St. Benedict's Parent Teacher Association

St Benedicts Catholic High School PTA AGM

PTA Minutes October 2009

The PTA is a vital organisation which works hard to improve the educational provision for our pupils as well as providing a sounding board for matters in relation to the school's future development.

It is appreciated that parents joining the PTA may only be able to give a limited commitment or just act as a helper on an occasional basis. Any assistance is welcome to spread the load.

The PTA meets on the first Tuesday of every month, within term time, 7pm in the Meeting Room next to the Staff Room.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT

Please come along a warm friendly welcome awaits you.

Our E-mail is pta@st-benedicts.cumbria.sch.uk

St Benedict's Catholic High School PTA AGM 2008

Present: Jo Ross, Jacqueline Atkinson, Audrey Agnew, Christine Farrer, Lynn Woods, Sue Bradley, June Stothers, Diane Mulhatton, Sue Young, Maria Haley, Mary McCormack, Ann Brook, Karen MacKay, Natalie Hannan, Theresa Johnston, Karen Bell, Claire Lucas, Helen Barlow, Ann Brook, Anna Lawler 

Apologies: Emily Mason, Mary Lowrey, Miriam McAllister, Margaret Beck

Ann Brook agreed to chair the meeting. She introduced all the staff present.

Nominations were taken for the 2008-09 committee of the PTA and agreement was reached on the following:

Chair:                          Emily Mason

Vice Chair:                  Karen MacKay * nominated at end of meeting

Treasurer:                   Nicola Styles

Secretary:                   Helen Barlow

Vice Secretary:           Claire Lucas

Thank you to all outgoing committee members for their contribution over the last year and also sincere thanks from Ann Brook and staff.

Treasurer's Report:

The accounts have been audited.  They were better than last year even though more money had been spent in the last 12 months on the children because of the transfer of profit from 200 club accounts. £3263.28 remains in the bank with a profit of £1676.84.

200 Club:

A profit of £351 has been made in spite of selling fewer tickets. This has been as a result of not redrawing each month where a number has not been sold, as had been previously agreed, and showing this on the termly newsletter to try to attract people to purchase more tickets. Ann Brook proposed a big thank you to Miriam for continuing with the 200 Club.

Matters Arising From Last Meeting:

The building work on the science lab should be completed by 11^th October, D&T looking at half term.  PTA will have a tour when work completed.

Cashless Dining: Mary Lowrey went to see how the pilot worked at St Joseph's where they have had slight problems which were soon ironed out. St Benedict's hope to have the new system running by April 09, using pupils' thumbprints linked to a computer database.  This should assist in getting the children through for their dinner quicker and less queues. Staff will also be able to use the system.

Drinks:  New regime started 15^th September.  Good positive support from parents.

Dates for Diaries:

Wednesday 15^th October - Talent Show Help: Karen Bell, Karen MacKay, Janet Farrer, Maria Hayley, Jo Ross, Emily Mason (?)

Parents Evenings:

Year 10:           6^th November              Karen McKay/Jo Ross

Year 13:           19^th November                       Janet Farrer, Maria Hayley, Karen Bell

Year 7:             2^nd December             Nicola Styles, Karen McKay, Jo Ross, Mary McCormack

More volunteers are needed to help on 19^th November & 2 December & this will be discussed at next meeting.

Fund Raising:

Race Night - ok to proceed with this (agreement given by school). Jo to see if possible to use the Catholic Club and discuss at next meeting

Car Boot Richard ok with 6^th December.  Need to discuss and organise at next meeting. Reminder: It was previously agreed that people who had stalls last time will get half price ones this time!  Karen Mc agreed to do posters and Emily newspaper ads (prov).

Advertise in school nearer the time. Need to find a home for the car boot ‘goodies'.

Pub Quiz - Mark Pike agreed to host another after Christmas.

