Smithycroft Secondary Parent Council Meeting
Minute of Meeting held on Monday 23rd October 2023
In Attendance: Lewis Agnew, Sam Gillies, James How (Teacher Rep), Erin MacDonald,
Mark McClintock (Treasurer, Co-opted member), Lorraine McConway (Vice Chair), Patrick Oberg (Head Teacher), Libby Young, Neil Young (Chair) and Julie Thompson (Clerk)
Apologies:
- Previous Minute
Previous minute was accepted.
- HT Report
PO shared a staffing update; our PT English, Chris Hendrie has been appointed as DHT in Shawlands Secondary. We are delighted for him, but he will be missed. We don’t yet have a leaving date, but are in discussions with the authority regarding advertising for his replacement. Sarah Stobie, PT SfL, has returned from absence which is good news.
Gemma Walters, PT Equity, will continue to work in SfL, but will focus on specific projects.
Clare Carson, Maths teacher, has moved to a school much nearer her home. Again, we will be advertising for a replacement.
We are expecting to hear about our SQA Appeals in the next week. The national tool for measuring performance in many different ways, Insight, is now available. PO showed and explained a snapshot of our data. The data shows that our results are going in the right direction. We now need to make a return to the authority detailing our next steps. We hold Attainment Meetings in school. These give the opportunity for departments to evaluate their results and show how they plan to improve year on year.
Chris Cairns has started a piece of work looking at a process for tracking progress in our BGE.
We had our Primary Open Evening just before the October break. It was a fantastic event with lots of people in attendance and lots of positive feedback. Wallacewell Primary parents have formed a group looking at what GCC deem as a safe route to get to Smithycroft. They walked the route recommended, but disagree that it is safe as it passes through Riddrie Cemetery.
On the In-Service Day we hosted a Learning Community event around inclusion. There were lots of workshops on offer and seemed very well received. The workshops will now be available as Twilight Training to allow people to attend if they couldn’t on the day. In the afternoon we held our HWB activities whereby staff are given the opportunity to sign up to various activities i.e. cooking, Glasgow’s Black History Walk etc. We are trying to support the staff in every way we can.
Our S4 Study Skills Evening was a huge success with a record high attendance on the night. Our S5 and S6 Study Skills Evening takes place next week.
Our Magic Breakfast has started with us feeding around 50 young people each morning. Lots of ideas on how we would like it to evolve i.e. providing breakfast for our late comers, targeting pupils. EMacD has been in touch with Neighbourly (a project whereby they support local communities with food that is likely to go out of date). She will speak to them again to see if they can support us in any way.
Our S1 pupils enjoyed a great time dancing the night away and playing games at the
S1 Welcome Disco.
- AGM
Our Constitution has been updated and shared. After discussion the following was agreed:
Chair: Neil Young (proposed by LMcC and seconded by SG)
Vice Chair: Lorraine (proposed by NY and seconded by SG)
Treasurer: Mark McClintock (proposed by LL and seconded by SG)
- AOCB
Welcome
A warm welcome was made to our Pupil Representatives; Lewis Agnew and Erin MacDonald. They will attend and be fully involved in our meetings.
Payment for Venue
In a change to GCC Letting structure we are now being charged to meet in school. The first Invoice for £17.10 has arrived and needs to be paid. The PC agree that it seems ridiculous that a group supporting the school needs to pay for the use of a room when the school is already open. Discussion ensued. NY intends sharing our concerns with the local Counsellors.
Funding Application
NY submitted our application for funding. This funding will be used to employ a Family Support Worker on a part-time basis. Baillie Christie is our referee on this application.
Meeting started at 6.00pm
Meeting finished at 7.00pm
Schedule of Meetings:
Monday 4th September 2023
Monday 23rd October 2023
Monday 20th November 2023
Monday 15th January 2024
Monday 28th March 2024
Monday 23th May 2024
Parent Forum Meetings:
Monday 11th December 2023
Monday 26th February 2024
Monday 10th June 2024