Haute Vallee Students At School Council
Ever wondered how students make real changes in their school?
A School Council Network is a group of students from each year working together to pitch ideas, across different schools or within a school. A School Council Network plays an important role in the betterment of each school; it is a platform to share ideas, influence decisions and improve school life.
The School Council Network is a way for student councils from different schools to connect, collaborate, and support each other. It creates a space where student leaders can share ideas, learn from one another, and work together on projects that make a real difference in their schools.
School Council Networks help young adults to gain confidence in leadership skills, encouraging leadership and problem solving, preparing students for the real world.
In my experience of the last three Council meetings, I have learnt all the skills mentioned above. For the first meeting, in Highlands College, we discussed the new blueprint of the Millennium Park and the changes we would like to see as teenagers, as they had asked the same question to primary school pupils.
This made me feel heard and how my opinion matters. We also discussed new poster ideas for convincing young adults to quit vaping. In my opinion, there were good inputs from all the schools, and it was really helpful for the Government to get to know what characteristics would attract the attention of young adults like colours, fonts, the type of language, etc.
For the second meeting, also in Highlands College, we talked a little bit more about the blueprint for Millennium Park, we moved ahead to the topic of a new, healthy, tasty, and environment-friendly school menu.
We were taught about some common ingredients used in lunches, and how much carbon they produce, with red meat at the top. We were asked to give ideas about a new menu that should be environment-friendly, and healthy.
For the third and the latest meeting, we were at Jump Jersey, where we learned about what mission statements are, and also a fun activity to suggest some words that could be in the new mission statement of the School Council Network.
In my opinion and experience, these meetings have taught me great things and enhanced my teamwork and leadership skills, building my confidence in communicating with strangers and to present ideas.
Shanvi – Year 9 Representative
