Your Student Council
Our school is a community that is made up of stakeholders. These stakeholders include; the School Principal, the Trustees , the Teachers, and many others including the Students. One of the ways in which students can use their voice as a stakeholder is through the Student Council. The Student Council enables pupils to become involved in the affairs of the school, working in partnership with school management and staff for the benefit of the school and its students.
The student council is governed by the Student Council Constitution. This sets out the rules for how your Student Council operates, how elections are held, how often meetings are held etc. Before the Student Council Constitution was written Student Voice Forums were held with representation from each year group including both Student Council Members and Non-Student Council Members. The Constitution was written with reference to the key guidelines issued by the Department of Education and Skills: “Student Councils: A Voice for Students”, and it can be accessed in full on the school website under the Student Voice heading.
Student Council Badge Ceremony 2025
To emphasise the significance of the student voice and the role of Senior and Junior Student Council representatives in St Francis College, we designed and purchased unique Senior and Junior leadership badges for the academic year, 2024-2025. The 52 representatives at Senior and Junior levels, who received their leadership badges at a ceremony on Tuesday 21 January, will wear them in honour of their leadership role in our school.
Chairperson’s Address (Josh Walton)
As chairperson of the Student Council, I’d like to welcome you to the presentation of the leadership badges to St Francis College Student Council members for 2024-2025.
Thank you to our principal, Mrs Ring, and deputy principals, Mr Croke and Mr Donovan for facilitating this ceremony and for their participation in this important event.
Student voice is not simply about allowing students to communicate ideas and opinions; it’s about students having the power to influence change. Authentic student voice provides opportunities for students to collaborate and make decisions with adults around what and how they learn and how their learning is assessed.
Student leadership is not confined to a small group of individuals, as leadership potential is inherent within all learners. Student leadership includes listening to and
being able to clarify the issues of the students they represent and advocating on their behalf.
Student leaders have an increased sense of responsibility to help others and to model leadership principles and values. When students experience a sense of belonging and significance through voice, agency and leadership, they are likely to articulate their sense of empowerment and school pride. Click here for a link to the St Francis College Student Council Leadership Badges Ceremony, 2025.
“The council does so much for students and is a great way for us to get involved with further organisations, like the ISSU which is our national student’s union”
How to get involved
Elections are held on the 3rd Friday of September each year.
All students are welcome to nominate themselves as student council representatives. Just get the signature of any nominating teacher and put your name forward.
If we have more candidates than places available, the class will vote to elect their representative.
The Student Council Representatives elect a Student Council Head, Deputy Head, Secretary and Communications Officer.