SCHOOL COUNCIL   The School Council is a pupil body whose aims are to promote the best interests of the school and to provide experience of the democratic process for all of its members.   At the beginning of every term a representative is elected from each class.  The representative then attends fortnightly meetings where items supported by a majority are discussed.  The representative  is responsible for relaying the events of the meeting back to the class.  The minutes of the following meetings show examples of items discussed.   AUTUMN TERM 2008   PRESENT:   Ellis                 Year 7L Ben                  Year 8GC Ashley             Year 8W Marley            Year 9R Ryan               Year 9N Brendan           Year 10GC Mick Bradley   Staff Rep. Mrs Bradley     Chairperson.     ISSUES RAISED/DISCUSSED. Breaks End of term trips BMX bikes for school. Senior privilages. "Gold" Activities. Children In Need Appeal. 1. Breaks. Could we have split breaks as there are so many of us on the playground? Council discussed the possible use of other areas for break i.e.:   GYM - offer different games on different days - tag ball, basketball, dodge ball, volley ball and badmington. Rowing Room - Monday and Wednesday Fitness Room - Tuesday and Thursday. Indoor Breaks - Classroom and library are for computing and playing cards/boxed games. Field - if dry, for football rounders and cricket. All weather table tennis and seating area in an area to be developed in between the mobiles.   Mick agreed to take these suggestions further with Pupil Support Staff and draw up a breaktime rota of venues and activities.   2. End of term trips. Please could we have a whole school end of term trip to Thorp Park?   This idea was discussed at length.  It was agreed that the following actions would enable this idea to progress.   Reps take this idea back to their classes. Reps will report back class opinions. Mrs Bradley would share this idea with teachers at their next meeting. 3. BMX bikes for school Can we have school bikes to take to tracks aroung Kent for end of term axtivities or even Gold time?   Yes, the school successfully put in a bid for money to buy bikes, a bus shelter, a bike trailer and cycling instructor time via a Government School Travel Plan Scheme.  The DCSF (Department for Children, Schools and Families) grant has just gone into our schools bank account.  We now need to spend time to plan and spend this additional money wisely.   4. Senior Privilege Please could Seniors have hot drinks at breaks? Yes, provided Mrs Bradley is in school and is available at breaktimes.   5. Gold Activities Please can we go back to telling everyone/posting up on the Achievement and Enjoyment board whar Gold activities will be on offer at the end of the week?   Yes, Mick agreed to action this and post up choices.   6. Children in Need Appeal 2008 Please can we do some fundraising for Children in Need next Friday?   Council briefly discussed a few ideas such as: Sponsored Carity football match. Non-uniform day. Toy and Games sale. Reps agreed that this item would be given top prioty at next weeks meeting.   SPRING TERM 2009   FEBRUARY 24th 2009.   PRESENT. Broadie            10GC Shaun               10T Marley              9R Carl                  9N Ben                   8GC Ashley               8W Luke                   7S Thomas               7L Mick                 Staff Mrs Bradley      Chairperson. Issued Raised/Discussed New School - When will we be moving to a new school. Not for several years, Kent County Council need to choose a suitable site to build a new school on first, build a new Portal House, then we can move. Red Nose Day - Friday 13th March 2009 Can we have a non-uniform day to raise money for Comic Relief? All agreed that this would be most siutable.  Mrs Bradley will write to parents asking for their support. Playground Please could we have a gate put in the far corner of the playground, to make collecting the football easier? In theory, those present thought that a gate would speed-up the retrieval of playground equipment but were unsure of the Health and Safety and practical aspects of this idea.  The idea of a drive-in, drive-out system at taxi time using the playground was also discussed. Could we have more sporting competitions with other schools? Reps were advised to talk to Mr Watts.   Lunches The idea of split lunch breaks was briefly disscussed as a way forward to reducing queing and shear volume of people eating in the dining room at any given time. Pets in School-Please could we have a corn snake in school? Reps were advised to talk to Mr Ritson to discuss the suitability and practical implications of pets in school. Gold Activities -Could we have different activities on offer for Gold Time? Reps were advised to discuss ideas with Pupil Support Staff.