Pupils take up office in new student parliament
A new student parliament
is making sure the voices of youngsters are heard at the Isle of
Sheppey Academy.
This year is the first time
the school has elected a group of pupils which meets with staff to
discuss ways to improve.
Each year group has boy and
girl representatives but an executive panel of leaders has been
voted in by both their fellow students and staff.
At the east site, Phillip
Benjamin Williams, 14, is executive head boy while Maddie
Springett, who also sits on the Kent Youth County Council, is
executive head girl.
They are supported by Lauren
Hayes, 14, and Ewan Goddard, 15, who are deputy executive
heads.
At the Jefferson Road site,
Charlie Barnes is executive head boy and Tara Boosey is head girl,
while Ben Ward and Kelcy Price are deputies.
There was no expenses scandal
in this parliament as each candidate had a £20 budget for their
campaign with Maddie choosing to hand out sweets with "vote for me"
messages on them while Ewan spent his on a banner.
The group held its first
meeting with principal David Day, the chairman of governors and the
senior leadership team, this term and the minutes were included in
a flyer sent out to all teachers.
Head boy Phillip said: "Our
first meeting was quite daunting
we talked about the issues around the school and there were lots of
positives like what we would do to improve behaviour."
The meetings are also an
opportunity for pupils to have their say on the
curriculum.
Maddie explained: "We are the
student voice box, any pupils having issues can speak to us and we
will inform the teachers."
Ewan said: "I got into this
to help other pupils not to help myself."
Teacher Syreeta Bowditch, who is head of student voice,
said this is not the first time the school has had a parliament but
it is the first time students had an election and the first time
students have met directly with staff.
27/12/12
- Click here for more Sheerness news...
- Click here for more news from across the county...