SCOIL CHRIOST RI PORTLAOISE Students Council Constitution. Mission Statement Scoil Chríost Rí is a girls Catholic secondary school reflecting the CEIST values of respect, compassion and justice in the development of young people. Scoil Chríost Rí is place of growth that strives for excellence in teaching and learning by providing a rich and diverse curriculum catering for the needs of each individual student with particular reference to those who are specially challenged. [This document outlines the role of the students council] 1
Student Council Policy Document and Constitution Introduction A student council is a group of students from within the school elected to represent their fellow students. The student council is made up of students and the student liaison officer. The Students Council work with the Principal, co-ordinating teacher, Parents Council and students when organising events. The Board of Management and Staff wish to actively encourage the Student Council to engage in a process of dialogue and consultation. The Student Council must respect the policies of the school in all matters. As soon as possible after the election, the new Student Council meets with the teacher who works with the council. His/her role is to assist and guide the members in all matters. All decisions must be discussed with this teacher at meetings arranged by the members. Role of Student Council The aim of the student council is to act as a representative body and liaise with other students, staff, school board and parents council on matters of importance to students within the school. The student council has two main functions: To organise social events for the students of the school ( talent shows, cake sales, table quizzes etc). To ensure that students will have a say on matters that affect them. The Student Council primarily provides an opportunity and enables students to work in partnership with staff, management and parents. The Student Council may also: Provide a forum for students to enhance their leadership and communicative skills. Encourage an atmosphere of co-operation between students and staff. Provide opportunities for fundraising for student activities, charities etc. Encourage students to act in a democratic manner and be independent. Assist with the organisation of school events and extra curricular activities. Provide an opportunity for students to consider policies relevant to them. Student Council Constitution: Preamble: The Student Council of Scoil Chriost Ri has been established to promote the interests of the school and the involvement of students in the affairs of the school. The Board of Management has the authority to dissolve the Student Council as it deems appropriate. Structure: The Student Council of Scoil Chriost Ri comprises of 19 students elected from the student body as follows 2
6 th Year 3 students 5 th Year 2 students T.Y. 2 students 3 rd Year 3 students 2 nd Year 4 students 1 st Year 4 students The Head Girl is co-opted on to the Council. The Student Liaison Teacher facilitates meetings and offers support, advice and guidance Election: The election of members of the Student Council will be organised by the Student Liaison Teacher in consultation with the Tutors, Year Heads, Deputy Principal and Principal. To be elected to the Student Council a student must:- Be a student of Scoil Chriost Ri. Follow the election procedures as outlined below. The members are chosen by:- Application and a student must apply in writing 1. Each applicant must be nominated by 3 teachers. 2. The Student Liaison Teacher consults with the staff in arriving at the final decision. 3. Students are selected as follows 6 th Year 3 5 th Year 2 T.Y. 2 3 rd Year 3 2 nd Year 4 1 st Year 4 The Principal reserves the right to withhold the nomination of any student on the basis of their attendance and behaviour record over the current and preceding school year. On appointment each student council member signs an agreement to serve. Parents of student council members are congratulated by letter and are encouraged to support their daughter s on the council Term of Office: Each Council runs from September to September. The aim is to hold elections as early as possible in April/May and to have the Student Council set up by the end of May to be ready to assume duties at the start of the next academic year. A minimum of 10% and a maximum of 30% can be retained on the council discussion to take place at student council meetings and Student Liaison Officer liaises with the Principal on final number of students retaining membership for the next year. 3
