The first Parent Forum of the 2008-9 session was held in Peebles High School's Assembly Hall on Tuesday 9th September. The forum was aimed at addressing concerns of S1 parents and it was also hoped to recruit some S1 parents for the Parent Council.
To give an insight into the early S1 experience, six S1 pupils were asked to give a few words on how the felt after several weeks at the High School. In addition, as usual, any points raised by parents in other year groups were also addressed.
Around
20 parents attended, mostly, but not exclusively S1 parents. Points raised by
the parents included lockers,
buses, sports facilities, homework, and the Transforming Children's Services
process and communication with the school.
Lockers: There was some concern about the length of time it was taking to issue lockers to the S1 pupils but the Rector explained that this was happening as soon as possible, starting with reorganising the older year groups and moving down till lockers were available for S1.
Buses Concern was expressed about bad behaviour on some of the buses. The Rector explained the procedure for making formal complaints bus monitors and driver should report such incidents to the school and the procedure for pupils and parents to contact school with complaints and issues explained.
Homework: As to homework, some parents felt that very little work was being taken home and they wondered how to check what was being issued so that they could supervise especially when a child had been absent, e.g. while ill or for other reasons.
S3 Choices: A query relating to the S3 course choice process for S2 was brought up. Both parents and pupils were aware that the time for choosing was approaching and little information has so far been given to S2 pupils. John explained the initial led pupil choice process which is used by staff to draw up likely timetabling groups, is followed by the formal choice process in which pupils make their choices in conjunction with their parents. The Rector agreed that better communication on this might be helpful.
Transforming Childrens Services this project was briefly discussed and a meeting on the topic to be held highlighting meeting on 18th September at the High School highlighted.
Sports facilities was discussion on issue of sports facilities, especially the impact of limited time available when pupils have to walk to the Gytes. and The Rector summarised the difficulties with current sports facilities and John outliened plans for seeking Commonwealth games legacy funding for facilities at the school.