Thank you to all who attended this evening's meeting to discuss the proposal to install traffic lights at the Mayfield Road / West SavileTerrace junction, particularly to the Council officials and the Councillors who took the time out to come along.
This issue clearly provokes strong views and, having heard these this evening, there is an opportunity to put these in writing both to the Council and to our Councillors so that the Transport Committee meeting on 24th November can be fully informed.
There are a number of supporting documents which you may wish to take a look at here: http://sciennescouncil.googlepages.com/home including copies of the before and after view of the junction and details on the accident history.
If you wish to make your views known you can either write to Iain Peat of the Council's Transport Department (iain.peat@edinburgh.gov.uk) or write to one of our 4 local councillors:
Steve Burgess (steve.burgess@edinburgh.gov.uk)
Gordon Mackenzie (gordon.mackenzie@edinburgh.gov.uk)
Ian Perry (ian.perry@edinburgh.gov.uk)
Cameron Rose (cameron.rose@edinburgh.gov.uk)
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
Thursday, 5 February 2009
Additional In-Service Day
From John Fraser, Head of Schools:
On 7 January 2009, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning announced that, in line with a recommendation from the Curriculum for Excellence Management Board, she would provide for one extra In-Service Day in the current school year and one in each of the next two school years, focused on the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence by staff in schools engaged in delivering and supporting the Curriculum.
Regulation 5 of the Schools General (Scotland) Regulations 1975, as amended, requires schools to be open for a minimum of 190 days in a school year. However, under Section 133(4) of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, I will be writing to The Scottish Government to ask for the consent of Scottish Ministers to close all our schools for one additional day this session and for a further day in 2009/10 and 2010/11.
I am proposing that the additional In-Service days for Edinburgh will be as follows:
Session 2008/09 Wednesday 20 May 2009
Session 2009/10 Wednesday 19 May 2010
Session 2010/11 Wednesday 25 May 2011
This means that for each of these sessions, there will be six In-Service Days as opposed to the current five. Accordingly, pupil attendance will be for 189 days.
An additional In-Service Day will have implications for parents and I am writing to ask if your Parent Council can ascertain the views of parents in relation to the proposal and proposed dates.
The Scottish Government, Schools Directorate, Teachers Division, advises that The Management Board for Curriculum for Excellence, and the stakeholders in Scottish education represented on it, were unanimous in their view that the provision of this extra In-Service day could make a vital contribution to successful implementation of the new curriculum.
If you wish to comment, please e-mail sciennescouncil@gmail .com by 25th February and we will consolidate all comments to the City Council.
On 7 January 2009, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning announced that, in line with a recommendation from the Curriculum for Excellence Management Board, she would provide for one extra In-Service Day in the current school year and one in each of the next two school years, focused on the implementation of Curriculum for Excellence by staff in schools engaged in delivering and supporting the Curriculum.
Regulation 5 of the Schools General (Scotland) Regulations 1975, as amended, requires schools to be open for a minimum of 190 days in a school year. However, under Section 133(4) of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, I will be writing to The Scottish Government to ask for the consent of Scottish Ministers to close all our schools for one additional day this session and for a further day in 2009/10 and 2010/11.
I am proposing that the additional In-Service days for Edinburgh will be as follows:
Session 2008/09 Wednesday 20 May 2009
Session 2009/10 Wednesday 19 May 2010
Session 2010/11 Wednesday 25 May 2011
This means that for each of these sessions, there will be six In-Service Days as opposed to the current five. Accordingly, pupil attendance will be for 189 days.
An additional In-Service Day will have implications for parents and I am writing to ask if your Parent Council can ascertain the views of parents in relation to the proposal and proposed dates.
The Scottish Government, Schools Directorate, Teachers Division, advises that The Management Board for Curriculum for Excellence, and the stakeholders in Scottish education represented on it, were unanimous in their view that the provision of this extra In-Service day could make a vital contribution to successful implementation of the new curriculum.
If you wish to comment, please e-mail sciennescouncil@gmail .com by 25th February and we will consolidate all comments to the City Council.
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
School Budget Cut Plans Dropped
The following letter was sent to all School Council Chairs yesterday by the Convenor of the Education Committee. Having listened to the case made by head teachers and School Councils, the City of Edinburgh Council has now decided that there will be no 2% cut to this year's school budget. Thanks to all parents and carers who wrote to our councillors.
