Marayong South
Public School Policies
The Student Leadership Team
Rationale
Children need to have a voice in the running of matters of concern to them in the school. There needs to
be processes in place to enable them to provide feedback to the staff on student issues. Children need to
provided with opportunities to develop skills of leadership.
Organisation
Student leaders will be selected by a process of nomination and election by teachers and students. The
following outlines the timeline and process to be followed in the elections of the Student Leadership
Team.
Term 4 Week 3

The Coordinator addresses the Year 5 cohort to highlight and emphasises desirable leadership
qualities, and reiterate that candidature should based on those students who uphold the school’s values
and traditions. The criteria is to be discussed with Year 5 teachers to ensure consistency is maintained
in any comments made in follow up discussions. Applications are handed out to Year 5 students who
are asked to submit an application if they wish to nominate themselves. Application is to follow a the
following format (attached).
Term 4 Week 4

Year 5 students are informed of the students who have returned an application and wish to be
nominated. Year 5 students are invited to individually nominate only suitable and willing candidates
meeting the criteria. Each Year 5 student will be able to nominate 2 other students. Year 5 teachers
are to conduct a secret ballot, results are not revealed yet. Class votes are to be sent to the
Coordinator. There will be a minimum of 9 candidates according to the students who receive the
greatest number of nominations. If there are a number students with the same amount of nominations
there may be more than 9 candidates.

Candidates are to be announced by the Principal who also speaks with them about the significance of
the role. They will be given a copy of the ‘Letter to Candidate” (see attached). Candidates begin to
prepare speeches. Speeches will be 2-3 minutes and will include the candidate’s thoughts on the core
values as well as their involvement in the school community and their ability to perform the expected
duties. No promises are to be made about what they will do if they are elected (the nomination
application form will be a useful tool for preparing speeches). They may also provide an A4 size sheet
with a photo, telling students about themselves, to be displayed during the week of elections.
Speeches will be presented to AP early in week 5 to check suitability. Photos are to be taken of all
candidates to help prepare ballot papers. The coordinator is to prepare ballot papers and required
organisation to conduct the election.
This document was written / reviewed in 2009.
Term 4 Week 5

Posters displayed on notice board in the library.

Speeches presented to coordinator to check suitability.

Speeches delivered to Years 2-6 at Assembly (held in middle session). Voting conducted immediately
after speeches. All students from Years 2-5 vote. The student’s position on the ballot paper to be
determined by a draw from a hat. Year 2-5 students vote selecting 2 candidates only. Staff vote by
selecting 2 candidates only.

Ballot papers to be sent to coordinator. Votes are to be counted by the Principal and coordinator.
There will be a male and female captain. The other members of the leadership team may consist of
males, females, or a mix of the two, according to the votes.

Term 4 Week 6

The results of voting are to be announced at Presentation Assembly. Parents are sent a personal invite
to attend.
Leadership Team Application
Please complete an application outlining how you demonstrate the following Core Values.
The application should be supported with relevant examples of how you have demonstrated these values
in your life so far, particularly in your education so far. You may include your participation in various
school events as part of your supporting evidence for demonstrating PARTICIPATION. You may discus
how you have worked as part of a team to achieve something, perhaps as part of the SRC to demonstrate
COOPERATION. And so on. There is no need to provide copies of ribbons or awards, but they are things
that could be written as part of your demonstration of the values.
Respect: Having a high regard for yourself and others and accepting the rights of others to hold different
views. I demonstrate respect …
Responsibility: Being accountable for actions towards yourself, others and the environment. I
demonstrate responsibility…
Cooperation: Working together to achieve common goals, providing support to others and engaging in
the peaceful resolution of conflict. I demonstrate cooperation…
Care: Concern for the wellbeing of yourself and others, demonstrating empathy and acting with
compassion. I demonstrate care…
Participation: Being a proactive and productive individual and group member, having pride in and
contributing to the school environment. I demonstrate participation…
Fairness: Being committed to the principles of a fair go for everyone and opposing prejudice and
dishonesty. I demonstrate fairness…