STUDENT LEADERSHIP POLICY St. Joseph s Primary School Grenfell Policy Last Updated: November 2015 Policy Revision Date: This policy is to be revised on an annual basis.
RATIONALE Leadership is integral to life long learning. All students of primary school need to be given the opportunity to demonstrate and develop leadership skills. Positive student leadership opportunities and experiences will facilitate the transition to high school and the world beyond. Student leadership is driven by our school mission that; Like St Joseph we make realistic connections with: Our Learning Each Other The World, and Our God AIMS The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all students are supported and encouraged to: Develop a sense of belonging, responsibility and partnership by working together within a Catholic Christian community to follow the teachings of Jesus Demonstrate respect for each person and the environment Strive for unity through co-operation with staff and other students Aim high in all that they do by being exemplary role models LEADERSHIP POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY School Captains (Year 6 students) o o Year 5 students are invited to be involved in the nomination and election process during Term 4, for the role of School Captain for the following year. The School Captains are announced at the Year 6 Graduation Mass Student Representative Council (or SRC) Representatives Depending on numbers and the composition of classes, the Student Representative Council is made up of students from Years Three to Six. Each grade level must have at least one representative on the council, with a maximum of two. Year Six will be the exception to this rule as the School Captains are automatically appointed to the Council and there may be one or two other elected representatives depending on class size. Sports House Captains (Augustine, Dominic and Xavier) o These students are voted in at the first House Meeting of the year prior to the St Joseph s Swimming Carnival. o Students in each House group vote for their preferred Sports Captains. o These students are preferably senior students who have not previously been in this role before and do not already hold another leadership role. o Teachers within each house will lead this process during the first meeting of the year.
SELECTION PROCEDURE FOR SCHOOL CAPTAINS 1. To ensure gender equity one girl and one boy will be elected for the role of School Captain. 2. Notify the school community of election week, role description and essential criteria sought. 3. Role description, essential criteria and agreement will be made explicit to students and families from the beginning of the year and prior to the election. Students must be made aware that holding the position of School Captain is subject to the fulfilment of their roles and responsibilities as outlined later in this policy. 4. Year 5 students are to nominate candidates. Year 5 students can nominate themselves. Nominations are by secret ballot. If nominated students have the right of refusal. 5. Candidates will be encouraged to prepare a speech to present on election day. Students will be given a copy of the Role Description and Essential Criteria to support their speech preparation. 6. Election speech speeches (maximum 2 minutes) will be made in the library to students in Years 3, 4 and 5. The role description and essential criteria is made explicit to the voters. 7. Following the speeches, Years 3, 4 and 5 vote on the ballot paper. 8. Students in Years 3, 4 and 5 vote by placing the numbers 1, 2 and 3 next to the candidates name. 1 for most preferred, 2 to the next preferred and 3 to the next preferred. 9. All permanent teaching staff are expected to vote (except where there is a conflict of interest). 10. All papers are collected and sent to the Returning Officer for counting. 11. Successful candidates will be announced at the Year 6 Graduation Mass. At the Opening Mass the School Captains will be required to pledge their commitment to the school. 12. Following the announcement, the new school captains and their parents will be asked to sign the School Captain Code of Conduct in preparation for the following year. A copy of these signed documents will be displayed in the school foyer. 3
SELECTION PROCEDURE FOR STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL 1. At least one representative and a maximum of two representatives will be elected for the Students Representative Council from Year 3, 4, 5 and 6. 2. Notify the school community of election week, role description and essential criteria sought. 3. Role description, essential criteria and agreement will be made explicit to students and families from the beginning of the year and prior to the election. Students must be made aware that being a member of the Student Representative Council is subject to the fulfilment of their roles and responsibilities as outlined later in this policy. 4. Where possible, students in each class nominating for this position will not have been a member of the Student Representative Council before. 5. School Captains are automatically part of the Student Representative Council and are exempt from the voting process. 6. Class teachers will lead the process for their class. 7. Successful candidates will be announced at the school assembly. Badges will be presented at the Opening Mass where they will be required to pledge their commitment to the school. 4
SELECTION PROCEDURE FOR SPORTS HOUSE CAPTAINS 1. Where possible, to ensure gender equity, one girl and one boy will be elected as Sports House Captain for the houses Augustine, Dominic and Xavier. 2. Where possible, students nominating for this position will be senior students who have not been elected for any other leadership positions or for the role of Sports House Captain before. 3. Supervising teachers during the first House Meeting of the year will lead the nomination and voting process for their house. 4. Nominated students give a short impromptu speech to the members of their sporting house keeping in mind the role description and essential criteria. 5. Nominees are asked to leave the room while the voting process is conducted. 6. Successful candidates will be announced when they come back into the house meeting. Badges will be presented at the Opening Mass where they will be required to pledge their commitment to the school. 5
