School Dinners

by **Anne Baird** » Sat May 12, 2012 8:57 pm

ultraviolet wrote:Excellent post Anne. You should have posted on here more before the elections and you would have picked up more votes!

To be honest I felt a bit uncomfortable appearing on the forum right before the election. It looks as though you've only taken an interest because you want votes, but John Semple introduced me to it and since they were asking questions of the candidates I felt I should answer. Now the election is over I'm much happier to pitch in when I've got something to say.

by **WC1** » Sat May 12, 2012 9:09 pm

We will have to agree to disagree on this one, GG.

I accept that Malcolm McFadyen seemed to be defending the indefensible when he went on the wireless, but I have a suspicion he was handed a poisoned chalice. Having worked with Malcolm over many years I know him to be a decent, honest, dedicated public servant who doesn't deserve the opprobrium being heaped on him on this occasion.

I also know that the school meals being 'exposed' on this blog are completely out of kilter with the norm in Argyll and Bute. I am not doubting this young lady's experience on this occasion, but I think it has to be placed alongside the more positive experiences that Anne admits have come in from all across the county. This girl's experience was not the norm!

As for the girl's teacher having given permission for this to be blogged, I'm afraid that goes against the guidelines staff have to operate within. Had it happened in my time as a heidie, the teacher concerned would have been in my office pronto to have his or her bowels loosened. But then, I was ever the benevolent despot. In any case, I'm not convinced that as a writing exercise this would satisfy the terms of the rubric.

I also think my point about trial by media, whether it be blogs, print or broadcast, is a fair one. This is a dangerous way for us to go. I'm all for hitting back at what's happening to you, but you've got to give the guys at the sharp end a chance to address the issues first. Who knows, they may even put them right. If I know Malcolm McFadyen, he'll be doing exactly that.

by **Anne Baird** » Sat May 12, 2012 9:32 pm

WC1 wrote:I also think my point about trial by media, whether it be blogs, print or broadcast, is a fair one. This is a dangerous way for us to go. I'm all for hitting back at what's happening to you, but you've got to give the guys at the sharp end a chance to address the issues first. Who knows, they may even put them right. If I know Malcolm McFadyen, he'll be doing exactly that.

I think we may not actually disagree on too much. There are many people - teachers, cleaners, clerks, dinner ladies, roads workers and council officials - who are doing a great job and I accept that Mr McFadyen may indeed have been given the poisoned chalice. Hopefully then he'll be one of the people who appreciates the new political leadership whose stated intent is to value the people delivering the services and root out the negative, defensive and bullying culture that makes so many of them miserable.

I also agree that trial by media is problematic, but it usually occurs in a vacuum and sometimes is the only option left to people whose perfectly sensible points remain otherwise unheard. In this case however, there was no intention to stage a campaign and that's what makes it especially regrettable that the council took this attitude. When we have a feedback and complaints system that responds fairly, when consultation means more than "This is what you're getting. Feel free to comment but we won't care what you say." when council officials are confident about doing positive work, then we should see an end to trial by media.

by **Nomad** » Sat May 12, 2012 9:54 pm

interesting posts in this thread so far......

but surely the fact of matter is- the kids menu has on it "pizza" & "burgers" amongst other things (so far from the pics posted anyway).

Who cares who the kids parents are, who cares if the kid decides to eat it/ not eat it, choose it/ not choose it?

The fact of the matter is- it is being supplied on the menu by people ("adults") who should know better to the young one's who do not. if you give them the option of the same processed crap that many of them (it would seem these days anyway) are being fed at home, it is hardly suprising if they then choose it.

what i'm trying to say is- for those kids who receive a well balanced diet at home, then having tasty healthy food at school does them no harm.
for those who eat a poor diet at home (for WHATEVER reason...)- then having tasty healthy food at school does them no harm.

it may all come down to "portion cost per pupil" etc etc. but healthy food can be cheap & tasty (and indeed CHEAPER in the long run!).

i wonder where all our council tax money goes. 2 quid per child for meals & some of the worst roads i have seen since i was in Eastern Europe!

by **Govangirl** » Sat May 12, 2012 10:57 pm

I totally agree with you Nomad. And if the photos are not the norm then good for your area. I know where I live the meals are dire in many schools. Sorry but I think it's sad if the teachers who promote REAL writing skills have to fear for their bowels! And in light of your comment about the exercise 'not satisfying the terms of the rubric' you would get on really well with Michael Wilshaw, WC1!!!!!!

by **WC1** » Sun May 13, 2012 6:18 am

I don't think I have much in common with that gentleman at all, GG! In fact, after his comments about stress in teaching I don't think he should continue to hold the post he does. My point about the teacher was based on the fact that local authorities have guidelines about the use of public blogs and websites which appear not to have been followed here, but that's a separate issue altogether.

