The role of the Student Council is to:

• Provide an opportunity for pupils to voice their opinions and offer suggestions in relation to many aspects of school life
• Discuss issues relevant to the school and encourage and promote initiatives from the pupils
• Offer an opportunity for all pupils to voice their opinions on proposed changes and thereby play a very important role in improving our school
• Act as a channel for communication within the school, between pupils and between home and school
• Encourage pupils and thereby their parents to organise events central to the life of the school
• Devise and provide leadership roles and responsibilities across the school to support each other and develop the community as well as promote the MNS-D code of conduct.

Through our Student Council we hope to give the pupils a positive role in the organisation of the school and thus ensure they feel they are listened to and respected for their ideas and concerns and these are both valued and valuable. It involves the pupils in many of the decisions, which are made regarding the day-to-day running and management of the school. Discussions in classes and at the Council meetings helps to develop social and learning skills in many areas such as speaking and listening, problem solving and decision-making and the decision-making process.

From time to time the Student Council will discuss, make suggestions and decisions on topics such as:

• School rules
• Anti Bullying Code
• Friendship
• Lunchtime games and activities
• Behaviour and discipline
• Making the yard a happy place
• Care for the building
• Student Council newsletter
• Health and safety
• Uniform
• Parents/homework
• Fundraising

School News
In addition to their role in communication and problem solving, the Student Council acts as an agent for the school news, as journalists and reporters, editors, production assistants and distributors. It is hoped that this makes the school news more child-centered and orientated. They also provide suggestions and material for the school web page and learn the process of constructing the page.

Appointment
At the beginning of each term new members can apply to be a member of the Student Council for the term. The class teachers must approve the candidates and a letter of approval is signed by their parents. The pupils must demonstrate a good attitude to school and to work.

The pupils elected are required to be actively involved in the Council, to attend meetings regularly and participate in activities and be a role model for other pupils. As well as bringing matters to the council for discussion, the representatives are required to report the outcome of meetings to their own class and occasionally to other younger classes. Children who are deemed not to be pulling their weight will be asked to step down in favour of the next in line. Each term the council decides on its own hands-on activities which might include Tidy Classroom Competition, organising charity events, organising school non-uniform day or welcoming visitors to the school.

The Council has an important role to play in the organisation of:

• The Junior Yard -Buddy System- organising games
• Checking computer room for faults and turning on and off computers every morning and evening
• Sport Days
• Student Council Newsletter
• Tidying P.E. store
• Welcoming New Pupils
• End of term events
• Family Fun day
• Leadership roles