Kinlochbervie High School Board

 Minutes of Meeting on 05 October 2004

1.     Present:  Fiona Belbin, Ronnie Lansley, Mary Mackay, Marion McFadyen, Tricia Mowat, Ian Smith

        Apologies:  Gwash Campbell

2.         Minutes of Last Meeting

These were approved.

3.         Matters Arising  

10^th Anniversary   There was concern about some parents not having made it clear whether or not their children have opted out of the trip.  If they didn’t write to the school at the time, it is assumed they are going.  However parents have not been contacting the school if there is a need for financial help.  Regular payments are being encouraged.  The final cost will be about £250 per person.  A deposit is required now.  Any fundraising that is carried out, e.g. the bulb sale and soup and sweet, is to bring everybody’s costs down - not to subsidise a few.  The school will source separate funds to help individuals and the Advice Centre should be able to help.  It was felt that there was no need to have a social gathering to celebrate the anniversary in addition to the school trip.  Perhaps an open evening might be a possibility if arranged as a reunion and final fundraiser.

4.         Correspondence  

The following have been received:  

• Letter from Graham Nichols, Area Education, Culture and Sport Manager

• Letter from Bruce Robertson, Director of Education, Culture and Sport

• Letter from the Scottish Executive Education Department on behalf of Peter Peacock

• Latest SSBA Newsletter

• School Board Budget from Highland Council - the extra money for staffing is for pay increases not for additional staff.  The reason for the big increase in the budget for school catering is unknown.

Letter from Graham Nichols   It was felt that Graham Nichols, being new in the job, did not fully understand the issues relating to the staffing of small high schools. 

Letter from Bruce Robertson   This letter contained an offer to meet with the School Board.  This seemed very fair; however a face-to-face meeting was preferred to video conferencing.  It was agreed that Mr Robertson should be asked to give 2 or 3 dates that would suit him, and the parent members of the Board would be willing to travel to Inverness to meet him.  Apologies would be expressed for not meeting with him in Golspie.  It is necessary for Highland Council to work out a strategy to offer additional support to small schools.  One extra pupil passed Higher English due to a successful appeal.  In Highland as a whole English passes increased by 7%, but not in Kinlochbervie High School. 

Letter from SEED   This letter said the responsibility for funding extra staff lay with Highland Council.

It was noted that there had been no correspondence from Jamie Stone.  It was decided to write to John Thurso, with a copy to Jamie Stone, pointing out how disappointing this was.       

5.         Safer Routes to School 

The desire for a bus shelter for Durness pupils continues.  There is a School Travel Plan to be drawn up which looks at the journey to and from school.  Ronnie Lansley and Marion McFadyen will draft this. 

6.         School Newsletters

It was decided that it would be helpful to send School Newsletters to the Community Councils and also put copies on notice boards and in Kinlochbervie garage whenever possible.

7.         Co-opted Parent Member

A new member, preferably from Scourie, is required until the next election.  Two names were considered and the chairperson will approach them first.

8.         Election of Chairperson

Tricia Mowat nominated Ronnie Lansley, and this was seconded by Mary Mackay.

9.    A.O.C.B. - School News

Staffing   The school is interviewing at present for a new Support for Learning staff member.  

Standards and Quality Report   This was distributed and it was agreed to put it on the agenda for             discussion at the next meeting.

New Community Schools Approach (Integrated Community School)   Kinlochbervie High School was given £2000 this year to develop an integrated approach with families including health and social services.  The East Coast Schools have been provided with staff.  Kinlochbervie High School would like to have a permanent part-time youth worker or children’s worker that would augment the school support out with school.

10.       Date and Time of Next Meeting            

The next ordinary meeting will be held on Wednesday 23rd February at 5.00pm.

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