Tombola - investigated and purchasing a machine is expensive.  Suggestion made could the engineering department design and make a tombola roller machine - Mr Williams to investigate.

Rock Challenge - check with Nicola Skillen on the fundraising for this. It had previously been agreed that students could sell raffle tickets at parent's evenings & PTA donate raffle prizes.

Sailing Club - Yacht:

Photos and DVD to be seen at next meeting.

Cups & Saucers:

As only 34 saucers and 16 cups were available at the last parent evening (from an original 120), it was agreed to purchase 120 mugs with the school name on. Karen McKay will investigate cost etc. and discuss at November meeting.

Exam Syllabus:

Three subjects: Science, Geography and Languages are now on the website. Details of other subjects will follow as soon as finalised.

Second Hand Books:

Review at next meeting.  Possibly refer to the 6^th form Council.

Traffic:

This, as ever, is a massive problem & a letter has been sent to all parents. The police have been asked to do community checks.  Governors are taking the situation up with the local council to discuss one way/speed bumps for road outside school.  St James' did a campaign with leaflets and this may be useful.  Discuss at next meeting.  HB will speak to someone she knows from the Hensingham Neighbourhood Forum.

School Buses:

A couple of times the St Bees children have been left at school when their bus has not turned up. Mary Lowrey will be asked to investigate. Last incident occurred on 1^st October.

Mark Condron Memorial:

Bursaries, samba drums, electric keyboard discussed.  HB chaired this section.  Discussion was centred on a special Mark Condron Award possibly for something different each year. This will be discussed again at next meeting, along with possibility of purchasing an electric keyboard for the hall. Estimated costs for this to be given at next meeting - Ann Brook to investigate.

The above to be discussed with School Council members.

It was also suggested that a Roll of Honour Board for these awards plus Head Girl and Head Boy each year, to be displayed outside the office area.

AOB:

Miriam donated £10 gift card for Tesco as a thank you for the school letting the playing field be used for Childminders tots Olympics day.  This was donated to the PTA - thanks to Miriam.

Meeting closed at 8.10 pm.

Date of Next Meeting: 12^th November at 7 pm.

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St Benedict's PTA meeting 4 March 2009

Present: Emily Mason, Nicola Styles, Helen Barlow, Mary McCormack, Mary Bennet, Theresa Johnston & Karen MacKay

Apologies: Anna Lawler, Ann Brook, Natalie Hannan, & Elaine McQuire

Minutes of last meeting & Matters Arising:

Discussed exams situation & issues with power failure in school occurring more frequently, causing disruption in various parts of school. Staff remain concerned about the potential impact on students & if parents have concerns with any exam issue they can write in to Head, Ann Brook.

SEAL: Helen Earle who is in charge of positive behaviour in LEA has discussed proposals in school & it has been agreed that there will be a SEAL stall during Year 6 parents open evening as well as PTA stall & others. Volunteers will be asked for contribution nearer time.

PAL: Theresa going to Hexham to find out more about PAL & the ability school has to analyse results prior to committing funding.

Bingo: Maria Hayley & June Stothers will be approached for bookings. If any PTA members have appropriate tombola & raffle prize donations they can be given to school.

Games: Thanks given to Anna Lawler for her offer of games suitable for school. Any games from parents will be gratefully received, such as 4 in a row, dominoes, Guess Who, Chess, etc.

Study Support: Congratulations to Paul Charlton on his hard work & recognition to all involved in school, including Karen MacKay who represented parents & PTA during the recent presentations when St Benedict's was awarded Advanced Status in Study Support. This is a prestigious national award & recognises that St Benedict's is at the Leading Edge of extra curricular activity, and is one of only 30 or so institutions to achieve this level.

Year 9 Parents Evening: Many thanks to Elaine McQuire who provided refreshments on her own that evening. It must be noted that under 16s are not allowed in the kitchen but are able to help by pouring juice at the entrance hatch.

