Smithycroft Secondary Parent Council Meeting
Minute of Meeting held on Monday 2nd September 2024
In Attendance: Lynn Bryce, James How (Teacher Rep), Mark McClintock (Treasurer),
Elaine MacLeod, Lorraine McConway (Vice Chair), Catherine Moran, Carina O’Connor, Patrick Oberg (Head Teacher), Tracy Quinn, Daniel Snee, Caelyn Tollet, Heather Usher (St Paul’s), Neil Young (Chair) and Julie Thompson (Clerk)
Apologies: Simi Dosu, Sam Gillies, Rebecca Orr and Libby Young
- Welcome
NY welcomed everyone back, but especially welcomed the new members who have joined us. He went on to give an overview of the Role of the Parent Council.
- HT Report
The school role is the biggest it has been since the new school was built with us having been joined by just under 200 S1 pupils. Everyone appears have settled very well even though the school is very busy.
Our attendance has improved in comparison to this time last year. We are continuing to focus on attendance which can be seen in our continued improvement.
PO gave a staffing update; we have 20 new staff which includes 5 probationers. Stephen Brown is moving into the Authority and leaves us this coming Friday. This news was shared with young people today, but parents have yet to be informed. When his post is advertised on a permanent basis the Pupil Council will be involved. Both EM and CO are trained.
We were excited to be asked to allow the press to come to school on SQA Exam Result Day. The pupils involved had a great time. As with every year, we had some young people who achieved very well and some who didn’t. PO shared some of the benchmark graphs. He explained we track individual pupils and also track as a school to look at trends. We also hold Attainment Meetings where FH/PTs along with SLT look at results for their department and discuss how these can be improved year on year.
For our School Improvement Plan we have decided to continue with; Early Intervention and Learning and Teaching.
PO explained that this year we are being asked to contribute from our budget services that were historically paid for centrally. These include; DYW, MCR etc. This is putting a huge strain on our budget making it tighter than we would want. JH shared he has been called to a meeting this Friday with the Authority to discuss Budget Reforms (cuts).
Last year we issued Stakeholder Surveys to our young people and staff. This data was analysed with 4 main points being identified:
- How everyone treats each other
- What learning is like in the class
- The whole experience of school life
- All of our futures
We have introduced ‘Because we Care ….’ which will address these points.
- AGM
Our AGM will take place on 28th October. JT will inform the whole parent body of this date and will issue the constitution to the members of the Parent Council beforehand. During this meeting the following with be appointed; Chair, Vice-Chair and Treasurer.
- AOCB
Stephen Brown
The Parent Council was keen to acknowledge SB’s contribution and dedication to the school and express how much he will be missed.
Family Liaison
NY explained the role created for Heather Usher which is being funded by the Parent Council.
Pupil Support have referred families where attendance at school isn’t a priority and the main reason for this is parents need support.
HU gave an overview of what she has been doing so far. She began in May, but it was June before she was in a position to introduce herself to those families who had been referred. She has contacted 16 families; 3 gave no response at all, 3 rejected the support as they had other services in place and 4 are on hold at the moment. This leaves 6 families who she is working with in a variety of ways. The long-term hope is for the young people to engage with resources / supports, including school, where they will be able to achieve qualifications to help them when they transition from school.
BGE Class
PO explained we created the BGE class 3 years. This class offers a provision for young people who have a particular need that could maybe prevent them from accessing a full-time mainstream timetable. It offers a smaller setting with the ability to access classes where they feel they can cope.
Breakfast Club
We are offering the Breakfast Club again this year where we can provide a breakfast to every young person every morning.
Uniform
Both CO and CM raised concern over our uniform supplier this year. JT explained that this is the first she has heard that there were issues and asked both parents to speak with at a later date. She will then discuss these issues with the uniform supplier.
S1 Health & Wellbeing Morning
Our S1 parents informed us that they had received a letter regarding the above, but struggled to understand it. PO will investigate.
Afterschool Clubs
It is hoped that these will begin after September weekend. CT asks the parents if they felt there was a gap in what was being offered. It was mentioned that there was no provision for the BGE class which would require the clubs to be smaller.
The question of how best to advertise the clubs that are on was raised. The pupil representatives explained that the list was on the School Website, but this year they have created an Instagram Account as they feel this will engage pupils better with lots of different things. Unfortunately, our S1 pupils will be unable to access this account as you have to be over 13yr to use Instagram.
Senior Curriculum
CO expressed concern over the fact that some young people don’t have a full-time timetable. PO explained that as some of our courses like college and Leadership don’t require the standard 6 periods of study the young people would be allowed to carry out independent study during the other periods. This can be carried out at home or in school. If it was to be in school we would need to identify a classroom where the pupil would be asked to sit at the back when a timetabled class was in.
Meeting started at 6.00pm
Meeting finished at 7.20pm
Schedule of Meetings:
Monday 2nd September
Monday 28th October
Monday 18th November
Monday 13th January
Monday 17th March
Monday 12th May