St Paul’s Parent Council Constitution (Last Revision April 2016) Purpose & Objectives To create a welcoming school which is inclusive of all members of the school community regardless of their nationality, ethnicity or faith, To promote partnership between the parents/carers, school staff, pupils, the local community and the Roman Catholic Church, To create a secure environment in which Gospel values of trust, respect, tolerance, honesty, generosity and forgiveness are seen in everything that is attempted, To identify and represent the views of parents/carers on the activities of the school and other matters affecting the education, health, welfare and social development of the pupils. To develop and engage in activities which support the education, health, welfare and social development of the pupils. To receive gifts and apply for and obtain grants in support of the above aims. Responsibilities Each year, the Committee will agree on priorities for the academic year The Committee will select member(s) to participate in appointment procedures for senior school staff. The Committee will meet at least once in every school term. The Treasurer will provide a report to the Annual Meeting of the Parent Council. Meetings of the Parent Council and its Committee are open to the public, unless stated otherwise due to confidential matters being discussed. Copies of the approved minutes of all meetings will be available to all parents/carers, all school staff and to members of the local community by request An agenda will be agreed and shared at least 48 hours ahead of every meeting Information relating to Parent Council activities and priorities will be shared via the school website Parent Council page and updated every term. The Parent Council will hold an Annual Meeting of the Parent Council every September. The meeting details will be published at least 2 weeks in advance and agenda should include: a report on the work of the Parent Council during preceding academic year election of members to serve on the Parent Council selection of the new office bearers from amongst those elected discussion of priorities for the coming academic year approval of all accounts held by the Parent Council and appointment of the auditor Decision Making & Authority The quorum for a meeting is four, of whom at least two must be parents/carers. Any two members of the Committee can request that an additional meeting be held, and all members of the Committee will be given at least one week’s notice of date, time and place of the meeting. Should a vote be necessary to make a decision, each member at the meeting will have one vote, with the Convenor having a casting vote in the event of a tie. Should the Parent Council cease to exist, any remaining funds will be passed to the education authority to be used for the direct benefit of the school, where this continues, or its replacement. Membership The Parent Council is an inclusive body drawing together all members of the school community, particularly parents, carers and school staff*. The membership of the Parent Council will be: a minimum of four, and a maximum of ten, parents/carers of children attending the school. The Annual General Meeting will consider all applications and nominations for membership of the Parent Council, and if more applications or nominations are received than there are places available, the Parent Forum will be asked to choose from amongst the applications and nominations. one church nominee from the RC Diocese and at least one member of the teaching staff from the school The Head Teacher and his or her representative should also be in attendance at committee meetings. The following Office Bearers will be elected at the Annual Meeting each year: Chair, Treasurer and Vice Chair (The elect Chair must be a parent/carer of a child currently attending St Paul’s RC School). The Committee will appoint a Clerk to take minutes of Committee meetings and to keep an accurate record of selected accounts. The duties and remuneration of the Clerk will be determined by the Committee. No member of the Parent Forum may be appointed as Clerk to the Committee and receive remuneration. *Under the terms of the Scottish Schools (Parental Involvement) Act 2006, only those with parental rights (the Parent Forum) are entitled to elect Office Bearers or amend the constitution.