School Council & School Council News
At West Lodge, we believe that our pupils should be able to make a positive contribution to their school community. Our School Council gives them an opportunity to use and develop their decision-making and citizenship skills within a structured forum that allows them play an influential part in the policymaking process, which defines our school environment and ethos.
Each class from Year 2 through to Year 6 democratically elects two members to the School Council each term. The elected members then appoint a Chairperson, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer from the serving Committee Members.
A School Council suggestion box is held in each classroom into which written suggestions are posted either signed or anonymous as preferred. These are opened at the fortnightly meetings, which are held during the lunch break each Wednesday, and the Committee will decide on those items for discussion and further action. Although the pupils run the meetings, a Staff representative will also attend the meeting as a facilitator to ensure that all matters requiring action from Senior Management or staff members are actioned.
School Council - Elected Spring Term 2011
| Year 6 - Julia B | Chair | ||
| Year 6 - Rian T |
Council Representative |
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| Year 5 - Samuel C | Vice Chair | ||
| Year 5 - Kareena J |
Council Representative |
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| Year 4 - Natasha W | Secretary | ||
| Year 4 - Amaan K | Treasurer | ||
| Year 3 - Rosie H |
Council Representative |
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| Year 3 - George P | Council Representative | ||
| Year 2 - Lucas G | Council Representative | ||
| Year 2 - Aniella N | Council Representative | ||
2011/12
Meeting 8th February
Present: Yr2, 4, 5 & 6; Mr Pressling and Mrs Webb.
Yr 3 were missing
Bethany in Year 6 has explained that her idea for a child to be Head for a day was meant to be a child “shadowing” the Head (or class teacher). The School Council liked the idea but do not think it will work as the chosen child would miss their schoolwork.
After discussions with their classes, Yr5 & 6 did not want Netball Club to change days. Some of Year 4 did. The council decided not to take this further and leave Netball Club on a Thursday .
The School Council have all spoken to their classes about the “silly” games being played on the astro-turf whilst others are playing football. They are pleased to report that such incidents have become less noticeable
Years 5 & 6 had several menu ideas for school lunch and Julia and Anniella have agreed to arrange a meeting with Mrs Ewing to discuss them.
Year 4 have given their list of suggestions for Wet Play Games to Mrs Webb.
Year 2 have highlighted how squashed it is in the Yr1&2 cloakroom. Mrs Webb said she will be looking at all cloakroom allocation as part of the plans for the new extension.
Mr Pressling & Mrs Webb both congratulated and thanked the council members for their hard work over the year so far. New School Council Elections will take place next Half Term. Special mention was given to Julia’s excellent leadership skills when Chairing the meetings.
Meeting Ended 13:28
Meeting 24 January
Present: Year 2, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6 & Mr Pressling
Business arising from last meeting:
Year 2 had spoken to Mrs Sullivan who said that she does not need a laptop at present.
Year 6 had not yet had a meeting with Mrs Webb.
Year 2 have not yet spoken to Mrs Ewing regarding grapes for tuck, but the whole school would like to thank her for the soup at lunchtime.
Year 4 and 6 have reminded their classes not to play by the boys' toilets.
Suggestions:
Year 5:
Kareena has requested netball on an additional day, Years 4,5 & 6 will get their classes opinion and Kareena will speak to Miss Webber.
The School Council are concerned that too many people are playing silly games on the football pitch and this will be monitored.
Meeting closed: 1.26 pm.
Next meeting 06 February
Meeting 24 January
Present: Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6 & Mr Pressling
Business arising from last meeting:
Year 2 & Year 6 have spoken to their classes about recycling paper and all children thought this was a good idea and will be looking to recycle as much paper as possible.
Years 3, 4 & 5 have not yet addressed their classes.
Suggestions:
Year 2:
Request for more PE equipment was needed but were told that this is continually monitored and replaced as necessary by Mrs Farrell and Mr McCabe.
Request for a laptop for Mrs Sullivan, Lucas is to speak to Mrs Moore.
Request for grapes for tuck: Aniella to speak to Sue the Cook
Year 3:
Request for more playtime: rejected
Request for more pyjama parties: rejected
Year 5:
More Top Trumps - should be put on games list for WLPA funding.
Year 6
Request for more Michael Morpurgo books in the library: there have recently been two complete sets of books added to the library.
Year 5 & Year 6
Request for their own toilets: Julia and Rian will talk to Mrs Webb.
Meeting closed: 1.26 pm.
Next meeting 31 January
Meeting 18 January
Present: Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6
Business arising from last meeting:
Wet Playtime Games requests:
Year 2
Pig goes Pop - (Breaks easily)
Operation
Gator Golf - (Takes up a lot of room)
Shark Chase
Piranha Panic - (Lots of marbles)
UNO
Year 3 - Still to arrange meeting
Year 4 - Still to arrange meeting
Year 5 - Consider they have enough games
Year 6
Chess
Switch 16
Boggle
Battleships
Guess Who
Snakes & Ladders
Suggestions:
Year 2 - Request for more hoops for the playground - The School Council advised that there are additional hoops in the playtime boxes which will be available in the Summer term.
Year 3 - Request for longer ICT lessons - Two lessons are timetabled each week and classes can use the Suite at any other time after checking with Mrs Kitney that the Suite is free.
Year 4 - No suggestions
Year 5 - We need to do more to recycle paper. Council agreed and all representatives to remind children of this issue.
Year 6 - Suggestion for a Year Book to have lists of achievements etc - School Council decided against this idea as some children would be left out and therefore be upset.
An additional meeting may be required to clear the back-log of suggestions. This will be arranged by Mr Pressling.
Meeting closed: 1.27 pm.
Next meeting 24 or 25 January
Meeting 20 October
Present: Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6
Business arising from last meeting:
All Suggestion boxes now finished.
Years 2, 3 & 5 need to see PA to talk about ideas for items for the school.
Suggestions:
Year 6 suggested having a new carpet in their classroom and the School Council would like more nformation about this.
A big games board on the playground.
New classroom clocks.
More benches in the playground.
Small fence around garden area.
Year 5 suggested more sports matches and Julia B advised this is already being arranged.
Year 4 suggested having a separate bike rack, the School Council do not think there is room for this but Mr Pressling will talk to Mrs Webb about this.
Year 3 wanted snacks after break the School Council considered this unecessary as tuck is provided for everyone at the beginning of break.
Meeting Closed 1.29 pm.
Next meeting TBA
Meeting 4 October
Present:
All Councillors present plus Mrs Webb.
Business arising from last meeting:
Suggestions:
Mrs Webb advised that the Parents' Association would like to know whether the School Council have any requests for items to make the school and playground better. Each School Representative are to ask their class and bring suggestions along to the next meeting.
Year 2
Request for slide in Junior Playground
Year 3 - No suggestions.
Year 4 - No suggestions.
Year 5
Suggestion boxes to be made.
Year 6
The Junior Road Safety Officers have been appointed and are Sophie E and Julia B - Year 6
Meeting closed 1.25 pm
Next Meeting Wednesday 19 October