School Council Conferences in Merthyr a Resounding Success!!

The Student Council Conferences that were arranged for October 6th and 7th were both fun and productive events. Secondary aged pupils attended on the 6th and primary aged pupils on the 7th. At the secondary school event there were 49 pupils present representing three high schools, the Gypsy Traveller community, YOT and the EOTAS programme .

On Friday October 6th 75 pupils attended representing 18 primaries. On both days the staff at the Orbit Centre were very accommodating.

Also present on both days was the Mayor and Cllr Richard Thomas, the Children’s Champion as well as the Youth Mayor, Jamie Scriven and the Deputy Youth Mayor, Scott Thomas. Over the two days representative from the authority and the Welsh Government called in to hear what the children had to say.

 

 

 

 

 

These were two days of pupil participation where the young people were asked for their views on the reasons for absenteeism, anti-bullying strategies, emotional health and wellbeing and transition. The secondary pupils also had the opportunity to design a logo or poster to paint school in a positive light. The results show a real creative flair and will be produced to be used on material promoting attendance.

At the secondary conference there were presentations from Afon Taf High School on SAP (Student Assistance Programme) and a film clip of SEAL (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) being used in Pen-Y-Dre High School. At the primary conference pupils from Coed Y Derwen spoke about the positive effects of SAP and Gellifaelog pupils about using SEAL in their school. The majority of the pupils were willing to speak out in front of an audience and their behaviour was impeccable. 

The pupils worked well in groups made up of pupils from different schools, discussing issues pertinent to their school, while considering those of other schools. The pupils were asked to channel their views into a mind map or grid and share their findings with the rest of the groups. The feedback sessions on the day were very informative and have provided the authority with food for thought on how to improve current practice.

We would like to thank the pupils from Greenfield special school who attended the conference on Friday October 7th for their valuable contributions.

A pupil-friendly report about the conference and a copy of the poster are downloadable here.

We now hope for this to become an annual event.

Sarah Bowen

Inclusion Manager