CLASS REPS FOR GRADES 8-9-10

ELECTIONS WILL BE ORGANISED BY OUR NEW STUDENT EXECUTIVE SOON!

Vote Anna Bachand for VP

Student Council Promo

EXCOM 33 CANDIDATES FOR 8 POSTIONS - assembly not practical!

• WOW! We have so many candidates 33 for these 8 positions! So we face a real perhaps impossible challenge to create an opportunity for them to speak. I have never experienced this before in my years working with student councils at other schools. We have an embarrassment of riches with the enthusiastic response of Grade X1.Even at 2 minutes each, it would take over an hour - two blocks of school time and that is not really practical. I cannot ask for club time as the clubs have started late this quarter. 
• It's not easy to justify taking IB class time and even the TOK Lesson on Friday will not be long enough. The voting itself will take a long time as each Grade X1 student will have a vote for each position by secret ballot. That is a time consuming process and a teacher must collect each vote separately to ensure that no one votes twice. So Friday TOK Class is just not sufficient.
• I cannot think of any viable option unless we all come to school on Saturday morning - have the speeches and have the vote. However as you all know each other well and can choose wisely, I am reluctant to hold a special assembly on Saturday morning which would take an hour and the voting and count would take another hour at least. Then add on the traveling time. It's also not fair to those students who may already have plans for Saturday morning. Certainly some candidates might not make it and would be disadvantaged.
• We may have to proceed to the vote without a special Grade X1 Assembly for EXCOM speeches. I will consult with Mr Gardner but my inclination is to simply run the election during my English classes on Monday and Tuesday, that way I do not have to disrupt the classes of other teachers.
• I will arrange extra Saturday English classes to make up for lost time this semester. 
• All the votes would then be counted after school on Tuesday.We would arrange for a small group of students to be present to assist and witness the count. The results would be posted on this blog on Tuesday evening immediately after the count.
• Of course the assembly tomorrow and the election for the President (and Deputy Presidents) will go ahead as planned. The difference is the number of student speakers and the time required to make it happen.
• This solution is not perfect and I have wrestled with the decision but I do feel that it is fair. Please do not only think of what is convenient for you personally, I have to consider the needs of the curriculum and the economic use of time.

8 candidates for President SSC

• There are 8 candidates for President - the male and female top runners up become automatic Deputy Presidents. No matter what the outcome, we are all winners as this reveals you are a group of engaged and committed independent learners. A strong field of candidates is a great launch of our student representation.
• You must prepare a 2 minutes(max) speech for our assembly in front of grades 8/9/10/11 on Wednesday Block 4.
• Focus on your special skills - what are your special qualities that you will bring to the position.
• Be passionate but not shouting or strident. Strong and sincere is good, in a clear audible confident voice, shouting in a school assembly will make you look over-emotional.
• Voting for President will take place in Grades 8-11 on Friday morning in tutor groups. The tutors will deliver the votes to the office.

RULES FOR A FRIENDLY CAMPAIGN

• A4 LEAFLETS MAY BE POSTED ON SCHOOL NOTICEBOARDS IN CLASSROOM AND CORRIDORS.
• DO NOT POST ON WALLS, WINDOWS OR DOORS.
• DO NOT REMOVE EXISTING NOTICES OR LEAFLETS FROM OTHER CANDIDATES.
• POSITIVE CAMPAIGNING MEANS YOUR WRITTEN AND SPOKEN WORDS EMPHASISE YOUR LEADERSHIP AND ORGANISATIONAL QUALITIES. THERE IS NO NEED TO MENTION OTHER CANDIDATES. DO NOT CRITICISE OTHER CANDIDATES.
• DO NOT MAKE EXTRAVAGANT or UNREALISTIC PROMISES -example -"I will get Starbucks to open a branch in school." The campaign is about finding the most dynamic student leaders, policy goals will be set later in consultation with the Teacher Mentor and the Principal.
• DO NOT use undue influence through gifts or inappropriate tactics.
• Electronic canvassing through the internet is ok but follow the rules above also. Send Mr C a copy of any internet post or emails you send.
• Keep it clean, friendly and honest. Remember we will all be working together after the election in Student Action Groups, no matter who wins the EXCOM positions.
• Failure to observe these guidelines may lead to the removal of candidates from the ballot.

Student Council List of Candidate Names will be posted today Monday

• Dear students - the deadline for nomination forms is today at 2pm. 
• There will be a short meeting of all candidates at 440pm to announce the list of candidates in Room 9. There will be a short whole school assembly mid week for the Presidential Candidates to speak to the whole school.
• No new candidates will be eligible to join the election after today.
• Voting for President will take place on Friday morning at 950am in GRADES 8-11 Tutor Groups.
• Voting for Excom will be arranged for Gr X1 students only by Mr C in ALL TOK Classes on Friday.
• The new President, Deputy Presidents and Excom will be announced after the count. They will meet with Mr Gardner and Mr C to arrange the class rep elections for Grades 8-10.
• The new Excom will also set up Student Action Groups around each officer to work on projects as a team. For example, the Environmental Officer will suggest names for a Student Action Group to the Teacher Mentor and Excom. This group will then work on projects in that area. So each Excom officer will have a TEAM working with them to share the work and ensure efficiency. 
• The Student Council Executive (Excom)will meet as a club in Q4 but will meet with Mr C before that to begin work on a set of goals and targets and timelines.