Dear Parent Council Chair
Children and Families Budget 2009-10
I am writing to inform you that the Administration are protecting school budgets in the forthcoming budget in February. It was always my intention to endeavour to safeguard schools, but realised this was dependant on re-prioritisation within the total Council revenue budget. Although this has been a long and difficult process, I am delighted that we have found ways to protect schools. During the process we have listened carefully to Head Teachers and parents whose forthright views have helped to inform the debate.
I recognise that many of you have been understandably anxious about the impact of a 2% cut to school budgets and thought it was important that I let you know about this decision at the earliest possible opportunity.
I am sure today’s announcement will be welcomed by all staff and parents across the city. This decision underlines this Administration’s commitment to education and other frontline services which the public rightly view as priorities for the Council. It has been very challenging to reach this decision in the current financial climate but I believe it is entirely worth it for the benefit of Edinburgh’s children.
Yours sincerely
Councillor Marilyne MacLaren
Convener of Education, Children and Families
Dear Parent Council Chair
Children and Families Budget 2009-10
I am writing to inform you that the Administration are protecting school budgets in the forthcoming budget in February. It was always my intention to endeavour to safeguard schools, but realised this was dependant on re-prioritisation within the total Council revenue budget. Although this has been a long and difficult process, I am delighted that we have found ways to protect schools. During the process we have listened carefully to Head Teachers and parents whose forthright views have helped to inform the debate.
I recognise that many of you have been understandably anxious about the impact of a 2% cut to school budgets and thought it was important that I let you know about this decision at the earliest possible opportunity.
I am sure today’s announcement will be welcomed by all staff and parents across the city. This decision underlines this Administration’s commitment to education and other frontline services which the public rightly view as priorities for the Council. It has been very challenging to reach this decision in the current financial climate but I believe it is entirely worth it for the benefit of Edinburgh’s children.
Yours sincerely
Councillor Marilyne MacLaren
Convener of Education, Children and Families
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
PROPOSED SCHOOL BUDGET CUTS – THE SCHOOL COUNCIL NEEDS YOUR HELP
You may have seen from the press that the City of Edinburgh Council is proposing to cut school budgets by 2% next year, after already reducing them by 1.5% this year.
This year’s cut has had an effect right across Sciennes:
Action by staff at Sciennes has helped to minimise the effect of this year’s cut on pupils, but if the Council go ahead with their plans for a further 2% cut, there is very little else which can be cut within Sciennes other than staff costs. This would definitely affect the learning experience for children at the school.
The School Council has written to all of our ward councillors, our MP, our MSP and all of the Lothian List MSPs asking for support and has had many positive responses with a Councillor and an MSP attending our recent meeting. The Chairs of all Parent Councils within the City have met with the Director of Children and Families and the Convenor of the Education Committee, questions have been raised on our behalf in Parliament and the issue has been covered extensively by the Evening News. The School Council feels that it would help our case if all families now joined in this action.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP - PLEASE ADD YOUR VOICE.
It would be extremely timely for parents to write to the key individuals within the Council prior to the budget meeting on February 12th. These are:
Gillian Tee – Director of Children and Families (gillian.tee@edinburgh.gov.uk)
Councillor Marilyne MacLaren – Convenor of the Education Committee (marilyne.macLaren@edinburgh.gov.uk)
It would also be helpful to write to our ward councillors asking them to oppose the cuts. If you wish, a sample template is provided here http://sciennescouncil.googlepages.com/home. The councillors for our ward are:
Cameron Rose (Con) Cameron.Rose@edinburgh.gov.uk
Steve Burgess (Green) Steve.Burgess@edinburgh.gov.uk
Ian Perry (Lab) ian.perry@edinburgh.gov.uk
Gordon Mackenzie (Lib Dem) gordon.f.mackenzie@edinburgh.gov.uk
We would like to know how many parents and carers join us in this action, please either e-mail sciennescouncil@gmail.com or leave a comment on this item and we will publish details on how many of you join us in fighting these cuts. Collectively, we can make a difference.
