Every child has the right to say what they think in all that matters affecting them, and to have their views taken seriously. (Article 12, UNCRC)

Ballymagee's School Council

Ballymagee School Council is made up of 14 elected children from P4 – P7 who represent the voice of all children in our school. They meet once per month and put forward suggestions from their classes and think about ways to improve the school for everyone.

Each child campaigned in their classroom sharing their ideas for Ballymagee and persuaded peers to ‘Vote for Me’. Following this, each class visited the Ballymagee Polling Station and voted for their class representatives. The P4 councillors represent their own class and the two children from each P5-7 class represent their own class, and a FS/KS1 class.

In our first meeting we met with Fiona Payne from UK Parliament who talked to us about Democracy and the important role of a School Council.

We then met to pick our charity for the year, Autism NI, and plan our first fundraising event. We planned ‘Fun Friday’ - everyone got to come to school in non-uniform and we had lots of fun sharing jokes with our classmates, and our teachers! We raised £ 281.50 and this will be split equally between our chosen charity and a School Council initiative which we will decide at our next meeting.

In the past School Council have bought football nets, star worker pencils and wristbands, digital clocks and mini-hoovers for our open areas, and playground equipment.

We are excited to see what exciting ideas this year’s School Council will bring!