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Latest NewsDisplaying posts 1 - 5 of 11 NOTES FROM PUPIL COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 11 NOVEMBER 2008 Apologies: Rob Brooks Taylor, Henry Jeffrey, Sian Blackburn 1. Ms Neil reported that the plumber had been and she was waiting for the electrician so the hot drinks machine could be installed in the assembly hall. 2. The question was raised when is the Christmas Dance tickets going to be on sale. Ms Neil proposed the 4th December. 3. It was suggested that after school and lunchtime activities could be publicised more as some pupils are unaware of them. 4. It was also suggested that staff could wear a uniform or have some sort of dress code. Ms Neil is going to bring this up with staff. 5. Ms Neil gave praise to all pupils for there for their behaviour during the Remembrance Day assembly. Wednesday 5th November, 2008 NOTES FROM PUPIL COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 4 NOVEMBER 2008 Apologies: Kelly Little 1. It was suggested at an earlier meeting that the staffroom hot drinks machine could be placed somewhere else in school which would allow it to be used by pupils. The agreement is the machine is to be moved to the assembly hall for hot drinks at 40p. However, because of Health & Safety pupils are not allowed to carry hot drinks through the school corridors and must sit at tables in the assembly hall to finish their drink. 2. Ms Neil is to see the janitor regarding a bin for the 5th year social area. 3. The possibilities of using the portacabin as the 6th year social area will be looked at which would involve the movement of pupil’s music tuition lessons. 4. The 3rd and 4th year college groups are to be taught R.E. 5. Ms Neil will speak to Catering Staff to see if it is possible to keep the lunchtime canteen open longer as people were missing out. Also, there was a suggestion to improve hygiene at the canteen over the road by installing a hand cleaning facility. Tuesday 19th February, 2008 NOTES FROM PUPIL COUNCIL HELD ON 19 FEBRUARY 2008 No apologies - all pupil council members present and Ms Neil 1. Refurbishment of Home Ec- whole council visited department to view ongoing works. Currently, flooring is in the process of being laid. One room already has the fittings in place for a suspended ceiling. All plastering has been done and the kitchen units will arrive on site on 25th February. 2. S2 Option Choices - interviews this week. All going well. 3. New Primary School - Ms Neil reported that she had attended a meeting last week and outlined plans. After approval from the Education Committee there is a lengthy period of consultation but it may be that building commences during next academic session. This will cause issues as it will be built on Scholars' Field but sporting facilities should move to Castlehome. The issue of the running track will need to be investigated further as will security for the new campus. 4. There will be a whole school Travel to School survey commencing 3rd March for one week. 5. A request for benches outside at the back of the school is being investigated. 6. The new notice board which has appeared in the S4 area has been donated by Jazzy Media who gave the school £50 in exchange for the opportunity to advertise films etc on the notice board. 7. S6 Option Choice will be much tighter next session with student having to choose a subject in 4 out of 5 option columns. There will be an increased range of subjects available for S5/6. 8. S6 Challenge - Mr Mackay is currently looking at a trip to the Ardeche as a substitute. However, pupils will have to contribute towards the activity. 9. Girls' fitted jackets are being negotiated. 10. Concerns regarding a perceived overload of work in Higher English - Ms Neil to speak to Mr Crawford. Monday 4th February, 2008 ITEMS DISCUSSED AT THE MEETING ON 29TH JANUARY Present: HT, Henry Jeffrey, Katherine Latimer, Rob Brooks-Taylor, Jamie Fletcher, Beth Brooks-Taylor, Claire Jeffrey, Jessica Bell, Bethan Thompson Apologies: Natalie Lillie, Alan Turnbull, Anthony Huddleston, Sian Blackburn 1. Builders' Smoking - complaints received and dealt with by foreman. Builders not allowed to smoke in school. Some builders smoke outside and smell drifts along corridor. 2. Pupils smoking - hardcore element congregate in same place. Anti-smoking counselling in place. If they are not smoking there, they will go out on the street and smoke which may cause other issues with the community. 