Year 8 Parents evening on 11 March; Nicola, Emily & Karen to serve refreshments, Helen & Theresa to man front of house Fit for Mission stall, & sell raffle tickets. Half the raffle proceeds will be for Mark Condron memorial & 1/2 for PTA funds. It was noted that PTA have donated initial £250 plus raffle funding of almost £120 to memorial fund. Theresa will speak to Mr Williams regarding the format of forms that parents sign on entry to ask if question re future timing of evenings is permitted.

Year 7 Parents Evening: Some parents had found their first experience of parents evenings difficult due to the large intake, & there were concerns as to student privacy & incidents where confidentiality could be breeched as other parents were in close proximity. It was suggested again that the space used be increased to include ISC &/or 6^th form. PTA members asked if school could reintroduce early year Mentoring Evenings, particularly for Years 7 & 10 as the Key Stage changes.

Uniform Nights: Dates were confirmed as 8 & 9 July & it is hoped that Uniform might be displayed during the Year 6 parents Evening.

200 Club:
1  186  A Nixon, c/o J Mann

2  138  Unsold

3  134  Mr Williams - Deputy Head

Dates For Diaries:

6^th Form Achievement Evening on 21st April for existing Years 13 & last year's leavers. Helen to order 200 glasses & Karen to check current wine & juice stock. Theresa, Mary Bennet, Emily & Karen to help from 18.00.

Next Meeting confirmed as 6^th May, but the offer of Fairtrade supply by Mr Skillen was declined as PTA already use Fairtrade products after promotion by Anna Lawler of the benefits & tasting. It was suggested that he also attend Year 6 open evening instead.

Governors: A copy of the last meeting's minutes has been printed & left for John McCoy's attention.

Quiz: A Year 7 parent has kindly offered to prepare a quiz, watermarked & numbered sheets for which will be sold in school. The first will be towards end of summer term promoted at Uniform Nights

Quiz Night: Mark has been busy with his Head of Year 11 responsibilities but we are hoping that he will run another in late June/early July for PTA. May agenda item

Funding Request: Year 11 prom committee have approached PTA with request for funding. It was agreed that we would continue to match fund or provide raffle prizes if required, however it was important that PTA understood what their contribution would actually be used for.

Future Proms: PTA are very keen to continue the Fairtrade & ethical thinking in school & would like to encourage future Years 11 to consider the best location, food & transport issues & cost implications of these events as well as the policy of inclusiveness, as indications are that the costs involved of ticket, clothes & accessories is becoming excessive & one that many parents are privately finding increasingly difficult.

St Benedict's PTA May 09

Present: Mary McCormack, Jo Ross, Karen MacKay, Nicola Styles, Natalie Hannan, Ann Brook (Head), Emily Mason (Chair), Mary Bennett, Mark Pike, Karen Bell & Helen Barlow

Apologies: Anna Lawler, Elaine McGuire, Clare Lucas, Ian Williams (Deputy Head) & Theresa Johnston

Matters Arising:

Bingo- requested June Stothers try for earliest possible date

Parents Evening - later agenda item

Mentoring Evening- These are being considered for reintroduction across all year groups for early contact between parent, student & tutor. It was noted that it is not legal to permit a staggered intake, if student loses out on 1 or more days education, or to have 10 minute appointment with tutor in lieu of full days schooling.

Uniform Night: Note that skirts sold must be of 'appropriate' length - Agenda June

Achievement Evening- Year 13 & leavers enjoyed excellent evening & buffet,

Year 11 Prom:

Mark Pike spoke to PTA about fundraising activities for the Prom due to be held at Broughton Craggs with a disco & buffet plus transport. The Prom is eagerly awaited but Heads of Year always consider the attendance & performance of students prior to permitting anyone to attend the event.

There will also be a Year Book which is given to all students in the year they leave school.

After much discussion it was agreed that the PTA would partly fund the Year Book - 50p per copy per child, as this was the most inclusive way of benefitting all students of the year group & reduced the link to funding requests for future Proms.

