Gairloch High School Parent Council AGM
Wednesday 2nd November, 7pm in Gairloch High School
Draft Minutes
Present: Gillian Morrison, John Port, Graham Milner, Jennifer Robertson, Lynne Whall, Nevis Hulme, Kenny Nelson, Marion Taylor, Anna Hulme, Lloyd Gudgeon, Karen Walker, Debbie Townsend, Tania MacKenzie, Huw Banister, Sam Banister, Richard Greene, Susan MacLean
Apologies: Lynn MacKenzie, Alison Grove, Sandi Urquhart, Fiona Downie, Alasdair Wright, Ruaridh Wright
Gillian welcomed everyone to the meeting.
The minutes of the AGM meeting 15th November 2011 were approved by Jennifer Robertson and seconded by Lynne Whall.
Chair report – Gillian thanked Susan for her work as Chair in the first part of the year and as Secretary in the second half. She then reported on Parent Council activities in the previous year. The Parent Council lobbied Highland Council about the road conditions during adverse weather and the impact this had on the school and school transport. Letters and emails were sent and we were encouraged that there was a review of the current roads policy and several promises have been made for this year, including that John will have access to weather and road information in the mornings which will help the decision making process.
The Parent Council also addressed concerns regarding the Lochcarron bus. After corresponding with the garage and with Highland Council, the bus is now following the correct timetable.
The Parent Council have been very vocal in their concerns regarding staff cuts and the impact this will have on the wider community. We wrote letters, lobbied our MP and MSP’s, Councillors and Community councils. We have held open meetings which have been very well attended. The Parent Council sub group “REAct” – Rural Education Action group – has been set up to take this forward.
Gillian thanked everyone for their part in fundraising this year. We did the teas and baking for the S1 bring and buy sale, the opening of the new climbing wall, at parent’s nights throughout the year and at prize giving. Our summer ceilidh was a huge success that we hope will become and annual event. Anyone wanting to add their name to the fundraising sub group should give their name to Jennifer.
Our funds were put to good use this year. After a request to school staff, we were asked to sponsor the new Dux trophy which was awarded to Anna Hulme, to fund the Harry Valentine trophy which was awarded to Rhoda Tippett for Citizenship, to fund a visit by author Lari Don to the school library and to purchase a new sound system which was used for the first time at the Comenius ceilidh. Miss Hunter and Yasmeen the Librarian have expressed their thanks to the parent council.
Gillian thanked everyone who supported the parent council, the pupils or the school in any way.
Head teachers report – SQA results were good once again this year and some appeals have been recently granted. Regarding staffing, John is in the middle of negotiations with the Highland Council and he thanked the Parent Council for their involvement and support for the pupils and the school. There is a meeting tomorrow with other head teachers, Hugh Fraser and Calum MacSween to discuss the issues around small rural schools. Gairloch pupils continue to achieve a good number of Duke of Edinburgh awards. We have increased the number of partners working to help resurrect hospitality. Graeme and others have been on health and hygiene courses and the cook bus recently visited the school. Pupils recently visited Cairngorm National Park as part of this course. The school was invited to display its wares at a national conference held in Glenmore Lodge. This indicates that the school is still able to show its strengths and stand out above others. The outdoors is increasingly being used in many subjects throughout the school eg geography, geology, growing vegetables etc. to enhance learning for the pupils. All staff continue to provide the best possible education for the children during these times of austerity.
Thank you to the Parent Council and the Parent Forum in supporting the staff, school and pupils.
Treasurers Report – Thank you to Alison for her work as Treasurer over the past year. The accounts were distributed prior to the meeting and were approved by Jennifer and seconded by Lynne.
REAct Report – Lloyd reported on behalf of the REAct sub group. Representatives from REAct had met with Rob Gibson MSP who pledged his support and raised a question in the Scottish Parliament on our behalf. Representatives also met with the Ward 6 Councillors, who also pledged their support. We have since had correspondence from Richard Greene who has been speaking to people on our behalf. Our aim now is to lobby the impact of staff cuts on the wider community to the Commission on Rural Education. We will be writing letters as a group and also encouraging others to write as individuals. People will be encouraged to complete a questionnaire on www.scotland.gov.uk/about/CommissionRuralEdcuation.
[The letter encouraging all parents to contribute to the debate was issued to all pupils on Wed 9th Nov 2011 and can be seen by clicking on this link.]
Response from Richard Greene – Richard has spoken to Drew Miller who said that what he actually said was that “education was not a priority for some councillors”.
There is a system working well in Caithness and Sutherland with regard to Winter weather procedures and Richard is going to push for the same system to be in place here. It is hoped that this will be in place for this Winter. There is to be a Ward meeting on Monday and Richard can confirm Ward representation on behalf of the school, including support from Jean Urquhart who was not present at our last meeting. Richard’s focus is going to be on the impact of staff cuts on the wider community and he will put pressure on the Commission to come to Gairloch.
Richard was thanked for his support and help.
Parent Council stand down / new members – The current Parent Council stood down and the Parent Council for 2011 / 2012 were duly elected as follows:
Chairperson: Gillian Morrison (Proposed: Lynn, Seconded: Jennifer)
Secretary: Susan MacLean (Co-opted member) (Proposed: Lynn, Seconded: Jennifer)
Treasurer: Marion Taylor (Proposed: Gillian, Seconded: Lynn)
Parent Council Members: Jennifer Robertson, Debbie Townsend, Karen Walker, Tania MacKenzie, Nevis Hulme, Sam Banister, Huw Banister, Kenny Nelson
Teacher reps: Graham Milner, Lynn Whall
Pupil reps: Anna Hulme, Ruaridh Wright
AOB
Amendment to the Consititution: The wording will be changed regarding the date of the AGM to as follows “The AGM will take place after the summer term and before the end of that calender year”. This was unanimously agreed. Moira McCarrell to be informed. Click here to see the constitution.
Date of Next Meeting – The date of the next Parent Council meeting will be on 11th January 2012 at 7pm in Gairloch High School. The meeting closed at 7.45pm
