Senior School Council – Meeting 1 – Tuesday 9th October 2018
This week our Senior School Council had their first meeting. This one focused on improving the school environment for sixth form students. In particular, they looked at ways that the sixth form study and social areas could be better organised and additional facilities which would make them more user friendly.
They appreciated the addition of sofas to the social area and wanted to thank Mr McDowell for organising these. They did request that staff consider a kettle, toaster and hot drinks machine where they could make their own lunch and enhance the space.
They also discussed the timetabled periods that sixth form pupils have for social / study time and are in talks with Mr McDowell as head of sixth form on how this time can be used more flexibly. They also discussed the role of sixth form study supervisors and raised key areas with Mr McDowell, which he will feed back to those in this role. Other issues such as use of headphones for sixth form pupils are being considered by Mr Hodge and Mr Massey.
The next school council meeting is taking place on Monday 15th October in the drama theatre at 12.50pm.
Junior School Council – Meeting 1 – Thursday 11th October
This week our Junior School Council had their first meeting. We focused on the role of a council member and what the year ahead will involve. The Council discussed ways to gather student opinion and feedback from form classes on areas which need to be discussed and actioned as a school. It was agreed that we would try two methods of information gathering. The first will be a sheet put into registers to gather focused opinions. It will be titled a ‘we need your opinion’ sheet and will have space for pupils to write their thoughts and ideas on a specific topic. The second is to have a suggestions box in each form room for students who are less comfortable to write their ideas for school improvement onto and put into the box anonymously.
The council have also been asked to come up with ideas for a ‘pupil help card’. This is a card which will be given to all pupils outlining where they can find help in school and organisations they can contact outside school. The council have agreed to explore organisations and agencies to put onto this and will gather opinions from form classes on the ‘we need your opinion’ sheet throughout next week.
Lyla and Abbi have agreed to design the ‘we need your opinion’ sheets. All other members will gather suggestions and do personal investigation into organisations.
Chelsea raised the idea of having an ‘anxiety card’ for students who suffer with anxiety and panic attacks. This would allow them to take a short break from a room without having to explain too much to a member of staff. Chelsea has been asked to design this and bring forward to the next meeting.
Molly and Katie suggested having junior Halloween / Xmas disco as a fundraiser. This is something the council will explore further in future meetings.
The next Junior School Council Meeting is Thursday 18th October at lunch in the drama theatre.