Student Council at Castleknock Community College

Context:

• Recognition of the importance of student involvement in our decision-making
• Recognition of the value of student input in our ongoing school development

Structure of the Student Council:

• A class captain and vice- captain represent each class group.
  
• Their classmates vote class representatives into position
  
• Class captains/vice-captains meet with the Deputy Principal once every month
  
• Student feedback is brought to Management meetings every month

Functions of the Student Council:

• To give students a forum to have their suggestions and opinions heard
  
• To ensure that all students are represented equally
  
• To bring students' suggestions to school management at the meetings
  
• To ascertain students' opinions on a range of issues
  
• To regularly review aspects of school organisation for learning at the Student Council Seminars hosted by our Deputy Principal, Eileen O'Rourke.
  

Mentors in Castleknock Community College.

2002 saw the birth of the Senior Mentor Project. This was an initiative led by the Guidance and Counselling Department in conjunction with the Year Heads of 1st and 6thYears aimed at making the transition from primary to secondary education more enjoyable and less threatening to our incoming First years.

This project is now established and continues with a new group of Mentors each year. The Mentors go through a rigorous selection process and thereafter
receive comprehensive training in Leadership skills and Group Dynamics.

The Mentors play a key role - most especially in September - in helping the new 1st years to settle into their new environment.
The 1st Years meet their 6th Year "Buddies" several times throughout the year - for lunchtime activities; in small groups and Mentors accompany their groups on the legendary 1st year hikes!

The Senior Management of the college, along with the Year heads and Guidance Counsellors would like to thank the Mentors most sincerely for their hard work and support .

Prefects in Castleknock Community College.

Senior Prefects have been a feature of the life in our college for the last 2 years. They are a group of 6th Year students who have been nominated by their peers for this important role. They are interviewed by staff and then, if successful at the interview, are endorsed by Senior Management.

Prefects have a key role to play in the everyday life of the college. They can be called on to give practical assistance to teachers and have been commended on their involvement in helping to run the school library. Some have volunteered to act as Sports Prefects and have made a significant contribution to the sporting life of the college. The Arts Prefects have worked alongside Mr. Cronin, and have been especially busy this, our 10th Anniversary year!

Together with the Mentors, they have the opportunity to attend a one day course in Leadership Skills -a course funded by the Parents' Association, to whom we extend our thanks.
Throughout the year the Prefects are enabled to develop a keen sense of responsibility and have many opportunities to enhance their communication skills.

Management and Staff view Prefects as the leaders of the student body, who are unfailingly dependable, trustworthy and respectful. We look forward to the future when subsequent Prefects will continue to be exemplary role models for our younger students.