Class and School Council at Shaw

At Shaw we have are proud to have pupil representatives that take part in Class and School Council meetings.  These councils are in place so that pupils have a voice and are involved in decisions about the school that affect them.  Through Class Council all pupils have the opportunity to raise issues, share ideas and take part in discussions that involve all of their classmates in reaching a democratic solution.  Wider issues that arise at Class Council are discussed further at School Council, this ensures that as many pupil voices as possible are heard.  Pupils at Shaw know that this is their school and their thoughts and ideas matter. 

• Class council officials should be nominated and then voted in by their class mates – they should not be chosen by their teachers.

• Elections should be held half termly.

• The Chair should lead the meetings with you coaching and modelling if necessary – the longer term idea is that children can do this virtually unaided.

• An ‘agenda’ (either a whiteboard or laminated sheet of card) will be on the wall throughout the week with a whiteboard pen easily accessible.

• Throughout the week children will jot any issues, concerns, worries or ideas etc. that they wish to discuss at the class council meeting.

• At the meeting the Chair will raise the first item on the agenda and invite the person who wrote it to explain their point of view.

• The Chair then invites the rest of the class to discuss the matter and reach some sort of resolution.

• The Secretary then makes a note of what has been decided in the minutes.

• If the resolution can be reached by adjusting something in class or by speaking to a member of the leadership team, then it need not be taken to School Council.

• If the resolution is something that the class feels should be shared with School Council to allow wider discussion then a note will be made in the minutes to make this clear.

• REPEAT ABOVE FOR OTHER AGENDA ITEMS

• Class Council members should bring the minute book to School Council and raise any relevant issues for wider discussion and whole school resolution.

Some examples – On the agenda a child has written ‘no pencil sharpeners or rubbers’, the chair invites that child to explain their point and they may say that they can never find one, or the sharpeners never work etc.  The class will then discuss their points of view and all agree a way forward.  The resolution may be that the class teacher is going to get some more for the class and they will be stored in a certain place, may be worth a monitor etc.  The secretary writes this down and the next item on the agenda is discussed.  This item does not need to go to School Council as it has been resolved at class level. 

Next item, ‘Broken playground toys/equipment’ the chair invites the writer to explain their point and further discussion takes place as above.  The resolution may be that all children in the school need to be reminded about playing appropriately with the toys, or perhaps they have a suggestion for a change to the way the toys are given out etc.  This item should go to School Council for discussion because it affects all children and requires wider discussion and resolution; this is minuted and taken to School Council. 

School Council then discusses the matter using the same structure as Class Council; the resolution at school council may be that the Class Council officials simply remind their classes about appropriate play etc.  They may want to speak with a senior member of staff with an alternative suggestion; any number of resolutions may be reached by the School Council members.

Please meet our new School Council Representatives for Autumn 201

Chair of School Council

Ciaran Dobie

Vice Chair of School Council

Kimberley Thorne

Secretaries

Bonita Eshimala

Callum Constantine

School Council Representatives
 

1SD - Alfie Blundell and Persis Adofo

1K - Alfie Lowry and Marie Sowunmi

2R - Oliver Osborne and Akemi Huynh

2T - Michelle Asiamah and Dylan Hoang

3D - Samuel Hiscott and Alex Angelova

3C - Tyler Tatham and Chloe Ransen

4D - Timmy Adjonbadi and Gracie Neal

4M - Ava Mitchell and Tishe Aroyewun

5A - Rachel Amosun and Teigan Gold

5C - Jan Szwarc and Harley Walker

6M - Bonita Eshilama and Callum Constantine

6J - Ciaran Dobie and Kimberley Thorne

School Council Summer Term

Class 1SD reps - Millie Peregrino-Brimah and William Cooper

Class 1K Kofi Wiredu and Ellie Howe

Class 2D Daniel Martin and Casey Mcshane

Class 2T Keiran Dowdles and Abigail Magdewick  

Class 3D  Lolita Cerkauskaiate and Joe Studt

Class 3C Kylon Tsang and Danielle Bird

Class 4I Nabeel Mohammed and Leonie Hale

Class 4C Megan Brace Kieran McMullen

Class 5A Callum La  Antonia Orebela 

School Council visit the House of Parliament

On Wednesday Mrs Vorster took our KS2 School Council members to see the Houses of Parliament. They caught an early train and spent the morning touring the House of Commons and the House of Lords, finding out about its history and how democracy works at a national level. Everyone was awestruck seeing the Queen’s Robing Room and the golden throne that she sits on during the State Opening of Parliament.

