This report has been prepared ahead of the October 2020 AGM, and summarises the Parent Council’s work over the year.

The Parent Council

Our Parent Council provides the opportunity for parents and carers to contribute to school life and the well-being of our children, as well as increase their understanding of school matters. Meetings are held at least four times a year, with items on the agenda varying from Headteacher feedback on learning within the school, promoting a healthy eating policy and making our school community cleaner and safer, to school improvement plans and developing the school environment.

The Parent Council works closely with the Parent Association, which raises funds for the school. 

2019/20

This has been a year like no other, with the school – and indeed all schools – unexpectedly closed for several months due to the impact of coronavirus. Nevertheless, it has been a productive year for the Parent Council. The Council has met four times since the September 2019 AGM, on the following dates:

• 2 December 2019
• 9 March 2019
• 1 June 2020 (via videoconferencing)
• 14 September 2020 (via videoconferencing)

Issues dealt with include:

• A decision taken jointly with the school to ban dogs from school grounds, due to substantial anxiety caused to some children
  
• Ongoing issues with parking around the school, and supporting the recent implementation of a car-free zone around the school at drop-off and pick-up times, to create a safer environment
  
• A proposal for a walking bus: a survey will shortly be sent out to parents on this matter. 
  
• Vandalism in the toilet areas of the school: this has been resolved for now
  
• The school’s developing use of SeeSaw as a communication tool with parents
  
• A decision to implement a new system for lost property, which is returned wherever possible but if unclaimed, given to charity on the last Friday of the month
  
• Improvements to the playground, at the request of the children
  
• Supporting the development of the school’s policies on hygiene, risk assessment, home learning, self-isolation and emotional support in light of coronavirus
  

Other Developments

As usual, Glasgow City Council purchased insurance coverage for all city Parent Councils through Connect, formerly known as the Scottish Parent Teacher Council. As well as public liability, employers’ liability, loss of money and personal accident insurance, this Connect membership also provides all parents at the school with access to info sessions, a members-only Facebook group and email support. All parents can register to access these resources at https://connect.scot/register.

Parent Council Team

This year saw the departure of several parents who had made a substantial contribution to the Council. In particular, Humera Ashraf stepped down as Chair. We would like to formally record our thanks to all parents who have supported the work of the Council, and wish them well as their children move on to the next phase of their education.

We expect to have a full team of office-bearers in place following the 2020 AGM, as follows:

• Chair:             Stephen Bishop
  
• Secretary:      Carolyn Lochhead 
  
• Treasurer:     Laura Kennedy (to be proposed at 2020 AGM)

Conclusion

We would like to thank all the parents and teachers of Merrylee Primary School for their support and dedication during this extraordinary year. In particular, we record our thanks to Mrs Haddock and her team, who have been faced with a unique set of circumstances and responded with energy and determination. 

Contact details

You can contact the Parent Council at merryleepc@gmail.com.  Information about the work of the council can be found at http://merryleeprimarypc.org/.

The Annual General meeting took place online on 26 October 2020.

6.30PM – 8.00PM

Attendance – parents: Stephen Bishop (Chair), Carolyn Lochhead (Secretary), Laura Kennedy, Jackie Clark (Chair of Parent Association), Sarah Kingwell (Treasurer of Parent Association) Mel Unkles, Lee Clark, Thomas Lauritzen, Cara Wightman, Fiona Shearer, Gail Cameron, Clara Orofino, Donna Mason, Kirsty Macmillan, Rubina Khan, Yvonne McFadden, Alan Govan, Colin Howden, Phil Goodlad, Rebecca Reynolds, Tomasso Petillo, June McIntyre, Joanne Ferguson, Mahmood Abuyahya, Alan Brodie

Staff Mrs Haddock, Mrs Kirk, Mrs Duncan, Mrs Shearer

1. Welcome and introductions 
   
   

Stephen welcomed everyone to the meeting. The office bearers introduced themselves.

