ST MICHAEL’S PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION
(Please note: Minutes of Meetings will only be available to view once approved, usually after the next Committee Meeting)

                                                   Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 19th May 2011

Present:  Mr. Richard de Figueiredo (Headmaster), Mr. Simon Vivian (Chairman), Mrs. Rachel Atherton (Secretary), Mrs. Charlotte May (Nursery), Mrs. Valerie Stone (Pre Prep A), Mrs. Nicky Horsfall (Pre Prep B), Mrs. Anneli Gaynor (Pre Prep C), Mrs. Caroline Ambler (Form 2), Mrs. Yvette Jones (Form 3), Mrs. Suzy Vivian (Form 4), Mrs. Melanie Drummond (Form 5).

Apologies:  Apologies were received from Mrs. Catherine Bale (Form 1) and Mrs. Sue Beaumont (Form 6).

Minutes of the Meeting held on 25th January 2011
Mr. Vivian proposed approval of the above minutes, Mrs. Stone seconded the proposal and the minutes were unanimously approved.

Matters Arising
Following the last meeting staff had been asked to ensure children were wearing art overalls and the old library is to be used by parents and children as an area for quiet study whilst waiting for siblings.

Matters for Discussion

i. Girls’ summer uniform
It had been noted by parents that some of the summer dresses worn were too short.  The headmaster was aware of the matter which is not a problem with the actual length of the dresses but rather that the girls are rolling them up and he will try to ensure that the practice is stopped.

ii. School photographs
The school photographs had disappointed some parents, as they did not like the background used by the photography company.  The school had used the company this year as they had offered the most competitive price but Stuart McAllister who takes photographs for school events will do the children’s portraits next year.

iii. Pedestrian crossing for yellow brick road
A parent had suggested the idea of a pedestrian crossing for the yellow brick road as children still had to cross the car park.  The headmaster said this was not feasible as it would have to be very long and in all likelihood parents would ignore it as they currently do with the cross-hatching.  It is felt that if there is no crossing parents are forced to drive more slowly everywhere and pay more attention.  The headmaster will put up the speed limit signs again and also look into the possibility of installing sleeping policemen.  The problem of parents blocking each other in continues, as there is very little the school can do to stop this.

iv. Teacher share with Mrs. Green/Miss. Smith
Most parents agree that the teacher share has worked well but are concerned that when both Mrs. Green and Miss. Smith are away the children have to get used to a third teacher.  The headmaster was aware of only one occasion when this had happened and it had been unavoidable. The school believes that having two teachers, both of whom worked very hard to ensure continuity, did not compromise the children in anyway. 

v. Thursday lunch menu and menu seasonality
Many parents have noted the salad day on Thursday is very unpopular and their children are always hungry at the end of school, as they have not eaten much lunch.  The headmaster agreed that the salad is not popular and a lot is thrown away but pointed out that there are always potatoes on offer and bread, so children needn’t go hungry.  He will discuss the matter with Paula.  The issue of seasonality appeared to arise as a result of someone having an old menu as the food being queried was no longer on the menu.

vi. Notification of class details before the start of term
This point has been raised before and continues to give rise to divided opinions as some parents would like to know which form their child will be in so they can be prepared, whilst others enjoy finding out on the first day of term.  The headmaster confirmed that the present system would remain in place. The school does not determine the form groups until after the end of term and he does not believe there is any merit in changing the procedure.

vii. Inclusion of French and yoga for early years
Some parents would like French to start in the A’s, as it is currently first offered in Form 1.  The headmaster said that the curriculum in the lower part of the school is already very broad and the addition of a further subject would in the school’s opinion not be beneficial.  Mrs. Reynolds already teaches yoga and the school has no plans to introduce further staff to teach this or extend the ages to which it is offered.

viii. Electronic communication with parents
The headmaster confirmed that the school has signed up to ‘Parent Mail’ which will enable parents to receive emails about school information, once they have accessed the system which will be protected by passwords.  The emails will cover all communication from the school except those that require a signature from parents.  Texts are also available from the company running the scheme but the school is not using this facility except in emergency situations.  Parents will continue to receive the calendar in printed form.

ix. Parents evening in the final term of school
Some parents felt that a meeting with the teachers at the end of the year would be helpful.  The headmaster believes that it is beneficial to issue reports for all children at this point, as there should be nothing new to discuss at the end of the year, all issues having been addressed throughout the year.  In fact, most parents in reply to the survey sent out by the school, had expressed a preference for written reports at the year end and the school offers either a report or a parents evening.

x. Cricket pitch fertilizer
Several parents had complained that the fertilizer used on the cricket pitch had stained the sports uniforms.  The headmaster was aware of the matter, which only happened once, when the fertilizer was used but no one told the PE staff.  The school will replace any items that were ruined by the fertilizer.

xi. Update on ‘Haybales and Hogroast’
It was reported that parents were having problems getting ten people for each table, and it was agreed that form reps would let people know they can buy tickets just for themselves and the organizers, with the help of the school office, will sort out the tables.  There will be a mailing at half-term asking for volunteers to help with the event and a Rota will be drawn up to ensure all tasks are allocated.  There are currently 8 out of 20 tables sold so form reps will need to remind people to buy their tickets to avoid the budget being revised if projected income falls.

Any Other Business:

School swimming pool
A parent had asked if the school was aware of the ‘alligator’ system for use in swimming pools instead of chemicals as the school pool smelled very strongly of chlorine.  It was thought that the system is not for use in public pools, only domestic ones, as there are certain regulations that have to be met re the quality of the water in public pools.  The school has installed an air system to try to stop the build up of chlorine gas in the poolroom and it does appear to be helping.

Extraordinary General Meeting
As the Extraordinary General Meeting held before the committee meeting had not achieved a quorum, Mrs. Atherton confirmed that a further meeting would be convened in Mr. De Figueiredo’s office on the 27th May 2011, at 3.45pm.  The agenda for the revised meeting would be the same as the original meeting and notice of the new meeting date would be posted around the school. 

Date of next committee meeting: Thursday 29th September 2011 at 8.00pm

The meeting closed at 9.10pm

_______________________
Chairman