A Student Council is a representative structure for students, through which they can become involved in the affairs of the school, working in partnership with school management, staff and parents for the benefit of the school and the students.
The aim of the Student Council in primary school is to provide students with greater involvement in the decision making procedures of their school and to help them learn about how democracy works. Generally two children from each class are elected by secret ballot and are appointed as representatives for their class to the council for the duration of the school year. Children in the senior classes can run campaigns asking their fellow students to vote for them ahead of the election.
Student Councils generally meet several times each term. These meetings are facilitated by a teacher with council representatives collecting ideas and suggestions for the agenda from each class ahead of each meeting. Suggestions are then discussed, prioritised and are brought to the attention of the school’s principal and to staff meetings.
The Student Council have been responsible for a number of positive changes in the school, such as a yard Buddy Bench, outdoor classroom, benches to sit on in yard, fundraising for new sports equipment and a campaign to introduce a bicycle shelter in the school.
