Student Council

What does the Student Council do?

The Student Council of St. Colmcille’s Community School is a representative body of both Junior and Senior level students. It acts as a medium of communication between the students, staff and management of the school. It aims to promote an active involvement by students in the running of the school. It contributes to the development of school policies and allows students to make suggestions regarding matters of general concern to the student body.

As outlined in the School's Mission Statement, the Student Council of St. Colmcille’s Community School will aim to ensure that “students emerge as confident, adaptable, responsible and caring citizens”. The Student Council also strives to promote better mutual respect, fairness and honesty between staff and students. It hopes that students will develop essential life skills such as listening, diplomacy, compromise, communication and leadership. The Student Council strives to make a positive contribution to every aspect of the school community. It allows students to have their voice heard, understood and to elicit a response from the School Authority. The Student Council is an important part of school life and aims to play a significant role in the development of the school.

Who is on the Student Council?

The Student Council consists of fifty representatives in total. The Junior Council comprises twenty four members and the Senior Council comprises twenty six members. Elections are held in September each year and the student representatives hold office for one year. The members meet once a month to discuss issues of concern to the general student body with the Staff Liaison Officer. The Executive Committee consists of the Chairpersons, Vice Chairpersons and the Secretaries (Junior and Senior Cycle).

School Development Planning

The Student Council were a critical part of the consultation process with Pinta regarding the future development plan for St. Colmcille's Community School.

Student Council Achievements

Blazers for School Events

Some representatives felt that students representing the school in competitions such as debating for example should be given the option to wear a blazer rather than their school jumper. This would add prestige and give the students participating in these competitions more confidence.
Following discussions with the school management, a set of blazers in a selection of sizes are now available in the school for such events and competitions.

Team Jerseys

Student Council members involved in sport raised the issue that some of the school sets of jerseys were now too old and that students didn’t look as presentable as they would like when playing against other schools.
As a result of our discussions with management, two new sets of jerseys will be purchased each year from now on. This year new jerseys were purchased for the camogie team and for the soccer team.

Blinds

Art students pointed out that there were no blinds in the new Art room last year.
As a result, new blinds were purchased for the Art room last summer and the Art students are delighted now.

The Bike Rack

The Student Council was very concerned about the position of the bike shed and potential bike theft.
Following discussions with management, it was agreed that students would now be asked to purchase kryptonite locks as these are more difficult to break than traditional locks. These locks will now appear on next year’s booklist as a suggested purchase for any students intending to cycle to school.

Homework Policy

On a more serious note, the members of the Student Council have also been involved in examining and giving feedback regarding the new homework policy which the school will be implementing next year.

Constitutional Changes

We have also made changes to our Student Council constitution.

Student Council meetings had previously been held separately at Junior and Senior levels. All Student Council representatives now meet together. This has resulted in more interesting discussions and more effective decision making.
Many Student Council members felt that they would like to remain on the Student Council for longer than one academic year. As a result, Student Council members will be given the opportunity to remain on the Student Council if no other student in their class wishes to oppose them in the elections held in September. The Student Council constitution has been changed to reflect this.
We now have two additional “continuity members” on the Student Council. These are exemplary student representatives who were previously members of the Student Council but who were not elected for a second term of office. They may be proposed by the Student Council Staff liaison officer and by Management as “continuity members” if they so wish. At the first meeting of the new Student Council each year, the elected members are asked if they are happy to accept the proposed students as the current “continuity members” for this academic year. The Student Council constitution has also been changed to reflect this. This year, Jessica Lyons from 4th Year and Aoife Murphy from 6th Year are our nominated “continuity members”.

Ongoing Issues for the Student Council

The lack of water pressure in the water fountain at the GPH and the possibility of replacing the water fountain at the PE hall.
The Canteen Menu
The School Diary

New Water Fountain

The students requested a second water fountain for the school and this was installed in September 2014.

Student Charter

In April 2014 the Student Council were involved in designing the "Student Charter of Behaviour".