Renfrew High School
Minutes of Parent Council Meeting – 8th October 2015
Present: B Burke (Head Teacher), L Jack (Chairing), S Conway, J Aitken, F James,
M Timlin, J Hogg, C Calderwood, W Arbuckle, L O’Neil, A Lay, A Howat, J Kennedy, C Thomas, C Stewart
Apologies: M Hunter, J Shaw
1.Minutes of Previous Meeting: These were adopted as a true record of the meeting by J Kennedy and seconded by J Aitken.
2.Matters Arising:
Discussion surrounding the timing of work experience, how it’s managed/structured, are the students being supported through the process? Could we collectively improve practices with communications?
B Burke highlighted new Standards produced by Scottish Government September 2015 –
www.educationscotland.gov.uk/developingtheyoungworkforce
L O’Neil is the dedicated employability co-ordinator within the school.
J Hogg updated that as a small business within the local community he’d encourage/facilitate student placements within his environment.
3.Rights Respecting Schools Update S.Conway:
Discussion around the Charter, and what the students felt was appropriate.
UNICEF – CRC – Learning takes place within PSE, IT and Assemblies. S.C produced a document & gratefully looking for feedback by next meeting.
4.UCAS Application:
Parents expressed how the form filling process can be confusing for applicants. Introduction of a calendar inclusive of small seminars which assist with personal statements, log in issues, links, etc. B.Burke – suggested UCAS Link on School Website, also advised school going live on Twitter to help further improve communication.
Skills Development Scotland has Open Day at the SECC on 11th November.
Full agreement with PC that pupils should be encouraged to attend Open Days and further explore/enhance their options.
5.Council Agenda Items:
All agreed to keeping meeting running times on schedule and agenda items to relate to wider school matters and not individual pupil issues.
6.Head Teacher Update:
Staffing – Information to remain confidential.
New appointment for Modern Languages – Mrs Fiona Bewick coming from St Ninians,Kirkintilloch hoping to be in role by 26th October.
Additional Art Teacher has been recruited to replace Miss Gibson.
Vacancies being advertised in English, Physics and Head of Science due to Mrs Whyte retiring at Christmas.
Other school business – B. Burke provided update on some areas of school and Council business he and staff have been involved in since last meeting.
This included work on Tackling Poverty Commission together with Sue Ellis from University of Strathclyde, working group on Social Emotional Behavioural Needs in the Secondary Sector, proposed change to model for senior phase, partnership events with West College Scotland, Modern Languages 1+2 strategy, launch of new School Self Evaluation Tool HGIOS4.