tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3112164023092825002011-11-26T21:23:47.816ZConcerned Madras Parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06009379106412206834noreply@blogger.comBlogger301100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311216402309282500.post-90894601937233815852008-04-18T13:40:00.000Z2008-04-18T13:41:15.574Z

On 10th April, Fife Council Education and Children’s Services Committee decided to proceed with planning to build a new single site Madras College. Cllr Ron Caird did not receive support for his amendment to include a Taybridgehead school I have purposely waited before posting this to see if a groundswell of objection will emerge from the above decision. None has materialised to my knowledge. At

madras parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12671242342030816524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311216402309282500.post-22567456836716258292008-03-14T08:34:00.000Z2008-03-14T08:36:31.536Z

On 5th March the North East Fife Area Committee of Fife Council discussed future secondary school provision for our area and appear to have concluded that present school roll projections do not justify building 2 new schools. The Children’s Services and Education Committee at Council will discuss this issue in more detail on 10th April. This meeting could prove to be very important in deciding

madras parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12671242342030816524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311216402309282500.post-3581388706815078842008-02-01T10:24:00.000Z2008-02-01T10:27:57.173Z

The end of last year left us with the potential financial white elephant that is a Category B listed Kilrymont School. I received an explanation, from Mr Andy Kelly of Fife Council, defending the Council position on this. It stated that procedure was followed and at time of consultation, no planning consents, development brief or master plan existed. In this, he is correct despite the recent

madras parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12671242342030816524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311216402309282500.post-90113453848582939502007-11-09T22:48:00.000Z2007-11-09T22:51:19.626Z

I have been making enquires into the reasons why Fife Council did not object to the listing of Kilrymont and am now in a position to tell you all. It appears that only one person in Development Services dealt with the matter and, unable to find any planning proposals for Kilrymont School, informed Historic Scotland that the Council had no objections to the listing. This individual did follow

madras parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12671242342030816524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311216402309282500.post-40636277006775086222007-10-16T16:38:00.000Z2007-10-16T16:39:14.819Z

I went to the Education Committee meeting on 3rd October as promised. Mr Greer, Cllr Chapman and Cllr Waterston all agreed that funding is awaited, presumably from the Government. There does appear to be real concern that progress needs to made as soon as possible and I am encouraged by the recent Courier articles which have Cllr Chapman saying that a paper will be brought to Committee early

Concerned Madras Parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06009379106412206834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311216402309282500.post-27310366826506496312007-09-09T10:17:00.000Z2007-09-09T10:21:07.392Z

It has come to our attention that Kilrymont School was Category B listed by Historic Scotland on 27th July 2007. There was a consultation period between March and June 2007 when the owner, the relevant local authority (in this case, the owner is the local authority, Fife Council) and an independent third party had the opportunity to object to this listing. No objection was made.Unfortunately,

Concerned Madras Parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06009379106412206834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311216402309282500.post-45470586100784981582007-08-23T16:04:00.000Z2007-08-23T16:06:50.044Z

I received a message from Cllr Waterston to inform me that Madras College estate would not be included in the Committee meeting of 23rd August. He explained that ,at this time, there remained further work to be done on formulation of proposals to move this issue forward but appeared confident that Madras College would be on the agenda of the Education and Childrens Services Committee meeting of

madras parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12671242342030816524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311216402309282500.post-72893508343428984542007-06-22T23:01:00.000Z2007-06-22T23:04:13.327Z

I e-mailed all members of the new Education and Children’s Services Committee last evening asking if any member intended to raise the future of Madras at the forthcoming Committee meeting on 25th June. The Chair of the Committee, Councillor Douglas Chapman, contacted me by phone today to say that the forthcoming meeting would be mainly concerned with induction and procedural information for new

madras parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12671242342030816524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311216402309282500.post-16639866003430080072007-06-07T22:16:00.000Z2007-06-07T22:21:08.960Z

Well folks! It remains to be seen whether this pledge will be honoured but ,according to the Fife Herald of 1st June, a business case for a new TBH school WILL be in place within 12 months. It would stand to reason that a new Madras College would be built in tandem with a new TBH school but no details ,as yet ,about where a single site Madras will be. Any comments welcome.

madras parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12671242342030816524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311216402309282500.post-2621370804746842902007-05-17T19:11:00.000Z2007-05-17T19:19:36.847Z

A new administration is settling in at Fife Council as I write. All say that they are passionate, enthusiastic and determined to meet the needs of fife folk. So, let us tell them what we want. A hustings at Madras on 1st May was poorly attended and, sad to say, the 8 candidates present almost outnumbered the audience. However, the overriding message from the candidates was a cross party consensus

madras parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12671242342030816524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311216402309282500.post-80435928832358448392007-04-19T21:54:00.000Z2007-04-19T21:56:25.717Z

