HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT COUNCIL CONSTITUTION

Structure
The Student Council consists of:

  • 1 elected representative from each class from 1st – 6th Year.
  • A representative of staff (Student Council Liaison Teacher).

Election Procedures

  • The process begins with the nomination procedure. All interested pupils must fill in a nomination form, being proposed by two of their class group.
  • If only one nominee, that nominee automatically becomes Student Council Class Representative
  • Class Teacher signs the form.
  • List of candidates is displayed.
  • Election is by secret ballot; pupils 1st preference beside candidates’ names.
  • The votes are counted and kept by a staff member.
  • If a Council member leaves or is dismissed, the candidate with the next highest number of votes will replace him.

Role

  • Speak at Student Council meetings about ideas from their classes.
  • Present their ideas and suggestions at Student Council meetings.
  • Attend Student Council meetings at lunch time every two or three weeks.
  • Report at staff meetings and meetings with the Manager.
  • Do Student Council work at home for upcoming meetings.
  • Work with management on relevant school policies.
  • Meet regularly with the Principal.
  • Organise students into sub-committee for specific events.
  • Carry out surveys, questionnaires, etc.
  • Help to write reports.
  • Raise money for identified student needs.
  • Make sure that the whole school knows what the Student Council is doing.
  • Help out at official school functions.

Liaison Teacher

  • Attends weekly meetings.
  • Acts as link between staff and Student Council.
  • Has a voice but not a vote.
  • Is a source of information.
  • Liaison teacher can select substitute teacher for replacement.

Meetings

  • All Council members are expected to attend all meetings.
  • Meetings take place at lunchtime one day a fortnight.
  • There must be 9 people present to have a meeting, 11 to have a vote.
  • Student Council members vote to choose a Chairperson, Secretary, PRO and Treasurer.
  • An agenda is set in advance and adhered to.
  • Attendance record is kept and minutes are taken. Records are kept in the school office.
  • All Council members get an equal say and are expected to contribute to each meeting.
  • All contributions to the meeting must be through the Chairperson.
  • Decisions are taken on a majority vote.
  • All problems discussed at meetings must be treated with discretion, respect and confidentiality.
  • A teacher must be present for a formal meeting to take place.

Exclusions

  • Any uncomplimentary mention of staff, management or pupil by name or implication.
  • Individual grievances between pupil and teacher.
  • On-going disciplinary matters involving a student or group of students.

Code of Conduct

  • Attend meetings.
  • To be actively involved in Student Council activities.
  • To set a good example to others.
  • To represent the year group.
  • To stand as a group and support decision made by the Student Council.
  • To maintain good relations with staff members.
  • Upon election, Council members sign a contract, in which they agree to attend weekly meetings, represent their year group, support their fellow Council members and abide by the school rules.

Removal of Student Council Members

Reasons for Removal

  • Non-attendance at three meetings without a valid reason (automatic removal, no appeal).
  • Regular non-involvement in Student Council activities.
  • Breach of Council’s Code of Conduct.
  • If a pupil leaves the school.
  • N.B. A suspension from school results in removal from Student Council.

Removal Procedures

  • In order for procedures to be started, the Liaison Teacher must receive three complaints from individual Council members.
  • The liaison teacher issues a warning.
  • If there are further breaches, the Council member is asked to resign.
  • The Council member has a right to appeal in front of the Student Council.
  • The decision to remove the Council member is voted on.
  • The result is decided by a majority vote and is final.