There are some cases of headlice going round Kate Greenaway at the moment. I know that some parents have checked their child’s hair and treated the headlice – only to find that their child has picked them up again a few days later. Unfortunately headlice are a fact of life in all schools in England – there is only one solution, which is for everyone to check their child’s hair every day, looking carefully for lice or eggs.
Head lice are tiny grey-brown, wingless insects, which live by sucking blood from the scalp. Their eggs are known as nits and they are laid glued to the base of hairs, and look like tiny white specks. Infestation often causes itching of the scalp, but may also go unnoticed. If you suspect head lice, check the base of hairs for eggs and comb the hair over a piece of white paper to see if you can spot any dark mature lice.
If you or your children have head lice you should check the rest of the family, and tell close friends and your child’s key person.
We recommend two approaches to treating lice: either over-the-counter medication, from a chemist, or using the “bug-busting” approach with conditioner and use of a nit-comb.
Bug busting
Wet combing, or ‘bug-busting’ is used to remove lice without using chemical treatments. This method can be helpful because head lice are growing increasingly resistant to the insecticides used to remove them. The best procedure is as follows:
• wash the hair as normal,
• apply lots of conditioner (this causes the lice to lose their grip on the hair),
• comb the hair through with a normal comb first,
• with a fine tooth nit comb, comb from the roots along the complete length of the hair and after each stroke check the comb for lice and wipe it clean. Work methodically over the whole head for at least 30 minutes,
• rinse the hair as normal, and
• repeat every three days for at least two weeks.
Do not use medicated lotions or rinses ‘just in case’, for example in close friends or family members. They should only be used if live lice are found. Regular combing of hair using the bug-busting method can help with early detection as well as treatment.
If you want more help or guidance then the best thing to do is to make an appointment to see the practice nurse at your GP surgery, or speak to the pharmacist at the chemist’s.
Friday 29 June 2007
Monday 4 June 2007
Minutes of the governing body, April 2007
Minutes of the meeting of the Governors of Kate Greenaway Nursery School, held in the school, York Way Court, Copenhagen Street, London N1 0UH on, Monday 30 April 2007 at 6.30pm.
PRESENT
Phyllis Richardson Chair
Julian Grenier Headteacher
Fiona Dodd
Lucy Lloyd
Sanchia Lyon
Peter Warren
ALSO PRESENT
Judy Okello Clerk to the Governors
Georgette Djaba Observer
1. APOLOGIES/CONSENT FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received and consent given to absence from Carole Warden and Maggi Mahoney.
RECEIVED
2. COMPOSITION OF THE GOVERNING BODY, COMMITTEES AND LINK GOVERNORS
Information on the current composition, committee membership and link appointments had been previously circulated to governors.
Cllr Dorrie Valery had not attended a meeting since January 2005 and her term of office would lapse if she did not attend the next governing body meeting. The governors enquired about the arrangements for appointing a governor to the possible LEA vacancy.
Governors noted the outstanding community vacancy and were asked to consider appropriate people for filling it. The headteacher had been in touch with Ms Georgette Djaba, an active local resident, but was not sure whether she would have the time commitment. Ms Djaba joined the meeting later to introduce herself to the governing body and offered to support the nursery wherever required. It was suggested that people with links to children/community or with health/social services perspective would be useful to the governing body. All governors were asked to pursue any possible candidates / put out a feel for different people and feedback to the chair.
Following the poor attendance at the committees, the chair questioned whether the governing body should continue to work with committees, which required governors to feel committed/make the effort to attend meetings and to have committee structures that worked. It would be practical not to have a committee structure if the cycle of meetings was problematic for governors. It was proposed that all matters should be dealt with at full governing body meetings, including ad hoc extra ordinary meetings when necessary. This arrangement would be reviewed in the spring term.
After discussion,
RESOLVED: that the committee structures should be abolished and this arrangement should be reviewed in the spring term.
3. MINUTES AND MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
i) Minutes of the meeting held on 29 January 2007 had been circulated prior to the meeting.
