AGM 19th August

On 19th August the parent council held the AGM in the school.

It was a good opportunity to reflect on the past year, what we have achieved as a parent council and how we can continue to work alongside Mr Morrow and the team to be a link between the school and the parents.

We have had a busy year of activities and events, including Halloween disco, Christmas Fayre and campaigning, as well as raising funds for the school and contributing to activities such as the panto visit in December.

A big thank you to everyone who has contributed in any way over the last 12 months whether that is helping at events, buying raffle tickets or giving up your time baking or in any other way. The parent council would not run without the support of parents, carers and extended family of the children.

As is usual at the AGM nominations of Office Bearers took place and as of tonight the office bearers will be -

• Chair person - Catherine Tate

• Secretary - Natalie Morgan

• Treasurer - John Bitten O’Prey

Dates of the parent council meetings for the 2024/25 school year are -

• 3rd October 2024 @ 6.30pm

• 14th November 2024 @ 6.30pm

• 23rd January 2024 @ 6.30pm

• 13th March 2024 @ 6.30pm

• 8th May 2024 @ 6.30pm

P1 Welcome Packs

The Parent Council for a number of years have made little welcome packs for our new P1s on their first day. 

The contents change from year to year but we hope they are a positive welcome to all our new kids. 

This year there was:

• rainbow pencil - Everyone is welcome and make a wonderful mix

• ruler - Every step, no matter how small, is a step forward

• sharpener - Be ready to learn

• smiley sticker - Have a happy memory

• rainbow rubber - Its ok to make mistakes and start over

• smiley pencil - Working together makes us better and stronger

• tiny star - You will all shine in your own unique way

• pocket hug - For when you need that hug

Stop the cuts… Fund their futures

Monday 24th June and 4pm came and a small group of us gathered at Dennistoun library. Within a few minutes there were small groups coming from different directions to join and soon there was quite a gathering to represent Golfhill Primary School families in protesting against the cuts to the education budget. We even had a doggy supporter join the ranks.

We have heard the devastating impacts these cuts will have on support, teaching and senior leadership posts across the city and Golfhill will of course be affected. We have been told about the impacts on support, additional supports, links with families, afterschool clubs and supervision of our kids.

Our families gathered for different reasons but united in their calls for any future cuts to be stopped.

I want my kids’ rights to a good education met, where they are supported and encouraged to be their best with options ahead of them.

I don’t just want it for them though – I want it for all kids in our school, in Dennistoun and in the city.

They can’t achieve that without well supported and resourced support, teaching and senior staff. Our kids deserve all this and it the job of our elected representatives to make decisions that protect our kids and put them first.

My daughter said “I loved being on the march with placards and my friends, making all that noise and being with lots of other people who are also angry. I wanted to go today because we are fighting for our teachers, for our school, for our rights and futures. If we don’t do this, then the council might get away with making more cuts.”

We set off with our placards made by Chris and a live stream going on our facebook page by Michael and we walked in the sunshine along Duke Street, Chanting “Stop the Cuts! Fund their future!”

We had lovely support along the way from cyclists, passers by, cars and vans with a coach beeping support too! We got MUCH louder towards City Chambers with the kids chanting their loudest at the decision makers who are knowingly affecting their current education and future potential. The kids voices echoed around the streets and George Square with tourists on red buses filming our protest.

We marched up Buchanan street and the main group gathered on the Concert Hall steps could hear us from a long way off. Some of them guessed correctly that it was Golfhill coming to join them! We arrived to a round of applause from the crowd and our kids inspired others with their enthusiasm and chants.

We joined the hundreds of others and marched around the city, highlighting to folks in the streets how important our teachers are, how our kids should come first and that these cuts must be stopped. Our Kids (and doggy!) were fantastic and their energy and enthusiasm was motivating to all. I was very proud to be part of our Golfhill Group today, who certainly made our voices and demands heard.

This is only the beginning and we all need to be committed and united in calling for the cuts to be stopped.

I hope to see you all there for the next time!

May Update

As you know there will be devastating cuts to the education budget in Glasgow over the next 3 years meaning reductions in staffing in schools and support for our kids.

In our school this will mean:

1. Equivalent to 1.5 fewer teachers next session

2. Plus one less Support for Learning Worker

3. Absence cover:

   • One teacher off = Miss Kirkland (DHT) in class

   • Two teachers off = Miss Kirkland and Mr Morrow (HT) in class

   • Three teachers (or more) off = relevant class cannot come in.

4. Pupil groups such as Eco Committee and Pupil Council will not run all year long, but every other term (T1 + 3 and T2+4)

5. After-school clubs will not take place after school. (These hopefully will run during the school day).

6. Fewer staff to supervise playground

7. Fewer "Showcases”, restricted to Open Afternoons and the Nativity

8. Assembly will become 1 hour long.

9. Excursions will have limited scope

What have we been doing about this?

• We wrote a statement letter outlining our concerns. this was shared with our families and signatures gathered. we will be sending these to our local elected representatives and other key people.

• We went to Dennistoun community council open meeting and raised our concerns.

• We are working on information and a campaign plan

• We are linking with the other parent councils in the area

• Engaging with the Glasgow City Parent Group campaign

What will we be doing in the next few months?

• We intend to host a families meetings on June 5th (details to come!)

• We will continue to be speaking with key people, attending meetings and raising your concerns.

• We would like to organise a feeder march to join the main March For Education Glasgow Demonstration, but this needs volunteers!

What can you do?

• Speak to your elected representatives and tell them our concerns at the cuts and what we need

• Attend March for Education Glasgow Demonstration on Monday 24th June 16:30.
  Glasgow City Parent Group is organising a March
  “Gathering at the steps at the top of Buchanan Street, outside The Royal Concert Hall. We will then march down Renfield Street, round to City Chambers where we will have speakers. We would like to encourage parents, carers, parent groups, charities, teachers, school staff and unions to join us, to march for better quality education in Scotland. Groups are welcome to join to march for what is important to them. GCPG is obviously marching against education cuts. This march isn't limited to Glasgow residents either, it's to raise our voices nationally too.”

Other Activities

Check out the Bottle and Can collection campaign (28th May - 7th June) to raise funds for the school’s end of year safari trip.

April 2024 Update

What have we been up to?

This month the Parent Council has been engaging with the Glasgow City Council Budget Cuts news. You can expect to see information coming out in school bags shortly, along with flyers about the cuts.

We encourage all parents to get in contact with our local representatives and make your feelings known!

You can see all the information on our campaign page.

Stop The Cuts flyer (front)

Stop The Cuts flyer (back)