Student Leadership and Election Of

Student Leadership and Election of

Captains

Glenda Fegent

Principal

RATIONALE

At the ItalianBilingualSchool we aim to develop in each student a moral, purposeful, self-disciplined attitude in an environment of trust, respect and responsibility

The school places great importance on the development of students’ self-esteem, self-discipline and responsible direction. Students at IBS are taught to be responsible school citizens as well as heightening their awareness of their role in a global community.

Students are provided with some opportunities to develop their leadership skills and challenge them to reach their personal goals. This is achieved through classroom programs (eg. HSIE Democracy/Citizenship; PDHPE etc) as well as through specific programs and practices. These may include:

Buddy system – Preps - Year 5

Peer Group program Preps to Year5

Student led assemblies – Preps – Year 5

Italian Bilingual school

PROCEDURES FOR ELECTION OF CAPTAINS

1. In Week 5-6 Term 4, students of the incoming Year 6 are informed of the annual election for student representatives for the following year. Teachers speak to the students about the voting procedure (outlined as follows), the desirable qualities and skills needed to fulfill the role and the responsibility of using their right to vote. Current student representatives speak to the grade about their duties, the time involved and their responsibilities to the student body and the school. Notes to parents of the prospective Year 6 students are sent home to inform them of the election process.

2. During Week 5-6 Term 4, students of the incoming Year 6, are invited to nominate themselves for election. They are reminded of the importance that nominations should be for students whom they feel will fulfil the role for the benefit of all students. Nomination forms are distributed to prospectiveYear 6 students on a Monday and collected by Thursday. Year 6 2009 students who have demonstrated a responsible attitude towards the school and their learning will be eligible to nominate themselves.

3. The Principal and Coordinator will determine the successful candidates in consultation with staff, based on their school record of behaviour and attitudes towards their learning and details offered in the student Nomination Form. Successful students (3 girls, 3 boys) are notified and matched up with the current captains to help with the initial preparation of a speech to be delivered to the students of Years 2 - 5, and staff.

4. During Week 7, candidates deliver speeches to voting students and teachers. The order of the speeches is decided by a draw and the names are ordered on the ballot paper alphabetically. Voting takes place after all speeches are heard. The current captains assist by marking off names and ensuring votes are made and boxed correctly.The Principal appoints a scrutineer

5. Votes are counted and collated using a preferential system: 1st, 2nd 3rd preferences are added and the top 3 girls and top 3 boys are selected to be interviewed for captaincy.

6. By end of Week 7 all candidates are informed of the results and congratulated on their efforts by the Principal. The actual numbers of votes are not published in the newsletter.

7. Questions are prepared and interviews are held within the week. The panel is made up of Principal and the Coordinator who each prepare two questions. The Captain and Vice Captain are notified prior to Presentation Evening

8. New captain and vice captain are inducted at the Presentation Evening

ItalianBilingualSchool

ELECTION OF SCHOOL CAPTAINS

Dear Parents of Year 5 Students

We are about to begin the process of electing our captains and vice captains for next year. Self nominations are invited from Year 5 2008 students.

Students elected into these positions are expected to be model school citizens upholding our school rules at all times, whether at school, or participating in excursions, or cultural or sporting events.

Being popular, a good student or sports person does not necessarily mean a child will be a good leader. Leaders in our school must be responsible, reliable students who demonstrate initiative and lead by example at all times. True leaders earn the respect of their peers and the school staff by their attitudes towards others and towards their education.

Your child will soon be given the opportunity to nominate themselves as a candidate by completing a nomination form. This form requires them to outline why they believe they would be a suitable candidate. This information, along with their school record of behaviour and attitude towards their learning will be used by the staff and the Principal to determine the candidates for election.

Candidates who have been successful in the nomination process will be provided with an outline of the expectations of the role of school captain as required by the school. This will need to be signed by both the students and their parents prior to voting. These are serious responsibilities. Please find a few minutes to discuss the points outlined in this letter with your child tonight.

The nominated students prepare a short speech to deliver to the voting students (from Years 2-5) and teachers. The four successful candidates will be interviewed by the Principal and the Coordinator .

G.FegentA.Natale

LETTER TO SCHOOL CAPTAIN CANDIDATES

Dear

Congratulations! Your nomination as a candidate for election into the position of school captain for 2009 has been accepted.

Shortly all teachers and students in Years 2-5 will be asked to vote for their six preferred candidates.

Your role as IBS school captain may include these duties:

Assembly presentation

Leadership training

Public speaking

Organisation of special events

It is expected thatschool captains uphold school rules at all times whether at school, participating in school excursions or representing IBS as part of cultural and sporting groups. We anticipate that student representatives will:

• wear full school uniform correctly. This includes wearing a school hat and black shoes.
• display exemplary behaviour at school and when traveling to and from school
• speak respectfully to peers, staff and all visitors to our school
• take initiative and be reliable when carrying out responsibilities
• be punctual for meetings and when carrying out tasks
• remember to fulfill duties without being reminded
• be well organised.
• be a leader not a follower – setting the right example at all times. Remember, actions speak louder than words.
• obey our School Code of Conduct
• be enthusiastic school citizens who live up to our school motto “Excellence through Bilingualism”

G.FegentA. Natale

PrincipalCo-ordinator

------------

SCHOOL CAPTAIN CANDIDATES

(return to Mrs Natale)

I understand that by signing my name below I am committing myself to meeting the standards and responsibilities outlined in this letter.

Child’s name ______Signature ______

Parent’s name ______Signature ______

ITALIANBILINGUALSCHOOL

SCHOOL CAPTAIN NOMINATION FORM

Name: ______

What I like about IBS:

______

______

I have demonstrated school spirit by:

______

______

Why I would like to be a captain at IBS:

______

______

______

What I have done in the community that will help me to be a good captain:

______

______

______

Student’s Signature ______Date ______

CHECKLIST FOR SUITABLE CANDIDATES

Name ______Class ______

CRITERIA / SOMETIMES
(0 POINTS) / USUALLY
(1 POINT) / CONSISTENTLY
(2 POINTS)
Wears full school uniform daily
Displays exemplary behaviour
Sets a good example for others to follow
Speaks respectfully to peers and staff
Is an enthusiastic school citizen
Is punctual and well prepared for class
Is a responsible school citizen
Has demonstrated Leadership skills (decision making, independence)
Has demonstrated initiative
Is well organised
Is an articulate speaker – in both formal and informal situations
Completes homework
Behaviour at overnight excursion
Obeys school Code of Conduct
TOTAL POINTS
DETAILS OF INELIGIBILITY
Student is ineligible according to the terms of the school Discipline Policy

______

Principal’s Signature

Voting

Candidates present their speeches in ballot order at an Assembly.

Voting takes place the same day.

Each student from Year 2 to 5 in 2008 is entitled to cast a vote.

Each staff member is entitled to cast a vote.

Voting is coordinated by a Year 5teacher, with their class assisting.

Voting is by secret ballot.

Counting is by coordinator, the Year 5 teachers and the Principal.

Successful candidates will be the twostudentsdetermined most suitable after interview.

Successful candidates are informed by the Principal.

Unsuccessful candidates are formally thanked.