School Council Progress Sept 2011 – July 2012

The School Council has been working hard to develop plans that will work for the year ahead, and to make things better in the

school for all students and staff. Here is what they have been getting up to:

School Council Progress Sept 2011 – July 2012

School Council 2011-2012 Vision Statement  At DGS we believe that our students have a key role in deciding the future development of our school. The vision which we share for our School Council is:• A School Council and school where student opinion is integral to its continuing development as a successful school. • A School Council that is given real decision making powers and influence. • A School Council that is inclusive and seeks to represent the entire school community where all members are equally valued and respected. • A School Council which strives to make a real difference not just within the School but also into the wider community.

School Council Progress Sept 2011 – July 2012

General• Assisted in a large number of tours for guests around the school• Been heavily involved in the interview process for a number of jobs• Engaged in an afternoon’s consultation with SODC over the Great Western Park Housing Development• Undertook a Library Survey to find out what books people wanted in the Library• Audited all tutors groups to find out what improvements they have wanted around the site – met with Mr Gimigliano to implement these• Obtained a water dispenser in Austen, new picnic benches, new mobile bins for use on the field• Created a new webpage on the School Website – needs more updating• Each committee – ethos, environment, healthy schools, charity and teaching and learning have met with senior staff to discuss their ideas and plans • Delivered a presentation about School Council work to the Governors• Organised and set up a new committee – charity• Expanded the School Council to 35 students to allow for more opinions and ideas to be heard on a more regular basis• Took part in a training day to develop and establish a clear set of aims, and individual plans for each committee• Entered in the Speakers School Council Award, where we got a 5 star commendation

School Council Progress Sept 2011 – July 2012

Ethos• Please and Thank You Week for the Lower School – nominations made by teachers for most polite• Smile Week 14th 18th May – posters, video, jokes and smiles from teachers, Panorama• Anti-Bullying Week – Paper chains, Painted “train” in Cockcroft Hall, Awareness Video in PD• Twinned tutor groups ideas are with Mr Irwin• Created Breast Cancer Awareness tutor activities for Wear It Pink Day in October• Year 7s to attend primary school visits to act as ambassadors with Mr Irwin• Merit and credit feedback – improvement next year

School Council Progress Sept 2011 – July 2012

Environment• Green Week – 26th – 30th March• Low energy light bulbs given out at Parents Evenings• Eco Reps and tutor group survey• New trees planted around site• Digital Thermometers• Posters and Eco-noticeboard• Percy Penguin light switches – whole school• Displayed the eco-code around the site• Released a grass snake into wildlife area• Bee Hives in wildlife area• Visit to Oxford for an Eco-Conference• Attempts to reduce the amount of litter in Green Week• Free seeds of wild flowers which have been planted around the site• Audit of the school classrooms to find out who has recycling bins, more recycling bins placed in classrooms• Sent out a pack to each tutor group to raise awareness of how to improve the energy efficiency in their classrooms• Completed wildlife audit of wildlife area• Met with eco-auditor to discuss strategies for saving energy

School Council Progress Sept 2011 – July 2012

Teaching & Learning• Organised GCSE Option Taster Days in Year 8• Spoke with Mrs Bowers about aspects of teaching they enjoy – what makes a good lesson• Consulted on the information that went out to Year 8s regarding their options• Have put up Olympic Rings on Canteen Wall and asked tutors and Heads of Year to add pictures, poems etc relating to the Olympic Values• Liaising with Mr Harvey regarding the use of “Learning Detectives”

School Council Progress Sept 2011 – July 2012

Charity• Selected and supported a number of charities through non-uniform days. They were/are: See-Saw, Wear it Pink – Breast Cancer, Helen & Douglas House, Special Care Baby Unit @ JR, Help Harry Help Others, Sport Relief, Make a Wish Foundation and Help for Heroes (last one of the term)• Delivered several assemblies around these charities to each year group• Provided information about each charity to tutors and in the bulletin• Assisted with the International Fashion Show• Set up an Oxfam Book Bank• Contacted and received Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres charity wristbands ready for supporting the charity next year• Help Harry Help Others – beaded bracelets sold raising over £450, assemblies with video• Bra Bank – advertised in PD, positioned in the Library

School Council Progress Sept 2011 – July 2012

Healthy Schools• Took part in a blind taste test to help decide who should be our new catering manager• Healthy Eating Week – stickers created on healthy products, assemblies ran, on Healthy options for a week, free fruit with meals, met with Mr Leake• Salad Bar created in canteen after consultation with Mr Leake – now an option at lunchtimes• Met with Miss Cox – agreed to assist at Health and Fitness Day as ‘sports journalists’ and additional helpers• Ran lessons in PD on the importance of healthy eating• Helped with Non-Uniform Sport Relief Day highlighting healthy lifestyles• Going to assist as Sports Journalists for the Health & Fitness Day for year 9