Open evening for year 6 parents.

The school put on it's usual good show this evening, and judging by the car park many people were interested in seeing what makes Chapter tick. The staff concentrated on what they do best - the children and their education and S.O.C.K. were there to answer any questions anyone had about OUR views of the council's proposals.

We were very encouraged to see so many people taking the time to listen and understand the facts of the council's proposal, and the implications of handing over their childrens education to a currently unknown group or teachers, governers and controlling board to HOPE that they get it right from day 1.

Question 14,000,000 : 1 odds - Chance of winning the lottery or chances of a brand new academy being effective whilst not disrupting the education of current or future boys and girls......... - do you feel lucky - well do ya?

If the Cabinet won't come to Chapter, Chapter must go to the Cabinet

On Thursday evening 39 folks went along to the Council meeting in Gillingham to be there to greet our councilors as they went into the chamber. They also watched as the first part of our petition was handed over to the mayor.

Once again - many of the 6th form chose to come along - it's really nice to see that these people care about the school that they will be leaving before any of the proposals take effect.

Makes you feel like part of a family doesn't it.

The Tuesday SOCK

Another SOCK meeting tonight - once again, thanks to everyone who made the effort to come along. We covered some good ground, and we have the 1st part of our petition ready to formally present to the Council - that will be done this Thursday at the Municiple Buildings in Gillingham - full address is

Municipal Buildings

Canterbury Street

Gillingham

Kent

ME7 5LA

There is a map on the council site - which I have linked to here

The meeting starts at 7:00pm and as it is a public meeting - all are welcome to attend.

Additionally, we have had another showing in the press- this time our MP Mr Robert Marshall-Andrews has publicly spoken regarding the Council's plans, and our proposed alternatives. You can email Mr Marshall-Andrews and let him know your opinions - I have added his email address to the list of address on the right hand side but you can also mail him from this link You can read the article online here and while you are at it you can also read the article written after the Public consultation meeting at the school.

The Weekend Score

A nice balanced review of the public consultation meeting was published in the local press. And there were a couple of letters of support in one of the papers. Once again we thank the KM group for their fair and accurate reporting.

Another good effort on the petitions - we had nearly 600 signatures at Dockside - plus another round at Strood market, and some supporters at Rochester Market - excellent effort and thanks to those who braved the cold.

So - a couple of emails exchanged with David Wildey - he said (and I quote)

As I am at present the Chairman for the public consultations the cabinet would expect me to answer as I think appropriate (or time permitting).

And Rodney Chambers said:

Cllr David Wildey, Portfolio Holder for Children's Social Care was the Cabinet representative at this consultation meeting. All communication and feedback will be presented to all Cabinet Members at the end of the consultation period before any decision is made.

Interesting - David Wildey assumes he speaks FOR the cabinet - Rodney Chambers assumes he speaks TO the cabinet - and no-one, it seems, is tasked to LISTEN TO THE ELECTORATE

The Sound of Silence - perhaps someone put a SOCK in it?

So nearly 24 hours after I mailed the cabinet and challenged them to demonstrate that they are listening - I have recceived ........ 1 reply....... from one of the Cabinet members who was at the meeting last night - he said "I will pass your views along and make sure they are in the consultation" -thankyou Mr Wildey for taking the time to reply - I guess your colleagues are so busy drawing up the revised plan that SOCK proposed.

A letter to the Cabinet - are they listening?

I wrote this to the cabinet tonight - I'll post any responses I might get.

Dear Cabinet Members,

I attended the public consultation meeting at Chapter School tonight. I and many others were surprised that only 2 of the cabinet members were in attendance, my thanks to the 2 who were there (although I am not sure if it was a required duty for them).

I am very disappointed that the decision making panel were not able to benefit from the articulate and heartfelt questions and comments from the floor.

The minutes will show a strong single message that was conveyed, but they will never show the feeling, the pride and the passion with which the views of the voters were delivered, the single clear voice of a group of disparate people all trying to tell the council that 1) they don’t want the proposed solution and most importantly, 2) they support for the viable, rational and reasonable alternative that is being proposed by the pupils, parents, staff and community supporters that support the option outlined by the S.O.C.K. group.

You missed the chance to witness democracy in action, the chance to show the people that they have a voice, that those making the decisions won’t do it in the isolation of balance sheets, theory and second hand reports in a council chamber.

You missed the chance to listen, and therefore you missed the chance to understand.

How do the people of Medway know if they really matter?

To make my views clear I fully support the SOCK alternative, allowing Chapter to become co-educational with a staged intake of boys into year 7, and most importantly, maintain the existing Chapter leadership, management, staff and ethos and allow the Chapter family’s success to benefit all the children of the area – it can work, it involves less disruption and risk to those caught up in the middle and it is built on a proven foundation – NONE of which can be claimed by a yet to be formed, Academy with no foundations and little public support (Rose Collinson did say that there were more voices for the SOCK proposal than there were for the Academy)

I look forward to hearing your comments and responses.

