Geàrr-chunntasan Choinneamhan Chomann nam Pàrant (Nàiseanta)
Comann nam Pàrant (Nàiseanta) (CnP(N))
Geàrr-chunntas na coinneimh
Minutes of meeting
Disathairne 12 Sultain 2009 aig 10.30m ann an Oifis Comunn na Gàidhlig, 5 Caolshràid Mhìcheil, Inbhir Nis
Saturday 12 September 2009 at 10.30am in Comunn na Gàidhlig office, 5 Mitchell’s Lane, Inverness
An làthair
Present
Dawn Morgan (DM) Inbhir Nis
Sandy Nicholson (SN) Dùn Èideann agus Lodainn
Donna Campbell (DC) Forfar
Paul Griffin (PG) Forfar
Colin Meek (CM) Ulapul
Marsaili Dow (MD) Siorrachd Air
Fiona NicLeòid (FN) Ros an Ear
Sharon Methven (SM) Obar Dheathain
Magaidh Wentworth (MW) Oifigear Phàrant
1. Leisgeulan
Apologies
Kerry Butler (KB) Sruighlea & Clach Mhanainn
Lena Devern (LD) Forfar
Lorna NicDhiarmaid An t-Eilean Sgitheanach
Fiona Byrne Lochabair
2. Geàrr-chunntas na coinneimh, 22 Cèitean 2009
Minutes of meeting, 22 September 2009
The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted.
Proposed: Donna Campbell
Seconded: Sandy Nicolson
3. Gnothaichean ag èirigh nach eil air a’ chlàr-chùisean
Matters arising not on agenda
From §2 Election of Office Bearers: Election of Vice-Convener
Paul Griffin was proposed by Marsaili Dow
seconded by Fiona Macleod
4. Co-labhairt Nàiseanta
National Conference
The Comann nam Pàrant conference in March had been well attended and all agreed that it had been a success though it was felt that parents would benefit from opportunity to attend more workshops and that we could have had less presentations. It was agreed that a seven year gap between conferences was too long and that we should plan to hold our next one in 2012. It was suggested that we make the AGM more of an event for parents with workshops such as the one from BBC Alba at the recent Parental Advocacy training. Saturday 22 nd May in Ullapool was agreed as a date and venue. This date was thought to be preferable to March when the weather might not be ideal for parents travelling.
Action : CM to discuss with local CnP group in Ullapool and look into possible venue for meeting
5. Plana Gnìomh 2009-10
Operational Plan 2009-10
Funding for additional staff must be a priority if Comann nam Pàrant is to build on the work that the organisation is currently involved in, mainly promotion of GME and other projects such as the Gaelic week in Edinburgh.
Action : DM to write to Bòrd na Gàidhlig requesting that they consider additional funding for CnP that would allow us to employ additional staff
The main Comann nam Pàrant (Nàiseanta) event this year will be the AGM in May 2010 as previously discussed.
There was some general discussion on concerns regarding delivery of GME in primary, specifically lack of Gaelic contact time for children with an increasing amount of the curriculum being delivered through English which will inevitably have a detrimental effect on their fluency in Gaelic.
Action : DM to write to Education Manager at Bòrd na Gàidhlig expressing these concerns and reiterating the urgent need for a National Policy on GME.
6. Riochdachadh phàrantan Gàidhlig agus an ‘Parental Involvement Act 2006’
Representing Gaelic medium parents and the Parental Involvement Act 2006
This was an issue that had arisen in Inverness where there had been some disagreement over remit of each group. The groups have met to discuss this and the issue now seems to have been resolved.
This has not in the main been a major issue where GME is delivered as part of a dual language / English medium school but there has been discussion on the roles of the organisations and there is significant variation between Parent Councils on how they view matters that primarily relate to Gaelic within the school. CnP do have a wider remit than Parent Councils, encompassing promotion of GME as well as representing parents of children from pre-school through to secondary education. CnP cannot constitutionally be a sub-group of a Parent Council as has been suggested in some areas.
This is an issue that CnP need to be aware of and may need to draw up guidelines for in the future.
7. Làrach-lìn is sanasachd
Website and promotion
It was agreed that minutes from our meetings should be posted on the website. A reminder should also be sent to the groups that they can have a page on the website for their local CnP.
Action : MW to post minutes on web
Action : MW to remind groups
8. Sgeama Comhairleachaidh Phàrant
Parental Advisory Scheme
The first full training day for the scheme was held in Inverness on the 11 September with 12 parents attending from Portree, Fort William, Mallaig, Inverness and Nairn. The training covered information on Gaelic education in Scotland, what is GME, media and other support available for parents as well as resources for the scheme itself. A similar event is planned for Glasgow on the 16 th September.
SM said that Aberdeen would like to be involved in the scheme.
It was suggested that there is a need for an online resource showing GME in action.
Action : MW to investigate
- Puingean ag èirigh bhon fiosrachadh às gach sgìre
Points arising from information from each area
Reports from Aberdeen, Inverness, Edinburgh, Ullapool, Easter Ross, Forfar and Kilmarnock were tabled and discussed.
10. GISBE
AOCB
Papers from the last meeting of the National Education Steering Group were distributed for information to members.
11. An ath choinneamh
The next meeting
The next meeting will be held on Saturday 21st November in Glasgow.
The following meeting dates were also confirmed:
Saturday 6th March in Inverness
Saturday 22nd May AGM in Ullapool