Meeting:
MEETING MINUTES
British Primary Council Meeting
Date:
Thursday 14th March 2019 Large Conference Room, EPC
Duncan Millward(DM), Aidan Stallwood(AS) Present:
Charlotte Hsu(CH), Emily Rogers(ER), Emma Unsworth(EU), Ed Swift(ES), Jeni Wong(JW), Michael Norris(MN), Phil Doyle(PD)
Location:
Apologies:
David Gatley(DG), Elizabeth Bottomley-Chang(EBC)
Minutes produced by:
CC.: Minutes Point
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Actions or solution
Item Previous Minutes (Matters arising) ● Survey: DG surveyed the newsletter, there was some feedback from some parents, there was some fill out problems, the survey issue will be sent to Dr. Holmes definitely. ES: Do they have any way to ensure that people did not double survey? There was a discussion about the survey completion problems. DM explained that these had been passed to Dr Stephen Holmes. Head’s report(DM): DM went through a summary of the Head’s Report: the link to this report is here: March 2019 Head’s Report ● Summary There is an advertisement for the position of Educational Psychologist on the web site and Search Associates. It’s a difficult position to fill, but the school is keen to appoint. Y6 Kenting residential trip and Y5 Camps: the students had a great time. A question was made in regards to the quality of photos from each week. The Twitter accounts are an added extra for parents so teachers do their Page 1 of 5
Lena Hsu
Responsible Deadline
best to post photos, however the first priority is the safety and experience of the students. This information will be passed on as part of the feedback and review process. The parent teacher meeting email going out has confused parents which day is off school: 2nd April is non school day, but some parents are not aware of it. DM: A notice will go in the newsletter this week to confirm the information Laptops: we had lots of conversation about laptops recently. we will make the decision soon. ES: Do the vendors provide an educational discount for the school laptops? DM: Yes, they did provide some discount, but not heavy. The traffic guard: we now have traffic guard on the Wenchang bridge crossing so the road is better in regards to safety. The government have been to visit school and they watch the morning crossing / drop off, look at the zone, signs, and so the conversation has been started. Mr Gatley will continue the conversation to change things around our school area to make it safer for children.
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DM to inform CG who is responsible for residential trips
DM/ CG
15/03/2019
Add a notice to the newsletter to confirm details
DM
15/03/2019
Discussion items: ● Positions open for recruitment (more people leaving this year than last however no concern as this occurs in an international context) ● Recruitment powerpoint was shared by DM ● Enrollment for 2019-2020 ○ TES has set enrollment number as part of a strategic move to reduce the number of students across both campuses, but particularly for the number of students in ESC. ○ The current 7 form entry at EPC ( 4 BPS, 2 FS, 1 GS) will be reduced to 5 form entry going to ESC. This will occur over the Page 2 of 5
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next 2-3 years, and will have an impact in Year 5 and 6 particularly for BPS. BPS will remain 4 form entry but with normal leavers numbers will move to an equivalent number of students as 3 BPS classes going to ESC. ○ Current budget for 2018-2019 was set at 697, and then reduced to 670. ○ Current numbers for BPS is 676, and this number has been constant for the academic year. Enrollment for 2019-202: Budgeted number = 650 BPS Fees, 2019-2020 - DM shared the allocated revenue for 2019-2020. Comments were raised in regards to the concerns raised by the FS in regards to paying higher fees, This is being discussed in the community. BPS Budget: Revenue (DM reviewed the actual revenue 2017-2018, budget 2018-2019, and forecast 2018-2019, and budget 2019-2020) BPS Budget: Expenses (DM summary the actual expense 2017-2018, budget 2018-2019, forecast 2018-2019, budget 2019-2020) MN: the difference of the figures from budget 2018-2019 vs forecast 2018-2019? ○ 2% carry forward: can be used in next year (use it or lose it) ○ 2019-2020 Budget Implications: Personnel additional roles were sought for 2019-2020 ○ Second counselor - NOT IN Budget ○ CLC learning assistants - NOT IN Budget ○ Learning Assistant for music - NOT in Budget ○ Learning Assistant for PE - NOT in Budget ○ Additional CLC teacher for Reception - APPROVED DM shared that this is the first year this plan been introduced, it’s still conservative to make sure it’s not dramatically dropped. It’s in discussion with Board and the new strategic plan that is being created in Page 3 of 5
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conjunction with Dr Stephen Holmes. ER: We start from 650, another intake move on, so another five families arrive, they are not gonna be told full… DM: No - the new set-up allows for additional spaces for families arriving from priority admissions categories e.g. European passport holders. Members had a discussion on the budget on student numbers and if teaching position will be reduced. DM acknowledged that currently TES is working to ensuring no job losses. Next year will see the same staffing structure. Personnel: ○ Temporary and Supply accounts for funds needed when staff are absent sick, on leave or on PD - amount will remain the same as 2018-2019. ○ INSET account for funds required for professional development amount will remain the same as 2018-2019 Curriculum ○ Budget remains the same as 2018-2019 - with 650 students the ratio per student will be higher Budget Timeline: TES and BPS (CEO: David Gatley and CAO: Ms. Joyce Tsao is the one pass the budget to be approved by the Board of Directors) ○ March: TES common Room Budgets ○ March: Present BPS budget to CEO and CFO (it’s been sent to CEO) ○ April: Budget Approved
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CEO’s Report: (DM sent the members the copy about the procedures of the Parent Council, and how the Council works. If the members have any suggestions or comments, please refer to Mr. Gatley. Mr. Gatley would like to run this across all sections including British Primary and British Secondary and High School. British Councils - Statement and Guidelines ●
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AOB: ●
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Changes to current format; ○ 2 year term for all members - teachers and parents ○ Parents can nominate themselves - interview process with CEO, Head, one parent council member and one teacher council member (Mr. Gatley will ensure this process is transparent). ○ Teachers can nominate themselves - one from each area of school (FS&KS1, KS2, Specialists, EAL) - each teaching staff member can vote for one nominee from each group. Members had a discussion about the qualification of the member candidates (ES: Do you have to have a child in the British Section Primary Council? DM: It should say parents should have a member in the section. )
Parent Council Meeting Timing ○ Currently at 6:30pm ○ Move to 3:30pm - as soon as possible
Make adjustment in the procedures in regards to each parent member must have a child in the section for the two year term.
DM
25 March 2019
Parent Council members to email DM if there are any concerns regarding this.
Parent Council
March 2019
Meeting finishes at 8:00pm
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