ESK PA BUREAU + ESK MANAGEMENT TEAM Wednesday, 13 January 2010

Present:
Mr. Hoyem, Mr. da Torre, Mrs. Pavličíková, Brigitte Braunschweig
Cindy van Velzen, Ana Gorey

Mr. Hoyem welcomed everyone and wished them all Happy New Year. He had a few points he wished to raise before discussing the main agenda items. Firstly, the sad demise of Dr. Kutter, the school doctor, meant that the school was in need of a replacement. The post entailed a half day once a week at the school and carried an honorarium of 8,000€. The school doctor also coordinated with other staff on the well being of the students.

Mr. Hoyem announced that in the efforts to improve musical life in school, a music event would take place on the 28-29 May involving not only the ESKAR choir and the secondary school choir but also other choirs from numerous countries including Denmark, Romania, Austria, Estonia, Luxembourg. A working group would be set up and he hoped the Parents’ Association would join in and contribute especially with regard to the hosting of visitors as they had done for EuroSport albeit on a much grander scale.

Benjamin Hertz, an ex-European school graduate did his Oxford thesis on “Making Europeans: The European School System as a Facilitator of a European Identity” (April 2009). Mr. Hoyem informed everyone that this was an extremely interesting thesis and that they planned to send it to the Board of Governors, the new EU Commissioners and leaders in the European Parliament in the hope that this will open up the debate about the real value of European schools. They would also include the latest CD of national anthems.

Cindy van Velzen updated everyone with regard to the PA dinner on Friday 29th January. So far there had not been many responses from the teaching staff, understandable as they were very busy with end of term reports, and she hoped that management would encourage teachers and admin to be present. The PA would use this informal occasion to explain their objectives (the 3 C’s plus the 3 L’s) and in particular the new financing framework for class trips and project days (see request forms in appendix). The idea was to move away from ad hoc decision making and to have a more global overview of what the PA financed.

The upcoming Administrative Board on Thursday 28th January was discussed briefly It is the Budget meeting and promised to be extremely tough as the majority (Chapter I) is for staff and only a tiny percentage can be adjusted. Mr. Hoyem hoped that the SAC requests for a post and a SWALS coordinator would be granted and also the request to upgrade a staff member to caretaker. The documents would be received shortly. The PA would be making the point about Category II fees and specific situation in our school.

As for the SAC, more information was needed on the three working groups and how others can join in. They needed to report by the 1st March 2010 so it was important to start the first meetings. The PA also underlined if some after-school care (momi?) could be put in place as the meeting time was general when school finished. It would be good to announce more information about the SAC and the working groups at the PA dinner.
Action: SAC information + meeting dates - Mrs Braunschweig

With regard to Project days 23-25 April, with the Open Day on the Saturday 25 April, it was important to start preparations. There were a number of things going on in addition, such as the Category II breakfast, and everyone needed a clear picture of what was happening when - especially with regard to the Aula. The Parents Association asked about how to best approach the teachers with regard to the Book Prizes and Mr. da Torre said he would furnish them with the list of subject coordinators. He said that they had experience in nominating students as they also needed to do this for Year 7 Bac.
Action: Preparatory meeting for Project days/Open day - Mr Da Torre

On other PA matters, the PA asked for the latest updates on the Permanence room and the Abiball policy. Mr. da Torre said that they had had a meeting about the Permanence room and had thought to get something to make more use out of the 3000€ overhead projector. However, the PA felt that it was more urgent to do something about the atmosphere of the room and emphasised the need for educational posters, etc.
Action: Permanence room proposal - Mr Da Torre

As for the Abiball organisation, Mr. Hoyem underlined that this was a matter for the students alone. Mr. da Torre said that he was meeting them shortly. The PA reiterated that they did not wish to interfere with the organisation of the abilball, which clearly had to be done by Year 6, and were only interested in practical solutions to the Students request at the last Education Council regarding the Abiball policy.
Action: Abiball feedback - Mr Da Torre

The Basketball clinic organised in cooperation with InterSport had been very successful. It was important to keep the momentum going and to emphasise sporting excellence in the school and also start preparing for next years EuroSport teams. The PA would look into what could be done in conjunction with the Primary School Sports day on the 16th April.
Action: Preparatory meeting for Primary school sports day - Mrs Pavlicikova, Mrs van Velzen

Action : Harmonisation of sporting events for strong impact and identification of top sports kids in school - Mr Da Torre, Mrs Pavlicikova

This was a good opportunity as class reps and parents really get involved. Less successful had been the Pink drummer’s workshop which was amazing but unfortunately held on a Friday afternoon when few pupils were around.

On a new project, Cindy van Velzen explained that she had been approached by Mr. Klagges about introducing learning an instrument as part of Year 1 and 2 music lessons for maximum 30 pupils. The PA was very much in favour of this kind of project especially as it was during school hours and in the framework of the curriculum. She was convinced that parents would be very keen on the idea and the financing would not be a problem even though it entailed a two year committment. Herr Hoyem and Herr Da Torre said they fully supported such an initiative and
work should continue towards introducing it this September.

Action: Harmonisation of music and identification of top music kids in school - Mr Da Torre