Student Council Minutes 12.2.2003

Present: Basheer, Clausen-Thue, Coffer, Cordes, Furniss, Gifford, Granger, Habib, Henniker, Jouzy, Marmot, Morante, O'Boyle, Reizenstein, Thompson, Vandervolk, Viita, Zinkin

Absent: Espin, Fink

School Prospectus

The Council discussed the new prospectus. It was noted that there was no mention of football, and it was raised that the production of a document seeking to demonstrate the spirit of St Pauls might have benefited from some input from the students.

Toilets

The locks on the changing room toilets will be fixed. Boys are reminded that vandalism in the changing rooms harms all of us, and hinders our attempts to get more freedoms that students would enjoy

Highmaster Selection

The Council submitted its advice and comments on the selection of the new Highmaster to the Chairman of the Governers. The brief document can be seen on the Student Council Noticeboard.

Leavers Ball and Yearbook

A query was received regarding these events. The organization of these is left to the boys, though usually the Head Boy is involved.

 Water Fountains

There has been a request for a water fountain to be installed in the tuck-shop or the atrium. The Council failed to see why this was necessary, since the changing rooms are so easily accessible. 

Fitness Centre

The request for the fitness centre to be available for supervised use in some free periods was repeated. It was suspected that this would be impractical, but Mr Jaine will be consulted.

QCA

The school is sending Lower and Upper Eighth student representatives to a Qualifications and Curriculum Authority Meeting in March. If anybody has any questions they would like to be asked, or any perspectives on the AS/A2 system at St Paul's, they should inform the chairman in person or by email.

Tutors

The Council discussed the suggestion that the tutorial system was not practical for Eighth formers. Many felt that it was a valuable part of school life, particularly for younger boys, and helped integrate the students across years. However, some felt that the requirement for boys to be in tutors every morning was unproductive; there were rarely any urgent notices, and since junior students were not always present because of assemblies, there was not as much "bonding time" as might first appear.

Tannoy

Some members of the Council complained that the 10.15 notices on the tannoy were not worthwhile, and that other methods should be used. There was little support for any change.

Liberty at St Paul's

Continuing from last week's discussion, it was felt that it would be productive to invite the Surmaster to a Council meeting to discuss the principles underlying some of the school's policies. It was recognised that often pragmatism over individual issues contradicted any broader ethical attitude towards students' liberties and the life of the school. The Council wish to consult with other schools across London to provide a perspective on different issues. Preliminary areas for consideration were uniform and dress code, punishment, being allowed off campus at lunchtimes, the opacity of procedures, the apparent pettiness of many of the rules, and lateness. The Council felt negatively about many of these things at St Paul's, but felt that some positive outcomes could be had from a wide survey of how St Paul's relates to other schools.

It was raised that other schools, among them SPGS and Haberdashers, achieve excellent exam results without the use of detentions. The issue of detentions, especially lates detentions, has often been raised, and the council saw compelling arguments for the school showing a more mature attitude to its students in this area especially. The issue of detentions will be discussed at length next week.