School Council Updates 2019-2020
School Council Updates
Autumn Term Updates
Week Commencing - 23.09.19
Today the School Council met for their first meeting of the year. It was the first time the children had met as a group so the meeting began with the children introducing themselves to one another and sharing one thing they were looking forward to. The children then began discussing what the school council is and what school council representatives do. They then discussed why a school council is important.
They then moved on to establishing a set of ground rules that they would each follow during each of the meetings (A copy of these is below). To complete their first meeting they discussed their goals for the year as the new School Council for 2019-2020 and each recorded their own goal to put on display in the School Council room.
Week Commencing - 30.09.19
Today the School Council met for the second time and discussed further all the things they were looking forward to about being a School Council member as well as some of the ideas they already had for the School Council this year. They then each completed a speech bubble which will go next to their faces on a display in the School Council room to share with the school their number one thing they are most looking forward to this year. Next week, the children will begin to think about and come up with ideas for their first fundraiser of the year. Check back next week to see what they come up with!
Week Commencing - 07.10.19
Today the School Council met for the third time this term to begin to discuss their first fundraiser of the year. They discussed that enrichment week was coming up next week and thought it would be nice to link the fundraiser to aspirations week. After a rich discussion they decided that next Friday (18.10.19) the children of Park Walk would be able to leave their uniform at home for the day and come to school dressed as a job or profession they would like to have when they are older for a small donation of £1. They decided that all the money collected from the dress up day will be donated to Barnardo's. Barnardo's being a children's charity which supports, protects and helps nurture some of the UKs most vulnerable and disadvantaged children. The School Council believe this to be a really worthy cause and hope that you will support them in dressing up as 'who you would like to be' and donate a £1 to raise money for this fantastic charity.
Week Commencing - 14.10.19
Today the School Council met to discuss their upcoming fundraiser. They recapped the plan of the children coming in dressed as a job or profession they would like to have and the charity they are raising money for. They then discussed ways to ensure that the event was well advertised and to ensure that all our families and children are aware it is happening. They recognised that it was in last Friday’s newsletter but decided that they also wanted to design posters to put around school to remind the children of Park Walk of the event. They then spent the remaining meeting time creating and distributing posters around the school. They also agreed that a text should be sent to parents/carers on Thursday afternoon as one final reminder to all of our families. In addition, they have also planned to gather envelopes to give to each of the class teachers to collect the money donated from their classes next Friday. Class teachers will then be able to give this to the office who will support the School Council in counting it to see the total amount raised for Barnado’s children's charity.
Once again, the School Council really believe this to be a very worthy cause and hope that you will support them in dressing up as 'who you would like to be' and donate a £1 to raise money for Barnado’s children’s charity.
Week Commencing - 28.10.19
Today the School Council met for their first meeting of Autumn Term 2. They began by thinking about ways in which they can support and help the community. The children recognised that the Poppy Appeal is fast approaching. The Poppy Appeal being the Royal British Legion's biggest fundraising campaign which raises money to support the armed forces community. The School Council decided that they would like the school to play a part in this and therefore Miss Hunt has ordered some boxes. The School Council will begin selling poppies from next week for a small donation of £1. Poppies will also be available in the office for you to purchase. If you would like to buy a poppy don't forget to grab it before Remembrance Day on 11.11.19 which marks the day World War One ended and remembers the people who died in wars.
Update: The money donated on the ‘who you would like to be’ dress up day during aspirations week has been counted and we can reveal that the total money raised for Barnado's children's charity was £119.30. A great amount which I am sure will help make a difference to some of the UKs most vulnerable and disadvantaged children.
Week Commencing - 4.11.19
Today the School Council met for their second meeting of Autumn Term 2. The School Council’s focus for today’s meeting was the upcoming Children in Need Appeal Week. The children began the meeting by discussing the charity and what it raises money for. They then reflected on what we did as a school last year to raise money for this charity and began thinking about ideas they had for fundraising this year. They then all agreed that before they made a decision on how to raise money they would take into consideration ideas from children across the school. Therefore, each of the School Council representatives went back to their classes and asked them to come up with six ideas for fundraising for Children in Need and add them to the pupil voice display by Wednesday 5th November.
The School Council will then meet later this week to read and review the ideas suggested and make a final decision on how Park Walk will raise money for Children in Need this year. The School Council are eager to make this a successful event to ensure they can contribute in helping many of the disadvantaged children and young people in the UK. Be sure to check back at the end of the week to find out their final decision!
Update: The School Council met today (Thursday 7th November) and reviewed all the ideas suggested on the Pupil Voice display from children across the school. After a democratic vote, the School Council have decided that this year to raise money for Children in need, on Friday 15th November the children will be able to come to school dressed as “something beginning with the first letter of their name” for a small donation of £1.
