LOW PORT PRIMARY SCHOOL
PARENT COUNDIL AND PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Wednesday 23 September 2015 at Low Port Primary School
1.
WELCOME
Jane Livingston, Head Teacher welcomed everyone to the AGM.
2.
HEAD TEACHER’S REPORT
Jane reported that the past year has been a good year with positive working being carried out by the school
with parents and carers, the Parent Council (PC), Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and Education Trust
Fund (ETF). Jane expressed that there was been a supportive and open relationship between the school
and the parents and carers. The key highlights include:
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PC training and involvement in the school Validated Self Evaluation (VSE). This is the first school in
West Lothian for this level of parental involvement.
PTA fundraising and social event.
Installation of a school gate.
Improvement and development of the school grounds.
Supporting to the school in completing surveys including VSE questionnaire, ETF survey and
homework survey.
PC sub-group working including supporting the school with class numbers and composite class
planning.
ETF provision of funding for all classes, playground seating and equipment for the zone.
Jane reported that the school improvement plan is now on website and Richard Payne has assisted with
writing a parent friendly version.
As Richard is stepping down as PC Chair, Jane thanked him for all his hard work and support over the past
two year.
Jane acknowledged the contribution of the PTA in fundraising which has offered the school some flexibility
especially as budgets are getting tighter.
3.
PARENT COUNCIL CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
Richard Payne, Chair outlined the objectives of the PC for the past year as:
Improved engagement with parents and carers
 The PC has encouraged parents and carers to attend without the need to become a committee
member.
 The response rate for the VSE questionnaire was high and very encouraging.
 The PC has listened to and represented views and act upon these views.
Supporting the school to progress with improvements
 The PC has started to support the school with looking at school results – CEM testing and
monitoring evaluation. This is an area of progress and perhaps is an area for further work.
Review the PC constitution
A revised constitution is being proposed as part of the AGM.
Small Working Groups
The PC has had a number of small working groups this year including school grounds and composite classes.
Richard noted parents and carers have expressed their support and confidence of Jane’s leadership over
the past year. It is acknowledged that the school is implementing many changes and these are starting to
take effect but will take time to be fully implemented.
4.
EDUCATION TRUST FUND TREASURER’S REPORT
Lynne Lamont provided an overview of the income and expenditure of trust fund over the past year and
shared a copy of the audited accounts.
Lynne reported that expenditure has included money for each class including learning support, the chess
club, for the purchase of specific items - football nets, nativity costumes, a play kitchen and other
equipment for the zone and maths resources i.e. games and items to complement the curriculum. Money
is set aside for the maintenance of the supergrounds.
Lynne reported that four donors have stopped their contribution as their children have progressed to
secondary school and there is a need to encourage new donors at the lower school.
It is proposed that the constitution will be changed to increase the number of parent and carers as trustees.
The reason is to reduce the conflict of interest for the head teacher and principal teacher who are currently
trustees. Lynne asked for volunteers to take on this role.
5.
PARENT COUNCIL CONSTITUTION
Richard shared the draft revised constitution. The most significant changes include:
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a maximum of 20 parents and carers committee members
removal of year group representatives
having a chair and vice chair
It was unanimously agreement to accept the proposed PC Constitution.
It was noted that unless there are insufficient volunteers that the two bodies have a different focus and
priorities and therefore would be better to remain as two bodies. It was also consider that it would be
difficult to manage the time requirement for meetings.
A question was raised about linking the treasurer of the PTA and ETF. There are some difficulties with this
as this approach may limit the events of the PTA as events would need to be charitable events for the
benefit of the children. It was suggested that changing the name of the fund used by parents and carers
would help people to understand the purpose of the fund.
It was acknowledged that good communication is essential to ensure the PC, PTA and ETF are effective and
complementary.
It was agreed to retain the current arrangement of two bodies for PC and PTA.
6. PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
Ruth Watson, PTA Chair thanked the PTA core team for their hard work over the past year. The PTA has
fundraised and provided funding for Christmas parties, P7 leavers activities, playground improvements and
school items. The PTA has continued to co-ordinate and fundraise through school uniforms orders.
Highlights of the year include the newly introduced summer disco, ladies sparkle night and funding for the
gala day float. Ruth extended a special thanks to Sam Jordan who coordinated the gala day float and
costume making.
7. PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION TREASURER’S REPORT
Sandra Fuller, Treasurer shared the PTA accounts and gave an overview of fundraising and expenditure.
Money has been set aside for the purchase of future playground climbing equipment and the PTA is
awaiting an invoice for the gate installation.
In addition to the activities outlined by Ruth, the PTA undertook new fundraising this year including pupil
designed tea towels, meditation sessions, refreshment at sports day and the introduction of easy
fundraising. This has allowed the PTA to fund a new school banner and purchase activity t-shirts. The PTA
has set up online banking for events so that parents and carers can donate more easily.
Sandra expressed thanks to Ruth and Sian Morrison for their commitment to PTA who are stepping down
from their roles this year.
8. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS
PARENT COUNCIL
Role
Chair
Vice Chair
Clerk
Name
Jeremy Fuller
No nomination
No nomination
Other Committee Members
Rebecca Holmes
Fiona Maxwell
Carla Bisht
Andy McGowan
Judith Paley
Jane Livingston
Stephen Blake
Cllr Tom Conn
Provost Tom Kerr
Parent Member
Parent Member
Parent Member
Parent Member
Parent Member
Head Teacher
Community Representative
Community Representative
Community Representative
TRUST FUND
Lynne Lamont
Paula Fraser
Jeremy Fuller
Rebecca Holmes
Jennifer MacIntyre
Karen Mitchell
Treasurer
Proposed By
Lynne Lamont
Seconded By
Fiona Maxwell
PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION
Role
PTA Chair
PTA Vice Chair
Secretary
Treasurer
Uniforms
Name
Rebecca Holmes
Helen Wallace
Jennifer MacIntyre
Kirsty Pllu
Alice Buckley & Ruth
Watson
Proposed By
Helen Wallace
Ruth Watson
Helen Wallace
Lynne Lamont
Rebecca Holmes
Seconded By
Ruth Watson
Sandra Fuller
Sandra Fuller
Jennifer MacIntyre
Helen Wallace