ABOUT THE PARENT COUNCIL......
Q: Can we have social events for parents?
The school has a wide range of activities which parents can attend and support, such as the Burns Supper and pantomime. The Parent Council is looking at the viability of larger events of a fundraising and/or social nature. One such proposal is a social event for first year pupils and their families; this would be as a final part of the Primary 7 / First Year Transition programme. (Parent Council)
Q: How can I find out about the Parent Council’s activities?
Besides the quarterly Bell Baxter newsletter, there are a number of ways to keep up to date with the activities of the Parent Council. These include:
The Parent Council page on the school web site.
The new Parent Council Facebook -
The Bell Baxter Diary section of “The Fife Herald”.
The Parent Council stall at Parents’ Evenings.
Emailing the Parent Council at bellbaxterhs.parentcouncil@fife.gov.uk
Other tools coming on stream include a new texting service. (Parent Council)
Q: Is there a newsletter for the Parent Council?
The Parent Council would be happy to produce a newsletter which could be made available electronically, and it could be distributed at Parents’ Evenings. (Parent Council)
Q: Can we get newsleters via email?
The Education Service is currently looking at a parent messaging service which should allow the Parent Council to contact parents by text and email. Hopefully, this service will be in place early in the new year. (Parent Council)
ABOUT THE SCHOOL......
Q: How do I know what’s happening at school?
A good point of reference is the school website. The school’s site is regularly updated by the Website Team.. As you can see, the site provides information for parents and pupils on a range of issues. This is reinforced by correspondence, including the quarterly school newsletter and the Bell Baxter Diary within “The Fife Herald”.
Our school office is open, including during the school holidays, from 8:30am to 3:40pm Monday to Friday. Staff from the Administrative and Technical Team will direct you to the most relevant teaching or support staff member depending on your enquiry. (Mr Black)
Q:How will I know if the school is open during severe weather?
Our latest school newsletter has a “School Closures” sheet to advise on arrangements during severe weather or other emergency closure situations. As Head Teacher, I will make the decision as early as possible on the day of the closure so that Fife Council and the media can be informed of the situation.
There are a number of ways parents and staff can remain up to date with school closure information. These include, signing up to Fife Council’s email / text alert service. This service will send out an alert as soon as a decision about closing the school has been made.
Alternatively, the information will be made available on the Fife Council Facebook page or Twitter account.
Q: How do I find out how my child is doing at school?
Every pupil is issued with a Diary Planner at the start of each academic year. Staff will advise pupils to record homework, and other relevant notices, in the pupils’ planner. The planner should be the first point of reference for homework, home study and diary dates.
Pupils are regularly tested on class work, and Pupil Reports are issued annually.
Senior pupils (S4-
If a class teacher has a specific concern about a pupil, a letter will be issued to parents and Year Heads will be advised of the concern. A discussion will then follow to try and resolve any issues concerning ability or behaviour. (Mr Black)
Q: Who do I speak to about a bullying concern
The Parent Council in Bell Baxter can make a difference! We on the Parent Council are keen to improve dialogue with parents, and between parents and the school. Our stall at the recent Parents’ Evenings have provided you with an opportunity to ask us, or the school, questions. Here are some of your most frequently asked questions about the school and the Parent Council.