As well as this, they will also be hosting a cake and coffee afternoon on Thursday 14th November from 2.45pm in the lower hall. Parents/carers will be able to come and enjoy a cuppa and a slice of cake and then at the end of the school day, once the children have been collected they will be able to come in and purchase some cakes to take away. In order to make our cake and coffee afternoon a success we are kindly asking for donations of cakes and biscuits for us to sell. Please bring in any cake and biscuit donations from the week beginning Monday 11th November. (Please remember no nuts in the cakes or biscuits).
Week Commencing - 11.11.19
Today some of the School Council met to discuss the events coming up this week for Children in Need. They discussed logistics for Thursday as well as agreed on some reminders that would go out to parents and children before the cake and coffee afternoon on Thursday and the dress up day on Friday. They then spent the remaining time designing posters to advertise the cake and coffee afternoon to the parents.
The School Council are eager to raise as much money as they can for Children in Need. Therefore, they are still kindly asking for donations of cakes and biscuits to sell at the cake and coffee afternoon to be brought in before Thursday PM. As well as this, they are hoping that as many children will get creative and come in on Friday dressed as "something beginning with the first letter of their name" for a small donation of £1. The School Council really appreciate your support with this.
Week Commencing - 18.11.19
Today the School Council met to begin planning the Christmas Fair. They discussed the stalls they liked from last year and would like to see again next year as well as any other new ones they might like to have. They then all agreed that before they made a final decision on the stalls for the Christmas Fair this year they would like to take into consideration the ideas and opinions from children across the school. Therefore, each of the School Council representatives went back to their classes and asked them to come up with six stalls they would like to see this year at our Christmas Fair and add them to the pupil voice display by Friday 22nd November. The School Council will then review the suggestions and ideas before making a final decision in their next meeting on Monday 25th November. Be sure to check back soon for more updates about our Christmas Fair.
However, in the meantime they would greatly appreciate your support with some of the following to make our fair a great success:
- Friday 22nd November – Bring in a filled cup of sweets or treats – Cups went home with your child on Friday.
- Thursday 28th November – Bring in a new gift – this will be a non-uniform day
Suggestions - children’s stationery packs, novelty items, candles, picture frames, hat, gloves and scarves, small toys. These will be used for a children’s tombola. Please don’t wrap it up.
- Monday 2nd December – Bring in any 2nd hand books or toys
- Friday 6th December – Come and join in the fun at the fair - 2.00pm onwards (timings and details to follow)
The School Council will also be visiting local businesses over the next couple of weeks to ask for donations of prizes for our Christmas raffle stall. If you, or you know anyone who would be kind enough to donate a raffle prize for our fair then please come and let us know – we would greatly appreciate it!
Week Commencing - 25.11.19
Today the School Council met to continue planning the Christmas Fair. They began by reviewing all the ideas that had been suggested by each class on the pupil voice display for what stalls we should have this year at the Christmas Fair. After weighing up the pros and cons for each of the ideas suggested they made a final decision and drew up a map of all the stalls and where they would be laid out in the hall. They then put together a list of all the things that would be needed for each of the stalls and what might need to be ordered for some of the stalls before next Friday. They then spent the second half of the meeting preparing posters for each of the stalls. They will continue to prepare these during next week’s meeting.
The School Council are extremely excited about the Christmas Fair and are hoping it will be a great afternoon. They would still very much appreciate your support with the following:
- Monday 2nd December – Bring in any 2nd hand books or toys.
- If you, or you know anyone who would be kind enough to donate a raffle prize for our Christmas fair then please come and let us know – we would greatly appreciate it since this is one of the most popular stalls at the fair!
Week Commencing - 02.12.19
Today the children met to complete their posters and to finalise the last minute arrangements for Park Walk’s Christmas fair. They also put together the following to go in Thursdays newsletter:
Friday 6th December is Park Walk’s Christmas Fair!
Below are the timings of the fair, parents and carers who are able to come early please collect your child from the following areas:
2.00 - 2.30pm – Nursery and Reception only (Collect from Reception Classroom door)
2.30pm –- Year 1, 2 and 3 (Collect from Nursery Classroom door)
2.45pm onwards – Year 4, 5 and 6 (Collect from office)
The fair will also continue after school so you can also collect your child at the normal time of 3.30pm from the normal place on the playground and head into the fair together.
The School Council are looking forward to seeing as many of you there as possible!
Week Commencing - 09.12.19
Last Friday Park Walk held its annual Christmas Fair and what a success it was! The School Council worked extremely hard
to organise and prepare for the afternoon, as well as to run each stall on the day. Not only did they help ensure
the afternoon ran smoothly but they ensured that everyone who attended had a lovely afternoon full of Christmas cheer.
A big thank you for all the donations made by parents, carers, staff, governors and local businesses in the lead up to the fair,
such donations really help to make our School fair's a great event for the children. It was a really super afternoon for all the
children, families and staff. We hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did. After the event, the office staff counted
the money and we can reveal that we managed to raise a total of £972.50. What a fantastic amount of money which we are sure
will help make a difference to our school. In January the School Council will meet and discuss how they might like to spend
this money.
