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On Tuesday 22 September 2009, FaCT (Faith and Choice Together) was formally created.  It now has a Constitution which you can download HERE and a membership form which you can download HERE.

We felt it was important to formally constitute FaCT for a number of reasons, not least so that when FaCT members contact other organisations or the media we can do so on behalf of FaCT, rather than as individuals opposed to the merger.

Therefore, the meeting on 22 September was FaCT's Annual General Meeting. 

Once constituted, the members of FaCT agreed that three official candidates would contest the forthcoming parent governor elections at St Bernard's on behalf of FaCT:

1. Pat McGill - member of FaCT's Executive Committee and current parent governor
2. Tony O’Shea - Chairman of FaCT
3. Chris Beer - member of FaCT's Executive Committee

1. Tony O’Shea updated the meeting on recent events.  He stressed that the Expression of Interest had still not been submitted to the DCSF.
2. A general discussion took place about the process of creating an Academy and ways in which it could be prevented.
3. Tony updated the meeting on his recent visit with M. Darcy and P. Panioty, also parents, to the Slough Borough Council Education and Children's Services Scrutiny Panel meeting on 10 September.
4. Tony updated the meeting on the visit witfh M. Darcy to the National Grammar Schools Association (NGSA) on 19 September. The NGSA confirmed that they are fully supportive of FaCT and totally oppose the proposal to close St. Bernard’s and create an Academy.
5. Tony told the meeting that Councillor Diana Coad from Langley St Mary's ward had signed the online petition. Diana Coad is the prospective parliamentary candidate for Slough.  Tony believed that Ms Coad and her husband, Peter Dale-Gough, were against the Academy proposal. Clarifications as to which Councillors were for/against the Academy proposal would be helpful and Tony said he would try to clarify this by the next meeting.
6. Paul Welsh then proposed that FaCT be formally constituted, membership forms submitted an Executive Committee elected and that the Annual General Meeting be held.  Paul stated that in his view, one of the advantages of having FaCT as a formal body was that letters to various bodies could be written on behalf of FaCT.  Copies of the proposed Constitution were distributed and a discussion took place about the aims of FaCT. 
7. The FaCT membership fee was discussed.  M. Tierney proposed (seconded by T. O’Shea) that a joining fee of £10 per family would be appropriate, in order to provide FaCT with some initial funds for booking meeting rooms, etc.  This suggestion had full support.
8. Membership forms were completed by all present and membership fees paid.
9. It was agreed that membership forms and the copy of the Constitution would be made available on the web site for potential new members to download.  It was agreed that FaCT should have a bank account so that members could pay membership fees by cheque.
10. The election of the Executive Committee took place and the following members were elected:  Chairman - Tony O'Shea, Secretary - Paul Welsh, Treasurer - G. Murphy, Executive Committee Members - Pat McGill and Chris Beer.
11. Paul stated that he felt it was essential to produce a list of tasks that needed to be carried out by FaCT and that these tasks should be assigned to specific members.  It was agreed that Paul would compile and distribute an initial list that members could add to.  Members could then volunteer to take responsibility for a particular area of campaigning.
12. Tony raised the matter of the hard copy petition.  It was agreed that large numbers of signatures would eventually be required.  Tony also stressed the importance of keeping the 10 Downing Street e-petition support going until 24 October when it will end.
13. The meeting then discussed the endorsement of three parent governors for the forthcoming election.  Pat pointed out that the election provided an excellent opportunity to notify all parents at the school about FaCT, the www.savestbernards.co.uk web site, etc, because references to these could be included in the personal statements of the candidates.  Pat stated that he wished to stand for another term.  Tony, Paul and Chris also expressed an interest in standing.  Paul agreed to withdraw his candidacy and it was therefore agreed that Pat, Tony and Chris would stand as the candidates endorsed by FaCT.
14. Tony pointed out that the current Google group (mailing list) was open for anyone to join and he believed it was being monitored by representatives from the school, although he felt that this was healthy as the information shared was open to everyone.  Paul stated that he intended creating a new Google group for FaCT members.  The new group would allow more confidential discussions to take place regarding campaign strategy and actions; it would not replace the current group because it was important to encourage participation by supporters of FaCT, as well as members, and the majority of discussions were not , in any case, confidential.
15. It was suggested from the floor that the creation of a "crib sheet" would be useful.  This would contain arguments that could be used when discussing the merger with those in favour of the merger. Tony confirmed that they will look at putting some information together by the next meeting.
16. The meeting concluded at 9.30pm.

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