Parliament 2015

Parliament is the student’s voice in the school. It is a chance for the students to have a say and enact change. It is also an opportunity for Year 7 students to be leaders in the school community through a range of different roles.

 

The objectives of Student Parliament are:

-          Provide a voice for the student community

-          Provide leadership opportunities for Year 7

-          Organise events around the school

There are a number of roles that need to be fulfilled each year when a new Student Parliament sits each year.  Here is an outline of Student Parliament Roles

Prime Minister (1): A leader in the parliament setting and reports to the school community at assembly with the Opposition Leader about issues and positives discussed at Student Parliament. Meeting with School Leadership members at times to discuss larger ideas and issues discussed in parliament. Set up parliament seating arrangement on days of sitting.

Opposition Leader (1): A leader in the parliament setting and reports to the school community at assembly with the Prime Minister about issues and positives discussed at Student Parliament. Meeting with School Leadership members at times to discuss larger ideas and issues discussed in parliament. Set up parliament seating arrangement on days of sitting.

Speaker (1): Leader and organiser of Student Parliament sessions. The speaker controls the running of parliament sessions and has a rundown for each session allowing opportunity for all parliamentarians to have a say in the parliament setting. They need to make on the spot decisions (with support) about things that might need to be voted on. Working with Prime Minister and Opposition Leader decide on things that need to be shared at assembly. Welcome invited guests into Student Parliament.

Clerk (2):  The record keepers of the parliament. They take the minutes for each parliament session. Have a copy of the minutes for the Speaker, Prime Minister and Opposition Leader at the start of each session. Read the previous minutes out to parliament at the start of a new sitting to highlight points still to be covered. Have minutes of sessions ready to put on the Senior Unit Blog.

Ministers 

Public and Community Affairs (4): Organise and coordinate events around the school. Work out events like casual days and meet with leadership to talk through ideas to organise events for the year. Promote events as they get closer to the date (both and student initiated) and talk about them at assembly as needed. Organising and report on offering from Worship and Praise at assembly to keep the school up to date on what we are supporting and also how much we have to date. Offering destination decided on in conjunction with student parliament and school staff/leadership. (This needs to be worked out within the first 3 weeks of term 1.)

Environment (2): Coordinate with Youth Environment forum on things that are happening around the school to do with the environment. Work with 4/5 on gardens and support any of the environmental programmes occurring at the school. This role would best suit a Youth Environment Forum person. Report to parliament about environment issues at the school and looks into things the school can do to be more environmentally friendly. Look into recycling programmes etc.

Sport and Service (4): Coordinate with Sports Coordinator to help set up sports events and organise sports gear. Help to maintain sports equipment for classes and check regularly to make sure they have gear. Report to parliament about sport happenings around the school and support the set up of events when needed around the school community.

Technology (2): Coordinate technology needs in the Senior Unit and take care of ICT equipment in the Senior Unit. Learn about and help to set up AV equipment for both assembly and Worship and Praise. Work the PowerPoint where possible during assembly and Worship and Praise. Report to parliament on technology issues in the Senior Unit and around the school. (Area still to be developed) Other ideas.. Using school photos create a photo journal to share at the final assembly of each term.

Members for each class (18): Member for their respective class. Meet with class twice a term to discuss issues, positives and improvements. Report to parliament about what they discussed in their class meeting. Report to class about parliament discussions to help remind class of what has been previously discussed. Spend time with class in-between parliament sittings to develop a greater relationship with students. (With 14 classes to care for some might have 2 members per class)

Students are to apply for a role in the 2015 Parliament. To apply you need to write a letter to the Governor Generals (Mr Jones and Mr Semmler) outlining why you would be the right person to fill a role in the Parliament.

In your letter you should include

- why you would be good for a position in parliament

- what you can bring to a parliament role

- why you would like to do this role.

It would be important to also include a top 3 choices as part of your letter to provide you with some options of roles. Letters are to be no more than 1 A4 sheet and can be typed or hand written. Letters need to handed to the Governor Generals by Wednesday of week 2.

Feel free to come and talk to us if you have any questions