Current Year 11s have agreed that any balance of funding held by Prom Committee will be donated to Next Years group to start their fundraising campaign.

Quiz Night:

Event discussed & needs promotion amongst staff & 6^th formers with a list held in school of teams as well as the wider PTA members. The proposed venues are either Sunny Hill or Golf Club on either 25 June or 15 July. Raffle prizes will be required & donations can be sent to school office for Karen MacKay. Final details will be decided in June - Agenda.

Parents Evening:

A very high percentage of parents who attended the year 8 parents evening completed the school evaluation forms. However there was no clear direction for holding evenings at either 3.30 - 6.30 or 6.30-late. Staff have been consulted & 98% would like the earlier option. The Senior Management Team will continue to discuss the best approach, including timing during day, timing during school year & method of booking as well as increasing the locations in school, balancing the need for privacy of information with staff safety.

Modular Exam Results:

Many students take exams regularly through years 10 & 11, with results given as raw scores which school then converts to a grade, which is totalled at end of course & result awarded.

Quiz Sheet:

An annual quiz will be sold to students across school, including at Uniform Night, Year 6 Parents open night, staff room, governors & 6^th form. Sheets cost £1 & will be available after 1/2 term with a deadline of 15.00 on 15 July.

End of Year Newsletter: Slightly revised PTA details agreed

200 Club:
   April                                                      May

1 101 David c/o John Mann                   38 -Unsold

2 166 Ann Brook                                  159-Unsold

3    6 Janet Farrer                                  70 Sam Fletcher

Insurance: Cover due for renewal- details to Treasurer.

Dates for diaries - Exam season Agenda June

Teachers:

So far it is only known that Mr Lupton, Director of Engineering, is leaving after more than 30 years at St Benedict's. It was agreed that PTA would give him vouchers from PTA, rather than cheque into school gift.

Heads Report:

Exams are taking precedence in school, cashless dining still being considered & school should achieve Governments target for nutrition standards by September.

All new classrooms are being used with further 3 planned to replace temporary rooms.

2009 Year 7 entry is 226 (8 forms) & this number is planned for future years.

School has won an IAG award for careers opportunities guidance for years 7 onwards. Moodle planits gives more advice accessible off site & this will be extended to give all students an Individual Learning Plan by 2010.

Fairtrade & eco friendly activities are ongoing

School working towards an award for International links & the Tanzanian Link will be rebuilt.

AOB

Year 11s can start working full time on Monday following last Friday in June when they officially leave school.

Role of PTA needs to be defined as the numbers of parents participating & offering help has reduced recently. June Agenda to discuss way forward.

Helen Barlow confirmed she is stepping down from committee & therefore new secretary will be needed from September.

Next meeting June 3 at 19.00

Apologies: Mary Bennett

St Benedict's PTA June 09

Present: Mary McCormick, Jo Ross, Karen MacKay, Nicola Styles, Natalie Hannan, Ann Brook (Head), Ian Williams, (Deputy Head), Emily Mason (Chair), Karen Bell, Theresa Johnston, Mary Lowrey (minutes)

Apologies: Anna Lawler, Elaine McGuire, Helen Barlow, Mary Bennett

Matters Arising:

Uniform Night: 8^th July (girls) and 9^th July (boys). It was agreed that PTA would focus on Year 6 induction evening rather than supporting the uniform sales.  The PowerPoint presentation was very successful last time and it was agreed to repeat this.

Quiz Night:

Sunny Hill pub has closed down and the Golf Club wanted a large deposit. We therefore agreed to hold the quiz in the school on 15 July 2009.  Tickets will be £2 and we will invite guests to bring their own drinks. PTA will provide nibbles and Emily will arrange for glass hire. Raffle prizes are welcomed. Emily to invite representatives from primary feeders & current PTA to enter a team to try and build an early relationship with potential new supporters.

