CPC Student-Council-Policy

What is a Student Council?

A Student Council is a representative structure through which Students in a Post-Primary School can become involved in the affairs of the School, working in partnership with School Management, Staff and Parents for the benefit of the School and its Students.

• The National Children’s Strategy, published in November 2000, aims to improve the lives of all children and young people under the age of 18.
• GOAL 1: Children and young people will be given a voice in matters which affect them.
• Goal 1 means that students should be given the opportunity to participate in society and this includes being given a voice in their schools. This is Government policy.  Student councils are an ideal way to give students a voice in their schools.

Why have a Student Council?

Students have a valuable contribution to make to the effectiveness of their School and their involvement in the operation of the School is itself a valuable part of the educations process for the Students.

A Student Council provides an opportunity for Students to engage in a structured partnership with Teachers, Parents and School Managers in the operation of their School.  Student Councils can create a sense of ownership of the School and its activities among the student population.

The establishment of a Student Council gives Students an opportunity to acquire the sort of communication, planning and organisational skills which will be of benefit to them in their future lives.   It enables Students to take responsibility for projects and to demonstrate that they can manage and bring such projects to successful conclusion.   Moreover, the contribution made by a Student Council to the development of School Policy in a number of areas can have significant benefits for Students and the School.   School Policies are far more likely to be successful where they are clearly understood and accepted by all partners within the School community.

The Education Act recognises that Students of a School will take the lead role in the establishment and operation of a Student Council, although the Act also provides an important role for the Board of Management in supporting the establishment and ongoing development of the Student Council.

At the end of the day, a Student Council will thrive only if Students themselves are committed to the concepts and to making it work.

BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN

Involvement in decision-making brings direct benefits to children and young people themselves. They gain by learning skills such as teamwork, negotiating, problem solving and influencing. They obtain knowledge of how policy is made and how organisations work. They learn to engage with adults as partners and their confidence and self-esteem may be enhanced through participation.

The Role of the Student Council

The main role of a Student Council as set out in the Education Act is “to promote the interests of the School and the involvement of Students in the affairs of the School, in co-operation with the Board, Parents and Teachers”.

A Student Council will set its own objectives, which will vary from School to School.   Some general objectives could include:

• To enhance communication between Students, Management, Staff and Parents.
• To promote an environment conducive to educational and personal development.
• To promote friendship and respect among pupils.
• To support Management and Staff in the development of the School.
• To represent the views of the Students on matters of general concern to them.

A Student Council will identify activities that it would like to be involved in organising, although the final decision on the activities of a Student Council will be agreed with School Management.

Key Functions of the Student Council

The functions and activities of the Student Council support the aims and objectives of the Council; promote the development of the School and the welfare of its students.   In planning and undertaking activities during the course of the School year, the Council will:

• Work closely with School Management, Teachers and Parents.
• Consult regularly with students in the School.
• Involve as many students as possible in the activities of the Council.

There is a wide range of activities of benefit to the school community which members of CPC Student Council may wish to undertake, some of which are outlined below:

Representing the views of the Student Body to School Management 

This should be one of the fundamental aims of every Council.   It involves talking with and listening to the Student Body, considering their views and concerns, and discussing these with the School Management on behalf of the Students.

Promoting good communication within the School 

Improving communication within the School community is a shared responsibility and a Student Council contributes to this process.   Keeping a Student Council notice-board or putting information on the school website are just some ways the Council communicates with the students, school management and staff, and parents.

Supporting the educational development and progress of Students

The Student Council contributes to the learning environment for students in the school by, for example, setting up Study Groups for Students in exam classes or Homework Clubs, or organising lunchtime activities such as Language Clubs.

Contributing to the Development of School Policy

The Student Council actively contributes to the development of School Policy in a wide range of areas such as Bullying, Uniform Requirements, Behaviour Code and Extra-curricular activities.   The Council forms sub-committees to consider individual policy issues, to consult with students, staff and parents on those issues and to represent the Council’s views on those issues to school management.

Assisting in School Sporting and Cultural Activities

The Student Council assists in organising and developing Sports and Cultural activities within the School, including for example, Sports Day and Drama or Musical events.

Assisting with or organising fund-raising events for Charity

The Student Council organises events both within the School and involving the wider community, for the purposes of raising money for designated Charities.

Procedures

• CPC student council consists of 2 representatives elected from each year in the school for a term of one year. Additional Representatives maybe elected from senior classes where possible.
• The student council holds its meetings during lunchtime for around 30 minutes once a week but may need to meet more frequently when events are being organised.
• Functions of a student council; to improve, make suggestions, investigate, establish, listen, consult and co-operate. Student councils fundraise for charities of their choice, listen to concerns regarding the school environment from fellow students, make suggestions regarding improvements that can be made, work with management on school policies, carry out surveys, organising social events
• Being a member of the student council is an opportunity for students to develop their communication and leadership skills, responsibility and accountability.
• Learn skills such as teamwork, problem solving, how organisations work, to consult and work with school management, staff etc.

When we meet;

The student council holds its meetings during lunchtimes for around 30 minutes once a week but may need to meet more frequently when events are being organised

Functions of the Student Council / What We Do:

• to improve
• make suggestions
• investigate establish
• listen
• consult and co-operate
• fundraise for charities of their choice
• listen to concerns regarding the school environment from fellow students
• make suggestions regarding improvements that can be made
• work with management on school policies
• carry out surveys
• Organise social events etc.

