At the parent council AGM June 15, 2022, our chair of the last two years, Jason O’Flynn, ended his term of office. We thank Jason for all his hard work, particularly during lockdown, when the parent council had to adapt very rapidly to operating remotely. Here is Jason’s chair’s report for the school year just past.
Chair Report Breadalbane Academy June 2022 – Jason O’Flynn
As we approach the end of the academic year, on behalf of the parent council I want to express thanks to all the staff at the school. We sincerely appreciate your hard work during this challenging year of transition. From unimaginable restrictions to relative normality at Breadalbane Academy – the journey has been a difficult one. We should never forget those who worked on the front line during the pandemic in such difficult circumstances. I’d like to give special mention to our head teacher John Devine and depute Karen Gatehouse who worked to engage and support the parent council and lead the school.
Secondly, I wish to thank the parent council team: Karl Wright, Vice Chair; Gill Steele, Secretary; El Laurie, Social Media and comms; Jane Carmichael, ASN; Shannon Mulholland, treasurer, and the many parents who regularly share perspectives on school matters. You have all helped to create a space which is a pleasure to work in.
We meet every month and do our best to address and represent parental concerns. The issues arising are many and varied – the primary school playground; behaviour on school buses; transgender guidance; smoking, vaping and energy drinks; school meals; exams post pandemic; the welcome of Ukraninian families and their children.
The team take time out to discuss all these issues and more. It’s worth reviewing the minutes of meetings throughout the year to see the good work of our volunteer parents – http://www.breadalbaneparents.com/meeting-minutes/ For all our differences, we strive to the same goal – namely, a school environment where our children can meet their potential academically but also study in a place that is sensitive to their wellbeing.
To this end the parent council has worked with the school to give an enhanced spotlight on mental health, wellbeing and bullying with parent sub-groups addressing these areas. These are perennial issues at all schools but we should never be complacent. Perhaps one of our greatest priorities is to safeguard our children’s wellbeing, especially given the levels of disruption they have experienced in recent years.
The parent council’s finances are in great shape and the PC has been successful in fundraising and supporting projects in many areas, for example:
- £2500 raised for the school biodiversity project
- £80,000 raised for the primary school playground
- £3000 raised for the school hardship/travel fund
- £250 paid to support from the PC’s ‘fundraising and opportunities group’ to the English Dept for ‘Room2Dream’ cross school work producing spoken work pieces around the theme of home
- ASN £1000 grant received from Arnold Clark
I wish the new team all the best and encourage all parents to get involved. Any parent wanting to join the team please get in touch by email – chairperson@breadalbaneparents.com