Sciennes Parent Council AGM 24 th September 2020

Agenda 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Welcome & apologies 2019 AGM minutes Amendment to constitution Treasurer’s report Group reports • • 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. EFG Clubs Comms Playground Football Eco Chess Head teacher’s report & school finances Appointment of office Bearers for 2020 -21 Appointment of year reps for 2020 -21 Appointment of members of the PC for 2020 -21 Connect sessions information

AGM 2019 Minutes

Treasurer’s report

Income for School Year 2019 -2020 Combined net income from Parent Council (PC) and Friends of Sciennes School Trust (FSS) events & activities: £ 21, 870 v £ 24, 389 Last Year Key fundraising activities: This Year Last Year Swimathon £ 9, 680 n/a Winter Fair £ 6, 685 £ 6, 500 Summer Fair £ 0 £ 5, 151 Easyfundraising £ 300 £ 850 Christmas Cards £ 1, 171 £ 1, 623 Uniform Sales £ 544 £ 642 Disco (P 6/7) £ 485 £ 174 T-Towels £ 485 £ 509 Badges £ 420 £ 304

Expenditure for School Year 2019 -2020 Expense Amount Gym Equipment inc basketball strips £ 3, 531 P 6 Cycling and cycle to school days £ 3, 855 Dance lessons (£ 1350) and tennis lessons (£ 183) £ 1, 533 Class packs £ 3, 098 Sand for playground £ 395 DVD disk drives (£ 487) and Room dividers (£ 500) £ 987 Play Equipment £ 892 Music Equipment £ 604 Supplies for home learning inc sumdog £ 4, 053 Nessy SFL resource £ 450

Group reports

Events & Fundraising Group Fran Armour

Progress over year Sciennes Events and Fundraising Group is a volunteer led group who, together with staff in our school, work to raise funds to provide our children with the best education possible. (Like a PTA) Since 2018 it has been led by Fran Armour, mum to Bella in P 7 A. Fran works in Fundraising and Development for charities. Fundraising Activity 19/20 Social events £ 485 Christmas Cards £ 1171 Tea Towels £ 485 Winter Fair £ 6685 Second Hand uniform sales £ 544 Badge sales £ 420 Easyfundraising £ 300 FSS - Swimathon £ 9, 680 Total Raised 2019/2020 £ 10, 090 2018/2019 £ 16, 332. 50 2017/18 £ 13, 267

Impacts on generating school funds 2019/2020 • Loss of summer fair income (est. £ 7, 000) • Loss of children’s social events • Amazon Smile introduced, drop in donations through Easyfundraising 2020/2021 • Restrictions as they stand will prevent a physical winter and summer fair • Sponsored events may need to be done remotely

Plans for 2020 - 21 • September: Sponsored events (e. g fun run, swimathon) • December: Christmas cards December: Primary 1 Tea Towels December: Online Winter Fair February: Social events for children March: September: Sponsored events (e. g fun run, swimathon) June: Summer Fair • • •

Ways you can help • • • Attend meetings Volunteer to run stalls/activities Approach companies for sponsorship/prizes Help with sponsored events Help with social events Generating ideas for new events The more people volunteer, the less time it takes

Thank you! It is incredibly rewarding to make a difference to what our school can offer our children as well as ensuring equality of opportunity for all in the school by subsidising trips, camps and social events. Thank you to all of the 2019/2020 volunteers and staff who made all of this possible this year. We are all proud of the pupils who participated too.

Clubs Janine Ridley

Progress & plans PROGRESS 2019/20 Last year we ran 20 clubs over the five days not including Active School Clubs. It was a very busy year and space was very tight. We also checked that all clubs had up to PVG’s and contact details. Catherine and Jill helped club leaders who needed to update or get new PVG’s for their staff. This year we have updated our webpage thanks to Emma and have advertised the online clubs that we will be running. We will include an explanation of why some clubs are not able to be run at this time. This term we are offering five clubs ranging from Creative Writing, Art, Music =, Spanish and A Young Artists Club. All of these clubs run online with no face to face contact in accordance with the latest Government Guidelines. PLANS 2020/21 Introducing some of our face to face clubs including music, drama, sewing and acappella. We may have to look at how other clubs will be able to run and the space that they require. Some clubs that have large numbers may have to change their format according to guidelines set out for us.

Communications Group Emma Kirk

Progress over year Class & Year Reps Promoted PC at open evening P 1 Welcome Pack Over 100 emails School badges

Plans 2020/21 Continued Comms School badge promo Anything else the School / PC needs help with Handover folder Website tidy

Playground Group Slim Gueddana

Progress 2019/20 In respect of the Safe & Serene to Sciennes project: • We discussed with Sustrans regarding their funding conditions, especially the 10% threshold of design cost compared to construction cost. We agreed a solution on the principle regarding this. However Sustrans are holding on releasing funding for our project as they are exploring overlap with the CEC’s 'Liveable Neighborhood' project in Marchmont and Sciennes. • The CEC has ongoing plans to install temporary infrastructure in the area as part of the Spaces for People programme to either limit or stop vehicular traffic. We have been engaged to input into these and raise concerns about the risks the current situation at drop off and pick up times poses on the health of children and parents. • We created a collaboration website that we are using for the moment to store the extensive documentation gathered during the previous funding applications and in preparation for the next phases of the project.

