29.09.2003

Student Council Minutes 29/09/03

'Freedom' for 8^th formers: The council is still in favour of increased 'freedom' for 8^th formers in terms of leaving the school site during the day. The general feeling is that the school should approach this issue in a similar fashion to most sixth form colleges and give the older students the freedom of not having to be on site, should there be no (extra)curricular commitments. This is a perennial issue, originally raised by the council in 1996 to which the High Master gave a reply that such an approach would be detrimental to the school's active societies and sports. However, since student opinion is convincingly in favour of a more relaxed policy relating to this issue, it is something the Council will continue to review. Nick Philpot suggested that the key-fobs could be used by students to electronically sign in and out of school (and will consult Mr Lines on this idea’s feasibility). This would have several beneficial effects. For example, an 8^th former without periods 1 and 2 would not need to be in tutors to register 2 hours earlier than he necessarily needs to. It appears that there are two issues here: the school’s policy on the obligation to be on-site during lunchtime/free periods and its policy on registration. This gave rise to a separate discussion on tutors.

Tutors: The Council came to the conclusion that tutor sessions exist for 4 reasons:

1.      To collect messages and notices

2.      To obtain support from the tutor

3.      To provide a caring atmosphere for younger members of the set

4.      To register

The channels through which Paulines have access to notices are numerous: the tannoy, notice boards, email and tutors. There seems to be an unnecessary and confusing overlap and as such the Council doubts that tutor sessions are necessary for collecting notices. The importance of tutor sessions for providing a friendly environment for younger Paulines was unanimously accepted, but since 4^th/5^th formers are in assembly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, this task can not always be fulfilled. There is a general belief that the key-fob method of registration would be more efficient. Having said this, the Council recognises the importance of tutor sessions, but thinks that their structure, timing and frequency should be reviewed.

Free-Style Skating: The council received a letter complaining that there is nowhere in the school allocated for free-style skateboarding. Free-style skateboarding is done at low to no speed and the risk of any injury beyond a scratch or graze is minimal. Since such a form of skating appears not to be dangerous for those participating in it or those passing by, the council fully supports this plea.