gaelic Medium Education celebrates 30 years in Bowmore this year. In
recognition hosting 4 days of Gaelic Celebration:

2nd December Coffee Morning

3rd December Bilingual Bingo

4th December Gaelic Learning Day

5th December Celebration Ceilidh

Christmas Dates

13th December Nativity

16th December Carols by Candlelight at the Round Church 6-7pm

18th December Christmas Lunch – Invitations to Parent Council and Comann nam Pàrant

18th December Bowmore Christmas Disco 7-8.30pm

19th December Christmas Party

g) Agreed by all for Parent Council to fund gifts for younger pupils and
selection boxes for P4+ children, the school will source the gifts. CNP will
be contributing for Gaelic Medium pupils.
h) New Pitch – Confusion over access and cost of using the new resource.
Discussed the possibility of equipment for the children to use in this space.
School has recently purchased a Tag Rugby set.
i) FANTASTIC NEWS that the Parent Council has been awarded £10221.75
from the Co-op Local Community Fund. Discussions on what these funds
can be used towards. As in the application money is to be spent on what the
majority would like, which falls to outdoor play equipment and technology.
5 x iPads @ 300 makes £1,500 2 x Kapla boxes @ £200 makes £400
Nursery outdoor area: we saw the multi-level water table was just under
£3000. Then leaves £5321.75 to purchase for the outdoor school
playground, which can be discussed.
j) Arlene Mckerrell £1000 Sensory Equipment agreed – funding from existing
funds in account. Jane Deakin to review ‘Wish Lists’ on file from other
staff.
k) Future Fundraising: Feis Fun Run Wednesday 27th May. Auction Mart
catering – bacon butties etc
l) POTENTIAL A&BC BUDGET CUTS TO SCHOOLS SWIMMING 2020-
21.

Potential cuts to funding which provide swimming to the schools of Islay.
Being surrounded by water and having a vast fishing community, I’m sure
you would agree it is highly beneficial for our children to have the chance
to learn to swim.

There is a questionnaire and a petition we would like to get you all to sign.
This will be at the Gaelic College along with copies of the questionnaire
from Wednesday, or both are available at the swimming pool.

Future dates agreed:

Thursday 2nd April Easter Disco

Tuesday 23rd June Prom

Next Meeting: Tuesday 28th January 2020 6.30pm

Chair Person: Lynn Campbell

Vice-Chair Person: Gemma Donachie 

Secretary: Jane Deakin

Treasurer: Marcin Paradowski

Teacher Rep: Arlene McKerrell

Find out about the purpose and role of a Parent Council here.  Click on the link below:

Click to access parent-councils-role-and-purpose.pdf