Minutes of Dyke Primary School

MINUTES OF DYKE PRIMARY SCHOOL

PARENT COUNCIL MEETING

21 November 2017 – 7.00pm

Action 1 Present: Fiona MacDonell, Claire Doughty, Denise Simpson, Rick Cooper (Moray Council), Susan Matthews, Elaine Macrae (Moray Council), Maeve Lewis, Tiago Lazaro, Stephen Simpson, Sheena Tulloch, Lisa Stables, Moira Greene, Faye Miller, Mairi Grant, Sabine Frost Apologies: Steven Tweedie-Macfarlane, Lesley-Anne Exon, Nicola & Garry Taylor, Lynne Gray, Anna Thomson. Presentation from Rick Cooper, Facilities Officer with Moray Council.

Rick Cooper supported by his colleague Elaine Macrae and school cook Susan Matthews gave a short presentation on the complexities of plan- ning the six-week school dinner menu. Mr Cooper gave the presentation after a parent challenged Moray Council about the menu. Mr Cooper explained there are statutory nutritional requirements that have to be met and these are different for primary and secondary schools. He used “one Week” of the school menu to show what a complex job it is to ensure that the menu meets all the requirements. He explained that every item on the menu has to be analysed for its nutritional value. He showed how one small change, for an example a tweak to a dessert can affect the whole nutritional value of the menu. He also explained that they must have one rule for all of the schools throughout Moray. He said that they have had to prevent children from picking soup and a dessert as this does not meet the nutritional guidelines that they have to meet. He also explained that they are cater- ing right across the region and even within that area there are regional variations on what children prefer. For example, children in Buckie tend to opt for more fish, whilst those in Speyside tend to prefer the haggis dishes. They have to think about the whole region. He reported though that the free school meals for P1-3 had had a positive impact and that this was having a positive knock on effect in the High Schools where more school meals are now being consumed. He explained it wasn’t about preventing the children from having some- thing, but about educating them to make good choices. 2 Matters Arising It was minuted from the last meeting that a member of the parent Mr council would review the hand-book; however there has been no further Simpson to movement with this. The school handbook is updated each November. finalise Stephen Simpson said he had already started work on it and would get it document. finalised.

3 Chairperson’s Report  Treasurer: A treasurer is still required. Faye Miller showed an interest and will think about taking on the role. Meeting on 5th Dec  Playground Group: The parent council raised £780 through the 4 2.15pm - Weeks of Fitness. The children wanted to raise money for A Thomson playground equipment. However, it was decided that £780 is a lot & F Mac of money to spend. The children want the equipment so they can use it in the back field. It was suggested that some of the money could be used to buy a small shed or lock up so that the equipment is easily accessible. This was agreed to be a good idea. Fiona M and Anna Thomson will work with the house captains to decide what equipment they want to buy. Maeve Lewis also offered to help if required. Fiona Mac  It was also agreed that £100 would be donated to MFR Cash for to organise kids.

 Improvement Plan: Transport Policy: The results of the survey were discussed. A copy of the survey results can be seen on request. The overriding opinion was that people were not wholly happy to have their children transported by other parents, Fiona and particularly if that parent was unknown to them or their child. Up Mr until now, the parent council has paid for transport for all events Simpson where necessary. The costs for transport have been between will work £1000-£1500 a year. on a new transport It was agreed that from now on, the policy for transporting pupils policy. to and from events will be bus / taxi and this would be what the bulk of our fundraising would have to be for. Mr Simpson and Fiona will work on the new policy document and bring this to the next meeting for approval.

 Fundraising: Moira Greene commented that if people know what Fiona M to the fundraising aim is, they are more likely to get involved and/or include this donate. Maeve asked if people can just make donations to the in Dec school and it was confirmed they can. Now that fundraising was Newsletter becoming more crucial it was agreed that a request for fundraising ideas should be put out.

 Dyke Pre-School Fair was raised and Fiona asked if anyone wanted to take responsibility for a school stall. It was agreed that it was too short notice.

 Coffee Morning 2019: As no one else came forward to volunteer Fiona M will book the school coffee morning for 2019. The parent council will do hampers for the school nativity. The hampers will be made up in the school on Tuesday 19th December whilst the children are attending the pantomime at Eden Court. All parents who are available to help with this should come to the school Claire to at @ 3pm. promote event on The pupils will have a festive dress day on December 15th and they facebook. are asked to bring in hamper goodies in return.

4 Any Other Business Stephen asked how much we were going to ask for donations towards the school pantomime this year. It was agreed that we would ask for £6.50 however it was made clear that people do not have to give or in fact can donate more.

Moira Greene suggested that as we are now focussing on fundraising for transport, maybe at the start of each year or term the pupils could Fiona to nominate a charity that would be supported that year and a proportion put this on the agenda of the money would be donated to that charity. This was accepted as a for next good idea and Stephen said the house captains could help implement it. meeting It was felt that money raised from singing carols at Brodie Countryfare should still be donated to charity and this was agreed. The school will decide which charity. 6 The next PC meeting will be held on Tuesday Feb 27th at 7pm in Rm1.