1-The Madras School Board will be meeting at 7pm on 24th of April in South Street library. The meetings are public meetings and all are welcome to attend as observers or to raise items for discussion.2-One NOT to miss! A Political Hustings will take place on Tuesday, May 1st at 7.30 pm in the Assembly Hall at the Kilrymont site of the school. Each political candidate will talk for 5 to 10

Concerned Madras Parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06009379106412206834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311216402309282500.post-18743362837158588962007-04-19T21:33:00.000Z2007-04-19T21:37:14.834Z

A very lively meeting, attended by 60 plus parents, took place last month at Kilrymont. A good cross section of views were aired in the presence of Fife Council representatives, school staff including the present Rector, Mr Matheson, and the incoming Rector, Mr Ian Jones.Professor McKeirnan summarised the University proposal and Mr Colin Ackland of the council stated he was aware a meeting had

Concerned Madras Parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06009379106412206834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311216402309282500.post-73383830790163712092007-02-20T07:40:00.000Z2007-02-20T07:43:19.912Z

Adam, one has to realise the old green eye monster will raise its ugly head when the Labour councillors see what is proposed. Instead of aiming high and modern, Fife seem to think achievement is akin to having any schools fit for purpose at all. My son was playing with Howe Rugby at Dunfermline High on Saturday. Changing and showers would have been condemned in North Korea! The word High in the

Concerned Madras Parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06009379106412206834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311216402309282500.post-70616979310473060682007-02-19T21:41:00.000Z2007-02-20T07:40:03.803Z

Dear Mr Smith / CouncillorWe are writing to ask for your support for the possible redevelopment of Madras on a single site provided by St Andrews University.On 6 February 2007, Professor Peter McKiernan, Chairman of the Madras School Board, released information on a proposal from St Andrews University. Briefly, this proposal offers to provide funds to build a new secondary school in St Andrews on

Concerned Madras Parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06009379106412206834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311216402309282500.post-35859591683753423942007-02-19T14:41:00.000Z2007-02-20T07:40:29.150Z

I think Fife Council would be foolish not to consider the University's proposal very seriously. It presents what is probably a unique situation, through timing and circumstance, with so many exciting opportunities for providing a very well resourced and modern secondary school. The obvious advantages would include the range of sports facilities, the closer proximity to playing fields, the ease of

Concerned Madras Parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06009379106412206834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311216402309282500.post-6231024753240966702007-02-08T21:05:00.000Z2007-02-08T21:09:21.898Z

Firstly, great to see other parents attending!At the School Board meeting on 6th February 2007, the Chairman, Professor McKiernan, unveiled a proposal from St Andrews University that could deliver a solution to the split site issue. The University and a consortium of stakeholders including local building contractors, Sport Scotland and Fife Council propose to build a new complex near the North

Concerned Madras Parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06009379106412206834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311216402309282500.post-52224078410559643882007-02-02T12:23:00.000Z2007-02-02T12:25:15.419Z

Am I Bovvered?Dear Madras Pupils,Please ask your parents “Are you bovvered” about the appalling state of Madras College and what are they doing to get you a new school?As targets are the latest educational fad we suggest that you set your parents some and periodically monitor how well they are performing against these targets. Below are some suggestions for actions that your parents could be

Concerned Madras Parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06009379106412206834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311216402309282500.post-90473768360373277872007-01-21T23:33:00.000Z2007-01-21T23:35:23.303Z

Hi all!Just to let you know, we have sent letters to all PTAs and School Boards of the Primary schools that feed into Madras.The idea is to raise the awareness of all future pupils' parents about the unsatisfactory accommodation at Madras in the hope that they will respond with communicating thier feelings regarding this issue to the decision makers. Make your voice heard!Lisa Williams

Concerned Madras Parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06009379106412206834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311216402309282500.post-70298240098996661312007-01-21T23:31:00.000Z2007-01-27T22:52:05.679Z

Madras School Board will hold its first meeting of the year at 7 pm on 6th February 2007 in the library at South St school,St Andrews.We hope to see all concerned parents,of both present and future pupils, attending. School Board meetings are public meetings and all are welcome to attend as observers or to raise items for discussion.Lisa Williams

Concerned Madras Parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06009379106412206834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311216402309282500.post-38836271005460743542007-01-14T10:44:00.000Z2007-01-14T10:47:52.905Z

Too true A.S Edwards. Glasgow rebuilt or refurbished all their schools a few years back. Pupils were then spoken to about it later. Many who had not really taken school, liked now coming to school. Some even said they did not throw litter down or graffiti as the buildings were so nice. I know Glasgow schools cannot be compared to Madras academically but then Glasgow has its own social problems in

Concerned Madras Parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06009379106412206834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311216402309282500.post-75546004681841506222007-01-14T01:51:00.000Z2007-01-14T01:53:57.561Z

