School information

The School Council

Miss Claire Gibson, School Council Co-ordinator

How It Works
The School Council provides Danes Hill pupils with a forum for discussion and debate, and the opportunity to make real changes to the school. This year each of  the 27 Year 6, 7 and 8 Tutor Groups has elected one of its members to sit on the Council; each councillor is expected represent the views of his or her fellow tutees, and report back to them after every Council meeting.

The School Council meets fortnightly throughout the year, under the stewardship of the President: this year Oliver Rumbold (8JFH). As well as developing debating skills, the representatives of each tutor group get to know each other and are able to interact with children in other year groups. From introducing salt and pepper at dinner time to modifying the school uniform, the School Council has influenced the school in a wide variety of ways since it was founded seven years ago.

President of the Council
Each year a Year 8 pupil is appointed as President of the Council. The president chairs each fortnightly meeting, discussing a very busy agenda, and then meets with Mr Murdock to discuss the ideas that he and the Council would like to take further.

Current Projects
Current projects that the Council are working on include the introduction and development of recycling facilities to the school. This began at the start of the year with the arrival of paper and card recycling, and a great deal of the project’s success is owing to the children’s willingness to take part. The scheme has now
been extended to Bevendean which is a positive sign of the School Council's influence, and more recycling schemes are in the pipeline.

The other main project for 2007/2008 is the ‘Year 8 area’ down at the Adventure Playground. The idea for a Year 8-only area was originally put forward last year, and the children have again worked hard to make it a reality. The ground has been levelled off,  weeds and unwanted plants have been removed, and there are plans to inject some colour into the area. The school council would also like to install a table tennis table for the Year 8's to use.

Earlier this year the Council voted for a themed lunch to be held every half term, with the menus ranging from Mexican to Asian to a full English Breakfast! The whole dining room is then decorated in the chosen country's style, with contributions from the school council representatives.

All in all, the School Council plays an important part in the life of the school, and its popularity is due in no small measure to the excellent ideas that the tutor groups come up with.

Members of the School Council April-July 2008

President
Oliver Rumbold

Year 8 Representatives
Peter Fage (8PAT)
Alice Farmer (8WJM)
Sam Foster (8NIH)
Oliver Hill (8RUF)
James Mitchell (8HMG)
Ryan Notman-Watt (8DHM)
Dominic Pather (8RFH)
Patrick Wilson (8CJA)

Year 7 Representatives
Andrew Aitchison (7JKS)
Karina Bondareva (7JOO)
Olivia Fairbank (7JRM)
Zoe Harper (7RPS)
Caela Huckle (7FML)
Yae Jin Lee (7AWR)
Andy Jung (7REH)
Tayla McGaghey (7VAL)
Georgia Pask (7DGT)

Year 6 Representatives
Abbie Chalk (6KJR)
Tommy Fairbank (6TJC)
Ben Foster (6MJD)
Matthew John (6SUT)
Ryan Kiel (6JOH)
Sophie Mack (6WRD)
William Pinhey (6JRH)
Rebecca Richmond Smith (6SLD) 
James Sinclair (6JCB)
Carlos Suarez (6AVH)