Minutes of Parents' Group Meeting - 23 November 2007

Friends of Camphill

Several years ago there used to be an active parents’ group called The Society of Friends of Camphill. Parents would organise fundraising (Laurence still has the tins for flag day in his loft!) They, together with co-workers from Camphill, would also co-ordinate weekend meetings with members of Camphill to learn more about the teaching and philosophy behind the Camphill approach.

It has been decided to resurrect The Society of Friends of Camphill, thus giving the parents a more formal level within the organisation of the schools. Currently the Society's account has a balance of £10,797.22. Laurence Alfred is to investigate how we can pursue resurrecting the organisation.

It was also proposed that many parents would be interested in learning more about the therapies and approaches that are adopted at Camphill - we are to look into opportunities for holding meetings (at convenient times), especially as now the bulk of the pupils come from within a 50-mile radius.

Progress Report

We are currently waiting for Bernhard to report back to us about the issues we raised re Parents’ Evenings, etc. Heather Joyce is to write and invite him to a meeting in the New Year for a progress report.

Future Meetings

It has been decided to alternate the coffee mornings between Murtle and Camphill Estates and also to vary the days when they are held:

Tuesday 5th February 2008: Cherrywood (Murtle Estate)

Wednesday 19th March 2008: Camphill Cottage (Camphill Estate)
[Dawn is to ask Kaiser if this is convenient]

Thursday 1st May 2008: Mignon (Murtle Estate)

Friday 20th June 2008: Camphill Bungalow (Camphill Estate)

Future speakers include Vibeke Alfred and Norma Hart who will talk about the BA in Curative Education Course and why students often use pupils for case studies.

Year of Giving Fund

Camphill Schools have applied for funding towards new playgrounds at both Camphill and Murtle Estates. A request was made for parents to get the opportunity of looking at the proposed plans for the playgrounds. Laurence Alfred to follow up.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Many pupils on turning 16 are eligible for this. You can only apply to the Local Authority in which the school is located for this. In our case this is Aberdeen City Council.

Aberdeen City Strategy Paper

The Council are proposing to transform Aberdeen City Council into the best Local Authority in Europe by 2010. This will involve a lot of cost cutting!! Already there have been cuts across the board. Aberdeen City Council has plans to build its own special needs’ school and parents are already finding it extremely difficult or even impossible to get their child a place at Camphill. In addition the Council is refusing to pay what seemed to be a previously verbally negotiated percentage rise in fee level to Camphill Schools. They will now only offer a smaller increase. In response to this a joint school/ council committee has been set up with monthly meetings. Karen Johnston is to represent parents on this committee and make regular reports.

Camphill Schools' Profile

Yvonne Stevenson-Robb to be PR person for parents and liaise with co-workers and PR agency employed by Camphill. Aim is to raise the profile of Camphill within the surrounding community and nationally.

She will be looking for stories to heighten awareness of what an excellent sector leading establishment Camphill is. Laurence Alfred to ask all parents to send email contact addresses.

Pupils' Council

Laurence Alfred reported on the Pupils’ Council which was formed 6 months ago. They are currently producing a pupils’ DVD to accompany the pupils’ handbook. They wanted to make this accessible to everyone.

The members of the council are looking at ways to unify the pupils and one suggestion has been the adoption of a school sweatshirt/scarf or even possibly a towel, all of which could be worn/used when pupils are representing the school, as in the recent swimming gala. Samples have been ordered from Craigdon Mountain sports and it was suggested that it might be possible for Friends of Camphill to subsidise this venture.

Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route

Just a reminder that this threat is still ever present and that there will be a public enquiry in the New Year. Parental support to oppose this route will be needed. It will have a severe, albeit different, impact on Camphill Estate just as it would have had at Murtle Estate. Laurence Alfred to keep parents informed.