Page 20 - link magazine

20
NEWS &VIEWS

WHAT'S ON IN JUNE A regular column by teachers
working in West Swindon. This
3rd Social Evening for Green Supporters, 6pm Lower Shaw month Ian Matthews, Head of
Farm. Vegan Food.
Greendown, asks -
6th
Jumble Sale, Shaw Church, 2pm.
6/7th Nostalgia Weekend, Lydiard Country Park. "SO WHOSE SCHOOLS ARE

11th Shaw Residents Association Annual General Meeting, THEY?"
8pm, Shaw Church.
12th Education seems to have been required by law to decide the
Toothill Community Centre Annual General Meeting,
8pm. very much in the public eye nature of sex education (the only
Freshbrook Fun Day - Procession at 1pm; Fete at
13th recently. Four years of industrial example of a specific area). They
145pm, School Field. action with its effects on teachers, must produce an annual report
l8th-20th Handicraft Exhibition at Link Centre in aid of interna- parents and students have ob- of the activities of the school and
tional Year of Homeless. Sale of work on 20th. viously had their effect - and a present this for open debate at an
20th - Toothill School Fete, 2pm-5pm. coming general election which annual meeting of the parents.
- St. Peter's Catholic Church Fete, 2pm. promises to make major changes They have a responsibility to
- Ridgeway School Fete 10.30am-4.30pm, Maunsell to the system whoever is elected, advise the Head on the general
Way Sports Ground, Wroughton. has added to a higher profile principles of discipline in the
—Race Night in aid of West Swindon Playschemes. for education. Parents are con- school, and the Head is required
tinually being told about the to 'take these into account'.
need for them to have more Governors also have power in
power and influence in our the expenditure of funds pro-
schools - what isn't so well vided in running the school -
known is that over the past year a although they cannot decide on a
number of major changes have joint educational visit to the
occurred which already gives some exotic isle for all governors!
Hairdressing for Men & Women .parents considerable influence A further area of influence is in
over the schools. These changes, the appointment of teaching staff
20 High Street the result of various new laws, - governors have a right to be
14
Wootton Bassett are due to come into operation present at interviews and selec-
over the next few months. tion panels, although the law
Most of the changes concern does not make any specific
the governing bodies of schools. comments on how the staff are
These bodies have in the past selected. Finally, there are a
been made of various people number of other areas where
with some sort of interest in governors have a major influence
education, although they have - these include admissions of
not had to be parents, or indeed students, control of the school
to have had any real contact with premises outside of school hours,
PLANT P UNIT 7 ASH schools. Parents have had a right sex education, a duty to ensure
H/RE KEMBREY PARK to some representation but this that there is no form of political
//FA SWINDON has been a small proportion of indoctrination, and teacher
ST11LTD
/j
WILTSHIRE SN2 6UN the total number of governors. appraisal.
FAST SERVICE - FRIENDL YADVIGE From September the number of Clearly the governors of a
Telephone: 0793 46520
0793 617854 parents is considerably increased school are a very powerful body.
- a school of over six hundred It is surprising therefore that
students will have nineteen so few parents wish to become
LIGHTWEIGHT PLANT HIRE SPECIALISTS governors which includes at least school governors, and the turn-
FOR D.I.Y. AND TRADE
five parents. The remainder out at governors elections is still
include six other governors who very poor at most schools. If
are 'coopted' - that is chosen parents wish to have influence,
by the governors and who may here is an excellent opportunity
therefore also be parents. It for this to happen - and if you
is possible therefore that the wish to have a greater involve-
governing body could have as ment in your school (and it really
many as 11 parents - a clear is yours!) or alternatively don't
majority. want others to have as much in-
The governors are potentially fluence (think of what could
a very powerful body - they happen if the wrong people got
have major powers over the elected) then make sure that you
school curriculum (they may use your vote when the oppor-
decide the content) and are tunity arises.

LOTS ON FOR THE 45s PLUS
The 45 + Club provides a friendly the sports facilities at the Link.
place to meet others of more It's a good way for anybody who
mature years who want to keep wants to stay active to do so.
active. They meet every Tuesday Once a month, on a Sunday,
between 2 p.m. and 4p.m. in the the 45+ Club organise a Tea
Community Suite at the Link Dance in the Community Suite.
Centre. There is a 50p annual The next will be held on 7th
membership fee and refresh- June, 12th July and 9th August.
ments are served for only 20p on All styles of dancing are catered
the afternoons. for by Bernard Arnold who pro-
WE LIVE UP TO OUR NAME! Many members of the 45+ vides the musical accompaniment
Club, participate in the use of on his organ.