Posted on: Thursday 8 February 2024
Pupils got the chance to use Torfaen Council’s chamber to hold their own council meeting this week.
Fifteen members of Croesyceiliog School’s senedd group got the chance to speak to the Leader, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Economy, Skills and Regeneration before holding their own meeting.
The pupil council is made of five committees which focus on topics including wellbeing, equality, learning, improving the environment and developing community relations.
The committees are made up of representatives from every year group and make suggestions to the senedd and the school’s senior leadership team.
Such as plans for a school fundraising community, a garden club and a boys hockey team.
Head Boy Junior Munyoro said: “It was a very positive experience for all of us, very interesting to find out how the council works, in a very nice environment.”
“I found it very useful and important to showcase how we incorporate student voice at Croesyceiliog.”
Head Girl Elizabeth Jacobs added: “As a woman involved in politics at my school, I felt very empowered and proud to speak to the councillors today, especially highlighting the importance of equality and diversity across the school.”
Assistant headteacher Sarah Wilkie, who helps to run the senedd, said: “I am so proud of our students today, they represented our school values ‘learning, respect, and ambition’ throughout the day.”
“It was fantastic opportunity for them to use the Civic Centre Chamber for their meeting, and shows their hard work is supporting positive changes throughout the school.”
Deputy Leader Councillor Richard Clark, Executive Member for Children, Families and Education, said: “The structure of your student Senedd is fantastic, it allows all students to have their voice heard and contribute to positive impacts to their school life.”
Cllr Clark was joined by Council Leader Anthony Hunt and Cllr Joanne Gauden, Executive Member for Economy, Skills and Regeneration.
Schools interested in visiting the Civic Centre Chamber in Pontypool can contact the council’s Children and Young People’s Engagement and Participation Officer Philip Wilson on philip.wilson@torfaen.gov.uk