Pastoral Care > Pupil Forum
Pupil Forum
The Pupil Forum originally began in 2003. However the new Pupil Forum and the new process of election was introduced into St Dominic’s at the beginning of the new school year 2005.
This Forum ensures that all the pupils of St Dominic’s can voice their own personal opinions about the running of the school. The Pupil Forum has 18 members (MPFs) who are elected. Any students who wishes to take on the responsibility of representing their year group as a member of The Pupil Forum, must firstly put herself forward for election.
A successful candidate for The Pupil Forum is expected to have personal integrity and to be enthusiastic about the tasks ahead. They are expected to have great communication skills. – to be able to address both pupils and members of staff. It is also vital that these girls are approachable and able to command the respect of their peers. They are to be confident, committed and responsible team leaders. In order to be put forward as a candidate a pupil must first seek nomination’s from members of her class.
All candidates for nomination are asked to deliver a speech outlining the reasons why they should be picked to represent their year group and the school community as a member of The Pupil Forum. In their speeches candidates display their determination to succeed and their suitability for the position of MPF.
Nominees then start their campaign to be elected to the forum.
During the week of the election campaign candidates are allowed to put up campaign leaflets and posters throughout the school. This is a great way to get all of the school community involved in and excited about the election process.
The year 13 Politics classes are given the great responsibility to be election managers (spin doctors) and election administrators. This has a number of important aspects. Politics students help the candidates by advising them on their campaign speeches, their leaflets and their posters and also take charge of the whole election process. This involves setting up the polling booths, putting together the ballot papers, the ballot boxes and also counting up all of the votes In these ways year 13 pupils play a great part in helping to make The Pupil Forum process a great success.
When election Day finally arrives everyone has the opportunity to vote during lunch time with three different voting venues designated throughout the school.
Great excitement reigns as all members of the school community cast their vote and eagerly await the result of the crucial election count.
Forum Representatives
All 18 newly elected MPFs are then invited to join the new Pupil Forum for their inaugural meeting. At this meeting the members are separated into four different groups to ensure the smooth running of The Forum. These groups also help to ensure that there is good communication between all members of The Pupil Forum, helping to maintain a friendly and comfortable environment.
The four groups are known as.
- The Action Committee
- The Agenda Committee
- The Minutes Committee
- The P.R Committee
All groups are expected to arrange times and dates for the Pupil Forum meetings and to attend all of these meetings. They are also expected to take minutes at meetings, read minutes of the meeting to the Forum and to liaise with other relevant personnel and committees. Each group also has its own particular responsibilities.