TAYNUILT PRIMARY SCHOOL PC Meeting 21st March 2019 at 6.30pm

1. Present

Alan Chapman, Bhavani Narayanaswamy, Clare Bryden, Miriam Harden, Anna Griffiths, Sarah Douglas, Jo Robinson, Charlotte Reffin, Donna Bannatyne, Kate Hunter, Isobel Boyd, Ruth Cooper, Fiona Mitchell and Catriona Garvin

2. Apologies
• Claire Livingston, Gregor Cameron, Elaine Campbell and Kay MacIntyre

3. Minutes of Last meeting • Approved

4.Head Teacher Appointment

Catriona Garvin thanked the PC for being positive ambassadors for the school. This team effort has made Taynuilt Primary an attractive post for applicants and we now can confirm the appointment of Berni McMillan as a permanent Head Teacher.
It was confirmed that there will be no gap between Catriona Garvin and Ms McMillan starting in order to allow for transition and a smooth handover. The timescale of this is still to be negotiated.
Mrs Garvin and the whole staff team were thanked by Alan on behalf of the whole parent council for their hard work over the last few months.5. Read Write Inc

Staff gave positive feedback from parents and pupils about the impact that the new lit-eracy, spelling and phonics programme has had across the school, from nursery up to P7. Some of the positives included a building of confidence in reading, group discus- sions and a deeper understanding of grammar and improved writing techniques.
It was explained to parents that within the phonics element of the scheme, the children are re-assessed every 6-8 weeks so that they are working at the appropriate level. These groups are fluid and are streamed across p1-3 so that children are given reading pitched at their level not their age. This vertical grouping works well with the new open area, new active teaching styles and a freedom of movement between the two classes.
Mrs Garvin explained that as a school, we are still on a journey but thanked staff for all their hard work thus far.
Fresh Start is the p6/7 element of the phonics programme designed for children who are still struggling with their reading later on in their primary education. We are the only school in the area that offers Fresh Start and this is something to celebrate. It also al- lows for a smooth transition into High school where Fresh Start is taught if they are still finding reading difficult by this stage.

6. FOTS/PC Possible amalgamation

At the last parent council meeting in December, Mrs Garvin suggested the idea of merg- ing FOTS and PC might help bring parents together more as a team. FOTS then put this on their last meeting agenda and voted that the majority of their committee was in favour so they were happy for it to be discussed or voted upon at the Parent Council.
A lengthy debate took place where it was clear that there were strong opinions from both sides of the argument so it was decided that the issue would be revisited again with the new head teacher. It is worth noting that in order for it to be democratic and in line with the constitution the issue would have to be put to the wider school community for a vote.
It was decided that there had to be better links between the two committees and espe- cially at how they communicate with each other and the wider parent body.7. Learning Journals
• At the start of the new academic year in August, Catherine Davies changed the planning

and the PLP (Pupil Learning Plan). The end of year plans will therefore look different, with no traffic signalling etc. There will be a new end of year report with a clear format, giving information on Numeracy, Literacy and Health/Wellbeing.

• It was discussed that the learning Journals have improved communication between parents and staff but it was felt that more information was needed on attainment.

8. Relief Patrol Crossing

• It was confirmed that the patrol service for crossing the A82 safely is NOT being withdrawn HOWEVER, no relief will be available if Dougie is unwell. Thanks was given to Mrs McMillan who stepped in at the last minute a few weeks ago to help pupils across the road.

9. School Review
• Mrs Garvin asked that we now move on from the review and change our language to school improvement journey and try to remain positive. She commended staff for the leadership roles across the school in all the key areas:

Literacy development – Read, write Inc plus Isobel Boyd is working on literacy with Clare Brydon and the storyline approach
Numeracy development – HAMS active learning strategies, Numicon training.Jenny Love is leading on Numeracy and training other staff in how to teach number
talks to pupils.
STEM – science week/fayre success and will be built on in the learning that will take place next term as a follow-up in classes
Health and Well Being – outdoor learning (commendation to the openness of all staff with this), relationships, Parenting and Sexual Health.
Mrs McPherson is looking into the RPSH body in order to start a Health and well-being curriculum as there is none at the moment in the school and it is law.

9. Playground Update

FOTS has decided not to pursue the expensive ‘fixed’ structure idea but invest in the loose parts play. They are going to plant sensory plants in tyres around the school and they discussed possible training in willow tunnels. They are also hopefully going to purchase musical instruments for outdoors as well as completing the stage at the front of the school (awaiting possible building warrant).
Main cause for concern is the drainage issues of the back pitch which could cost in the region of £10,000 to rectify so fundraising is going to be aimed at that this year. Fiona Mitchell suggested that the drainage could be sorted at the same time as the nursery extension in 2020 to cut costs. (FOTS to liaise with new HT to investigate?)10. Lochgoilhead

• Mrs Garvin showed results of the online survey parents filled in. The 3 day trip was overwhelmingly overruled so the next decision was whether parents wanted to merge with other schools like Dunbeg/Achaleven who are going in Feb 2020 (P7s only) or whether to stick with Dalmally in August for 5 days with P6 and P7s both going. It was decided to stay with Dalmally and let all p6/7 go for 5 days this August and Mrs Garvin is to book.

11. St Columba’s Catchment Area Consultation
At present Taynuilt PC have NOT agreed to the consultation and it was stated that other school chairs were not happy about the website publicising that Parent Councils HAD agreed. Mrs Garvin explained that she contacted the legal department and advised the PC to put in an email response to argyllhousereception@argyll-bute.gov.uk
She did, however, explain that St Columba’s have a very small catchment area at present but concerns were raised about how it could effect small school’s budgets if parents choose a denominational school where free transport is being potentially offered. It was concluded that it may not effect Taynuilt too much but people are free to reply to the con- sultation with their views if they wish.

12. AOB

The questions of Ms McMillan’s role going to be a teaching HT was asked and it was con- firmed that it would. In fact, Ms McMillan was attracted to the post because she would like to teach in the classroom again and Mrs Garvin stated the positives of this. Obviously Ms McMillan may be busier at certain times of the day due to teaching commitments but Mrs Garvin did not think it would be a problem for parents who wished to see her.