There was a great turnout for tonight's meeting in the school to discuss the future of St Joseph's school. While no officials from East Dunbartonshire Council felt able to attend councillors, representatives from the parish and diocese, the parent council and representatives from over 50 families discussed what the future holds for our children's education in Milngavie.
The view was simple we have to fight the proposed closure of our school in Milngavie and that fight has to begin in earnest now.
So what can parents, friends and parishioners do?
This first thing to be done THIS WEEK is to fill in the schools survey. If you don't have a hard copy don't wait for it to come through your door. Only a small number of households will receive a paper copy of the survey. You can fill it in online. Here's the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/edcpsip
You can read the council's notes here, if you'd like but it's the survey that's key: http://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/news/latest_news/ps_consultations_begins.aspx
Consensus from the meeting was to fill in the questionnaire indicating that it is not acceptable to close St Joseph's and merge the pupils with St Andrew's in Bearsden. That there is no proof that this would offer any educational benefit and that we have a right to have a denominational school within our distinct community and our community is Milngavie.
As parents we'd like to see a Roman Catholic primary school in Milngavie and if that means a revised proposal on the table for a joint campus on the North Campbell Ave site then that could be acceptable.
We need to make the point that our school and its families are a vital part of the wider Milngavie community and that's where our children should be educated.
It is up to each parent to decide what they want to say about other proposals for elsewhere in the area.
Once you've filled in the questionnaire start lobbying your councillors they are the elected officials and they are the one who will make any final decisions. Write emails and letters and get your friends and children to do the same. Also write to our MP and MSPs.
It's time to make our dissatisfaction with this process and the proposals very clear.
Lastly make everyone in Milngavie aware of what we are doing and why. Join the protests and campaign any way you can. Like our Facebook page and keep an eye on it to stay up to date with activity. Also subscribe to this blog to keep in touch with what's going on....
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