ST MARY'S EPISCOPAL PRIMARY SCHOOL BOARD MEETING - 2nd June 2005 MINUTES Present: David Reid-Kay Kay Cox Rev Janice Cameron Sarah Carroll (part) Chris Sawyer Veronica Currie Mary Paterson Carola Campbell Shena McLelland Other attendees for all or part: Anne Pearson - Service Manager at Stirling Council Paula Sewell Lizanne Richards Ian Paterson Jane Smith Fiona Allen Fiona Glen Jenny Kinvig Paul Holmes Michaela Pinamonti Alaina Walker Lesley Ann Livesey Hilary Kirk 1. Apologies There were no apologies. 2. Minutes of Last Meeting The minutes of the last meeting were approved. 3. Matters Arising Discussion about the pros and cons of the extra half-hour playtime for the P1s and 2s took place. Anne Pearson advised that new guidelines would be forthcoming but a legal requirement will not be imposed regarding this extra time i.e. there will be choice on how this time is spent in the best interest of the children concerned. AP advised that the Early Years team is looking at how to create more play time lower down the school . 4. Correspondence No correspondence. 5. School Development Plan MP talked through her SDP. Board raised following issues: * the auditing of parents which has been done in previous years and not done this year * Maths - staff raised this as a resource issue * Listening and respect - this was not included in MP's plan although it was a definite issue raised by HMI where they will look for evidence * School action plan - this will be drawn up with the Link Officer at Stirling Council. * Monitoring and accountability discussed regarding MP's presence in classroom as being too ambitious. Teachers feel that monitoring has improved. The board feel it would be helpful to have evidence of improvement. * Agreed for the next session i.e. 2006/6 is a diary for each child. * Care Commission report to be circulated by MP. There is to be a separate meeting with the Board to discuss the SDP. 6. Eco Schools MP advised this is major part of school plan for next 2 years. Fiona Allen and Ps 6 & 7 are leading on initiative for St Mary's. Fiona Allen reported as follows: * Compost bins in each class * Focus on reducing waste & recycling * Bronze certificate achieved and going for silver which is incorporated in school's 7 year plan aiming ultimately to get Green Flag * Aim is to have a more fun play area and garden to improve learning about nature. Plan to make upper playground at rear of school into garden * Initial plans to be drawn to scale * Grant available and should be in by end of October with work starting in Spring 2006 7. Nursery Extended Hours Plan MP investigating extending nursery hours from 8.30am - 4.30pm. This would allow parents to leave their children in nursery longer and pay for the additional hours above the 2.5 hour allocation. The staff is in support of the idea and the belief is that parents would value it. MP communicating with Service Manager on charging and the next stage is a formal consultation. MP to put forward a full proposal on the idea. DRK expressed concern about the limited out door space. 8. Headteachers Report Overview of diaries not complete. Nothing further to report. 9. Golden Time Concern was expressed by some parents regarding the blanket loss of golden time imposed due to noise at lunchtime. The worry is that this step is a disincentive to enthusiastic children whose aim is never to lose golden time. If this is to be a regular event then parents need to be advised. 10. Sex Education The sex education conducted during the summer time raised concerns with some parents. The view at the meeting was to bring the matter up for more discussion at a separate time. 11. Parental Involvement Bill Board collated views and sent a collective response to the Executive. 12. Parents Evening Parents expressed concern that there was no one present from the High School to link up with the P7 parents. There is to be a review on the format of evenings. 13. Any other business Thanks were expressed to Janice Cameron for allowing the school to use the Church for the awards ceremony so that the event could take place in the evening. Veronica Currie is standing down in advance of going on maternity leave in October. 14. Date of Next meeting 31 August 2005