This year’s cut has had an effect right across Sciennes:
- a member of the Senior Management Team on maternity leave was not replaced on a full time basis
- supplies are not being bought in advance or in previous quantities
- only repairs and maintenance affecting Health and Safety are being carried out
- our Service Support Officers (Janitors) are carrying out minor repairs to cut costs
- at times absence cover is provided by existing staff rather than by using supply teachers
Action by staff at Sciennes has helped to minimise the effect of this year’s cut on pupils, but if the Council go ahead with their plans for a further 2% cut, there is very little else which can be cut within Sciennes other than staff costs. This would definitely affect the learning experience for children at the school.
The School Council has written to all of our ward councillors, our MP, our MSP and all of the Lothian List MSPs asking for support and has had many positive responses with a Councillor and an MSP attending our recent meeting. The Chairs of all Parent Councils within the City have met with the Director of Children and Families and the Convenor of the Education Committee, questions have been raised on our behalf in Parliament and the issue has been covered extensively by the Evening News. The School Council feels that it would help our case if all families now joined in this action.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP - PLEASE ADD YOUR VOICE.
It would be extremely timely for parents to write to the key individuals within the Council prior to the budget meeting on February 12th. These are:
Gillian Tee – Director of Children and Families (gillian.tee@edinburgh.gov.uk)
Councillor Marilyne MacLaren – Convenor of the Education Committee (marilyne.macLaren@edinburgh.gov.uk)
It would also be helpful to write to our ward councillors asking them to oppose the cuts. If you wish, a sample template is provided here http://sciennescouncil.googlepages.com/home. The councillors for our ward are:
Cameron Rose (Con) Cameron.Rose@edinburgh.gov.uk
Steve Burgess (Green) Steve.Burgess@edinburgh.gov.uk
Ian Perry (Lab) ian.perry@edinburgh.gov.uk
Gordon Mackenzie (Lib Dem) gordon.f.mackenzie@edinburgh.gov.uk
We would like to know how many parents and carers join us in this action, please either e-mail sciennescouncil@gmail.com or leave a comment on this item and we will publish details on how many of you join us in fighting these cuts. Collectively, we can make a difference.
Tuesday, 2 December 2008
Minutes of School Council Meeting of 16th October 2008
Present:
Alison Noble (AN)
Angela Christie (AC)
Lucy Gallagher (LG)
Claire Ford (CF)
Norman Brown (NB)
June Underwood (JU)
Jane Davidson (JD)
Guy Morgan (GM)
Sean Byrne (SB))
Elke Versmessen (EV)
Alison Platts (AP)
David Coombs (DC)
Apologies:
Bruce Cameron
Clem Friend
Tasneem Irshad
Head Teacher’s Report
AN presented the Headteacher’s Report. A separate copy of this will be circulated to members. This included the key objectives for the school in its improvement plan. Comment from parents is welcome.
Finance
AP gave an update on the current financial position. The School Council has £9,500 in the bank at present.
There was discussion about whether to advertise for a Clerk, or to ask the Council for the money to be paid directly to the Council. There was agreement that the Council should have a paid for Clerk and an advert will go in to the Sciennes Flyer (NB).
The suggestions for spending for this year were discussed. Ideas included:
Digital Cameras – so far 13 have been bought, with an aim of having one available for every class
Books – Oxford Reading Tree and novels
Camcorder – two
Staging – currently the school borrows some pieces from the Cannongate Youth Project
Christmas decorations
The money raised by the Swimathon has been ring fenced for swimming and tennis for pupils, and the Book Fair money for novels for the library.
The aim is to have a costed and prioritised list for discussion (AN/AP)
JU advised the meeting that the Clubs and Events Group are looking to sell a discount booklet which provides discounts to a number of venues, restaurants, events etc. For each one sold, the school will received £5. Since there is no minimum commitment, there is to financial risk.
Climate Challenge Fund
AN There was further discussion about how the School Council could get a Climate Challenge Fund application developed. Since this is likely to be a fairly time consuming activity, it was decided to hold an open meeting for parents to try and form a sub-group to take this forward. A date of 20th November was agreed.
Any other business
Class lists were updated during Parent Consultations. These are now being collated.
Electronic communications – a number of new parents have signed up to this. AC hopeful that distribution lists will be updated before the end of November.
End of meeting.
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