School Council

What is a school council?
An elected body of pupils whose purpose is to represent their classes and to be a forum for active and constructive pupil input into the daily life of the school community.
www.schoolcouncils.org

Why do we need a school council?
In 1989, the United Nations adopted the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) which promotes the rights of young people. The Convention has 54 articles that support the development of a school council – a forum that gives pupils a voice.

This also links directly with the Local and Global Citizenship element of ‘Learning for Life and Work’ which pupils study in their tutorial period.

One of the key concepts within this is Democracy and Active Participation, which aims to explore how young people can take part in and influence democratic processes. The school council provides the pupils with an opportunity to investigate various ways to participate in school and society.

The Strathearn School Council supports the functioning of our school as well as gathering the thoughts and feelings of pupils about issues that are important to them and that may have an impact on the school environment.

"School councils can be a most excellent training ground in responsibility for future citizens."
        Professor Crick, 1998 Chair of the Advisory Group on Citizenship

What does an effective school council look like?

For the Strathearn School Council to be a success…………..

• All pupils in our school should be involved and should have their voice heard
• It should be pupil-led
• It should be part of our school ethos and practice
• It should deal with the core issues of the school
• It should make a difference

How is our school council structured?

Thirty five elected councillors representing each form class meet on alternating months as part of the whole school council and then in their respective key stage councils.

What issues are discussed at school council?

Since December 2008, our school council representatives have dealt with a number of issues including………

• Maintenance issues
• Anti-Bullying Policy
• School Uniform Policy
• Food and Healthy Lifestyle Policy
• Pupil Behaviour Policy
• New build issues

Who are the school council representatives for 2011/2012?

SIXTH FORM CHAIRPERSON - Caitlin Butler

SIXTH FORM VICE-CHAIRPERSON - Erin Jeanes

KEY STAGE 3
1S – Saskia McMinn
1T – Shannon Rietveld
1R – Georgia MCutcheon
1A – Eve Truesdale
1H – Emma Ferguson

2S – Rhia Prentice
2T – Katie Thompson
2R – Rachel Cowan
2A – Katie Majury
2H – Matilda Storey

3S – Lucy Robinson
3T – Fiona Gibson (Planning Committee)
3R - Kristyn McCaughey                                                                                                                                                                     3A – Sarah Wilson
3H – Anna Kane

KEY STAGE 4
4S – Erin Prentice
4T – Aimee Reid                                                                                                                                                          4R – Melissa Robinson (Planning Committee)
4A – Bonnie MacRae
4H – Shannon McClintock

5S – Katherine Beattie
5T - Phoebe Brigginshaw                                                                                                                                           5R – Emma Irwin
5A – Georgia Jackson
5H – Emma Andrews

SIXTH FORM
L6S – Zina Cartwright-Shamoon (Planning Committee)
L6T – Catherine Graham
L6R – Jessica Lowry                                                                                                                                                  L6A – Megan Millar
L6H – Emma Darragh

U6S – Mariel Duggan
U6T – Hannah Simpson
U6R – Eileen Allen
U6A – Sarah Neill
U6H – Zarah Eadie

Who can I contact if I have a question about the Strathearn School Council?

Mr M. Stevenson