Student Council Minutes 18.11.2002

Present: Basheer, Clausen-Thue, Coffer, Espin, Habib, Furniss, Gifford, Granger, Marmot, Morante, O'Boyle, Thompson, Viita, Zinkin

Absent: Cordes, Fink, Henniker, Reizenstein, Torrance, Vandervolk

Maths GCSE

The Council expressed concern about the combination of Maths GCSE and the AS module Pure 1. Currently, both exams are sat in the 6th form, and no Maths GCSE is taken in the 5th form, as was the practice several years ago. The justification for this (after consultation with Mr Bradley) was that it prevented boys complaining at being forced to continue studying maths after taking an early GCSE, and that the AS material was a natural extension of the GCSE teaching. Some felt the “experience” of the 6th form did not benefit from an extra paper, and that sitting GCSEs early was deeply preferable for those candidates who were able. It was pointed out that GCSE French is still taken early by some students, and that the complaints had not required such a disadvantageous change. It was proposed that GCSE Maths be taken in the 5th form for the most able students, and that the time be used for the creative subjects (Art, Drama, Music, Technology) or for teaching other subjects otherwise neglected by the curriculum. However, it was argued that sitting GCSE maths early encouraged a narrowing of the curriculum in terms of AS choices, and thus not continuing maths during the 6th form was unwise.

The Council was broadly in favour of returning to the system of sitting French and Maths early for the more able candidates, and that the sixth form periods be used to study for Pure One (for those who so desire) or for curriculum broadening. It was suggested that citizenship be part of this broadening. The Council would welcome the contribution of the 6th Form Forum on this matter.

Black and White

A draft document for censorship guidelines was drawn up and delivered to the Surmaster, who thanked the Student Council for their suggestions, and was very interested in the proposals. The various ideas have been incorporated into a new document that will be made official and put into effect. The results can be seen in the document, which will be available on our new notice board in the Junior Tuckshop. It will, of course, be reviewed if it is not working well. Many of the Council's proposals were accepted, and the Council was pleased to see cooperation and compromise from several parties resulting in such a success.

L8th Private Study

This problem has existed for some years, without resolution. The difficulty is that private study periods for the L8th are supervised, and boys are not free to do other things in these periods. The present system is unnecessarily restricting and shows a lack of trust in the students. The Student Council considered the suggestion that all U8th Carrels be scrapped, and a joint U8th and L8th study area should be created in its place. This would create an area (or several areas) where both senior years can work in a quiet environment that is supervised by a member of staff. It would not be compulsory for anybody to study in their free periods, and that the most that should be done should be the provision of an area where those who wished to could study. Locker space for books should be provided in place of carrels for U8ths. This suggestion received general support, but some issues need further exploration. It was not known how much carrels were used, a survey last year suggested 40% were in use. It was asked how large a study space should be provided. The number of L8ths on private study at any one time should be calculated, in order to provide an appropriate amount of space. It was thought this would encourage a responsible and adult attitude towards independent work at the start of the 8th form, rather than just the U8th.

L8th Common Room

The Council discussed the possibility of putting a building in place of the Boarding House that could contain (amongst other things) a L8th or joint 8th form Common Room, as part of the architectural replanning of the school. Some were opposed to getting rid of boarding at St Paul's, but many were in favour of providing the L8th with a space for other activities. It was not decided whether there should be separate common rooms for the two years or a single common room for both years.

Jowett Room

It was wondered why the Jowett Room existed as a space solely for the use of 8th form classicists. It was noted that some other subjects did not have a similar resource. Politics and Economics had one until recently, and the Geography Centre and Physics Computers have become mostly a general computer space. The Council made no conclusions about this, but welcomes contributions.

Changing Rooms

It was observed that the Tannoy and Bell did not sound in the Changing Rooms..

Bicycle Shelters

It was again raised that the Bicycle Racks were not sheltered from the elements. The Council recalls that this exists in previous minutes, and the reasons given were that a covering for that area would be an eyesore and interfere with the CCTV system. The council would like to see this issue followed up.