As part of a new group called the Student Forum, two representatives from each class will meet weekly to come up with ideas on how to improve their school.

Students Riley Tattersall and Maya Roser said the forum was a good idea so students can have their say.

“Before the Student Forum meeting we had a meeting as a class and we decided to bring up the issue of school uniforms for the girls,” Riley said.

“We think girls should be able to wear shorts or pants and not just dresses. It would mean they would be able to do more sport which we thought was important."

“The Student Forum is a good way for the younger students to be able to have a say about what happens at school,” Maya said.

“Not all the younger students are on the Student Representative Council but this way every class has the chance to bring ideas to the table which we can then talk about. It is about all students having a voice at school.”

Currently in a pilot program for term four, the forum is run by the school captains and works in collaboration with the Student Representative Council. 

The idea is the brainchild of year two teacher, Brianne Hoitink, who said it was part of a wider push to engage the students in their own learning.

“As a school we are really trying to empower the students to form opinions and encourage them to have a say in how they are learning,” Ms Hoitink said.

“The student forum is one of these ways where we are getting students from each class to sit down and discuss issues which are important to them and see if we can make some changes.”

The forum meets weekly at lunch and Ms Hoitink said it was great to see those elected where students who would do what is best for the school.

“It was interesting to see that it wasn’t the popular students who were elected but rather the students who will always make sure everyone is okay,” she said.

“After our first meeting it was great to see the ideas the students came with were well thought out and everyone had reasons why they wanted the changes.

“From changes to the school uniform to changing the school bell so students can hear it and adding different play areas and more play equipment, the ideas cover a wide range of areas. 

“The forum is about teaching students that they have a voice. They might not always get what they want but by allowing them to collectively add to the conversation about their school they see how change can happen.”

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