Dalkeith High School Parent Council
Tuesday 31 March 2015
Present: Allyson Dobson, Steve Kelly (SK), Caroline Pearson (CP), Marianne Flockhart,
Julie Darling, Jane Richardson, Stephanie Heasman, Bill McQueen, Morag Ryan and
Deborah Slater (DS)
Apologies: Anne Williams, Sarah Davie, Anne Murray
Approval of minutes: Minutes of the last meeting were approved and signed
Introduction to new Head Teacher
Allyson Dobson kindly agreed to attend the Parent Council meeting this evening although
she does not formally begin her role as Head Teacher until Monday 27 April. Allyson
introduced herself, explained a little about her background in education and what she
hopes to bring to her new role. She expressed her enthusiasm for taking up the post and
wished to thank all those involved in appointing her and for giving her this exciting
opportunity.
Caroline Pearson (Chair) responded
Steve Kelly suggested that at the next Parent Council meeting (19 May) we set time aside
for parents to suggest what improvements they would like to see in the school.
Action point: DS to add to May's agenda
Finance: school / PTA account update – The meeting between Steve Kelly and Anne
Murray had still not taken place as of 31 March, Caroline Pearson expressed concern
about the time this is taking.
Action point: SK to contact Anne Murray with a date for the meeting
Acting Head Teacher's update:
Update on study leave: new policy across Midlothian Council for study leave. There will be
study leave for S5 and S6 but not for S4. Instead these pupils will study in school.
Parents can, if they wish, seek approved leave for a day or two before each exam or
request full study leave. This request will be granted automatically. Approved study leave
will be recorded as present on the pupil attendance register. A letter to this affect has been
sent out to parents.
Parents at the meeting felt this was a sensible way forward as not all pupils study well at
home. Having the choice of supported study in school or private study at home or a mix of
the two was broadly welcomed. A timetable of study clubs over Easter has been made
available to all senior pupils.
SK provided dates for next year's Parent Council meetings:
8 September (AGM)
22 September
10 November
12 January
23 February
12 April
17 May
Expressive Arts Evening (30 March) this was generally viewed as a huge success and an
excellent way for the school to showcase the work of pupils in art, music, drama and
photography. 120 pupils were involved in the evening and a large number of parents
attended, the feedback was very positive.
Centenary stained glass window - Deborah Slater updated the Parent Council on the
stained glass window project. Kate Henderson has been selected as the artist for the
project and will start working with the Art Department after the Easter break.
It was suggested that a photographic record of the process is made, perhaps this could be
a project for pupils taking Higher Photography.
SK still to provide DS with the wording for school values as this has now been finalised
and we may wish to include these words in the stained glass.
Action point: SK to email words to DS
AOCB: SK wanted to request that the PTA cupboard be given over to storage of the new
camping equipment bought for Duke of Edinburgh award scheme. It was agreed that this
was a more important use of the limited lockable storage available in the school. There
was a general discussion about the success of D of E in the school with credit to Mr
Duncan for this.
Jane Richardson alerted the Parent Council that the gambling license acquired last year
for the Centenary prize draw was about to run out and queried whether it should be
renewed. The Parent Council decided that this was not necessary and that a new
application could be made in future if another prize draw was run.
The meeting was closed
Parent Council meeting dates 2015/2016:
19 May 2015
8 September (AGM) 2015
22 September 2015
10 November 2015
12 January 2016
23 February 2016
12 April 2016
17 May 2016