After discussion,
RESOLVED: that the minutes be signed as a true record.
4. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The date of the next meeting had previously been agreed for 24 September 2007.
After discussion,
RECEIVED
5. HEADTEACHER’S REPORT
A report by the Headteacher had been circulated prior to the meeting.
In addition the written report, the following was drawn to the attention of governors:
i) Budget Monitoring
Large amounts had been carried forward over the last two years, which was earmarked for the new build. However, the budget would be tight as a result of staff regarding. The school was now entering a period when the budget will be tougher and in a more realistic place. They were leaving an era of planning projects and moving into maintenance.
ii) Community Kitchen Campaign
The community kitchen group was looking at proposals for consulting parents and considering sources of additional funding. A business plan was required to make the project work. The headteacher was cautiously optimistic that they could manage their own kitchen and that it was the ideal time to do this. Islington Council had agreed to extend the decision of whether to opt into the borough-wide contract until the end the current term.
iii) Staffing
The staff team was now much bigger, following some good appointments, but also more challenging to manage. The nursery was full and the uptake of programmes very high but the downside to this was the potential effect on staff morale. The change to the late start on Thursday was going well and would not be reinstated because parents had vigorously expressed their unhappiness with the arrangement. Parents did have an understanding of what the time was being used for the late mornings but the reality was that many working parents did not the option of flexible working which could accommodate the late starts. The core function of a children’s centre is to cater for working parents. It was also not ethical to put something to consultation to parents knowing that their views would be ignored. In the larger staff more formal systems of working were required and more major changes were expected in the future. Increasingly parents wanted more flexibility and staff had to find different ways of meeting and getting together. This was an experimental period and some of the systems would not work. However, it also provided a coaching role for the senior management team. The staff were very competent and these changes would help them grow and develop at the same time.
iv) Building News
The building works were progressing satisfactorily and the job had now gone out to tender. A meeting would be convened to update governors once the outcome of the tenders was known.
iv) Children’s Centre Developments
A detailed report on the new style of programmes had yet to be completed. The response to the support groups was very positive. There were concerns around the multi-agency approach to child protection issues and this was being resolved through mediation.
v) School Improvement Plan
The four-year SIP had been circulated to all governors. The key point noted was regular governing body involvement in monitoring/evaluation. There was a definite cycle of what governors should receive and when in order to made a valuable contribution. The governing body was also required to make more of an effort in visiting and getting involved into the school. Governors were asked to make targeted visits once a term on a particular theme, which involved meeting with subject coordinators. Governors were asked to arrange convenient dates for visits with Sanchia Lyon as follows:
Lucy Lloyd /Georgette Djaba to visit after half term
Shakyra Dowling & Peter Warren to visit in the autumn term (focus on teaching & learning)
Phyllis Richardson to visit in the spring term (provisionally)
Governors were also asked to support the parent’s groups. Lucy Lloyd agreed to do this. The next parents conference would be held on 29 September 2007.
vi) Curriculum & Care
A report on the core experiences at Kate Greenaway was laid on the table.
vii) Attendance
Islington had one of the worst attendance levels in the country at primary level and although nursery attendance was not statutory, it was felt that it was important to encourage good attendance and timekeeping. It was agreed that families would be asked to phone in if they were going to be late and the nursery would adopt a better monitoring process to follow up on children who are consistently late or missing for no compelling reason.
viii) Fire drill
A fire drill took place; evacuation time was 1 minute. This was a vast improvement from the previous drill.
iii) School closure
None reported.
After discussion,
RECEIVED
6. BUDGET 2007/08
A budget summary report for 2007/08 was laid on the table.
After discussion,
RESOLVED: that the draft budget for 2007/08 be approved.
7. REPORTS FROM THE DIRECTOR OF EDCUATION SERVICES FOR ACTION
Reports from the Director of Education Services were previously circulated.
i) New Model Sickness Absence Management Policy for Schools
Governors were asked to consider adopting the new model policy.
ii) New Model Organisational Change Policy for Schools
Governors were asked to consider adopting the new model policy.
iii) Extended Services in Schools
Noted
iv) Planned Changes to Exclusion Procedures fromSeptember 2007
Noted
After discussion,
RESOLVED: that the new model sickness absence management and organisational change policies for schools be adopted.