I have been reading your blog and reports in The Citizen and it struck me that it is presented as if it is something new!My children (3) left Madras some years ago (the last 4) and even then, when at Kilrymont the building was in a dreadful state; leaking roofs and revolting toilets. Even then children used to use friends loos at lunchtime rather than venture into the Kilrymont ones! It was also

Concerned Madras Parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06009379106412206834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311216402309282500.post-79482510663572487282007-01-12T18:02:00.000Z2007-01-12T18:13:12.066Z

We need to overcome apathyBruce I have got very frustrated in the past about HMIe reports not acted on. I have copy of March 2002 report on Fife schooling. Yes Fife can and do nothing if they wish. The only way anything would get done is if it could be proved Fife was a failing Council in its education provision. That report was critical of school buildings also. 5 years is a long time.The best

Concerned Madras Parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06009379106412206834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311216402309282500.post-55091106927091724172007-01-11T23:04:00.000Z2007-01-11T23:06:43.217Z

Thanks to the blog-producers for the timely update on today's CSC meeting.I can believe John's comments about HMIe reports being advice rather than demands, but it is advice from a very authoritative source. If HMIe tells the Council that they believe that something needs to be done immediately to address a serious situation, it must send out a very strong signal to the relevant authorities.

Concerned Madras Parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06009379106412206834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311216402309282500.post-49039351789429042772007-01-11T20:08:00.000Z2007-01-11T20:13:37.701Z

The CSC meeting took place this morning. The recommendation accepted by the committee was to continue with the status quo. In the meantime, the Council have asked the education department to continue to investigate a single site school for Madras although they have allowed them to look outwith the Kilrymont site.As parents we are frustrated that once again, the Council seem to have done nothing

Concerned Madras Parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06009379106412206834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311216402309282500.post-86520660321820749952007-01-11T13:30:00.000Z2007-01-11T13:37:03.227Z

In reply to Bruce's points re HMIe reportBruce, not a lot of people know that the HMIe reports are only recommendations and councils are not required to act on them. I was a bit taken aback to discover this when I had to contact HMIe over other Madras matters arising from previous reports.John MontgomeryQuote from HMIe to Lisa WilliamsAfter contacting HMIe earlier this week concerning the powers

Concerned Madras Parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06009379106412206834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311216402309282500.post-27907753985322107872007-01-11T08:01:00.000Z2007-01-11T13:26:47.631Z

Dear Councillor DairRe: Madras College Split Site, HMIE Report, and your committee meeting of 11 JanuaryI am shocked to read in the press and in paper 10 for your 11 January 2007 meeting of the Children's Services Committee that this Committee is being asked to approve what seems to amount to ignoring the HMIE report (2 May 2006) which was so critical of the accommodation issues at Madras College

Concerned Madras Parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06009379106412206834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311216402309282500.post-41262573440353848392007-01-07T01:03:00.000Z2007-01-07T01:04:27.844Z

The parents of Madras College have now been made aware of the academic limitations of having a split site school by the Her Majesty's Inspector of schools. Not only that, the state of the buildings was also of concern to the Inspectors.What does bother me a bit is where have they been for years? Did it take a school inspection to highlight this problem? Was it not good enough that staff had

Concerned Madras Parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06009379106412206834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311216402309282500.post-73245935276794481182007-01-05T18:19:00.000Z2007-01-05T18:25:09.037Z

Fife Council has admitted that the valuation of £13.5M for the Kilrymont site is wrong and should be £9M! How can they make such a large error at the beginning of this process and still expect parents of children at Madras to have confidence in this process? Fife Council officials are still maintaining that the valuation of £3.5M for the South Street site is fair. We believe that an independent

Concerned Madras Parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06009379106412206834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311216402309282500.post-16881351254835345582007-01-02T12:52:00.000Z2007-01-07T01:06:26.914Z

Council MeetingFife Council have produced a report entitled “ Madras College, St Andrews, High Level description of Options for a Single Site campus”, for the 11th January meeting of the Children’s Services Committee. It lists five possible options to address the damning HMIe report of May 2006 which said that the evaluation of accommodation at Madras College was “unsatisfactory”, the lowest

Concerned Madras Parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06009379106412206834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-311216402309282500.post-52514674496170859232006-12-12T19:15:00.000Z2006-12-29T17:23:13.230Z

Fife Council will hold a Children's Services Committee meeting on 11 Janruary 2007 at 10:00am in Glenrothes to decide which of the five options for redeveloping Madras to adopt.The council's favourite option is:1. Status quo - maintenance at both sites because funds are not available for any other option.The other options that the council will consider but do not favour are as follows:2.

Concerned Madras Parentshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06009379106412206834noreply@blogger.com