Inganess Pupil Council
18th November 2013
Attendees:
Tilly Martin, Anna Mackay, Andrew Taylor, Alison Fraser, Jeepstar Clewet, Joanne
Miller, William Harvey, Ruth Clark, Zoe Seatter, Jamie Cooper, Billy Shaw.
Matters Arising:
Sports Day:
 Overall, Inganess is for the idea of having an activities day as opposed to a
sports day as there ought to be another option for those not wishing to
participate in the sports. Also it would be preferred if classes were off for the
day as with many people attending the activities, the lessons would seem
worthless with few pupils turning up.
New Build:
 It was asked whether there would be a common room for S6s rather than just
an open space. Anna, Tilly and Andrew, who had just visited the new build,
were fairly sure that this would not be the case but assured the group that it
would be put forward to the house council.
 This then followed with S4s and S5s asking whether they had allocated areas
for their own use and suggested that, if not, teachers could make their rooms
available at break times and lunch times for use as social areas. Anna, Tilly
and Andrew expressed that there is a great number of breakout spaces they
could adopt as their own social areas in the new school.
 Some members of the council expressed that pupils ought to be asked of
their preference whether the week off (for the new build) should be before
or after Christmas. This idea was contradicted by some members due to the
fact that it will inevitably come down to the O.I.C's decision at their own
convenience.
 Although the pupils understood the fact that the trees planted outside the
new school give an image of an environmentally friendly location, they felt
that in time this would block the light coming through the windows,
therefore challenging the idea that the new build will be very much brighter.
 Not all the pupils of Inganess are totally for the idea of having CCTV cameras
in the new build and are surprised at the sheer amount of cameras filming.
They were however aware that this would likely be impossible to change.
 Upon hearing the rule regarding the doors of the building being locked after
the first bell, our pupil council felt strongly against this idea and request that
it is set a little later. There is the very possible scenario that you arrive at
school at exactly the time of the first bell, but at an entrance other than the
main one, and have to spend around five minutes walking to the main
entrance and registration.
 The pupils expressed how they were looking forward to the opening of the
new school especially for the reason that many issues brought up within the
pupil council are dismissed with the prospect of changes only later on in the
new build.
School Clubs/Activities:
 The older pupils felt that they were aware of most the school clubs and
activities however, the first and second years did not feel so informed.
 We discussed which methods of advertising were best but the only
suggestion was the bulletin. This was followed with some pupils saying they
find it difficult to listen and keep up with the reading of the bulletin so early
in the morning therefore were not aware. It was understood that practically
every club and activity had been mentioned at some point in the bulletin
however some people felt that certain points were not put in often enough
to keep pupils reminded.
 The first and second years feel less inclined to attend school clubs and
committees because of the wide age range which they find intimidating. It
was suggested that the clubs/activities could be subdivided by year groups
(i.e. seniors and juniors).
Behaviour:
 It was raised that pupils find a certain non-teaching member of staff quite
rude and that the rules they endorse are unreasonable.
 Pupils are finding it hypocritical when teachers lecture about being on time
when they very often are not themselves.
Study periods:
 Senior pupils still find that study periods allocated in the library ought to be
treated as free periods as we should be able to take on our own
responsibilities in S4-6 (these years mostly being a matter of choice on our
behalf anyway) without the restrictions of the petty, unreasonable rules. The
idea of a sign in/out sheet for the library was a suggestion to overcome this
issue.
 Also pupils felt that they can only have the option of using the library (and/or
the computers there) during your study periods depending on the mood of
the librarian.
School Uniform:
 Because the result of the last survey, enquiring whether pupils would rather
keep the same school uniform or introduce an entirely smart one, was almost
50-50, it was asked if there might be another way to retrieve this information
as this may not have been the most effective method, even a repeat of the
survey could do. In the meantime, it was reaffirmed that if you selected an
entirely smart uniform there is nothing wrong in turning up to school like so.
Careers Guidance:
 Pupils believe that a careers appointment ought to be beneficial to both
those who have a fair or clear idea of what they are to do in the future and
those who really have no idea at all. However for those who are not sure of

what they want regarding their future, careers appointments are generally
considered unhelpful.
Some pupils thought that everyone should be given a careers appointment
especially at the time of choosing your options although it was made
understood that this was implemented last year and was fairly unsuccessful
in the fact that the people requiring more time than others were not getting
all the time they needed.
School Trips:
 Pupils felt that some year groups have many more opportunities to attend
school trips than other years, particularly the younger years. Even smallscale, informational mainland trips would be a pleasant idea to take a break
from the stressful and monotonous school weeks once a year or so.
Corridors:
 The idea for different lunchtimes for different year groups was immediately
counteracted by most members of the pupil council because of the fact that
it would then affect the entire timetable which could cause confusion. They
were certainly against implementing this idea at some point in the rest of this
school year.
 The pupils were all aware that this, again, will not be a problem once we
move into the new school.
School Canteen:
 Anna, Tilly and Andrew informed the council of the new card scheme for the
new school whereby money is put on a card which is used to pay for anything
bought within the school.
 The pupils had a few questions regarding this:
- What if you run out of money?
- What happens when you lose the card?
- What about the possible scenario when someone steals your
card?
- Must it also be used for the tuck shop?
- How can you determine how much money is on it?
Although generally an unpopular idea at the Inganess pupil council, it was
however understood that it would allow parents to have more control and
could prevent people from spending most of their money at break time.
However, the security risks of the cards were quite a concern at the meeting.
 Pupils complained that the toasted sandwiches at the canteen would be
better if they were toasted for longer.
 The pupil council were fond of the idea that teachers on duty at lunch time
should be given "duty badges", enabling them to be recognised and get
priority in the dinner queue (also at the same time preventing other teachers
from pushing in).
Tutor Time
 It was asked purely out of interest what the general consensus was of the use
of time in period five on a Monday. Fifth and Sixth years felt strongly about
using the time for studying for exams and even the first and second years felt
the time could be put to better use for them to do their homework in.
 Lessons such as this and core RMPS are generally still felt to be a waste of
time, the sixth years of the pupil council expressed that they found last year
stressful to the extreme, partly because of the lack of study time in school
and the time wasted on such lessons.
Inganess:
 The attendees were very keen to help out with selling candy canes around
Christmas time. The house captains, Anna and Tilly, are to ask Ms. Dick
regarding the feasibility of the idea, as they are aware that the prospect of
healthy eating may get in the way. It was generally thought that the candy
canes, gift tags, ribbons etc. would be purchased using the £100 budget for
Inganess. Despite Inganess having the allocated term for charity fundraising
from Christmas to Easter, it will be permitted that we fundraise up to
Christmas (after informing the Charities committee) as our selected charity is
that which requires short term aid: the Philippine disaster. It was proposed
that the candy canes would be sold in the last two weeks of term and
distributed at the end of the final week. Anna and Tilly will research some
prices while the pupil council report the idea to their tutor groups for
feedback.
 It was also said that bake sales tend to go down well in the school which
would be another option for our fundraising.
 The idea of a stationary sale was also brought up as we felt that this had not
been done very often around the school before.
 Again, a third year is needed for Inganess’ pupil council. Anna and Tilly are to
ask in their PSE class, period five on a Tuesday.
 A school trip within the house was also an idea suggested but little was said
regarding this.
 Officially there will be no Inganess Santa Fun Run this year as the huge
amount of house points it produced contributed to a flying head start for
Inganess.