Finzean School and Ballogie Nursery Parent Forum Meeting Tuesday 29th October 2013 7:00pm @ Finzean Farm Shop

Attending: Andrew Farquharson, Heather Cowie, Catriona Tanner, Jane Bennett, Susan Anderson, Wendy Hector, Moira Aitken, Dawn Lobban, Liz Clarke, Tracy Jamieson, Kerry Hendriksen, Alina Stevenson, Helen Bilsby, Moira Aitken, Mette Cormack, Jane Douglas, Claudia Paterson.

Apologies: Stuart Gordon, Diane Gordon, Donna Duncan, Maree Christie, Susan Jameson, Kate Farquharson, Linda Byers, Karen Bradburn,

1.0 Welcome and Apologies

1.1 AF welcomes everyone to the meeting.

1.2 AF asks for the last minutes to be approved. Jane B approves, Claudia seconds.

2.0 Treasurers Report

Report emailed by Donna Duncan (abs) I started bank balance £5597.58 Paid out £443.75 (Techfest buses £420 + hall hire £23.75) Paid in £130.00 (£125 casino night + £5 catering)bank balance today £5283.83

Catering money – please minute that catering money is due from a high number of parents only 13 out of 38 parents have paid catering money so far! The catering ‘cash’ money has not been banked as it will be used for floats for upcoming events but you probably don’t what to say this as it may mislead folk.

Claudia and Susan have some more casino night cheques for me but I have not received these yet to bank.

3.0 Headteachers Report

3.1 Ski week – Jan 20th – 24th (snow dependent) – same week as Ballater, Aboyne and Lumphanan. Awaiting to hear about a possible grant to help with costs. Lumphanan got the whole week paid for last year so Shona Park suggested we try – first year only. P5-7 may attend (approx. £200) We may need to take the pupils to Aboyne for 8.45am.

3.2 In-service days are 11th and 12th November.

3.3 New urinals hopefully being fitted on that weekend – 8th November!

3.4 Computers –as agreed, 6 Laptops have been ordered and we are awaiting delivery.

3.5 Swimming – 4 more weeks, swimming pool dependent – they are awaiting a refurb and that may halt proceedings.

3.6 Running – The P3 pupils will, I hope, start running when the swimming ends. Parent helpers at the ready…

3.7 Eco group will meet this Thursday at 9.30am, we plan to tidy and sweep so all help gratefully received. Come along and help out.

3.8 Mel Shand – I am still waiting to hear about funding to support us in the community map. The NEOS week of art was a great success. I had some offers of decking wood to make planters up, from Roy Cowie and another ( last meeting) but unfortunately the Joiner who was to help me has lost a couple of fingers – and is out of service for a while… Can anyone else help with construction of the 4 planters? Each planter will be a substantial size – 1m wide by 2-3m long approximately, and they should be about ½ metre tall.

3.9 We are to receive a visit from the ALEC bus on Monday 18th November. This is an Aberdeenshire run bus, with lessons in health. All classes will be attending, including Nursery. There will be an opportunity for parents to find out more.

3.10 P3-7 show will be held on Tues 17th December – afternoon and evening (any further forward with the afternoon show?) and the Nativity will be performed by Nursery and P1-2 at the church on Wednesday 18th at 2pm.

4.0 Fundraising 2013/14

4.1 Duathlon This has been postponed due to the clash with the Casino night and also a shoot.

6.2 Casino Night – AF confirms that 92 tickets sold so far. Help on the night required for serving canapés and washing up. Note this has been booked for 16th November. Westhill Rotary are helping. Moira Aitken, Claudia Paterson and Susan Anderson on committee. It is a James Bond theme - adults only. 120 people max. Open to all. £12 for 2,500 chips. Can buy more on night. 3 cash prizes for most chips won. Free drink on arrival, cocktails, canapés and nibbles. Entertainment. Bar.

6.3 Christmas Fayre CT reports that preparations going well for the fayre on Saturday 30th november. Stall holders still required - please get in touch with Maree. Raffle tickets out Friday There will be a BBQ, home baking, mulled wine, lots of homemade crafts, nail bar, Santas grotto, Carol singing, childrens crafts.

6.4 Burns Supper Booked for Saturday 25th January. Tickets will be available for sale soon.

5.0 Parent Issues

5.1 School timings - DL confirmed the start stime for school was historic and not to do with buses. Bus companies all ok with moving to 9:00am to 3:15pm. ALL parents would have to agree. Dawn would be ok to send out letter to all parents to vote on this.

5.2 Safety around the school - Sara concerned that bus drops off school at 9:00 but school starts at 9:15 am. NO schools in Aberdeenshire have any teachers in playground to monitor at this time. Many schools don't have supervision at break or lunchtime but Finzean does. DL confirmed there was always someone looking over playground from classroom or office.

5.3 Meeting days - Monday an option but suited most on a Tuesday so it was agreed to keep meeting on the Tuesdays at the moment.

6.0 AOCB

6.1 Helen Bilsby highlighted the next POOT event The Tallest Horse on 7th November at the hall.

6.2 Netball hoops wanted to start team as there is a min tournament locally. Shona Park can help with goal posts and netball hoops.

6.3 Football training to move to Aboyne astro turf next week. 24th November next match.

6.4 Luke hendriksen - Christian had walked Georgia home. DL confirms that no one leaves school until all children ready. All line up in hall in three areas for - Collection. Walking. Bus. Those being collected go to gate to be collected by parent / carer. Dawn will speak to staff about being aware of this.

6.5 School Christmas show for OAP's This is organized by FCA for Finzean residents but it was agreed Ballogie OAP's would be most welcome with the assistance of Ballogie Community Association sending out the invitations and contributing to the costs.

6.6 Ballogie Nursery and P1 and P2 putting on the nativity.

7.0 NEXT MEETING TUESDAY 14TH JANUARY AT FINZEAN FARM SHOP AT 7:00PM.

NOTE - Thank you to Finzean Farm shop for hosting our meeting and providing refreshments again!

Calendar 2013/14

School Halloween Party 5:00-7:00pm Friday 1st November

James Bond Casino Night 7:00pm Saturday 16th November

Christmas Fayre 12:30-4:30pm Saturday 30th November

Cinderella Pantomime HMT 1:45pm Thursday 5th December

School Pantomime Aft/Eve Tuesday 17th December

School Nativity 2:00pm Wednesday 18th December

Burns Supper 7:00pm Saturday 25th January