School Council meets ministers

Pupils from Jersey’s School Council Network have visited the Government of Jersey and met the Education and Children’s Ministers.

Three schools from the School Council Network partnered with the Government of Jersey’s design team to create a poster to raise awareness about who they are and what they do. The pupils chose “communication, collaboration and conversation”, which represents what the network aims to achieve, as the theme of the poster.

Jersey’s School Council Network was created following a recommendation made by the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry. The aim of the network is for many of the Island’s individual school councils to gather together six times a year to collaborate, communicate and have a conversation together. The network also has a section on its agenda for anyone, including Government officials, organisations and States Members, to consult it on a project and to seek feedback.

The pupils briefed the communications’ design team on their requirements and visited Broad Street, the Government’s headquarters, to review their proposed design as well as to make amendments and suggestions.

They also met Education Minister Senator Tracey Vallois and Children and Housing Minister Senator Sam Mézec to tell them about their schools and ambitions for the future.

Senator Vallois said: “The purpose of the School Council Network is to give pupils an opportunity to develop leadership by organising and carrying out school activities. In addition to planning and taking part in events that contribute to school spirit and community welfare, the student council is the voice of the pupils. It was wonderful to hear what they have to say about their schools and their ambitions for the future.

Senator Mézec added: “I watched the students edit their designs directly with the communications team and learn about the techniques and software they use. It was fantastic to see how confident they were and how quickly they made decisions. They also made some really good suggestions afterwards during our meeting with them, particularly about the Children’s Plan for Jersey.”

A video of the pupils’ visit can be viewed here.