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MINUTES OF MEETING of 14 November 2011

Present: P. Evennett, K. Cormack, H. Thornton, S. Blyth, K. MacKenzie, L. Ross, D. Morgan, A. MacLean, S. Kruse, R. MacKenzie, C. MacKenzie

Apologies: None

Minutes from last meeting (26 September 2011 AGM & ordinary meeting) were accepted.

Playing fields: The pitches are virtually completed except for an area 3m² but are not yet accepted by the council. Ron MacKenzie attended the meeting to discuss the issue and it was decided that he will put pressure on the Alpha Schools until they complete the work to the Council’s satisfaction and there will be financial penalties for Morrisons. Pupils are currently playing on the fields but there needs to be remedial work to the athletics pitch in order to create a 5- lane running track. It was decided that a health and safety report is to be commissioned out on the fence on the slope above the pitch.

Steps: There is a first aid issue regarding the steps as up to 100 pupils could be using them a one time so an accident may happen. It may be necessary for the parent council to pay for an independent assessment of the steps as an on-going safety issue.

School News: PE pointed out that there had been problems with parents receiving e-mails and it was agreed that CK will look into this issue along with the office staff. The monthly newsletter has been sent out. S4 prelims will be finished by the end of November. CK pointed out that there may be a partial school closure during the strike on 30 November with school being open for S5 and S6 pupils only; and SK informed the parent council that the library will be open as usual. The depute post has been advertised and interviews will be held on 12 December. The school values have been identified as respect, responsibility and honesty and a fourth ”aspirational” value is to be added. There will be an S1/2 information night for pupils and parents to discuss the new curriculum on Thursday 1st December. Health week starts on the 20th February and CK wants to hold an activity night at some point during that week. An “eco fashion show” with the Greenhouse will be on 28 February. James Sanderson, an environmental officer is to come into the school to do a presentation on litter with the teachers and a positive award scheme will be introduced which will give pupils the opportunity to take part in laser tag. Mr Borland will retire in January and departments will be redefined so that CDT will have a separate principal teacher from music and art.

Financial Report: Signatories were added: S. Blyth, H. Thornton and L. Ross with L. Ross as the new bank contact. The account was refunded bank charges of £15 on 4/10/11. The PC also purchased Malawi Rice from Just Trading Scotland of 30kg at £2.70/kg. A cheque for £81 was paid out of the account of 9/11/11. Interest on savings came to £0.04 on 10/10/11 and £0.08 on 9/11/11. The balance in the cheque account was £263.81 on 9/11/11 and the savings account balance was £2076.25.

Pupil Safety Issues/Community Council: the parent council are to request an updated school travel plan. There is to be an election for new members in the Dingwall Community Council; two school pupils attended this meeting. We are to check the dates of these meetings and avoid holding DAPC meetings on the 2^nd Mondays. KM informed the council of the severe weather arrangements. There was a discussion about allowing access via the ring road rather than going through Kinnairdie Brae due to previous icy conditions preventing safe access. KM will write to Neil Cullesse regarding the change in priority levels for applying grit to the roads as the school road is a low priority.

There have been no recent pupil council meetings for KM to report on.

The parent council are looking for new members and there will be a poster competition for S1-S2 in order to advertise this. HT and PE (&others?) are to have a stand at contact evenings and the Christmas concert in order to discuss the council with parents in hope of recruiting new members.

The 90kg rice challenge (Malawi Fair Trade Rice from Just Trading Scotland) was shared with Allspice and Dingwall Baptist Church (30kg at £81 each; sold at £2.70/kg). The school & church supplies are all sold (remaining bags sold to parent council members after the meeting). The intention is to work towards Fair Trade School status, for which a steering group is required including pupil representatives. Fair Trade fortnight in Feb/March will perhaps be the focus for the next activity.

PE suggested using The Giving Machine as a means of raising more money for the school so when parents buy things from certain online retailers they will donate 3-4% of the price to PC. LR will be the contact. This will be included in the newsletter & website to encourage parents to take part.

The head of English is also to register for English Study Support with MyETutor, as the Parent Council was contacted about advertising this online essay marking service (www.myetutor.tv). We may put up a link on the website depending on the principal teacher’s opinion.

Any other Business: SK informed the parent council of the pupils drinking at the Halloween disco but KC explained that few were involved and it was dealt with by school staff and police; it was decided not to take the matter any further.

Next meeting is to be held on 23 January at 7pm; following meeting on 27 February 2012.