Friends, our Student Council elections take place  FRIDAY, 18th September.

Children have been invited to start their Student Council Campaigns. Children are encouraged to make campaign posters to put around the school. They will be invited to talk to different classes. On Friday 18th of September they will give their campaign speech during assembly

If you wish to run for student council elections please let your class teacher know as soon as possible!

Best of luck to all candidates!

Role of the Student Council

Role and Purpose of the Student Council

Powerstown Educate Together National School believes that it is important that the pupils play an active, positive role in the life of our school and believes that our Student Council helps to achieve this.

The Role of the Student Council

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

• provide an opportunity to raise funds for charities or for our School Fund.

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.Junior and Senior Infants have an open ballot.

In early September parents are informed of the upcoming student council elections via website and newsletter.  Nominees are invited to canvass prior to election, make posters, speak to other classes and make a speech in assembly before balloting. 

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 fortnight.  Council Meetings are facilitated by Louise O’Kelly and Aoife McGonigle. 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 / Winter Fair
  

• Talent Shows
  

• Special occasions i.e. flag cermony, EU day 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 PETNS.  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 Blog. 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 2012. We, in Powerstown ETNS, are very proud of the role played by our students in developing our school and  believe that we achieve a more vibrant learning environment, as a result.