The Charity Committee

The charity committee is formed from a group of children who volunteer at the beginning of the academic year. They are chosen from all age groups and are chaired by a member of Year 8. They meet as required and help to decide which charities will be supported by the termly non-uniform day. They also decide on the theme of the event. They help out at the many charity events such as our Rwanda coffee mornings and the annual fete. In addition they are often called upon to read in assemblies when there are visiting speakers.

Vinehall School Council

The Vinehall School Council has been running for three years and has established itself as a successful voice for all pupils. The opportunity for all pupils to discuss whole school issues within the Form Councils held during PHSE shows a real example of democracy in action and active citizenship. The House flags (designed by the pupils) and the House Captains were suggested by the Council. Inevitably some of the suggestions cannot be adopted and others take time. There is ongoing investigation into an extended play area for example but it is interesting to see how just the discussion of an idea and its presentation can drop seeds which then grow to fruition. It was thought impractical to move to a cafeteria system, a very popular suggestion in the early days of School Council but now three years later our new servery and salad bar is proving a popular and successful change. Suggestions have ranged from ideas for uniform with requests for lunchtime seating plans being moved more frequently. All ideas are listened to and even if they cannot be passed, then the reasons are fully explained. In this way, children are encouraged to express views about their own community and to think imaginatively for improvement and they can see that their ideas matter and can bring change.

Constitution

The Vinehall School Council provides a voice for the pupils in the running of the school.

Membership

• At the beginning of the school year, one girl and one boy from each form are elected by their form to the posts of Form representative and Deputy Form representative. Normally the Form rep is the one who attends the School Council meetings.
• One Staff member is also elected by the whole school.
• The Head of PSHE is the School Council Link teacher to ensure smooth running of the Council.
• The Head Boy and Head Girl.

Meetings

• At the beginning of term, forms meet with their representatives, normally during PSHE to discuss suggestions for the Council. Signed suggestions can also be put into the School Council box which is on the wall by the cloakroom. Any suggestions are considered for the School Council agenda by the Chairperson, the Council Secretary and the elected staff member. The Chair person and Secretary are elected by the School Council during a brief first meeting at the beginning of the academic year.
• The full School Council meets regularly, normally once every two weeks at 0815 till 0845
• An agenda is drawn up by the Head Boy and Girl and displayed on the notice board.
• Any recommendations are put to the Management team by the Chairperson, Secretary and three other Council members representing other years
• The Head reports back to the whole school during assembly.

Curriculum notes: