Student Council
Role and Purpose of the Student Council
Ballindangan NS considers it important that the pupils should play an active, positive role in the life of their school and believes that our Student Council helps to achieve this.
The role of the Student Council in Ballindangan N.S. is to:
- provide an opportunity for pupils to voice their opinions and offer suggestions in relation to many aspects of school life
- offer an opportunity for all pupils to voice their opinions on proposed changes and thereby play a very significant role in improving our school
- act as a channel of communication within the school organisation between pupils and between home and school
- encourage pupils to organise events in Ballindangan N.S. and to represent the school in a positive way at these events.
The Election Process
Every September, two representatives from the Junior room and the Senior room are elected by secret ballot and take a seat on the Council for the duration of that academic year. Prior to the election nominees are invited to canvass and engage in debates with other candidates in their classroom. An election is then held in each classroom and two representatives from each classroom are awarded a seat on the student council for the duration of that academic year. The elected pupils are required to be active participants in the Student Council, to attend meetings regularly, participate in activities and be a role model for other students. All Student Council members wear specially designed badges for easy identification.
Procedures
Members meet once a month, in the staffroom. Student Council Meetings are facilitated by a teacher. Prior to these meetings, the Student Council representatives collect ideas and suggestions from all classes, for the agenda. Also, the teacher may put forward topics to be discussed or upcoming events which need to be deliberated about at the meetings. As well as bringing matters to the Council for discussion, the members are required to report the outcome of the meetings to other classes. The committee will visit each classroom with this report as well as put a notice on the Students Council noticeboard and the newsletter if necessary.
The Council has an important role to play in the organisation of:
- Open Day
- Special occasions
- Special presentations of Flags/Awards/Certificates etc.
Through our Student Council we hope to give our pupils a more active role in the organisation of our school and ensure they are listened to and respected for their ideas and concerns. It involves the students in many of the decisions that are made regarding students in Ballindangan N.S. Discussions in classes and at Council meetings help to develop social and learning skills in many areas including speaking and listening, problem solving, brainstorming and the decision-making process.
Discussion Topics and Activities
Topics that come under discussion at Student Council meetings may include the following:
- school rules
- behaviour and discipline
- health and safety
- health promotion
- homework
- friendship/ anti bullying
- lunchtime games and activities
- school uniform
- fundraising
- making yard a happier place
- school tours.
In an effort to give back to the community and the wider world the student’s council will help in the organization of a fund raiser for a chosen charity each year.
In addition to their role in communicating and problem solving, the Student Council acts as an agent for school news, as journalists and reporters through notices for the School Newsletter and putting notices on their own noticeboard It is hoped that this makes school news more child orientated and more engaging for the student body.
Ballindangan NS, are very proud of the role played by our students in developing our school and believe that we achieve a more pleasant and vibrant learning environment, as a result.