by **Kintyre Forum News** » Mon May 14, 2012 11:36 pm

Received the following e-mail from ARSN

The following statement is our Press Release in response to the recent revelations about the standards of school dinners in Argyll & Bute, as brought to light in Martha Payne's blog: http://neverseconds.blogspot.co.uk/2012 ... h-may.html

"The revelation that some children in Argyll & Bute are being fed inadequate meals at school is of huge concern to ARSN. Equally appalling is the Council’s response which was to use national radio to blame a 9 year old and her parents. This is symptomatic of a council unable to treat, and respond to, criticism in a constructive manner. Rather than look into the problem they simply shoot the messenger. We are aware that some of our schools deliver first class lunches for all their pupils and see no reason why this child should settle for less.
The new administration will be voted into place on 22nd May and, until that time, we are reliant on the Council’s senior officers to run the Council effectively and professionally. This latest episode raises grave concerns about their ability to do so and is indicative of a corporate culture requiring extensive rehabilitation.

ARSN contacted Councillor Mary-Jean Devon, proposed as the Children's Champion in the new coalition and are delighted that she shared our concerns and applauded the initiative shown by Martha stating that it provides evidence that the Curriculum for Excellence was being delivered and creating confident, responsible individuals. She has made a commitment to ARSN that her first action on 22nd May will be to ensure Martha's concerns are addressed, to review the Council's response and to ensure that the rights of all children are known throughout the Council.

We would like to congratulate Martha on her initiative. ARSN looks forward to hearing the conclusion of Councillor Devon's enquiries.”

If you have any enquiries or require further information, please call Fiona on 01436 860925 or email us at arsnmedia@gmail.com.

Kind regards

ARSN

by **Sheik Yir Erse** » Tue May 15, 2012 9:02 pm

They really should change their acronym :roll:

by **Govangirl** » Tue May 15, 2012 9:16 pm

I certainly agree with Sheik's comment but on the other hand that is one great response from them. Well done.

by **Anne Baird** » Tue May 15, 2012 11:26 pm

LOL! We ARSNists like our name

In the darkest days of the schools closure proposals we needed to have fun. People gave hundreds of hours to keeping their schools open and they did it against a backdrop of a council that thought it was okay to shift 40 kids into another school because they hadn't spotted the typing error that made the capacity of 117 into 177. Imagine the problem they'd have had when 145 kids turned up to a 117 kid school? When you see dozens, and I really mean dozens, of similar mistakes it's easy to despair. Part of the light relief was looking at the ways you could play with the word ARSN. Without the humour and the friendship we'd have buckled.

I haven't come across a better bunch of people and they created an Argyll wide network that can respond to problems like Martha's, especially now since we know and have worked with the councillors in the new administration. The good news is that her meals improved today and three local councillors came to eat the same food in the same canteen. Now if only they'd done that in the first place ...

by **Nomad** » Wed May 16, 2012 12:44 am

Anne Baird wrote: The good news is that her meals improved today and three local councillors came to eat the same food in the same canteen.

What an amazing coincidence! i assume the visit was top secret & unannounced in advance? :roll:

by **Anne Baird** » Wed May 16, 2012 4:38 pm

Pure coincidence I'm sure.

The trick will be to get them to pop in at random but maybe, since Martha's clearly still updating her blog, we should just keep an eye on what she's saying. Yesterday she said "For the first time ever I have seen at lunch cherry tomatoes, radishes, carrot and cucumber shreddings." No doubt if she goes back to single croquettes we'll see it on there.

by **easypeasy** » Thu May 17, 2012 8:38 pm

I listened to the Call Kaye program on this topic and thought the Argyle Council representitive who came on to answer the criticism dealt with it in a reasonable way and has to be congratulated as no other representative from councils elsewhere in Scotland did so. He pointed out that Martha had made a bad choice in what she had selected and this made me realise what is selected and how much of it, is up to the pupil.

by **chuckle** » Thu May 17, 2012 9:31 pm

easypeasy wrote:I listened to the Call Kaye program on this topic and thought the Argyle Council representitive who came on to answer the criticism dealt with it in a reasonable way and has to be congratulated as no other representative from councils elsewhere in Scotland did so. He pointed out that Martha had made a bad choice in what she had selected and this made me realise what is selected and how much of it, is up to the pupil.

Hang on a minute! What do you mean Martha made a bad choice???? surely ALL the food provided for school lunches and paid for by hard working parents should be a GOOD choice. We should be teaching these children that the food choices on offer are healthy, nutritious and sustaining, so far Martha has proved what we as parents of other children in Argyll know is that this is not true! Eg.1 sausage and 1 spoon of mash with 1 small spoon of peas for a growing and physically active 8 yr old boy, I offered to pay more for 2 sausages (I know, it sounds ridiculous doesn't it that a hard working mother has to beg the school for her to pay for 2 sausages for her son).

Well done Martha, you are succeeding where more mature and literally adequate adults/parents (myself) have failed (and given up!) keep going!