What is a Student Council?

A Student Council is a representative structure through which students can become involved in the affairs of the school, working in partnership with school management, staff and parents for the benefit of the school and its students.

Why have a Student Council?

Student Councils give students the opportunity to be actively involved in the school. This is of benefit to the whole school community. The 2005 report from the Second–Level Student Councils in Ireland identified the following advantages to having a Student Council:

• Creates a positive school atmosphere
• Creates a caring school environment which is supportive and inclusive
• A vehicle for student participation
• Beneficial impact on issues such as discipline, bullying and staff-student relations
• Creates educational opportunities for students
• Provides an interactive learning environment
• Students can develop communication and leadership skills, responsibility and accountability
• Valuable resource to management, teachers and other students.

The objectives of St Gerald’s Student Council are:

• To foster in students a sense of loyalty and pride in the school
• To afford students the opportunity to play an active and positive part in their education and in the life of the school
• To encourage students to become self-confident, responsible, caring and independent
• To develop self–respect and self-esteem in students leading to maturity
• To improve communication at all levels in the school
• To acknowledge and promote the Catholic ethos of the school.