FoC Parent Council Meeting

Wednesday 7th May 2025, 6pm

List of Attendees: Trish McLellan (HT), Michelle Grant (Chair), Meriem Kayoueche-Reeve, David Irvine (Depute Chair), Donna Irvine (Secretary), Gail Morrison, Stephen Reeves, Magdalena Błażusiak

Apologies: Liz Angus

Approval of previous minutes and actions: DI, MKR

Discussions/Actions taken during this meeting:

Overview of Fundings and Accounts: MG (Chair) read to the group the current Treasurer’s Report of funding to date (shared by LA (treasurer) prior to meeting. To date £2671.60 is in the account (of which £1000 is allocated for benches, still to be ordered and paid)

Action Log: MG (Chair) explained that she had set up an ‘action log’ to make it easier for the group to see who needed to do what and when. MG used the action log to run through what had been achieved and what was still to do since last FoCairney Meeting:

Benches for school: Benches have been chosen and HT has received the cheque for them from LA. HT will now purchase benches.

Money set aside for compost update: Group discussed purchase and storage of compost. It was agreed that it would be more convenient to buy the compost in bags rather in one large load. DI offered the plots across from the school as a possible place for storage until the school is ready to use them. HT said she would consult staff and research best place to buy.

Cooking Equipment update: HT confirmed cooking equipment has now been received.

Sensory Room Equipment: DI received a catalogue from the staff at the school identifying sensory equipment that the school would find useful. He confirmed he will apply for funding for this equipment from the Cairney and Glass Windmill fund at the next application date in June.

Fenced Area at front of School: HT stated that the outdoor equipment that had been purchased to be used in the area outside the front of the school is currently obstructing the fire exits. DI said that if the HT bought the fencing equipment then he would fit it.

Playground Shelter Shed: HT shared designs that the pupils had created. The class and staff liked the idea of a rainbow with all the children’s names on it and that names could be added as more pupils started at the school. MG suggested that the next step would be for LA to share the design ideas with her artist contact and report back with how much it would cost to do. It was also suggested that the money raised from the Tesco Token funding could be used as payment for the artist.

Playground Painted Designs: SR reported that large stencils were difficult to find. HT reported that she had found a company that would make alphabet, number and line stencils. MKR suggested that there was money in the account that could be used to purchase these materials. Group agreed it would be worthwhile for the HT to go ahead and purchase the stenciling equipment so that staff and pupils could try out and see if it is a success and also to be able to use it in the lead up to the summer months while the weather is still fine.

Funding for Outdoor Woodland Learning: SR explained that he had been given an opportunity to secure funding from Outdoor Woodland Learning N.E. group. SR would come in to work with pupils and support the school with activities for the pupils related to the equipment bought with the funding. Discussion was had about what equipment the school already had and what would be useful and used including den building equipment, camera trap, moth traps, wildlife identifying, guides, basket weaving. SR stated that he would have a think and relay ideas and costs to the school.  HT to discuss with staff and get back to SR before 9th of June, 2025 deadline.

Fundraising Ideas

Summer Fair update and VE/VJ Day Event: HT relayed a list of activities that the school have planned for the last term before summer and stated that there would be no time for arranging a Summer Fair this year. Discussion was had about the event planned for VE and VJ Day. MG asked that the HT share with parents the dates for the VE and VJ Day so that parents can participate by providing raffles and baking for that event.

Tesco Tokens/Football Club Raffle and Dalguise Fund: MG suggested that there should be a ten year plan by the FoC  to ensure that funding for Dalguise would be sustainable and equitable for all parents. MKR suggested that the tokens and the Football Club Bingo/Raffle proceeds could be earmarked for the Dalguise Fund. Group agreed that this was a good idea. MKR to apply for Tesco tokens and DI to set a date for Bingo/ Raffle for new term in 2025.

Ideas for Activities etc that could be funded by FoC:

STEM: HT stated that staff had decided that for next year’s curriculum there should be more of a focus on activities that are STEM related. TechFest was discussed along with a trip to the new STEM centre at Elgin Library.

Sponsored Activities and Mile a Day Walk : GM suggested the school could do sponsored activities i.e.. Bike runs, sponsored silences etc HT discussed that Glass school did a mile a day and MKR asked whether Cairney School could also take part. HT said she would discuss with staff to see if this would be feasible at Cairney.

Spey Bay Humpback Whale Touring Exhibit: Suggested by SR. The group agreed that this would be a very exciting opportunity for the pupils and the community with an enterprising opportunity for it to be displayed and opened up to the public at Cairney Hall. HT to discuss possibility with staff and report back to FoC to organise funding.

AOB

MG suggested that the pupils could design a new logo for the school. HT liked this idea and will share with staff.

Date of next meeting to be confirmed.