The full minutes are circulated via the school portal to all parents and carers, including a full list of attendees and actions. If you would like to attend future Parent Council meetings or contact the Merrylee Parent Council, please do so using the contact form on this webpage.
Welcome, introductions and apologies
Minutes from 1st October Parent Council meeting were approved by Clare and seconded by Ross
Actions from 1st October Parent Council meeting
Attainment
Colette updated the meeting that there had been a Collaborative Improvement Visit at the school comprising Glasgow City headteachers and leads in literacy. Then feedback from this visit was very positive.
Paired Reading
The school would still benefit from more people volunteering to take part in paired reading. If anyone is able to spare 20 minutes once a week, please get in touch with Mrs McLaughlin.
Reading workshops
Colette will schedule dates in for these.
Pitch/ Play area surface replacement
- Ross updated the meeting that at the recent Newlands and Auldburn Area Partnership meeting on 9th November, an award will be given to Cathcart and District Community Council (CDCC) ward.
- CCDC met on 23rd Oct and confirmed that there will be a community consultation poll in late January to help determine how this money will be spent. Yla mentioned that the pitch came up highly in recent polls.
- When the polls are live, everyone can vote on their priorities and parents/ carers should be encouraged to vote and comment on why they are voting for the pitch and what its replacement would mean for their child.
- It was noted that Linn ward could put forward some of their area budget as a lot of children attending Merrylee live in this ward.
- A parent had noted health and safety concerns from the degrading pitch. This has already been assessed by GCC health and safety personnel and is deemed useable.
- It was noted that CCDC have also put aside funds for Merrylee playpark.
- GCC will cost the pitch surface replacement with an organic option.
Pupil Voice
PC will be asked to attend the next Pupil Voice meeting.
PC Supporting Letter
Letter of support to GCC from the PC to help push forward the defibrillator installation and the outdoor classroom roof costing and any other outstanding elements will be addressed in the new year.
Headteacher’s report
Colette reported that the outdoor classroom has been tidied up and is now useable with the help of parents/carers and children, who all did an amazing job.
The roof is temporarily covered in tarpaulin to keep it weathertight.
The school will share a time-lapse video of the big tidy up with the school community.
This meeting is Colette’s last ever PC meeting as HT of Merrylee and Colette thanked everyone for all their help and support in making Merrylee so great and shared that it had been an absolute privilege to be HT. We wish Colette all the best and a happy retirement.
Communication within the school community
There was a discussion about communication within the school community.
Social Media + website
Various PA/PC social media accounts were discussed.
PC are to come up with a comms plan for review.
School Comms
Inconsistencies across the variety of comms formats was noted.
School will aim to be more consistent in their messaging.
Parent Council and sub-groups
There was a discussion about the size of the Parent Council, attendance at PC meetings, and how to best manage sub-groups.
In accordance with the Parent Council consultation there should be a maximum of 20 individuals comprising 18 parent/carer members and 2 teaching staff representatives on the Parent Council. If members don’t attend 3 consecutive meetings without reason or apology, they are deemed to have retired from the Parent Council. The list of members is available on the Parent Council website.
James put himself forward to become a member of the PC. Colin, Phil and Cara are considered to have stood down from the current PC, we would welcome their return in the future.
The PC would like to engage further members to represent all year groups across the school and should put out communication on this.
The current Parent Council subgroups are:
- Merrylee Parents Association
- Merrylee Greenfingers
- Merrylee Music
- Merrylee Bikebus
- Merrylee Football
Any potential new groups to be formed such as a Comms team or Road-Safety Watch, would become subgroups of the PC.
Fundraising
Fundraising was discussed and a format was agreed at the meeting.
Merrylee Greenfingers Update
Yla provided an outline Merrylee Green Fingers (MGF) update on the Lets Grow Together grant project.
Merrylee PA update
Clare updated the meeting on the work of the PA.
- Halloween Discos were very successful with 300 children attending.
- Seasonal Goods – there had been 663 orders, Clare will update on commissions at the next meeting.
- The Merrylee Cashpot for schools scheme at Asda is running until the end of November.
- For the upcoming YES day, PA are asking for donations to hampers/ raffles for the Winter Fair, parent/carers can donate after the day with a box at the school entrance.
- Upcoming Winter Fair tickets will be on parent pay but will also be able to be bought on the day.
- The PA still need volunteers for stalls/ face-painters/ homebaking and will do a call out.
Upcoming PA Activities: - Family fun night 2025
- Spring Disco
- Sponsored activity in term 3, details TBC
PC Treasury Report update
Graham gave a report on the PC finances.
AOB
- Parent query over having an optional school tracksuit to enable PE and daily mile. It was felt having an optional tracksuit would add pressure on families to have to buy more things. The school is already very flexible on school uniform. Footwear can be indoor and outdoor trainers with no requirement for black school shoes.
- Ellie mentioned that there is a fully funded opportunity for CCA to engage Glasgow primary schools in 3 creative workshops. Colette/PC to look into this.
- Yla mentioned that the Burrell will be providing free buses to take local school children to the Burrell to visit and will alert school when live.
- Yla mentioned that the CCDC are hosting a free festive family film day in the afternoon of 14th December at Couper Institute.
- MM music update: fundraising from dress up day went to the school contributing to the current voice project. MM are keen to maintain the momentum within the group to support musical activities within the school.
- It was discussed that it would be great to have music specialists coming directly into the school, such as the opera workshop idea, and this is something that could be scheduled for Term 3 or 4.
- It was discussed that a fundraising event with a musical focus should be agreed at the first PA meeting of the 2025/26 school year.
- PC to attend next Merrylee Music meeting.
Date of next PC meeting will be advised in the new year