8. REPORT BACK FROM COMMITTEES
i) Personnel Committee
A note of the meeting held on 5 March 2007 had been circulated prior to the meeting.
After discussion,
RECEIVED
9. GOVERNORS’ VISITS
There were no visits reported.
10. DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING PROGRAMME
Governors were reminded of the previously circulated programme for the Summer term.
The chair recommended training on extended services and support for parent governors. Governors were also encouraged to visit CEA@Islington’s website for useful information.
After discussion,
RECEIVED
11. CHAIR’S REPORT
There was no report from the Chair to consider.
12. AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING AND ANY OTHER BUSINESS
i) Any Other Business
A planned visit with the publicity consultant, Andrew Smith, was taking place on 10 May 2007 at 10am to which governors were invited.
After discussion,
RECEIVED
PRESENT
Phyllis Richardson Chair
Julian Grenier Headteacher
Fiona Dodd
Lucy Lloyd
Sanchia Lyon
Peter Warren
ALSO PRESENT
Judy Okello Clerk to the Governors
Georgette Djaba Observer
1. APOLOGIES/CONSENT FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received and consent given to absence from Carole Warden and Maggi Mahoney.
RECEIVED
2. COMPOSITION OF THE GOVERNING BODY, COMMITTEES AND LINK GOVERNORS
Information on the current composition, committee membership and link appointments had been previously circulated to governors.
Cllr Dorrie Valery had not attended a meeting since January 2005 and her term of office would lapse if she did not attend the next governing body meeting. The governors enquired about the arrangements for appointing a governor to the possible LEA vacancy.
Governors noted the outstanding community vacancy and were asked to consider appropriate people for filling it. The headteacher had been in touch with Ms Georgette Djaba, an active local resident, but was not sure whether she would have the time commitment. Ms Djaba joined the meeting later to introduce herself to the governing body and offered to support the nursery wherever required. It was suggested that people with links to children/community or with health/social services perspective would be useful to the governing body. All governors were asked to pursue any possible candidates / put out a feel for different people and feedback to the chair.
Following the poor attendance at the committees, the chair questioned whether the governing body should continue to work with committees, which required governors to feel committed/make the effort to attend meetings and to have committee structures that worked. It would be practical not to have a committee structure if the cycle of meetings was problematic for governors. It was proposed that all matters should be dealt with at full governing body meetings, including ad hoc extra ordinary meetings when necessary. This arrangement would be reviewed in the spring term.
After discussion,
RESOLVED: that the committee structures should be abolished and this arrangement should be reviewed in the spring term.
3. MINUTES AND MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
i) Minutes of the meeting held on 29 January 2007 had been circulated prior to the meeting.
After discussion,
RESOLVED: that the minutes be signed as a true record.
4. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The date of the next meeting had previously been agreed for 24 September 2007.
After discussion,
RECEIVED
5. HEADTEACHER’S REPORT
A report by the Headteacher had been circulated prior to the meeting.
In addition the written report, the following was drawn to the attention of governors:
i) Budget Monitoring
Large amounts had been carried forward over the last two years, which was earmarked for the new build. However, the budget would be tight as a result of staff regarding. The school was now entering a period when the budget will be tougher and in a more realistic place. They were leaving an era of planning projects and moving into maintenance.
ii) Community Kitchen Campaign
The community kitchen group was looking at proposals for consulting parents and considering sources of additional funding. A business plan was required to make the project work. The headteacher was cautiously optimistic that they could manage their own kitchen and that it was the ideal time to do this. Islington Council had agreed to extend the decision of whether to opt into the borough-wide contract until the end the current term.