Dissolution of Student Council: If following investigation the Principal/Board of Management finds there is gross misconduct by a significant number of students then the council is dissolved. Officers: The Student Council shall elect the following officers; Chairperson Secretary Treasurer P.R.O. Any other officer the Council thinks is necessary. The Chairperson will be the principal officer of the council and will ensure that meetings are conducted in an orderly, democratic and business-like fashion. The primary functions of the secretary will be to keep a written record of each meeting (to keep the minutes) and to read this to the council at the beginning of the next meeting. The names of the persons in attendance should be recorded at the beginning of the meeting. (The treasurer will keep an accurate record of the Council s finances). All monies must be lodged at the school office in line with the school s finance policy. The Student Council will be required to give a written report at the end of each term to the Principal and the Board of Management. Meetings: The Council shall meet on Thursday on a fortnightly basis or as required. It is the role of the Chairperson to call meetings. The Chairperson will declare the meeting open and ask the Secretary to read the minutes. When minutes are read, the Council will discuss any matters arising. Correspondence is then dealt with. The Secretary reads any letter or any other important information received since the last meeting. The Chairperson and the Secretary will have an Agenda prepared i.e. a list of topics to be discussed. In so far as possible the agenda will be agreed upon at the end of each meeting for next meeting. Time should be given to members of the council to discuss matters not on the agenda, under the heading any other business. Such matters may be placed on a future agenda. The chairperson should ensure that all comments are made through the chair, i.e. that members should talk to the entire group, not to a person or group who might be sitting beside them. The Chairperson should be careful to ensure that all members are allowed to express their views as fully as possible. Members shall abide by the decision of the chair at all times. At times sub-committees may be set up for a specific task. The Chairperson has a right to be a member of every sub-committee and must ensure that a comprehensive report is given to the full council at the ordinary council meeting. 4
Removing Student Council Members: 1) Members who are absent from three consecutive meetings without good reason (submitted in writing) will cease to be members of the council. If the majority of the council agree that a certain member is not co-operating or fulfilling their responsibilities as a member then any such member may be asked to resign from the council. Where a member does not do so in writing within five school days the chairman shall refer the matter to the Student Liaison Teacher for determination. The Principal shall have the authority to remove a member of the council; following such a referral any disciplinary action will follow due process. Where a vacancy occurs the Council may co-opt members onto the Council. Previous applicants who may not have been successful will be considered first. The Student Liaison Teacher will facilitate the co-option process. Student Council members represent the student body and are expected to conduct themselves in a way that will not bring disgrace on the Student Council. All Student Council members will be required to wear a badge. The members of the Council will be awarded a special School Certificate at the end of the year as recognition of her contribution to the Student Council. The Student Council may nominate for consideration by the Principal students, who in the opinion of the Council have made a significant contribution to the life of the school. Where they are accepted by the Principal these commendations will be presented at the official school awards ceremony. General Meetings 1. The Chairperson and Secretary or any delegated members may represent the Council in meetings with the principal or other bodies. 2. All meetings must be minuted and a minute book kept. All attendance must be recorded. 3. Council members may speak on any issue raised, but may not o Make any uncomplimentary mention of any member of staff, member of the management of the school or of any student by name or implication o Nor raise any matter that is not relevant to the aims of the Student Council. o Nor raise any grievance with another student or member of staff. Such matters should be raised with the Principal in the agreed manner. 4. The Student Liaison Teacher is free to intervene and stop any discussion if these conditions are broken.. 5. The Student Liaison Teacher will normally be present at meetings. She/he should ensure that proper meeting procedure is adopted, particularly in the case of a new Council. However, in so far as possible, the Council members should run their own affairs on their own initiative. The primary purpose of any Staff Representatives should be to act as a liaison between teachers and the council. If the Student Liaison Teacher is unavailable to attend, the Principal will nominate another member of staff to substitute for the meeting. 5
Badge Student Council members are entitled to wear the Student Council badge. This badge is loaned to the representative under certain conditions and must be returned at the end of the representative's term of office Changes to the Constitution At the end of each term of office, an evaluation takes place of the work of the Student Council. The results of the final evaluations are presented to the Board of Management at the June meeting. The new council reviews the constitution at its September meeting and the revised constitution is presented to the Board of Management for ratification. It is recommended that the student council are invited to attend at least one Board of Management meeting annually. This constitution was adopted by the Board of Management on Signed: Sr. Evelyn Byrne Chairperson, Board of Management Review Date: 6