School Council Visit to the Mayoral Chambers

On Thursday Mrs Clack took 20 School Council members to the Mayoral Chamber in Grays to learn about democracy at a local level.They met with our current Mayoress who answered lots of questions about her role and how she got the job.They were taken into the main Council Chamber where they sat in the councillors’ chairs and held their own mini School Council meeting chaired by Maddison, Joseph and the Mayoress.After that they went to the Mayoral Parlour where they tried on her robe, hat and other regalia.Everyone who attended was awarded with a pencil and rubber stamped with the council crest. Everyone has a fantastic time and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Please meet our new School Council Representatives for Autumn 2015

School Council Autumn Term 2015

Chair of School Council

Maddison Brace 6B

Vice Chair of School Council

Reggie Evans 6B

Secretaries

Summer Thomas 6M

Joseph Orebela 6M

School Council Class Representatives

Merlin Peregrino-Brimah 5C

Brooke Harding 5C

Callum Constantine 5A

Kateshalom Banahene 5A

Asantewaa Opoku 4S

Harry Cutler 4S

Natalie Matheson 4I

David  Fadiora 4I

Faye Jackson 3C

Yuvraj Singh 3C

Hanna Hadzic 3D

Julia Rembeckka 3D

Kyan Tsang 2T

Deanna Scarrott 2T

Isla Richards 2D

Billy Wallace 2D

Akemi Huynn 1SD

 Oliver Osborne 1SD

Daniel Fadiora 1K

Ami 1K

School Council Meeting 4th February

Another productive School Council Meeting today thank you very much to everyone that attended

Update on our last School  Council Meeting

• Miss Arnott to speak to Mrs Kelly regarding the Playground equipment - Miss Arnott has asked Mrs Kelly to order some more playground equipment that should be arriving shortly

• Miss Arnott to talk to Mrs Copping about the possibility of having Milk at lunchtime as well as having water - Mrs Copping has agreed to have Milk at lunchtime, she is currently organising this and it will be available soon. Thank you to school council for suggesting this.

• Miss Arnott to talk to Miss Copping about the possibility of having Art Work/Drawings in the KS2 toilets. - Miss Arnott still needs to speak to Mrs Copping about this

• Miss Arnott to ask Mr Anderson if the toilet roll holders could be fixed more securely on the side of the toilet wall.  Children mentioned that the toilet rolls often fall off the holder because they are loose. - Mr Anderson is currently checking all toilet roll holders and will replace any that are need to be in the half term

• Miss Arnott to talk to Mrs Standing about the possibility of having an ICT club for Year 5 and 6 after the Easter holidays – could we bear this in mind. - Mrs Standing will keep this in mind for the next round of clubs

• Miss Arnott to talk to Mrs Vorster about the possibility of having a Guitar Club after school and could this be run by Mr Brock our current Guitar Teacher. Mrs Vorster has arranged for Mr Brock to complete an after school Guitar club – Mrs Vorster is currently organising pupils

• Miss Arnott to remind the whole school about the Quite Area on the KS2 playground.  This is an area where children would like to go to have a chat or some quite time with their friends.  Some children sometimes come over to this area and are noisy and climb on the canopy. Miss Arnott will talk to all children during Key message assembly next week. - Miss Arnott will remind pupils in key message assembly this week

The school council made the following decisions today ; (Minutes)

• Children in 3C mentioned about having more opportunities to complete Science experiments as they enjoy these so much. Miss Arnott will speak to Mrs Vorster about this. Mrs Vorster has organised a Science week in March.

• Children in 4R asked if we could look into the possibility of having a Wildlife Day. Miss Arnott will speak to Mrs Vorster about this with the possibility of incorporating this into Science Week

• Miss Arnott to speak to Mrs Copping about having an additional shelter on the playground

• Miss Arnott to speak to Mrs Copping and all teachers about the possibility of setting a Home Project to research the School’s History.Children in Year 5 would like to find out a little more.

• Miss Arnott to speak to Mrs Copping about possibly having an Indoor room at lunchtime for role models to come in if they choose – to play lego, games, draw etc.

• Miss Arnott to speak to Mrs Copping about resurfacing the large playground

• School Council members also asked Miss Arnott to talk to KS2 pupils at our Key Message Assembly about the Quite Area, Not going on the grass and in the bushes and also could all children flush the toilets after use.

   

Thank you once again – it is great to see that our School council members are suggesting and making so many great decisions that are helping to improve and make our school even better -  thank you

School Council Meeting on 23rd January

The school council made the following decisions on 23rd January (Minutes)

• Miss Arnott to speak to Mrs Kelly regarding the Playground equipment

• Miss Arnott to talk to Mrs Copping about the possibility of having Milk at lunchtime as well as having water

• Miss Arnott to talk to Miss Copping about the possibility of having Art Work/Drawings in the KS2 toilets.

• Miss Arnott to ask Mr Anderson if the toilet roll holders could be fixed more securely on the side of the toilet wall.  Children mentioned that the toilet rolls often fall off the holder because they are loose.

• Miss Arnott to talk to Mrs Standing about the possibility of having an ICT club for Year 5 and 6 after the Easter holidays – could we bear this in mind.

• Miss Arnott to talk to Mrs Vorster about the possibility of having a Guitar Club after school and could this be run by Mr Brock our current Guitar Teacher.

• Miss Arnott to remind the whole school about the Quite Area on the KS2 playground.  This is an area where children would like to go to have a chat or some quite time with their friends.  Some children sometimes come over to this area and are noisy. Miss Arnott will talk to all children during Key message assembly next week.