iii) Staffing
The staff team was now much bigger, following some good appointments, but also more challenging to manage. The nursery was full and the uptake of programmes very high but the downside to this was the potential effect on staff morale. The change to the late start on Thursday was going well and would not be reinstated because parents had vigorously expressed their unhappiness with the arrangement. Parents did have an understanding of what the time was being used for the late mornings but the reality was that many working parents did not the option of flexible working which could accommodate the late starts. The core function of a children’s centre is to cater for working parents. It was also not ethical to put something to consultation to parents knowing that their views would be ignored. In the larger staff more formal systems of working were required and more major changes were expected in the future. Increasingly parents wanted more flexibility and staff had to find different ways of meeting and getting together. This was an experimental period and some of the systems would not work. However, it also provided a coaching role for the senior management team. The staff were very competent and these changes would help them grow and develop at the same time.
iv) Building News
The building works were progressing satisfactorily and the job had now gone out to tender. A meeting would be convened to update governors once the outcome of the tenders was known.
iv) Children’s Centre Developments
A detailed report on the new style of programmes had yet to be completed. The response to the support groups was very positive. There were concerns around the multi-agency approach to child protection issues and this was being resolved through mediation.
v) School Improvement Plan
The four-year SIP had been circulated to all governors. The key point noted was regular governing body involvement in monitoring/evaluation. There was a definite cycle of what governors should receive and when in order to made a valuable contribution. The governing body was also required to make more of an effort in visiting and getting involved into the school. Governors were asked to make targeted visits once a term on a particular theme, which involved meeting with subject coordinators. Governors were asked to arrange convenient dates for visits with Sanchia Lyon as follows:
Lucy Lloyd /Georgette Djaba to visit after half term
Shakyra Dowling & Peter Warren to visit in the autumn term (focus on teaching & learning)
Phyllis Richardson to visit in the spring term (provisionally)
Governors were also asked to support the parent’s groups. Lucy Lloyd agreed to do this. The next parents conference would be held on 29 September 2007.
vi) Curriculum & Care
A report on the core experiences at Kate Greenaway was laid on the table.
vii) Attendance
Islington had one of the worst attendance levels in the country at primary level and although nursery attendance was not statutory, it was felt that it was important to encourage good attendance and timekeeping. It was agreed that families would be asked to phone in if they were going to be late and the nursery would adopt a better monitoring process to follow up on children who are consistently late or missing for no compelling reason.
viii) Fire drill
A fire drill took place; evacuation time was 1 minute. This was a vast improvement from the previous drill.
iii) School closure
None reported.
After discussion,
RECEIVED
6. BUDGET 2007/08
A budget summary report for 2007/08 was laid on the table.
After discussion,
RESOLVED: that the draft budget for 2007/08 be approved.
7. REPORTS FROM THE DIRECTOR OF EDCUATION SERVICES FOR ACTION
Reports from the Director of Education Services were previously circulated.
i) New Model Sickness Absence Management Policy for Schools
Governors were asked to consider adopting the new model policy.
ii) New Model Organisational Change Policy for Schools
Governors were asked to consider adopting the new model policy.
iii) Extended Services in Schools
Noted
iv) Planned Changes to Exclusion Procedures fromSeptember 2007
Noted
After discussion,
RESOLVED: that the new model sickness absence management and organisational change policies for schools be adopted.
8. REPORT BACK FROM COMMITTEES
i) Personnel Committee
A note of the meeting held on 5 March 2007 had been circulated prior to the meeting.
After discussion,
RECEIVED
9. GOVERNORS’ VISITS
There were no visits reported.
10. DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING PROGRAMME
Governors were reminded of the previously circulated programme for the Summer term.
The chair recommended training on extended services and support for parent governors. Governors were also encouraged to visit CEA@Islington’s website for useful information.
After discussion,
RECEIVED
11. CHAIR’S REPORT
There was no report from the Chair to consider.
12. AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING AND ANY OTHER BUSINESS
i) Any Other Business
A planned visit with the publicity consultant, Andrew Smith, was taking place on 10 May 2007 at 10am to which governors were invited.
After discussion,
RECEIVED
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