Present
Abby,Justine,Emma,Dawn,Julie,Pam, Mary
Apologies
Clare, Jess
Previous minutes reviewed and agreed no issues
Parental Engagement – Parent Council Role
Abby led a discussion around the role of the Parent Council(PC) with a view to giving parents a voice from a different perspective within school life particularly in view of the budget challenges ahead. Various ideas were discussed on how best to make it easier for parents to contact the PC together with opening up discussions around its role.
- Using the new website
- Parent Carers closed Facebook group
- Involving the Pupil Council
- Survey on what Parents want /expect from the PC and how they would prefer to support
- Stagger meeting times
- Tag onto another school event
After discussing at length it was decided that in order to achieve the best possible results Abby would put together a Survey Monkey with some simple questions to gauge what the barriers to parent engagement are. This will then be distributed via the Parent & Carers closed Facebook group. The results will then be assessed and the taken into account when setting future dates for PC meetings. Mary agreed that we could make an announcement at the Achievement Assembly (Friday13th December) drawing attention to the survey and announcing the outcome of the survey at the Christmas concert (Friday20th December).
The questions suggested –
What meeting time would suit best? Morning? Afternoon?
Any particular day of the week?
Would it be easier to attend with children or without?
Sharing transport?
How would you like To receive any PC communications ?
D&G Council budget follow up from last meeting
Proposals have been put forward after the two day meetings at the end of October. A PC forum to discuss these proposals will take place Thursday 21st November 2019 7pm at Castle Douglas High School.
Burns night
Date set for 24th January 2020
Group call to be sent out on 8th January asking for ticket numbers. Must have final numbers by 13th January.
Clare previously agreed to provide the catering. Parent volunteers will be needed to help her with the preparations
As per previous years, bring your own cutlery/crockery/glasses
Desserts by donation from parents
Hamper raffle – food/Scottish related donations
Immortal memory- TBC
Selkirk grace – P7
Toast to lads- TBC
Toast to lassies – TBC
Address to haggis – P7
Children also to perform poems & songs
Next meeting
Week commencing 13th January 2020
Date to be confirmed after the outcome of the survey
AOB
Justine informed the PC that wood chips for the play area will be ready in the coming months.
A reminder that children can use their PE shoes as indoor shoes so there is no need to purchase extra pair of shoes.
