Kinlochbervie High School Board

 Minutes of Meeting on 29 November 2006

1.  Present

Belbin, Anne Robbins, Gordon Robinson, Ian Smith

Apologies    

Sandra Macfarlane

2.  Minutes of Last Meeting

These were approved.

 3.  Matters Arising  

Mary Mackay has tendered her resignation as a co-opted member of the Board.  

The school minibus is now on the road again after being repaired.  The money raised by two recent events covered the costs. 

The High School and its Associated Schools Group have produced their plans concerning the Highland Promise.  Class swimming lessons on Loch Innes are part of this.  Wetsuits will be purchased which will provide buoyancy.  Outdoor Education can provide appropriate life-saving qualifications.  Eight or nine parents have made it known that they don’t want their children to be involved. 

  4.      School News

a)     Staffing

There have been 2 applications for the Art post, and 1 person is to be interviewed next week.  There is also 1 applicant to be interviewed for the RME position.  There are no suitable applicants for the Home Economics post.  The process for replacing the School Nurse may begin shortly.  

b)     Events

Fundraising events for Breast Cancer and ‘Children in Need’ have been held.  There was also a ‘Birdies’ exhibition in Scourie recently.

 Pictures of the recent flood can be seen on the School website.  The Astroturf was damaged and has           been repaired.

  An extra year group was added to Parents’ Evenings for the first time recently.  An Open Day was held      to inform parents and pupils about Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQ), and S1-3 pupils put on various presentations.  In place of Home Economics, a new XL Club has been started for S3 and a  Travel and Tourism course for senior pupils.

c)     Possible Changes in the S3-S6 Curriculum

Some schools have changed from offering Standard Grade courses to teaching Intermediate 1 and Intermediate 2 courses.  The changes under consideration in KLB High School would involve doing single year courses to allow a) greater flexibility of subject choice, and b) more appropriate levels for individual pupils.  Dr Smith will talk about this, and 2 other matters, the Parental Involvement Act and the Review of the School Aims, at Road Shows in the 4 communities. 

d)     The Scottish Schools Parental Involvement Bill

This is about getting parents more involved in their children’s education.  Every parent will become a member of a Forum for the School, from which a Parent Council will be chosen as a replacement for the School Board.  Parents will be sent a letter inviting them to a meeting of the Forum.  Highland Council will put out guidance about this over the next 6 months.  The Board has been given a Folder and a CD-Rom full of information. 

11.    AOCB

The issue of the supervision of school transport was raised once again - there is no funding to  provide this except in the case of Special Needs.  There was also some discussion of a future shortage of   teachers and head teachers nationwide.

12.    Date and Time of Next Meeting

The next meeting is planned for Wednesday 21st March at 7.30 pm in the High School.           

Go to School Board Page

Return to Home Page