MINUTES
Bearsden Academy Parent Council - Meeting 44
Held on 4th June 2013 at Bearsden Academy
Attendees – Alan Howie (Chair), Elaine Jeffrey, Shirley Stuart, June Fraser,
George Cooper(Head Teacher), Mr Paul Cassidy, Sally-Anne Eagers, Karen Kane
(Vice-chair), Stephen Hayes, Veronica McLaughlin and Tara White (Clerk).
Welcome & Apologies
Mr Howie welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies were noted from
Councillor Keith Small, Pam Gourlay, Aileen Discombe, Luanne Boyd, Gerry Boyd,
Tracy Smith, Elaine White, Councillor Ashay Ghai and Councillor Manjinder Shergill.
Minutes of previous meetings
Minutes of the meeting held on 5th March 2013 were approved.
Matters Arising
 Behaviour Policy Group – Karen Kane attended the last meeting on behalf
of the parent council where those present were asked to provide some
feedback which would be used as part of the review of the Behavioural
Policy. Mr Cooper informed the group that Mrs Daniel had asked if a
representative of the parent council could attend a meeting on Tuesday 11th
June to look at the final draft of the revised policy and see if there were
any additional issues to be addressed before the new policy goes into force.
Mrs Elaine Jeffrey agreed to attend on behalf of the parent council.
Pupil Voice- Mr Paul Cassidy
Mr Paul Cassidy informed the group that he wanted to update them on two aspects
which were taken forward this session in connection with Pupil Voice. The Pupil
Leadership Committee and the Learner Voice Committee were both set up having
been identified as aims in the improvement plan. Mr Cassidy said he wanted to
update the parent council on what has been achieved up to now, aims for the new
session and also to ask the parent council for their support and input in the future.
Mr Cassidy made two presentations to the group which are attached to these
minutes. Mr Cassidy distributed copies of these presentations to the members and
these booklets included a feedback sheet for parents to complete and return to Mr
Cassidy. Mr Cassidy asked that if anyone had any ideas or suggestions if they could
please get in touch with him via e-mail. Mr Cassidy advised that they are always
looking for parents to be involved in their committees and that parent council
members are welcome to come along and attend the meetings. Mr Cassidy also
asked if a representative could come along to the Unicef visit on Monday June 10th.
Mr Howie thanked Mr Cassidy for his presentation and commented on how although
the concept of asking his children what they want out of teaching is a new one to
him he could see how they would respond to that in a positive manner. The group
discussed ideas on how the parent body can help with the learning process and how
to encourage the children to engage more at home also. The group also discussed if
there was support that could be offered to parents and carers to help enable them
to do this. It was agreed that all ideas and suggestions be sent to Mr Cassidy and
this subject will be revisited in the future. Mr Cassidy thanked everyone for their
time and left the meeting.
1
Head Teacher’s Report
Mr Cooper ran through his report which is attached as an appendix to these
minutes.
Mr Cooper advised that there will be interviews taking place for a Deputy Head
Teacher during the week beginning June 17th. Mr Cooper requested that at least
one trained person from the parent council be available for these interviews and
he will advise of definite times and dates as soon as possible.
AOCB
Mr Alan Howie received an e-mail from Elizabeth Gillan at EDC regarding interview
training for parent council members. Mr Howie advised that there was training
taking place on Thursday 6th June for anyone interested. It was agreed that no one
would attend at this time but Mr Howie would ask to be kept informed of upcoming
training sessions.
Next meeting – Tuesday 3rd September 2013 at 7.00 pm
2