Public Meeting at Chapter School

WOW - great turn out and so much heartfelt honesty in the room, everyone from the Girls and Boys of the Chapter family, through parents, ex-pupils, staff, governers, interested potential parents and concillors asked constructive questions, gave reasoned feedback, offered heartfelt messages of "Don't gamble with the future of the Children of Strood" and "You already have an expert team who can help you solve it".

Never heard so much pride in one place, sometimes emotional, sometimes funny - but all saying one thing - CHAPTER CAN BE THE CORNERSTONE OF THE FUTURE OF EDUCATION FOR BOYS AND GIRLS IN THE AREA - IT ISN'T BROKEN, DON'T FIX IT.

The councillors present had a hard night, but I think they were treated fairly, the meeting over-ran by one and half hours (3 hours instead of 1 and 1/2)!, but everyone got their chance to be heard. The panel said a number of times they were listening, and there were more voices for the S.O.C.K. proposal than there were against it - but their actions will speak louder than their words.

2 of the decision making cabinet of 10 were there tonight - have to agree it's 2 better than 0, but 8 less than ideal - no written minutes of this meeting will convery the depth of pride and passion in that room. HOW CAN THE DECISION MAKERS KNOW THE FEELINGS OF THE PEOPLE THAT ELECTED THEM IF THEY AREN'T THERE TO FELL IT 1ST HAND.

Their emails are listed on this blog - mail them, ask them why they weren't at the meeting tonight - ask them how they will demonstrate that your opinions matter to them.

If you came tonight - thanks, if you couldn't make it then still email them, write to them, send back their proposal questionnaire - will they listen, I don't know, but if you say nothing, then they WILL close the school, and they will gamble with the future - you have to ask yourself - "DO YOU FEEL LUCKY.........."?

Please to remember the 14th of November

Council's educational plot.....

Seriously though - public consultation at the school tonight - we need a good show and we need you to ask the questions.

One interesting point - it appears that if an Academy is built there is no way to guarantee that any children currently at either school will be offered a place.

Another gamble with our Children's future - best hope we roll a "6"!

S.O.C.K.- IT Tuesday

Just came home from tonights S.O.C.K. meeting. Many many thanks to all who attended and once again some very good ideas and responses.

We had a good week - the local press gave us some very good coverage and gave our point of view in a nice balanced way. They are carrying our message the we are very much campaigning for a solution that gives a future for.


ALL THE CHILDREN - THAT'S ALL THE CHILDREN - BOYS AND GIRLS

We can't afford to gamble with the futures or the children of the area, we have to deal with how we get to the target, if things have to change, we want them to change for the best for everyone.

WE SAY YES TO CHAPTER BOYS - IN A MANAGED WAY SO THAT THE SUCCESSES CHAPTER ARE ENJOYING CAN BENEFIT ALL THE CHILDREN IN STROOD

To the business of the evening - it's the final Chapter Public Consultation meeting tomorrow - it's really important that as many people as possible come along and ask those questions that are on your mind.

And - there's always an "and" - we need to make sure all the decision makers in the council understand how we feel - so - please, e-mail them and :

1) Ask them how they can be sure they understand how the public feel if they are not attending the public meetings.

2) Ask them how they are going to demonstrate to the VOTERS in MEDWAY that their opinions count - that there voices will be heard.

.... While you are there - tell them what you WANT to happen - tell them how Chapter goes to a co-educational school - but remember, if you agree with SOCK tell them SOCK sent you, united we stand etc.

So - who are these cabinet members - they are detailed here email addresses listed on the side of the blog.

Tell your local councillor too- this affects all the schools in Medway - why - because an Academy will atract money - if it works as well as we are being told -all the teachers will want to work there, and all the children will want to go there - where does this leave the other schools?

Market Day

On Saturday 10th November members of S.O.C.K. spent the day at Strood Market, explaining the situation and asking for signatures on our paper petition.

By the end of the day we had another 1,269 people who want Medway Council to understand that if something isn't broken, then the VOTERS don't want you to fix it.

S.O.C.K it to the Council....

It has been a busy few weeks - starting with the presentation of 1000 SOCKS to the local council during their Public Consultation open day at the Civic Centre - it made the South East news - you can view the piece here.

The local press reported it well, we had the frontpage of one paper, and a full page spread of another.

Good start, excellent response and VERY positive comments received.

I bet many head teachers would like to hear 100 of their pupils chanting their name, they said it very well - "Miss Dore, knows the score".

S.O.C.K (Support Our Chapter Kids)

Welcome - thanks for taking to the time to read this blog.

It has been setup to help the members of S.O.C.K (Support Our Chapter Kids) keep a diary of the things that are happening as we continue our efforts to help Medway Council make the right decision regarding the educational reform that is going to take place in Strood.