Kinlochbervie High School Board

 Minutes of Meeting on 13 December 2005

1.  Present

Fiona Belbin, Francis Keith, Marion McFadyen, Françoise Mitchell, Tricia Mowat, Ian Smith

Apologies  Mary Mackay

2.  Minutes of Last Meeting

These were approved.

 3.  Matters Arising

• New Community Schools Approach.  There has been little progress on the appointment of a youth worker, the future is uncertain.

• Parent's Petition.  There was no reply from Jamie Stone about how to send in a petition.  The petition will be sent to the Scottish Executive anyway.

4.       Correspondence

• Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Bill:  information about this should be distributed to parents with the School Newsletter.

• Support Packages for Parents: ' Out-of-School Learning' and 'Healthy Choices'.

• Scottish Consumer Council Research Paper:  'Travelling to School'

• Additional Support for Learning Act:  Implementation newsletter - a new system will be introduced over the next two years.

• Letter from Liam O'Neill: the school may co-opt parents to the Board as there were no nominations that came in on time.  The fact that two parents are needed, preferably one from Scourie, will be put in the School Newsletter.  Parents need to be consulted about whether or not to change over to Forums.

5.  School News and Rector's Report

• Championship Golfer:  Donna MacKinnon is the Under 18 Highland Schools Golf Champion.

• Children in Need:  The school raised £529.41 for Children in Need.

• Adverse Weather: The 0870 phone message system is now supplemented by information on a new website:  www.winter.highlandschools.org.uk

• School Newsletters:  If parents wish to provide the school office with their email address, the school will send out future issues of the School Newsletter and other information direct to them rather than relying on 'pupil post'.

• XL Club Calendar:  The XL Club has produced a 2006 calendar for sale.  It is available from the school and other local outlets.

• Health Promoting School:  The school has achieved Health Promoting School status with the top rating.

• Ministerial Reception:  Brendan McMahon represented Highland teachers at a recent reception in Edinburgh held by the Minister for Education, Peter Peacock, MSP.

• Finance:  The school saved money last year due to there being no need for long-term supply cover.  The surplus brought forward means that money is available for things that haven't been done for a while, namely, fabric and ICT improvements.  Predictions for next year's budget look difficult.

• Purple Cards:  Purple cards are being introduced to reward pupils for an accumulation of consistent work, good behaviour, good attitude and homework.

 6.  School Transport

Last year there was concern about school closures when there was only a little snow.  It was felt winter tyres were needed on school buses.  This year one of the buses skidded when there was almost no snow and the school was closed when there should not have been a problem.  It would have been safe for the buses to run if they had been fitted with winter tyres.  It has been agreed with Rapsons that winter tyres will go on the buses very soon but this has been held up by a breakdown.  There was no problem mentioned concerning the clearing of the roads.  A

 7.  Standards and quality Report 2005

There were no comments made concerning this report.

8.  AOCB

There was some discussion about school leavers and the means-tested incentives for some to stay on at school.  Limitations to lifestyle may encourage some to leave, and lack of options may encourage some to stay on.  The number of school leavers should not affect the number of permanent staff employed in the school or cause a reduction in the curriculum.

9.  Date and Time of Next Meeting

The next meeting is planned for Tuesday 21st March 2006 at 4:00 pm in the High School.

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