Role and Purpose of the Student Council
Scoil Iosef Naofa 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 is to:
- provide an opportunity for pupils to voice their opinions and offer suggestions in relation to many aspects of school life
- discuss issues relevant to our school and encourage and promote initiatives from the pupils
- 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, and thereby their parents, to organise events central to the life of the school
The Election Process
Every September, representatives from First to Sixth Classes are elected by secret ballot and take a seat on the Council for the duration of that academic year. The elected pupils are required to be active participants in the 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.
Members meet once a montht, at lunchtime, in the School’s Board Room. Council Meetings are facilitated by Mr. Meade and Ms Browne). Prior to these meetings, the Student Council representatives collect ideas and suggestions from all classes, for the agenda. These items are then discussed, brought to Staff Meetings and sometimes to the Parents’ Association Meetings, for further deliberation. As well as bringing matters to the Council for discussion, the members are required to report the outcome of meetings to the other classes.
The Council has an important role to play in the organisation of:
- Open Days
- Talent Shows
- Special occasions i.e. opening of school extension, new library etc.
- Special presentations.
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 the day-to-day running and management of St. Mary’s School. 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.
Topics that come under discussion at Student Council meetings may include the following:
- school rules
- behaviour and discipline
- green issues
- health and safety
- homework
- friendship
- lunchtime games and activities
- vandalism
- school uniform
- fundraising
- making yard a happier place
- students’ yearbook
- homework club
- art club.
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 the publication of the Student Council Newsletter. It is hoped that this makes school news more child orientated and more interesting for all concerned.
The Students Council has been instrumental in the many exciting and positive changes that have taken place in our school since the Council’s inception in 2013. We, in Scoil Iosef Naofa, 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.
