Pupil Voice
Pupils take an active part in decision-making in the college through the elected Student Council. Their opinions are frequently sought across a range of areas including Teaching and Learning, extra-curricular activities and pupil welfare. The Council gives a voice to the pupil population and an opportunity for the pupils to discuss pertinent issues with staff and to influence policy. The Council then forwards proposals to the Senior Leadership Team.
​
The aims of the School Council are:
-
to improve communication between pupils and staff
-
to ensure St Pius X College promotes a healthy environment in which we learn in partnership
-
to ensure that pupils’ views are acknowledged and where appropriate acted upon
-
to provide pupils with the framework for engaging in active citizenship
-
to make the school a more harmonious place to learn.
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 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.
Senior Mentors
​
In St Pius X College two senior mentors have been assigned to all Year 8 classes to help them with the transition from primary to secondary school.
​
The mentor is a senior school pupil who has expressed an interest in helping the younger pupils. They help to make pupils feel welcome and at ease. The mentors help out in form class and encourage the pupils to join extra-curricular activities at break and lunch time. They answer questions the pupils might have about any aspect of school life. Individual pupil mentors are employed where appropriate.
​
The pupils respond well to having mentors and relationships between pupils and mentors are positive. Issues addressed can range from managing school work to how to make new friends.
We believe that pupils flourish when they are given the opportunity to lead and to mentor.