Quiz Sheet:

Quiz sheets are now ready and are available from Karen Mackay. Cost £1 with £50 first prize (winner, if more than one correct entry, will be drawn at random). Will be sold at Year 6 evening. Will also be sold at lunchtimes to staff and students by Karen M, Theresa, Natalie and kitchen staff.

Year 6 Induction evening:

The new date for the induction is 23 June 2009 6-8pm. There will be a new "Market Place" format with various stands with information available. The PTA will have a stand - Emily, Jo, Nicola, Karen M and Karen B have volunteered for this, but more volunteers welcome. We will use this session to promote the quiz sheet, the quiz night and the 200 Club and also offer advice and guidance to our new students and their parents. It is possible that we may have some Year 7 students to assist us with obtaining contact data from these parents. Mr Williams to investigate.

We also discussed the opportunity to deliver 200 club flyers to the primary feeders. Karen M to organise.

Parent's Evenings

Mrs Brook reported that the programme for parent's evenings is under review.

Heads Report:

Mrs Brook reported that 3 new classrooms are underway and are due for completion by September 2009.

The examination season is now well under way and running successfully.

St. Benedict's has been awarded the "Leading Aspect Award" today which is a great accomplishment.  This will be in the national press at the end of June.

The Lectern for Mark Condron should be finished in July and it is hoped that the piano will also be available.  A Mass is planned in school on 10^th July and invitations will be sent to St. Joseph's School, Year 13 pupils, governors and Mrs Condron and family

Mr Williams reported that in conjunction with Cumbria Constabulary through the "Safer Schools Project" a police officer will be attached to the school for 2 days per week from September.  This is potentially sensitive issue and a press release will be issued by the Constabulary regarding this.  This is a joint project with Whitehaven School and a community venture to promote safer schools. This will be an extension of existing work with the social inclusion group.  It is important that this venture is viewed as a team initiative, with role models, respect and citizenship responsibilities.  The WPC will also be present at the Year 6 induction evening.

Future Role of the PTA

It was agreed that the PTA needs a focus for fundraising and we have identified some priorities:-

•·         New chapel in school - refurbish the current chapel including an outside "quiet" space

•·         Reading areas - comfortable, quiet areas for reading and providing additional reading material to boost the library

•·         Eco group have requested a wildlife and vegetable garden

•·         Additional seating in and around school

It was suggested and agreed that we should invite guest speakers to promote more parental involvement with the PTA, possibly begin with the Safer Schools Police Officer.  If anyone would like to find out more about what is happening in school, let us know and we will arrange a session.

It was agreed to promote the PTA as a mentoring support team, particularly to new parents in Year 7 but also to support parents throughout their school life.  More use of PTA members in front of house area at parent's evenings etc. rather than providing refreshments. This would enable us to be more visible to the school community and promote our fundraising activities

The PTA section in the newsletter needs a revamp - as does our whole look. Consideration is to be given to changing the name of the group and will be voted on at the AGM in October - perhaps "Friends of".......any other ideas?  Emily to contact Mandy Pattinson with new text for the newsletter along the lines of "We are changing the face of the PTA - Watch this space".

200 Club:
June

1^st         Mr I Williams

2^nd        Unsold

3^rd         Unsold

AOB

Suggestions were made to Mrs Brook to remove the requirement to wear blazers during the hot summer months.  Mrs Brook will take this to the Senior Management Team for discussion.

