4.11.02

Student Council Minutes 4.11.2002

Present: Basheer, Clausen-Thue, Coffer, Cordes, Espin, Fink, Furniss, Gifford, Granger, Henniker, Jouzy, Morante, Marmot, O'Boyle, Reizenstein, Thompson, Torrance (6th Form), Vandervolk, Viita, Zinkin

Absent: Habib

Punch-Bag

There have been repeated requests for a punch-bag in the gym or fitness centre. The Surmaster and Mr Kelly will be consulted.

School Cash Machine

The creation of a cash-machine at school was considered. It was pointed out there is already a school bank in existence, though none present were certain of the details. In conjunction with this, the possibility of a tuck-shop tab, or an electronic tab system like that at Godolphin, was raised

Coin Payphones

It was felt there was demand for a school payphone that accepted both cards and coins.

Basketball

It was raised that the sport funding was not sufficient for all the resources needed for the support of the very successful school basketball team. Contrast was made by in the suggestion box to the boat house, which some believe is over-funded.

Personal Stereos

Eighth form boys are permitted to use their personal stereo equipment in their carrels and the common room. It was asked why lower years are not allowed this luxury also, since surely they are sufficiently responsible to listen to music.

Club Music

It was asked why there was no club competition for music, as there is at St Paul's Juniors. This seems to be neglecting a large area of talent and interest at the school, and the Council recommends this be introduced. A suggestion for the format was the famous Westminster model, which appears to be a combination between karaoke and drinking songs. Other suggestions included open composition (all genres) and performance (on all instruments) competition.

 John Colet Day

The Council revisited the topic of the John Colet day, and a wide-ranging discussion of many different views ensued, and encompassed a number of areas. No consensus was reached. On the subject of religious exemption from the existing service, it was again raised that insufficient recognition was given to those of no belief, or active atheists, and this should sensibly be revised.

The content of the service was discussed, involving both consideration of the existing service and plans for a new one. Many agreed that John Colet's life and legacy was worth celebrating in some way; opinions differed as to whether this should encompass explicilty the relgious foundation of the school. Some felt religion in its many forms was an important part of the cultural diversity upon which the school was founded; others felt the modern St Paul's did not need this religious tradition celebrated at such an event. A distinction was made between a religious service and an element of religion (not necessarily Christian) to an educational event. There was no consensus over which was preferable.

It was noted that the Cathedral setting made the religious service necessary, and this risked disenfranchising a significant part of the school community. There seemed to be a trend towards moving away from the Cathedral as a location for the service, both for its relgious appendages, and because it is not a very practical building for listening to a sermon. It was not decided whether hymns should comprise part of the day, though it was pointed out that the hymns were often old, and not representative of the advances in Church music in recent decades. It was felt by some that the day should be educational, but in an intellectually stimulating and enjoyable way, rather than a rather bland sermon. Others felt the purpose of the day should be a celebration, and there was a disparity between what occurred and what most people consider a worthy celebration. Importantly, celebrations should be fun, and the high number of exemptions and general apathy suggested it was not fun.

It was suggested that there be two services. One should be an explicitly Christian Feast Service at the Cathedral, with absolutely voluntary attendance; it was thought there was a sufficient number of boys who would wish to go to this service for it to be successful and a continuance of tradition. Separate from this should be another event, of compulsory attendance, in a secular context that celebrated John Colet and St Paul's as it is today, in its wider community and its future, that should be lively and appealing to all years. However, there was still no clear consensus in support of this.

The Council does not expect any consensus to be reached on the John Colet Day, and warmly invites the Surmaster to join a future Council meeting to discuss the range of views and encourage a dialogue beneficial to all.

Black and White

The proposals for rules of censorship will be compiled for next week.

U8th Common Room Resources

It was raised that the common room might be improved with the provision of computers, a kettle and a microwave. However, the computers were removed from the private study rooms after vandalism and abuse; since then, the rooms have been used more seriously for study. It was part of the original plan for the Common Room that there would not be an eating or cooking area, but only vending machines. While this can be revised, it was felt the potential dangers and likelihood of abuse, plus the issue of tidiness, made this unwise.

Parking

Replies to letters sent to the local council asking for parking near school do not seem to be forthcoming. 

Prefects

The Council will be interested to hear the views of the 6th Form Forum next week, when it will devote the meeting to compiling a report on the subject of prefects. Cordes, Vandervolk and Reizenstein (one Prefect U8th, one non-prefect U8th, and one L8th) will be responsible for this document.

Universities Department

Unfortunately, the Council did not have time to discuss the problems with the Universities procedure outlined last week. This will be a matter of priority next week.