2/11/11 — St Paul's School Intranet

Minutes 2/11/11

Absent: Some U8ths - Oxford / University Aptitude tests were on this day

This Week:

Report from lunch with the Head of the Board of Governors. Generally it was very much enjoyed. He enjoyed meeting the U8ths and said that it should be done more often, for example, once a term; certainly once a year. It was proposed that we could alternate between the U8th and the L8th. Something to look forward to.
Complaints about the coffee machine in the lunch hall arose - apparently it doesn't work at all, and it has not been thought to replace it. This matter has been deferred to Peter Martin, who will talk to the catering staff.
The General Studies Course in the L8th was discussed, and how arguably it might be a nice idea to perhaps have a more useful course than learning about Tigers; for example, a course in First Aid training. The problem with L8ths complaining about General Studies and how there isn't enough flexibility is that it is a matter of timetabling, itself complicated enough, and teachers having free time and their own volition. It has been said that if one really wants something, there could be something at lunch break; for example, First Aid "Club". Often the problems is that students don't feel the need to put the effort in, and equally, sometimes, neither do the teachers because of the apparent lack of enthusiasm. This just creates problems within itself, and neither of the parties enjoy it. Certainly a very hot topic. Questions such as 'How do other schools do it?' and even 'Why do we have them at all?' arose. It was agreed that it is actually quite pleasant to learn without any pressures such as homework or tests. Apparently, the girls' school has a weekly compulsory lecture about anything; at the moment however, we will stick to what is working for the time being.
Problems with parking for the U8ths driving into school have (once again) arisen. Apparently, on Lonsdale Road, the signs that say "10-12" now say "Residents only", and some U8ths are not happy, as they cannot not park on the road without getting into trouble. Sadly, however, this is a matter decided on by the local council, not St. Paul's School, as we do not technically own Lonsdale Road. There was not really very much that we could ever do. It is a shame though - driving in for some people is in fact necessary; for example, Oxbridge classes for Classics take place at 8:00am daily. It was agreed, though, that in previous years, U8ths have had no major problems getting into school without need of a car. Unfortunately, we are trying to break a brick wall with a feather, here - it is just such a massive issue.