ST COLUMBKILLE’S PRIMARY SCHOOL PARENT COUNCIL MEETING
Monday 16th January 2017, 7.00pm
Minutes
Sederunt: Mr Gray (HT), Mrs Slater (DHT), Mr Wedlock (PT), Louise McNally (Chairperson), Tracey
Cooper (Vice Chairperson), Shona Rafferty (minutes), Debbie Edmonds, Clare Griffiths, Nicola Bourns,
Lara O'Conner, Louise Muir, Susan Mackie, Charlotte Scally, Jo Scollin, Tracey O'Donnell, Joanne
Murray, Charlotte Scally, Jacci Henzler, Lindsey Millar, Angela Miller (late), Father Pat (late)
Apologies: Caroline Campbell, Nicola Carroll
1. Prayer
2. Welcome and apologies (as above)
Louise McNally welcomed everyone to the meeting
3. Minutes of previous meeting of Monday 7th November 2016
Ratified by Clare Griffiths and Tracey Cooper
4. Matters arising from minutes
a) Mr Gray confirmed that Mr Cairns will remain in P7 until the February break. Louise Muir raised the
issue that there has been no formal Parents’ Evening for this class. Mr Gray stated that parents are
welcome to arrange a meeting with the class teacher during the school day.
5. Head Teacher's Report
a) Christmas Show and Carol Service – The Christmas Show was a great success and both performances
were sold out. The Carol Service was also very successful.
b) Parental Evaluations – The majority of responses were positive and parents highlighted the quality of
teaching staff, the positive ethos of the school and links with the Parish.
The main development need highlighted was improved communication. The school are in the process of
upgrading the website. They are also piloting an app that could be used to improve communication. Mr
Gray stated that informal communication was important and he was ensuring he was in the playground
before and after school. The newsletter format will also change to include a feedback section.
c) Raising Attainment Working Group – This group have made an audit of learning resources in the school
and they have identified a gap in language resources for P5 -7. Mr Gray stated that the school would like
to purchase language resources to the value of £3814.00. The PC members present voted unanimously in
favour of purchasing the resources for the school. Louise McNally to contact Nicola Carroll to inform
her of planned purchase.
d) Burns Group – The P5 Choral group came first in the Burns Competition and won the Webster Cup.
The children will perform at the Marriot Hotel, Glasgow.
e) P1 Enrolment – WB 17.1.17
6. Correspondence
a) Annual Parent Conference Evaluation
b) Trinity Parental Engagement Events:

My Year 2017 – 18.1.17

Power of Play (P1-P5) – 25.1.17

Let’s Talk Teens (P6 – S1) – 8.1.17 and 15.1.17
C) One School, One Book – Louise McNally gave details of a grant which enables schools to buy a copy of
one book for every child.
7. Spring Disco/ Movie Night Preparations
a) Spring Disco will take place on Wednesday 22nd March 2017. Let has been booked. There will be a
disco for P3-P5 followed by P6 & 7. The PC members agreed that tickets will cost £1. Lara O’Conner will
print tickets.
b) Shona Rafferty stated that having copies of registers at the front door was an efficient way to
record the children in attendance. Jacci Henzler stated that storing the children’s jackets in the dinner
hall also worked well. Parents will collect children from the dinner hall. Parents that ask to stay will be
able to use the active learning room.
c) P1& 2 Movie Night will take place on Friday 3rd March 2017 after school. The children will not be
charged to attend but snacks will be available for £1. The children are to be asked what they would like
to watch.
8. P7 Leavers Disco
a) P7 Leavers Disco will take place on Thursday 22nd June 2017. Mrs Slater confirmed that the best
location for the disco is upstairs in the church hall.
c) PC will buy the P7 Leavers calculators and t-shirts. Louise McNally and Clare Griffiths will get quotes
for hoodies.
9. School Crossing Patrol
a) The MSP Clare Haughey has been informed about the traffic accident involving a P6 Child.
b) Louise McNally has been in contact with South Lanarkshire Council but they will not discuss the
matter until they have received the police report. It is hoped this will be available by the end of
January.
c) Members of the PC gave details of continuing safety issues with traffic in the school car park and on
the surrounding roads.
d) Father Pat will write a supporting letter to South Lanarkshire Council.
10. Shed update
a) The shed has been purchased. The foundations and construction are underway.
11. Parish update
a) Scottish Catholic Education Service Gathering will take place on Saturday 21st January from 10-12pm.
b) Catholic Education Week will take place from 12th – 18th February 2017. This is the same week as the
February holiday. The theme is ‘Developing as a Community of Faith and Learning’. Father Pat stated
that this was about linking school, family and the church.
c) Lara O’Conner stated that the Family Mass was great and that it would be good to repeat the event.
d) Clare Griffiths suggested that mass could be held before school during the week.
12. AOB and date of next meeting
a) Father Pat stated that the church could use a pupil’s design for their Christmas card this year and
that it will include details of the outreach work undertaken by the church.
b) Louise McNally stated that the PC would like to raise some money for the church. The school will
confirm a date for a change for charity.
c) Tracey Cooper shared an idea to appoint a parent representative to each class. The representative
could be to welcome new parents, arrange social events and arrange gifts for teachers. Louise McNally
stated that this was a good idea but that it would be difficult to find enough parents to help with a
school of our size.
d) Joanne Murray stated that she had offered the school to help at events but had not been contacted
by the school. Louise McNally said that the Parent Council could definitely use her assistance and really
appreciated the offer to help and that she would get in touch with the office to ensure that helper
contact details are up to date.
e) Lindsey Millar asked if the P1 teachers could remind the children to make sure they have their
belongings before they leave because her daughter has lost a lot of uniform. Mr Gray emphasised the
importance of naming items.
f) Debbie Edmonds asked for clarification on P.E. kit. Mrs Slater confirmed it should be a white t-shirt
and black shorts. Mr Gray stated that a letter would go out to remind parents of standards of uniform.
g) Louise McNally reported that Councillor McKenna is unwell and the PC would send a card.
Date of next meeting: 6th February 2017