• Headteacher’s report 
  
  

Mrs Haddock reflected on the highly unusual year and the impact of coronavirus, which has meant parents have been unable to join with the usual activities like paired reading, fundraising and school trips. However the school still strongly values the relationship with parents: Mrs Haddock noted in particular the efforts of the Green Fingers group in improving the school environment and of the Parent Association in, among other things, decorating the school for Halloween. The school priorities for this year are raising attainment, learning and teaching – these have not been compromised in any way. Mrs Haddock confirmed that the school is following all relevant safety guidance and can provide learning packs for children who are self-isolating. As part of the ipad deployment programme, the P7s were issued with ipads today, with deployment to the rest of the school to follow and additional support from Glasgow City Council for families for whom access to technology has been difficult. In response to a question, Mrs Haddock confirmed that pupil committees have continued over from last year, to give the children the chance to finish their projects. The school hopes to find a new way of running committees while continuing to keep the year groups apart. 

• Parent Council Office Bearers 
  
  

Stephen proposed Laura Kennedy as Treasurer, Jackie seconded. 

DECISION: Laura Kennedy appointed as Treasurer.

• Parent Association Office Bearers. 
  
  

Jackie gave update: Yla Barrie is now co-chair this year, Julia Chau and Melissa Jacob have taken on the role of co-secretary, Sarah Kingwell continuing as treasurer

• Report on the work of Parent Council
  
  

Carolyn Lochhead gave a report on the work of the Parent Council over the last year: see attached report. 

• Report on work of Parent Association
  
  

Jackie Clark gave a report on the work of the Parent Association. The PA is a sub-group of the PC, whose purpose is to bring parents, staff and children together through events to widen the sense of community, raise funds and have fun. Fundraising contributes directly to the educational and  social costs of school. The aim is to minimise costs for families and maximise opportunities. The PA normally meets on the last Wednesday of the month but is meeting less frequently just now. Jackie recorded her thanks to Duncan Thomson who has been minutes secretary for several years, and also noted the outgoing PC Chair Humera Ashraf’s great contribution to the PA, and of Donna Mason who served as secretary in past years. In 2019/20 the usual calendar of events was cut short but the majority of fundraising events took place. These included school photos, seasonal cards and the Christmas fair. At the moment the PA is concentrating on building connections and bringing the whole school community together, as with the current Halloween trail which has around 90 families signed up to take part. The PA has a closed Facebook group for Merrylee parents: search on Facebook for Merrylee Parents Association. Jackie recorded her thanks to all families within the school community for volunteering, prizes,  and sharing their skills. She also noted her thanks to the school management team and to the wider PA. Mrs Kirk thanked Jackie and the whole PA for the fabulous Halloween decorations. 

• Parent Skills Needed
  
  

Carolyn Lochhead outlined the skills that the PC hope to recruit this year: see attached report.  In particular we need a website volunteer and a social media volunteer. Tommy Petillo volunteered to help with the website. 

ACTION: Carolyn to follow up with Tommy. Anyone else interested in helping should email merryleepc@gmail.com.

• Report of PC Accounts
  
  

Stephen Bishop presented the Parent Council accounts for the financial year ending in June 2020 – see attached report. He noted that signs relating to dogs being banned from school premises were bought in that financial year but not claimed for: this has been carried over to the new financial year. The accounts were proposed by Phil Goodlad and seconded by Laura Kennedy. 

DECISION: the accounts were accepted by the Parent Council. 

• Report of PA accounts
  
  

Sarah Kingwell presented the Parent Association accounts for the financial year ending in June 2020 – see attached report. She confirmed that they had been independently reviewed. In response to a question, she noted that last year the Association started the year with a healthy bank balance, but this is much lower this year as the Association had decided to hand over as much money as possible to the school so it could put it to good use. Mrs Haddock confirmed that thanks to the excellent fundraising efforts by the Association in previous years, the school was well positioned and a decrease in fundraising this year would not have a material impact on the children’s educational experiences. There  was a suggestion that the Association try to organise an event in schools with an optional donation: Mrs Haddock confirmed that the current Halloween celebrations are a good way to trial different ways of fundraising and including children. The accounts were proposed by Phil Goodlad and seconded by Laura Kennedy. 