SCHOOL CAPTAINS ROLE DESCRIPTION Be a positive role model and demonstrate leadership qualities to the student body. Represent the student body at school and community functions. Actively participate in Student Representative Council meetings with the assistance of the Student representative Council Coordinator. Encourage students to take pride in their school. Willingly help teachers and the community when requested. ESSENTIAL CRITERIA Students who hold leadership positions must demonstrate the following consistently. Initiative and leadership Ability to speak in public. A commitment to attending and participating in school and community events which may fall outside normal school hours. E.g. Anzac Day, Swimming Carnival, Festival Parade and other events that may arise. Ability to maintain acceptable standards of work and behaviour in class and school Demonstrate school spirit and pride by displaying: Respect Responsibility Aspire Listen and speak in a polite way Share friends, space and equipment Accept and celebrate difference Allow others to learn Care for people, school property and environment. Be a positive role model Do what is right even when it is difficult Be prepared and punctual Be accountable for the choices you make Demonstrate trustworthiness, reliability and helpfulness Wear the correct school uniform. Be proud of everyone s achievements Be resilient and bounce back Accept opportunities and challenges Actively take part in your learning Participate in school 6
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL ROLE DESCRIPTION Be a positive role model and demonstrate leadership qualities to the student body. Represent ideas from the student body in Student Representative Council meetings. Attend Student Representative Council meetings. Encourage students to take pride in their school. Willingly help teachers and the community when requested. ESSENTIAL CRITERIA Students who hold leadership positions must demonstrate the following consistently. Initiative and leadership Ability to speak in public Ability to maintain acceptable standards of work and behaviour in class and school Demonstrate school spirit and pride by displaying: Respect Responsibility Aspire Listen and speak in a Be a positive role Be proud of polite way model everyone s Share friends, space Do what is right even achievements and equipment when it is difficult Be resilient and Accept and celebrate Be prepared and bounce back difference punctual Accept opportunities Allow others to learn Be accountable for and challenges Care for people, the choices you make Actively take part in school property and Demonstrate your learning environment. trustworthiness, Participate in school reliability and helpfulness Wear the correct school uniform. 7
SPORTS HOUSE CAPTAINS ROLE DESCRIPTION Be a positive role model and demonstrate sportsmanship to the student body. Actively participate in school sporting events, in particular, the school Swimming Carnival, Cross Country Carnival and Athletics Carnival. Chair House Meetings with the assistance of House teachers. Encourage house spirit at school sporting events. Encourage students to take pride in their school. Assist younger students at sporting events. Willingly help teachers and the community when requested. ESSENTIAL CRITERIA Students who hold leadership positions must demonstrate the following consistently. Initiative and leadership Ability to speak in public. Ability to maintain acceptable standards of work and behaviour in class and school Demonstrate school spirit and pride by displaying: Respect Responsibility Aspire Listen and speak in a Be a positive role Be proud of polite way model everyone s Share friends, space Do what is right even achievements and equipment when it is difficult Be resilient and Accept and celebrate Be prepared and bounce back difference punctual Accept opportunities Allow others to learn Be accountable for and challenges Care for people, the choices you make Actively take part in school property and Demonstrate your learning environment. trustworthiness, Participate in school reliability and helpfulness Wear the correct school uniform. 8
AGREEMENT Elected captains agree to relinquish their position and badge if in breach of school rules, selection criteria or fail to carry out roles and duties. N.B. The principal in consultation with the executive reserves the right to make the final decision in regards to the appointment of candidates and the relinquishing of duties. CONCLUSION Student Leaders at St Joseph s Grenfell are our student role models. We acknowledge the gifts and talents which they bring to our community. They work hard and are successful in making our school a welcoming, friendly, just and inclusive community in which all students feel safe and happy to learn and play. They are the decision makers of the future and we hope that through our Student Leadership Policy, which focuses on the example of St Joseph through our school mission, they will develop skills and attitudes to assist them to become good citizens prepared to make a difference. EVALUATION The roles and responsibilities of the Student Leadership positions will be reviewed annually by the staff. Policy Formed November 2015 9
APPENDIX 1 SCHOOL CAPTAIN CODE OF CONDUCT As a SCHOOL CAPTAIN at St Joseph s Grenfell I agree that I will: Develop a sense of belonging, responsibility and partnership by including others and following the example of Jesus. Demonstrate respect for each person and the environment. Strive for unity through co-operation with all staff and students. Aim high in all that I do by being an exemplary role model. I have read the Role Description and Essential Criteria and agree to follow these. I understand that as a School Captain I am a student role model and I must work towards making our school a welcoming, friendly, just and inclusive community in which all students feel safe and happy to learn and play. I understand that I may be asked to relinquish my position and badge if I am in breach of the school rules, or fail to carry out the roles and duties for which I have been elected. Student Name: Student Signature: I support my child s acceptance of the position of School Captain at St Joseph s Grenfell. Parent Signature: Date: 10
APPENDIX 2 SCHOOL CAPTAIN NOMINATION FORM I am aware that I have been nominated for the position of School Captain at St Joseph s Grenfell. If elected as SCHOOL CAPTAIN I agree that I will: Develop a sense of belonging, responsibility and partnership, including others and following the example of Jesus. Demonstrate respect for each person and the environment. Strive for unity through co-operation with all staff and students. Aim high in all that I do by being an exemplary role model. I have read the Role Description and Essential Criteria and agree to follow these if elected. I understand that the School Captain is a student role model, who must work towards making the school a welcoming, friendly, just and inclusive community in which all students feel safe and happy to learn and play. I understand that the School Captain may be asked to relinquish their position and badge if they are in breach of the school rules, or fail to carry out the roles and duties for which they have been elected. I accept my nomination as School Captain at St Joseph s School. I decline my nomination as School Captain at St Joseph s School. Student Name: Student Signature: I support my child s nomination for the position of School Captain at St Joseph s Grenfell. Parent Signature: Date: 11