3. S4 social area - coat hooks are to be taken down as pupils are banging their heads on them. 4. Girls' uniform - potential to relaunch a trouser suit/fitted jacket for next year. This is to be put to all girls. Thursday 13th December, 2007 NOTES FROM THE SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETING HELD 13TH DECEMBER 2007 Present: J Bell, B Thomson, S Blackburn, C Jeffrey, J Fletcher, E Brooks-Taylor, K Latimer, A Huddleston, N Lillie Apologies: A Turnbull, R Brooks-Taylor FEEDBACK FROM EDUCATION OFFICER - Miss Neil reported that Mr Scott, who had followed S4 pupils round classes last week, had enjoyed his experience very much and was very impressed by the learning and teaching he had viewed. He had particularly enjoyed his meeting with the school council. PSE/GUIDANCE/EARLY PRESENTATION - The HT reported that progress had been made in discussion with teachers regarding the delivery of PSE and the guidance facility within the school. At this stage it was intended that PSE would be delivered to the whole school simultaneously next session and that support teachers would be assigned to each year group. Early presentation was still being discussed with the teaching staff. SCHOOL DANCE - The HT informed the meeting of her disapproval of the way certain members of the sixth year had treated Mrs Barker, the School Support Manager. Miss Neil would deal with these individuals separately. There was also a general discussion regarding whether S6 pupils should pay for coming to the school dance. Several individuals had raised lots of money for the funds for the dance, others had worked very hard in organising, some had done nothing or next to nothing. Rather than cause disharmony by asking S6 council members to nominate those who had or had not worked, it was decided by the council that all S6 pupils should pay. It was also agreed that only pupils present on the day of the dance would be allowed to attend and that pupils who had left school would not be allowed. S6 COMMON ROOM - The HT informed the meeting that she was very concerned regarding feedback about the type of language being used in the S6 common room which was reported as being very offensive and, possibly, racist. Ms Neil was also concerned that the common room was being used by individuals not in S6 after a clear instruction that this was not allowed. The use of the sofas by couples had also been noted. Ms Neil had decided to speak to the year group as there was general disquiet about the attitude of several S6 pupils which was bringing the reputation of the whole year group down. SCHOOL SHOW - Ms Neil praised Anthony and other members for their parts in the school show which was a tremendous success. It was also noted how tired both staff and cast were after the effort of the previous months. TOILETS - Ms Neil would investigate the painting of the downstairs girls' toilets and would request that the janitor opened up the girls' toilets on the middle corridor. Pupil council members also complained about the smell from the boys' toilets in the S4 Common Area. CANONBIE BUS - Ms Neil and the council discussed the 70 seater Canonbie bus and the HT informed the meeting that the Authority endorsed the use of the bus without monitors. There was general disapproval of this from the members but acknowledgement that if the Authority approved, little could be done at school level. HOMEWORK - General discontent regarding the balance of homework and real disapproval of next day homework. Ms Neil would speak to staff. BELL/CLOCK IN SPORTS CENTRE - A plea was made for the period bell to be put into the sports centre. It was also noted that there was no clock and pupils had been getting into trouble from teachers for being late as a result. OUTSIDE BENCHES - There was a request for benches, particularly outside the S4 Common Area, which would allow pupils to sit outside and thus escape the smell from the boys' toilets. Ms Neil would look into this possibility but was concerned that, unless embedded in concrete, the benches could end up being flung in the river after school. LIGHTS IN FRENCH/ENGLISH - It was reported that lights were flickering in certain classes and Ms Neil was requested to deal with this. SCHOOL UNIFORM - members of the council had noticed a slippage in the standard of school uniform, particularly with S6. A general discussion ensued and Ms Neil undertook to reinforce the uniform message to parents. It was agreed that no meeting was required next week. |