Spring Term Updates
Week Commencing – 20.01.20
Today the School Council met and began their meeting by discussing the total amount of money raised from the Christmas Fair. They discussed in groups their initial ideas for what they might like to spend some of the money. They then decided that the best use of the money would be to spend it on equipment to enhance the new areas of the playground. As a group they then generated their initial ideas for new equipment and recorded them on sugar paper. They then decided that they would put the question of ‘What equipment could we have to enhance the new areas of the playground?’ on to the pupil voice display and ask each class to add their ideas by next week. The School Council will then meet again next week to discuss and consider the ideas generated.
Week Commencing – 27.01.20
Today the older children from the School Council met and began by collating all the ideas that had been suggested on the pupil voice display for what the children in the rest of the school would like to add to the new areas of the playground to enhance them. Many different ideas were suggested, some of which were the same as the initial ideas generated last week by all the School Council members. The School Council then briefly discussed the pros and cons of each of the ideas, before finalising a list of the top ideas that they will put to some of the adults that do lunchtime duty to see their views and opinions before making a final decision on what they will order. Check back soon for another update.
Week Commencing – 03.02.20
Today the School Council met and had the opportunity to discuss with some of the lunchtime staff their list of ideas for equipment. The School Council with the help of the lunchtime staff then discussed further the pros and cons of the ideas they had got and then had the opportunity to ask the lunchtime staff if they had any further ideas that they could add to the list. After a lengthy productive discussion, the School Council and the lunchtime staff came up with a final list of ideas of the equipment that they think should be ordered to enhance all the new areas of the playground. The older children in the School Council will now find time next week to speak to Miss Caldwell about the ideas. Check back for an update next week!
Week Commencing – 10.02.20
This week the older children in the School Council met with Miss Caldwell and discussed the ideas that they had come up with for new playground equipment, they provided reasons for why they thought the pieces of equipment were good and which areas they thought they would go in in the playground. Miss Caldwell was happy with the equipment list so the School Council will now spend some time researching and finding the equipment so that it can be ordered over half term. Fingers crossed it arrives soon after the half term break so it can be introduced to the new playground and make play times even better than they were before!
Week Commencing – 24.02.20
Today the School Council met to discuss their next project. Their next project is going to be a fundraiser to raise money for Sport Relief. The children began the meeting by sharing with one another what they already knew about Sport Relief and what it raises money for. They then learnt that Sport Relief is one of the UK’s biggest fundraising events, it aims to bring the entire nation together to get active, raise money and change lives. The money that is raised by the public during Sports Relief is used to support some of the poorest and most disadvantaged people in the UK and around the world. The School Council then began generating some fun ideas that Park Walk could get involved in, in order to raise money for Sport Relief. However, they decided that as always it was important to gather ideas and suggestions from across the school before making a decision on how Park Walk would fundraise for Sport Relief this year. Therefore, the School Council will now spend the rest of this week speaking to their classes and gathering ideas to put on the Pupil Voice display. The School Council will then meet next week to review these ideas before making a final decision. Check back soon for an update!
Week Commencing – 02.03.20
Today the School Council met to review all the ideas that had been suggested by the rest of the children on how we could raise money for Sport Relief this year. The School Council had a lengthy discussion about the most popular ideas suggested, discussing the pros and cons of each of the ideas. However, they came to a decision that to raise money for Sport Relief this year on Friday 13th March the children can come to school in sports kit and then during the day they will get an opportunity to take part in a 'run-athon' with their classes to see who can keep running for the longest, all for a small donation of £2. The School Council then decided that to advertise the event they would design posters and ensure something goes into the newsletter this week to promote the fundraiser! The School Council hope that you will agree this is an extremely worthy cause and one that the children will thoroughly enjoy raising money for. Check back next week for an update on the fundraiser!
Week Commencing – 09.03.20
The School Council have now completed the posters and have distributed them around the school to advertise the event. The posters contain all the key information for Park Walk's Sport Relief event this Friday (Friday 13th March). If you haven't seen the posters, here is a reminder. On Friday 13th March, the children can come into school dressed in their sports kit and during the day will get to take part in a 'run-athon' in their classes to see who can keep running for the longest, all for a small donation of £2. The School Council hope that you will support them by coming dressed in sports gear, ready to run with £2. We hope that you agree this is an extremely worthy cause and one that all the children will thoroughly enjoy raising money for.
Week Commencing – 16.03.20
Last Friday, the School Council’s Sport Relief fundriaser took place - the children came to school wearing their sports kit and each class took part in a ‘run-athon’ to see who could keep running for the longest for a small donation of £2. The children were determined and resilent and kept running for as long as they could. However, we can now reveal the winners from each class:
Nursery – Layla
Reception – Emmy and Kira
Year 1 – Felipe
Year 2 – Zach
Year 3 – Danila
Year 4 – Ezra
Year 5 – Sienna
Year 6 –Marija
Well done to all the winners. We can also now reveal the total money raised for Sport Relief this year was £224. What a fantastic amount of money that will make a difference to the those in need. Thank you for all the support in making our fundraiser a success.