Next meeting 1 July 2009 at 19.00

Apologies: Karen Mackay, Karen Bell

St Benedict's PTA Wednesday 9th September 2009

Present: Emily Mason, Nicola Styles, Karen MacKay, Teresa Johnston, Mary McCormick, Mary Bennett, Karen Bell, Ann Brook

Apologies: Mary Lowery, Helen Barlow

Minutes of last Meeting: Agreed as a true record

•1.      Fundraising:

Ideas for future events were discussed - some new ideas were put forward by Karen B for fundraising events:-

• NEW - Donate a Plant
• NEW - Fashion show - Karen M to get more details possible event for Spring term
• NEW - Curry night
• Christmas quiz night to be held on Tuesday 8^th December 09 Karen M to speak to Mark Pike.
• Bingo for kids sometime in November - Karen M to speak to Brad about a date.
• Kell's Bingo to be done in the new year  - Mary M to get a date.

Proceeds of fundraising in the short term will be aimed at funding entertainment and social aspects e.g. School radio, Rock Challenge and possible School Production.

•2.          PTA Make over:

Discussions were held around the following which would help towards giving a new image for the PTA and a group that not only encompasses just parents and teachers.   

• New Name - New names to suggested and then voted on
• New day for future meetings - Meetings will now be on the first Tuesday in the month at 7.00pm
• Attracting new members - target new intake evenings and also progress review evenings and Governors -  Mary M to do a note

•3.       200 Club:

August                                                

1) 132             Unsold

2) 91               Suzanne Horner

3) 74               Unsold

•4.     Dates for Diaries:

Tuesday 20^th October AGM in the ISC

Tuesday 15^th December Christmas Carol Service 

Next meeting Tuesday 6^th October 2009

St Benedict's PTA Tuesday 6th October 2009

Present: Emily Mason, Nicola Styles, Karen MacKay, Teresa Johnston, Mary McCormick, Mary Bennett, Karen Bell, Rosemary Ronaldson, Joanne Ross, Elaine McQuire

Apologies: Mary Lowery, Ann Brook, Ian Williams, Natalie Hannon, Helen Barlow, June Stothers, Diane Mulhatton,  Sue Bradley

Minutes of last Meeting: Minutes from the meeting held on Wednesday 9^th September agreed as a true record.

•1.      Fundraising:

• Absolute Beauty would run a pamper evening for us - suggestion was to do this in conjunction with the Fashion Show in the summer term.
• Fashion show - Karen B to get more details will try and run this in the Summer term
• Date for Christmas quiz night confirmed as Tuesday 8^th December 09
• Bingo for kids - Karen M to confirm date Thursday 3^rd December.  We will need bingo books, prizes 8 Teachers to man the doors + PTA to maintain required ratios.  Avril will be needed on site.  Tickets to be sold for the event - suggested that was done by the Radio team - tickets to be numbered and a list of tickets sold to be made.  Posters need to say what the costs are.   
• Kell's Bingo to be on 26^th April - Pre meeting will be held on 20^th April to sort out prizes.  We need the following:-

16 x £5.00 prizes

13 x £10.00 prizes

3- 5 raffle prizes

2 x door prizes - Wine

2 x Lucky Books - Wine

3 x Envelopes - need 1 x £25 - £35

Emily to contact Mandy to see if we can ask for prizes via the school newsletter.

•·           Helen spoke to Ricky from Zest about the possibility of doing a food demo - aimed at the 6^th Form and perhaps the kitchen staff.  He would provide his services for free as a community service but needs as much notice as possible. Suggested that any money raised would go to the Pensioners Christmas Party fund.

•·           Quiz sheets that were sold in and around school raised £127.00 the winner was Lydia Rowell.

•2.          PTA Make over:

New Name - Still only had one suggestion some names were thrown in.

Benedict's Buddies

Team Benedict

Community Group

The Benedictines

Name to be voted on at the AGM

Attracting new members - we had no brand new members despite targeting several year groups.  Only other method for recruitment that was suggested was texting parents.

•3.       200 Club:

No numbers drawn - draw to be made at the AGM.

•4.     Dates for Diaries:

Tuesday 20^th October AGM in the ISC

Thursday 3^rd December Kids Christmas Bingo

Tuesday 15^th December Christmas Carol Service 

Next meeting - AGM Tuesday 20^th October 2009

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