Plans 2020/21 • • Ensure engagement from CEC in respect of the Liveable Neighborhood and Spaces for People projects. Agree the specific funded costs with Sustrans Develop a funding plans for the remaining necessary activities Plan for more community engagement No Parent Council decisions needed at this stage • Funding, spending, and contracting with consultants approval at a later stage.

Football Club Gordon Stove

Progress 2019/20 • Strong player registration to 2019/2020 season, 201 total (127 boys, 74 girls). P 1 boys and girls did not get a chance to join unfortunately due to COVID-19 • Registration was on Jotforms link: https: //form. jotformeu. com/82212432425345 • For new 2020/2021 season, registration is via Parent. Pay • We expect similar numbers for the new season (post COVID-19 disruptions). • Players registration is beginning to grow again over past 2 seasons, especially for girls uptake in football • This season we have followed City of Edinburgh Council’s Ground maintenance team’s guidance on playability at our grass pitches at The Meadows. Daily updates are provided at https: //www. edinburghleisure. co. uk/sports-pitchesweekly-update • From 7 th Dec 2019 - 29 th Feb 2020, we played our winter training sessions at the University of Edinburgh’s Peffermill 5 -a-side all-weather pitches. We returned to The Meadows on 7 th Mar, but this was curtailed by the outbreak of COVID-19. Edinburgh City Council’s Education department has banned all school extracurricular activities until 31 st October 2020. Hopefully, we will be able to recommence football after the October break. This being the case, we will be playing at Peffermill all-weather pitches, which (unlike The Meadows) is outside the jurisdiction of the Council. • Unfortunately, all tournaments for season 2019/2020 were cancelled. We had to cancel our annual Sciennes Summer Cup girls competition on 30 th May 2020.

Chairman’s report • Thank you’s to club members & parent coaches • Highlights: • We sustained different coloured balls to distinguish each year group • We supported coaches with formal SFA coaching qualifications • We re-centralised the booking of winter lets and secured use of great facilities at Peffermill • We saved money from Pay. Pal charges and took registration payments directly into our Club bank account. • We continued a well-managed and prudent Spending Plan • We continued maintaining a Club Handbook to try to pass on the collective wisdom of Club to the next generation of coaches, year group representatives and Executive Committee members • We provided training tops for all new registered players from P 4 upwards • We have engaged a Football Club parent to help drive the PVG process with undisclosed coaches and to work with the Parent Council CPOs • We continued to maintain our Data Protection system and registration with Information Commissioners Office (ICO) • We had enjoyable Winter Fair event that generated some income • We created and launched our Club’s first website • And 201 kids played a lot of football every weekend.

Plans for 2020/21 • • • P 1 Boys & Girls football will start at The Meadows in March/April 2021. Our annual Sciennes Girls’ Spring/Summer Cup will be held on The Meadows in May 2021. Upcoming tournaments: • • • P 3 Boys are playing in 4 v 4 tournament at Forrester School. P 5, P 6 & P 7 boys will be playing in Soccer Sevens. P 4/5 & P 6/7 Girls will be playing in EPSSA. Large P 7 boys goals will be moved from the lower playground to the back gate to allow the school use the playground for further social distancing under COVID-19 situation. The Football Club’s Committee is as follows for the 2020/2021 season: • Merchandise and events: Robin Edgar (Merchandise@sciennesfc. co. uk) • • • Treasurer: Rob Stewart (treasurer@sciennesfc. co. uk) Secretary: Robin Mitchell (secretary@sciennesfc. co. uk) Chairperson: Gordon Stove (chairperson@sciennesfc. co. uk) Year Group Representative (P 2 Boys): George Turnbull Year Group Representative (P 3 Boys): Andy Manson Year Group Representative (P 4 Boys): Kevin Lake Year Group Representative (P 5 Boys): Grierson Dunlop Year Group Representative (P 6 Boys): Joe Griffin Year Group Representative (P 7 Boys): Francis Daunt Year Group Representative (P 2/3 Girls): Phil Boyle Year Group Representative (P 4/5 Girls): Euan Alexander Year Group Representative (P 6/7 Girls): Steve Mc. Cormick