School Council Meeting 3rd December 2014

The school council made the following decisions; (Minutes)

• Miss Arnott to talk to all children during key message assembly about the playground toys – we need to look after our playground toys and put them away sensibly.  Mrs Copping has spent a lot of money on the toys and we need to respect our equipment.

• Miss Arnott to talk to all children during key message assembly about sticks on the playground, children going in the bushes and on the grass  – can we be sensible on the playground and not pickup sticks we need to be role models.  There have been several messages about these things and we need to all stick together and follow the rules.

• Miss Arnott to talk to all children during key message assembly about the Year 3/4 toilets particularly at lunchtime – some children are not being role models and respecting the toilets.  We need to look after our toilets and keep them as tidy as we can.  If you see children not being role models in the toilet please report this to an adult immediately or Miss Arnott

• Some children asked if we could fill our flowers beds full of plants and flowers.  Charlie Russell mentioned that the Gardens are currently maintaining the flowers beds and have worked out a plan to add flowers to some of the beds.  Miss Arnott also mentioned that she has asked our Maintenance people (Pinnacle) to maintain and sort out the flowers beds around the school. This happened on Monday.  Flowers have been purchased by this company and they will be delivered and potted after Christmas.

• Harry and Joshua are going to speak to Mrs Dobson about arranging a Charity Event in the Summer Term – something similar to Diabetes or Young Carers day where we raise money to a charity.

• Miss Arnott is going to speak to Mrs Beard about organising a curriculum day – children suggested that we have a curriculum day for example A Victorian Day – dress up as Victorians for the day and complete different activities which would enhance our learning. They realise  that this couldn’t happen now because we are at the end of the term but perhaps next term could we organise a special day linked to our topic. 

• Emily (5H) is going to speak to her class again and come up with some good reasons why having a ‘Litter Picker’ Job is such a good idea.  How could this benefit the school.  This will then be given to Mrs Copping to make the final decision.  Emily suggested writing a class letter to Mrs Copping.

• In September some children mentioned that the large playground surface was a little bit rough and asked if we would be able to consider having the large playground re surfaced.  Miss Arnott spoke to Mrs Copping and Mrs Copping has asked Miss Arnott to obtain some quotes. Miss Arnott will report back to the School council meeting during the next meeting.

• Year 6 children to speak to Mrs Beard and Miss Mulcahy about an having Enterprise day in the summer term

• Some children mentioned that they have been discussing having class pets in school – a lot of children have discussed the ‘for and against’ arguments for this. Year 6 children are talking about this a little more in class and will report back to the school council in the next meeting.

Parliament Week at Shaw Primary Academy

Next week we are taking part in Parliament Week (week beginning 17^th November) which will enable our pupils to gain more knowledge and understanding of parliamentary democracy, why we have a parliament and how we are able to vote. It will also enable pupils to explore what means to them and their community.  The children will also learn more about Class and School Council by taking part in a series of activities throughout the week.  Watch this space for more information and pictures!

Meet our School Council Members

School Council Members

Chair of School Council -  Karina Paulaviciute

Vice Chair - Charlie Russell

Secretary  - Joshua Peregrino- Brimah and Harry Matheson

Year 1

Samuel Smith-Berry

Benita Eshilama

Kieran Dowdles

Abbie young

Year 2

Bolu Owoyemi

Ntori Brion

Alessia constantin

Richard Dunne 

Year 3

Lily Ball

Malachi Egbera

Ethan Rees

Maddison Wallen

Year 4

Chelsie Doherty

Abbie Downes

Naomi Adetutu

Ryan Jenkins

Year 5

Lisa Oluwole

Tobi Odebode

Alannah Exley

Billy Studt

Year 6

Joshua Peregrino- Brimah

Harry Matheson

Karina Paulaviciute

Charlie Russell

What is our school council for?

The school council is about:

• Learning to work together
• Learning about democracy
• Learning how to play a positive role in our community

The school council’s job is to involve everyone, not do everything. It needs to get everyone:

• Finding things they want to change
• Coming up with ways to make them better
• Putting those ideas in to action
• Seeing what works (evaluating)

How does our class council work?

• Our whole class has a meeting every two weeks
• The class council discuss important matters
• The class then vote for two important things to take to school council to be discussed
• The school council members then report back to the class

What will the school council do for our class?

When you give your class representative an idea, she or he will:

• Note it down
• Take it to the next school council meeting
• Tell you what is happening to your idea within two weeks

The school council will try to make your idea happen by getting:

• Permission
• Support
• Money
• Time

• If they can’t they will tell you why not.
• If they can, they will want your class to help make your idea happen.

What will staff do for the school council?

• Make sure meetings happen when they are supposed to.
• Support pupils to run meetings.
• The Headteacher or Deputy Headteacher will answer all the school council’s questions within one week.

Hot Topics Discussed recently

• New Equipment for the playground
• Charities to support