Pyjama Day and Crazy Hair Day!
On Friday 19th of April, our school had a Pyjama Day and Crazy Hair Day!!! It was planned by the Student Council. Nearly everyone came into school wearing their jammies and with wacky hair. Even the teachers made an effort! All the children who took part had to pay 1 euro. It was a really fun day!!! 🙂
Role and Purpose of the Student Council
Castlegar NS holds that the pupils should play an active, positive role in the life of the school and we believe that our Student Council helps to achieve this.
Our School’s Student Council is comprised of 7 students The Council is run along the lines of the Green Schools Group and meets fortnightly with a teacher and or/the principal. The sixth class pupils chair the meetings after some initial training.
The role of the Student Council is to:
- Chairperson – This person leads the meetings.
- Deputy Chairperson – This person will assist or help the chairperson.
- Secretary – The secretary will take notes at each meeting, called the ‘minutes’.
- Treasurer – The treasurer keeps any money or objects safe.
- Communications Officer – This role involves talking to teachers and pupils, as well as giving messages.
What the Student Council do:
- Meet on a regular basis
- Learn about decision-making, how to hold meetings, understand different roles of Officers, communication skills, Minutes, Agenda.
- Liaise with their classmates – get feedback about the school to bring back to Management
- Meet with the Principal to discuss matters that are important to the student body
- Organise activities and events for the school
- Have input into decisions made – e.g. theme for parade, Health and Safety Statement, classroom resources.
- Provide an opportunity for pupils to voice their opinions and offer suggestions in relation to many aspects of school life
- Discuss issues relevant to the 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 important role in improving our school
- Act as a channel for communication within the school, between pupils and between home and school
- Encourage pupils and thereby their parents to organise events central to the life of the school
- Provide an opportunity to raise funds for charities or our school equipment fund.
Through our Student Council we hope to give the pupils a positive role in the organisation of the school and thus ensure they feel they are listened to and respected for their ideas and concerns and these are both valued and valuable. It involves the pupils in many of the decisions, which are made regarding the day-to-day running and management of the school. Discussions in classes and at the Council meetings helps to develop social and learning skills in many areas such as speaking and listening, problem solving and decision-making and the decision-making process.
From time to time the Student Council will discuss, make suggestions and decisions on topics such as:
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School News
In addition to their role in communication and problem solving, the Student Council acts as an agent for the school news, as journalists and reporters, editors, production assistants and distributors. It is hoped that this makes the school news more child-centered and orientated. They also provide suggestions and material for the school web page and learn the process of constructing the page.
Election
In September, each class elects new members to represent them on the Student Council. Each class elects two members, one male and one female. Each pupil seeking election puts his or her name forward and candidates must have the approval of their class teacher. They are pupils who have a good attitude to school and to work. Prior to the election, the classes are encouraged to discuss the information pack given to them before the children can stand for election.
The pupils elected are required to be actively involved in the Council, to attend meetings regularly and participate in activities and be a role model for other pupils. As well as bringing matters to the council for discussion, the representatives are required to report the outcome of meetings to their own class and occasionally to other younger classes. Children who are deemed not to be pulling their weight are asked to step down in favour of the next in line. Each year the council decides on its own hands-on activities which might include Tidy Classroom Competition, organising charity events, organising school non-uniform day or welcoming visitors to the school.
The Council has an important role to play in the organisation of;
- The Junior Yard Buddy System
- The School Concert/School Musical
- Open Days and Garden Fete
- First Communion Breakfast
- Welcome Hour for New Infants
- Sport for All Day
- Teddy Bears Picnic
- Welcoming New Pupils
- Graduation Day for Sixth Class.