Eco Group Kirstin Unger

Eco and Outdoor Learning Progress over last period and current status: Planting 2019/20: • P 1: planting of bulbs and spring flowers • P 2: Started potato chitting but unable to complete planting due to COVID • Willow den was rebuilt and has survived Leda Uberbacher and Sally Cowburn have led an amazing effort to transform the space at the back of the school to make it inviting for teachers and children, and have also tidied and pruned in the nature strip Outdoor learning 2019/20: • Concerned that the pit area around the cut tree has been closed off, reportedly for COVID, but with no necessity to do so at a time when space is a premium in the playground with it being split for year groups. • Mud kitchen delayed by COVID and need to find out if it can go ahead in COVID times. Also need to find out what the CEC plans for the ‘quiet area’ are now , there was talk of redesigning it by CEC. • Thank you to the school for the lovely tress house creation on the tree stump

Eco and Outdoor Learning Plans for next period: School have been emailed to see whether parents can come in to plant with children given that its an outdoor activity- waiting for guidance to begin planning. We propose activities with P 1, P 2, P 3 and P 5 in this academic year. If parents can’t help directly we would like to support teachers to plant winter flowering annuals with P 1’s by preparing the area and giving supplies/guidance P 2 teachers have signed up to grow potatoes with children in late spring/summer next year P 3 we would like to be able to plant this autumn- onions, garlic, etc to harvest next year, and potatoes next year since they missed out in P 2 Outdoor learning: No requests received from school/Mr Robertson for replacement equipment Equipment for fires etc is available but assume this is difficult with COVID There was some discussion about whether an outdoor classroom area would be helpful to the school with COVID, Gillespies PS are fundraising for a tent like structure

Eco and Outdoor Learning PC decisions needed: • Can PC review why part of the playground is blocked off with no obvious basis in infection control? • Would money be available in the coming year for plants/planting for children?

Chess Club

Headteacher’s report & school finances

Our focus Priorities from Last Session Last session the school worked on a number of school priorities. These included: • Play in Primary 1 • Home Learning (with tremendous support from the Parent Council throughout) • Reading approaches across the school • Reporting Some aspects of this work still need to be completed, due to school closing in March 2020, and will be worked on during this current school session 2020/2021 Priorities for Session 2020/2021 The school will be working on the following priorities this session: • Planning for Assessment in Literacy and Numeracy using Education Scotland Benchmarks • Digital Technologies • Equalities Strategy • Health and Wellbeing- Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood Education

COVID 19 We were delighted to be able to open in August 2020. We are very grateful to our staff for working very hard under taxing conditions but ensuring that school is as normal as possible for our children. On the whole children have settled into school life very well and our focus on Health and Wellbeing really helps with this. We are very grateful to all parents for their support with staggered start/finish times and helping to maintain physical distancing of 2 m. Caroline Mc. Kellar from the Parent Council has been liaising with the City of Edinburgh Council to get Sciennes Road in front of the school temporarily closed and this has now happened. We are very grateful to Caroline for her tenacity and perseverance to help ensure our children and parents can be as safe as possible. Our children are in class bubbles during the day in school and are in stage bubbles at breaks. We have zoned the playground into sections making use of the Nature Strip and at lunchtime the Meadows. We have three breaks and three lunches. The CEC currently is not permitting us to use the sand area, so this is closed off. As soon as this advice changes, we will open it. Children eat lunch in the classrooms. Tables are washed before and after lunch. Staff are positioned around the school to supervise classes whilst eating with each supervisor having a few classes to look after. Everyone in the Leadership team is on duty supervising breaks and lunches every day to support this. We are sorry that we cannot have any parent helpers at the moment. However, Emma Kirk from the Parent Council made a great suggestion that parents could make a video to support learning in class. Classes study areas of the curriculum in which parents may have a specialist knowledge. . e. g. a vet when we are studying caring for animals. Parents could give their talk via video. Teachers will put out requests via class reps when required. We really hope that outdoor helpers will be allowed soon and if so, we will let you know. Extra-curricular activities run through the Parent Council are currently not permitted by the Council. Again, when advice changes, we will let you know. Children will receive Homework week commencing 28 September. This will be a Teams/Seesaw assignment and the initial focus will be to practise logging in and accessing Teams/See. Saw. We will build on this as the weeks progress. We intend holding virtual parent consultations week commencing 9 November. Depending on various factors this will likely either be on Teams or by telephone.

Thank you to the Parent Council The school would like to formally thank the Parent Council for their support to our families and the school prior to, during and after Lockdown. L-J (chair) and Morven (vice chair) liaised regularly with the school and Emma (Communications) cheered us all up with the weekly activities and the amazing Scarecrow Trail. Their support in helping us reopen and in supporting families continues each day. We also want to thank all the Office Bearers, the Class Reps and those parents who come along to the meetings to represent all families in the Parent Forum. Our Parent Council is excellent and we are grateful for all they do for our school and community. We are so lucky to have such an interested and supportive parent body. We would like to pass on our genuine thanks from all the staff and children at Sciennes.

Appointment of office bearers

Appointment of year reps and members of the PC

AOCB