DECISION: the accounts were accepted by the Parent Council. 

1. AOB
   
   

Alan Brodie had asked for an update on the decision taken during 2019 to ban dogs from school grounds. Mrs Haddock confirmed that signs have been ordered and recently put up and the school handbook has been updated. There had also been a plan to make a film: this was shot before lockdown but now requires editing as it depicts scene that do not comply with social distancing requirements.  dogs being banned from school grounds. 

ACTION: Phil Goodlad to complete the film. 

Sarah Kingwell raised the issue of road safety and parking issues around Langside Drive and Mochrum Road in light of the new car-free zone at drop off and pick up times. This has been exacerbated by the fact that the tennis club car park is now only for members.  Visibility is very poor when crossing on Langside Drive. Sarah has raised this with Glasgow City Council and encouraged other parents to do the same. Mrs Haddock confirmed that Glasgow City Council is going to update the signage around the school regarding the car-free zone, to extend this until 3.30pm. Mrs Haddock also mentioned that Glasgow City Council is seeking to recruit a lollipop person who could potentially be positioned at the problem area. Phil Goodlad reported that at a meeting with Glasgow City Council prior to the implementation of the car-free zone, the Council advised that any concerns about parking or non-compliance with the zone should be reported to police on 101 or via the local police station. This allows police to build up a picture of issues.Yvonne McFadden reported that the 20 zone signs don’t flash and need repaired. 

ACTION – Parent Council to ask police for more support in implementing the car-free zone.

ACTION – Parent Council to contact Glasgow City Council regarding the flashing 20 zone signs. 

ACTION Mrs Haddock will link the Parent Council with the Council at OLA so we can work together on this.  

Stephen thanked everyone for attending, confirmed that the next meeting is 7th December and closed the meeting. 

This Parent Council meeting took place online, due to Covid 19 restrictions.

Merryle Primary School

Parent Council Meeting: minutes

14 September 2020, via Zoom

1. Welcome, introductions, agree minute-taker

Stephen welcomed all to the meeting. Carolyn Lochhead agreed to take minutes.

• Approval of previous minutes

Minutes of previous meeting approved.

• Parent Council Office-bearers

Stephen Bishop nominated as Chair by Cara and seconded by Phil

Stephen and June will discuss June possibly taking on treasurer role: in the meantime Sarah will fill in. Stephen nominated Carolyn Lochhead as secretary, Yla seconded.

• COVID-19 response

Colette gave update: key points:

• Updated on all safety measures in place: Colette has told parents about these via written guidance
• There are no positive cases in school yet – Colette has circulated guidance on what would happen if there was one.
• The current curriculum is a recovery programme – focusing on emotional wellbeing. There is a big focus on outdoor PE and learning. The whole school has been using Emotion Works programme – can view this online. Emotionworks.org.uk
• Some children are isolating because of family members with symptoms or for other reasons – school is sending out home work packs where needed: not using IT so as not to exclude people.
• School has been allocated a new teacher Mrs Joanne Boyle and new probation teacher in P5 Miss Ree to help deal with Covid-19 impact.
• Communication with parents – can communicate with teacher through Seesaw but need teacher to send message first – let Mrs Haddock, Mrs Mcelhone or Miss Kirk know of any problems.
• Seesaw is preferred method because emails to teachers tend to get lost – urgent messages should be emailed to above or phoned to school. It is fine to email management team
• Can’t plan for parents’ meetings just now.
• Thanked those who have helped with gardening.

