Student Council

What is a Student Council?
A Student Council is a representative structure through which students of Gen. Ryszard Kuklinski International School of Bydgoszcz can become involved in the affairs of the school, working  in partnership with school management and staff and parents for the benefit of the school and its students.

Why have a Student Council?
Student Councils are an increasingly common feature in primary schools and have worked to the benefit of many schools.
Students have a valuable contribution to make to the effectiveness of their school and their involvement in the operation of the school is itself a valuable part of the education process for the students.
A Student Council provides an opportunity for students to engage in a structured partnership with teachers, parents and school managers in the operation of their school. Student Councils can create a sense of ownership of the school and its activities among the student population.
The establishment of a Student Council gives students an opportunity to acquire the sort of communication, planning and organisational skills which will be of benefit to them in their future lives. It enables students to take responsibility for projects, and to demonstrate that they can manage and bring such projects to successful conclusion. Moreover, the contribution made by a Student Council to the development of school policy in a number of areas can have significant benefits for students and the school. School policies are far more likely to be successful where they are clearly understood and accepted by all partners within the school community.

The role of the Student Council
The main role of a Student Council is to promote the interests of the school and the involvement of students in the affairs of the school, in co-operation with the board, parents and teachers.
A Student Council will set its own objectives, which could include:

• To enhance communication between students, management, staff and parents
• To promote an environment conducive to educational and personal development
• To promote friendship and respect among pupils
• To support the management and staff in the development of the school
• To represent the views of the students on matters of general concern to them

Key functions of Student Councils
The functions and activities of a Student Council should support the aims and objectives of the Council and promote the development of the school and the welfare of its students. In planning and undertaking activities during the course of the school year, the Council should:

• work closely with school management, teachers and parents,
• consult regularly with students in the school, and
• involve as many students as possible in the activities of the Council.

There is a wide range of activities of benefit to the school community which a Student Council may wish to undertake, some of which are outlined below:

• Representing the views of the student body to the school management
  This should be one of the fundamental aims of every Council. It involves talking and listening to the student body, considering their views and concerns, and discussing these with the school management on behalf of the students.
• Promoting good communications within the school
  Improving communication within the school community is a shared responsibility and a Student Council can contribute to this process. Making presentations at staff meetings to keep staff informed of activities, keeping a Student Council notice-board or organising a regular newsletter are just some ways the Council can communicate with the students, school management and staff, and parents.
• Supporting the educational development and progress of students
  A Student Council can contribute to the learning environment for students in the school by, for example, setting up study groups for students in exam classes or homework clubs, or organising lunchtime activities such as language clubs.
• Contributing to the development of school policy
  The Student Council can actively contribute to the development of school policy in a wide range of areas such as bullying, uniform requirements, behaviour code and extra-curricular activities. The Council could form sub-committees to consider individual policy issues, to consult with students, staff and parents on those issues and to represent the Council’s views on those issues to school management.
• Assisting in school sporting and cultural activities
  Student Councils can assist in organising and developing sports and cultural activities within the school, including, for example, sports days and drama or musical events.
• Assisting with or organising fund-raising events for charity
  Student Councils can organise events both within the school and involving the wider community, for the purposes of raising money for designated charities.