STUDENT COUNCIL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Speaking to the Principal on behalf of the Council
• Representing students ideas and suggestions at Student Council meetings
• A Student Council meeting at lunch time every week
• Student Council – work to do at home for upcoming meetings
• Working with management on school policies
• Organising people into sub-committees
• Carrying out surveys, questionnaires, etc
• Raising money for student needs
• Raising money for charities

SOME ACTIVITIES THAT CPC STUDENT COUNCIL MAY GET INVOLVED IN

• Making suggestions about improving school facilities
• Extra-curricular activities
• School Website
• Links with other schools
• Getting involved with the community e.g. helping the elderly, tidy towns, etc
• Mentoring programmes for younger students
• Student award ceremonies
• Carrying out surveys and organising petitions
• Organising social events
• Fund-raising

Election Process

• First Year students are given the opportunity to settle in and get to know each other during September before the process of electing a new student council begins.
• Information on student council at class meetings and assemblies and the handing out of nomination forms during week September/ October. All nomination forms to be returned to school office by set date in October.
• Students will be made aware of the fact that they must follow school rules and be role models to other students. Student nominees will be asked to agree to a set of conditions as set out on nomination form.
• All nominees will be called to a meeting with Liaison Teachers.
• Candidates for election will be announced at assembly during the following week.
• Candidates will be encouraged to canvas/ speak at assembly.
• Election will take place during Assembly (if required) during the following week.
• New council announced at assembly during the following week.
• Student council training day and first meeting will take place shortly after that.

The Student Council will be fully elected and trained by the October midterm break.

Removal of a student from the Student Council

• Students who fail to attend meetings on a regular basis without valid reason will be asked to leave the student council.
• A student who fails to comply with the school code of behaviour and who are deemed to be not a good role model for other students will be asked to leave the student council.
• The Liaison Teacher will inform year-head and principal of the issue and all parties will speak to the student. Parents will be informed of the decision.
• All students will be made aware of this procedure at training day.

SAMPLE STUDENT COUNCIL CONTRACT

SAMPLE NOMINATION FORM

SAMPLE STUDENT COUNCIL BALLOT PAPER

Student Council Training Day

• Student Council training day is provided by Liaison Teacher who has received in-service/ attended a course on training student councils.
• Training Day is located in the Parish Centre and Lunch is provided by the school.
• Students are informed on the role and purpose of the student council.
• Students take part in bonding activities and team building exercises.
• Students who would suit particular roles on the student council are identified by Liaison Teacher and by the students. Roles are explained and positions are allocated with agreement between all present.
• The position of Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson are filled by Senior Students.
• Other positions include; Secretary, PR Team; Announcements, Noticeboard, Website, Treasurer, Attendance Officer etc.
• All students are given a role and this is fully explained to them.
• At the end of the training day the first meeting is held and priorities for the year are decided on.
• Students are asked to sign a student council contract.

The Role of the Officers

Chairperson

The Chairperson is responsible for presiding over meetings of the Council. The Chairperson, with the Secretary, prepares the agenda for each meeting and, where necessary, signs the minutes once they have been agreed by the Council. Where a vote is held at a Council meeting, and the votes are divided equally, the Chairperson generally has the casting vote. The Chairperson may also be designated to represent the Council at meetings with school management. 

Deputy Chairperson

The Deputy Chairperson is responsible for assisting the Chairperson, and when the Chairperson is absent from a meeting s/he assumes the role of the Chairperson for that meeting. 

Secretary

The Secretary, with the Chairperson, prepares the agenda for each meeting and the Secretary then circulates it to all the members of the Council either in advance of the meeting or at the start of the meeting. This will involve consulting with the other Council officers in order to decide what will be included on the agenda. All agendas should include a provision for ‘Any other business’; this allows Council members to raise a matter for discussion in the event that it has not been included on the agenda. The Secretary also keeps a record of Council meetings and any decisions taken by the Council (the minutes). If necessary these minutes can be circulated to all members of the Council either with the agenda for the next meeting or at the start of the next meeting. The Council can be given the opportunity to make any changes to the minutes before they are signed by the Chairperson. 

Treasurer

The Treasurer is responsible for managing any funds raised by the Student Council and should keep a complete account of all income and expenditure of the Council. Advice and assistance in this regard is provided by the Liaison Teacher. The Treasurer should provide the Council with a complete financial report at the end of the school year. Given the responsibility of the post, we require the Treasurer to be a Senior Cycle student. All school procedures in relation to collecting money, banking money and requisitioning cheques are followed.

Public Relations Officer

A Public Relations or Communications Officer is responsible for promoting good communications between the Council and the student body as well as consulting with teachers, parents and school management on issues affecting the student body.

Communication between the Council and the School Community

• Regular communication between the Student Council and school management, students, staff and parents is very important aspect of CPC Student Council.
• The student Council regularly meets with school management and there is an open invitation for the Principal and Deputy Principal to attend meetings.
• The student council attends at least one staff meeting and/or addresses the staff as a whole in the staffroom.
• The student council meets with the parents association at least once during the year and keeps in contact via the teacher representative to the Parents Association.
• The student council addresses student assemblies on a regular basis and invites students to bring any issues or suggestions to them.

Fundraising and the Student Council

Cross and Passion Student Council may hold fundraising events. The agreement of school management is always to be sought before planning any fundraising activities for the school or school projects. The Treasurer and the Student Council Liaison Teacher has responsibility for ensuring that any money raised by the Council is used for the purposes for which it was collected. Procedures for collecting money and lodging money into the school account are followed. The school procedure for requisitioning a cheque for a charity etc. is followed.

Some examples of fundraising activities include:

• Movie Day
• Cake sale
• Wake-a-thon
• Jumble sale
• Raffle
• Non-uniform day ( 5 per year) All requests from other teachers/ classes must be made in writing to the Student Council
• Table Quiz.