Questions from parents included whether parents’ evenings could be held online or on the phone: Colette advised that Zoom is not available on council devices and that there are only a few phones in school with outside lines, so this would not be possible. There were also questions about PPE and social distancing: Colette advised that there are some Perspex screens in use and that face masks were a matter of personal choice at the moment. 

5: Parking Zones

Colette gave update on the proposal to restrict parking at the start and end of school day, starting in October. The proposal has  been circulated to parents and info is available on GCC website. There is a meeting with Cllr Stephen Curran about the issue soon – Colette will circulate the Zoom link to the Parent Council. Parents can email Colette with any comments – this is encouraged.

Jon Molyneux proposed a school walking bus initiative: this is an escorted walk to school service run by a group of parent volunteers. He requested that the Parent Council circulate a survey to gauge interest in using and volunteering for this. DECISION: Council agreed to do this – ACTION – JON WILL PUT TOGETHER SURVEY, COLETTE WILL CIRCULATE

6. Connect Scotland

Carolyn gave update. Glasgow City Council has purchased Connect insurance coverage for all parent councils. This covers public liability, employers’ liability , loss of money and personal accident. All parents can register at https://connect.scot/register to access members-only resources, including info sessions, a members-only Facebook group and email support. We need to update our contact details with Connect with a generic email address: one does exist which is contactus@merryleepc.org.uk  – ACTION – CAROLYN TO FIND OUT WHO HAS ACCESS TO THIS.

7. Uniform

Miss Kirkwood gave update on the new logo: Campbell’s and BE schoolwear will be using up their old stock before moving to the new logo, Schoolwear and Blossoms are now using it. Colette confirmed that, as windows are now open more due to COVID guidance, it is fine for pupils to wear thick non-uniform jumpers. 

Colette reminded parents to name uniform – lost property is building up again. Lost property will be put outside the P2 door on the last Friday of the month – parents can check then but cannot come into school to look for lost property at any other time.

8. Zoom account for PC/PA

Cara gave update: we can get a free subscription with up to 100 participants and 40 minutes. £190.90 will buy unlimited time for up to 100 participants: can pay monthly.

Jacqui Clark suggested using Google Meet – unlimited call times and participants. ACTION – CAROLYN TO SET UP NEW ACCOUNT AND TRY USING IT FOR NEXT MEETING. YVONNE WILL LOOK INTO PRIVACY IMPLICATIONS.

9. AGM

We are required to hold an AGM – DECISION: meeting agreed we are happy to do this online. Can use Eventbrite. ACTION – STEPHEN AND CAROLYN TO PROPOSE A DATE AND CHECK THIS WITH COLETTE.

Stephen proposed using AGM to establish what skills are available within the parent body.

10. PC Treasurer’s report

We get a grant every year from Council: usually £400. Only outgoing is for web hosting to maintain the Parent Council website: expecting invoice shortly. Balance is c£1,000. Yla suggested funding for Merrylee Greenfingers, to plant bulbs for spring and potentially invest in some equipment. DECISION – Council happy to approve expenditure of up to £200 for Greenfingers scheme. ACTION – Yla will put together a costed proposal.

11.AOB

Colette advised that Fit n Fruity Friday will not be happening for the moment because all children have an outdoor day once a week.

Jacqui raised that she has maintained the Parent Council website for some time but that this is her final year at Merrylee: may be that website needs to move to a free simple host. ACTION: Colette will speak to Mrs Timoney for advice.

Mrs Mcelhone gave a digital update. Ipads for P7 pupils are being distributed w/b 27^th October. These will be accompanied by pupil home school agreements and guidance for parents. Shared ipads for other stages are set to be deployed before Christmas. Wifi remediation is set to take place shortly so can access wifi in all parts of the building. Lots of teachers are now Apple certified teachers and Seesaw ambassadors.

The issue of giant hogweed was raised: this is not actually on school grounds, but the school             has contacted the owner to ask for it to be investigated.