Purpose:
To provide an opportunity for students across all secondary school year levels to have an input into issues and decisions which are of concern/interest to them and which impact on the culture of Craigslea SHS.
To provide an experience which acknowledges leadership existing at all year levels and extends the opportunities to develop this leadership in a supportive manner.
To raise finance to support a project/s which enable students to support developments in the school which are identified as being of importance.
Operational Principles:
The Student Representative Council (SRC) is divided into the Junior SRC for students in Years 7, 8 and 9, and the Senior SRC for students in Years 10, 11 and 12.
All students should be elected by their peers to represent their year level at the Council.
All students have the right to express views at a Council meeting but also have the responsibility to do so in a respectful manner.
While full consultation is not a requirement of input into discussions, Council members have a responsibility to communicate activities and decisions to students in year level assemblies and form classes on a regular basis.
The Council can enlist the support of other students across all year levels to assist with activities and so provide additional opportunities for further leadership and citizenship development.
Issues which impact on the operation of the school can only be resolved with a recommendation which must then be considered by the Principal. The Principal’s decision on all issues shall be final.
Membership of the Council:
Years 7 - 12 will have Council representatives elected from each form class.
Members will be elected in February of each year through a process led by the Year Level Coordinator.
There will be four representatives elected to hold the executive positions of President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer for each SRC.
School Captains and Vice-Captains are welcome to attend meetings.
The Junior SRC is overseen by the Head of Junior Secondary.
The Senior SRC is overseen by the Head of Senior Secondary.
Year Level Coordinators and members of the school Administration are also members of the Council.
Operational Rules around Membership:
A proxy may be requested to attend a meeting with the prior approval of the specific Year Level Coordinator.
If a council member fails to attend two meetings without lodging an apology to the Executive, or demonstrates a continuation of failing to undertake their role, then this person forfeits their right to continue as a member of the Council.
Executive Roles:
President:
Overall responsibility for the running of each Council Meeting –
Respectful conduct of each meeting
Correct meeting procedures
Appropriate participation throughout.
Liaises with other Executive members regarding the agenda for each meeting.
Along with other members of the executive, meets with the Head of Junior Secondary/Senior Secondary to discuss recommendations from Council meetings to ensure timely feedback to council meetings.
Vice President:
- Assists the President complete his/her duties.
- Assumes the role of President in the event of absence.
- Specific tasks as assigned by the Executive.
Secretary:
- Responsible for ensuring notices of meetings are provided to all in a timely manner – calendar of events with reminders on daily announcements.
- Prepares agenda for each meeting.
- Confirms record of meeting outcomes in collaboration with the Executive.
- Participates in discussion about recommendations with the Head of Junior Secondary/Senior Secondary.
- Emails a copy of the minutes to the Head of Junior Secondary/Senior Secondary.
Treasurer:
- Maintains a simple cash book detailing the finances of the Student Council.
- Meets with the School Business Manager to arrange any financial matters.
- Provides a report to the Council at each meeting outlining the following:
- Opening Balance
- Income since last meeting – source and amounts
- Expenses since last meeting – amounts and payable to
- Final balance of funds available to Student Council. This report is to be presented as an end of year financial report and tabled at the last committee meeting of the year.
- Participates in discussion about recommendations with the Head of Junior Secondary/Senior Secondary.
Role of Student Councillor:
- Represents the issues of students for the year levels.
- Communicates outcomes of discussions from SRC meetings to the student year body.
- Initialises, leads and implements a community service activity for their year level.
- Participates in school-based activities when required (including assisting with other year levels’ fund raising/community service activities).
- Follows operational rules for membership of SRC.
- At all times, upholds the rules of the school and encourages fellow students to respect these rules. Behaves in a respectful and responsible manner.
Proposed Scope of the Council’s Activities
Community / Service Activity:
Each year level will identify one charity/service which they will take responsibility to promote and support during the year.
Our school foster child must be one of the services undertaken each year.
Issue of major concern/impact on students and staff wellbeing:
An issue needs to be identified by the Council to work on during the year. An example may be ‘Our school environment’ which could then lead to the project involving support for the introduction of new ideas in relation to sustainability and input into long term improvements and short term changes.
Organisation of Activities which Promote a Sense of School Spirit:
A school event is held each year in order to raise funds which supports the development of school spirit and raises funds to support the work of the Council.
Student Issues:
Consideration of issues which impact on the culture of the school and are identified by students throughout the year.
School Promotion and Celebration:
- Actively seeks to promote positives about Craigslea SHS within the school community as well as in the wider community.
- Be an active volunteer for school events, such as Open Day, Orientation Day, Immersion Day, Awards Night, and ANZAC ceremonies.