Minutes:
TRUSTS FOR AFRICAN
SCHOOLS
MINUTES OF MEETING OF
TRUSTEES ON 13 FEBRUARY 2014
Present: : Guy
Cowley, Norma Empringham, Ben Howland, Will
Jones, Tom Marshall-Andrews, Gill
Marshall-Andrews, Luke Morris, Ben Taylor
Apologies Lissa
Campbell, Heather Flint, Tim Flower, Steve James, Johnnie Morris, Ben Taylor
Norma Empringham in the Chair
1. Tom Holroydwas welcomed to the meeting
2. Minutes of meeting on 18 November 2013
were agreed.
3. Norma Empringham agreed to remain as
Chairman.
4. New Secretaries
Lut Laenen and Kim Keppell have agreed to take over the
secretary roles in Ikathima Primary School Trust and Madogo Secondary School
Trust respectively. Forms are being completed to appoint them as signatories on
the two trust bank accounts.
5. Update on schools and exam results
The Kenyan Certificate of Primary Exam results are out
and Guy presented these is graphical form with an excellent analysis. Against a background of nationally worsening
results due to increased intake and problems with the quality and quantity of
teachers, the TAS supported schools are doing well. The number of students – particularly girls -
taking the exam is increasing, and more are reaching the standard necessary to
qualify for secondary school.
The secondary exam results are expected at the end of
February.
These results will be put on the website shortly – thank
you Tom and Guy!
6.
School Partnerships
Kimphe
Langano Primary School (Ethiopia) / Heathfield Junior School
The
planned visit by 2 Ethiopian teachers to Heathfield had to be cancelled because
the visitors were refused visas. The
matter will be taken up by Gill and Paul Clayton the Headteacher of Heathfield. Luke has a colleague with expertise in this
field who might be willing to help. The
new plan is for the visit to take place in early July 2014.
Mivukoni
/ Hampton Academy
Peter
Edmead, former Head of Science at Hampton Academy who has visited Mivukoni
several times plans to continue his involvement on a personal basis. Efforts are being made to keep the
partnership alive at Hampton.
Madogo
/ Waldegrave School for Girls
This
partnership has faded away as key personnel at Waldegrave have left the
schools, British Council funding has finished and Madogo has had significant
communication and other difficulties – strikes, changes of senior management
etc. However, one Waldegrave family
continue to sponsor Gladys Wangari’s boarding fees (Gladys was one of the two
students from Madogo who visited Waldegrave in 2012).
Usueni / Norbury Manor
The partnership between Usueni School and Norbury Manor
Business and Entreprise College for Girls in Croydon is in full swing. Two teachers from Usueni visited Norbury in November 2013– funded by TAS - and Norbury
Manor has succeeded in raising funds from the British Council’s Connecting
Classrooms programme for their staff to visit Kenya in May 2014.
TAS has funded a business banda and sewing equipment for
an entrepreneurial partnership activity.
We have also funded some new staff quarters which can be used by visiting
teachers.
7. Resignation of Heather Flint
It was noted with great regret that Heather has resigned
as a trustee. Since the beginning she
has brought a unique raft of knowledge and experience to the Board and we wish
her well. Norma agreed to write to her
on behalf of the trustees. Luke will see
what needs to be done to the trust deed / annual report etc.
It was agreed that we will explore the possibility of
inviting another retiring secondary headteacher to join the Board.
8.
Finance, accounts and Gift Aid
Guy
presented an update on funding till end 2013.
We expect Gift Aid to be less last year because several significant
funders are now donating from foundations and trusts which do not attract Gift
Aid.
There
is around £13.5k in the bank accounts available to spend.
9. Proposals for funding
It was agreed that we send out around £13k as per the
amended list. It was noted that two
secretaries have held back further funding proposals pending completion reports
and other actions by the school. Two
schools failed to meet the time deadline for proposals or sent proposals that
were incomplete. There are several
building proposals in the pipeline – notably staff quarters for Kalumu and a
library for Madogo.
10. Fund raising
There was a discussion about how to widen our funding
base. Luke agreed to investigate Locke
Lorde’s charitable funding and it was agreed to ask Ben T what the position
with Ernst and Young might be. Tom H indicated he might have some ideas. It is likely we will be able to apply for
another grant from the Foyle Foundation.
Everyone will consider this as a priority.
11. Just a Drop
It is hoped that this water charity will be able to
assist some of the TAS supported schools to stabilise their vulnerable water
supply and hygiene arrangements. Lissa
is pursuing this.
12. KWS and Stephen Kameti
The Waterloo Foundation have agreed to 50% funding (around £7k) for Stephen
Kameti’s post which is wonderful. KWS have indicated that their contribution
will match this. It is hoped that this
can all be put in place within the next few weeks as Stephen’s funding runs out
at the end of Feb.
13. Next meeting was agreed for 6pm 19 May
2014. Many thanks to Ben H for
hosting today’s meeting.
It is hoped that the next meeting might be at Ernst and
Young – Ben T to be contacted about this on his return from holiday.
