Student Leadership
Students in Sandford Park have many opportunities to develop key leadership skills. This happens through their involvement in teamwork, both in and out of the classroom, as well as the opportunity to take part in the many clubs and committees in the school. Below are descriptions of some of the main areas where these leadership skills are fostered and developed.
Student Council
The Student Council works to uphold the ethos of our school and, in collaboration with the principal, staff, and students, enhance school life for everyone. The Student Council serves as an official forum where students can voice concerns and make suggestions. Acting as a bridge between the student body and the school’s administration, we ensure that student perspectives are heard and considered. We aim to foster a sense of community among students and work closely with the principal, staff, and prefects to initiate events and activities. A key priority for us is to maintain a bully-free environment, ensuring that our school is a safe and supportive place for all students.
Prefects
The Prefects of Sandford Park aid the staff in the smooth running of the school. The group is made up of senior students who perform supervisory tasks, undertake duties and act as the most visible manifestation of student leadership within the institution.
The Prefecture is, in no sense, a new idea. It is, in fact, the very definition of tradition. In 6th century Ireland, Maoir Cluig an Edhachta (The Officers of the Bells between Classes) assisted the teaching staff in the operation of the monastic colleges. In the 11th century, the professors of the bardic schools in Ireland and Scotland were helped in their scholarly work by Aistirí din Sgoil (The Doorkeepers of the School), while in English Public Schools, prefects drawn from student “houses” have for long been indispensable to the effective organisation of these academies. Having noted the success of such systems of student empowerment in these most eminent of educational establishments, the founders of Sandford Park chose to emulate them through the organisation of a prefect system of their own.
The Prefect cohort is overseen by the four elected senior student officers; the Head Boy, the Head Girl, the Deputy Head Boy and the Deputy Head Girl. The greater body is divided into Aicmae or subgroups which, under the supervision and direction of the Form 6 Year Head, are self-governing and elect their own leaders. The Prefects of the school are encouraged not only to see themselves as assistants to the staff but also as co-guarantors of the Sandford ethos, something which explains the quiet communitarian enthusiasm with which they undertake their role and advance the cause of Sandford Park and its pupils.
Buddy System
Each Form 1 student is assigned to a group with three other Form 1 students, four TY students and two Form 6 Prefects. The TY and Form 6 students act as buddies to help him / her settle into school. Early in the first term, the guidance counsellor, alongside the Form 1 and TY year heads, organises a ‘getting to know your buddy’ session. Team bonding sessions take place during the course of the year, as well as other activities such as table quizzes and shared lunches. The Buddy system allows TY and Prefect students the opportunity to work on their leadership skills and share their experience of school life with the Form 1 students. Surveys have shown that most new students have settled well after one month but this contact with buddies is encouraged all year. For students who haven’t fully settled in, a variety of strategies can be used to help them including more timetabled contact with their buddies.
Green Schools
Sandford Park School is a member of the Green Schools Programme. The aim is to encourage schools to reduce their harmful or negative effects on the environment. The Green Schools Committee is a made up of students, teachers and parents. The main goal is to achieve Green Flags. So far Sandford Park School has obtained seven green flags: Litter and Waste, Energy, Water, Travel, Biodiversity, Global Citizenship – Litter & Waste and Global Citizenship – Energy. The school is making progress towards obtaining the next green flag, Global Citizenship – Marine Environment.
Sports Council
The role of the sports council includes aiding in the growth, success and promotion of sport and exercise in Sandford, while also creating and supporting initiatives that increase physical activity, promoting health and wellbeing. The council will meet at the start and end of the Autumn term, at the start of the Spring and Summer term and at the end of the school year. The council is comprised of; The Sports Coordinator; Head of the PE department; The principal/Vice principal; A member of the Board of Governors; A parent of a current Junior school pupil; A parent of a current Senior school pupil; Two current Sports Captains as voted by their committee.
Charity Committee
The Charity Committee is comprised of pupils from all year groups and is led by Ms Sheridan, Mr McBain and Mr Smith. Each year, the pupils vote for a local / Irish charity and the winner is adopted as the school’s chosen charity for the academic year.
Charities represented over the years have included the Irish Cancer Society, the Irish Heart Foundation, the Simon Community and the Irish Refugee Council. The Charity Committee is responsible for overseeing all charitable events throughout the school year, and their incredible work with non-uniform days each half-term has meant that the school raises on average €5,500 per year for the chosen charities.
Alongside this, we work with other year groups such as Form 1 and 2, to raise money in CSPE classes through activities such as bake sales, and with the Transition Years to raise money by bucket collections in town, and through their social geography project. One highlight every year is the TY students v Teachers football match ran by Mr McBain to raise money for the Environmental Foundation for Africa.
One Good School
On the 15th of May 2024, the One Good School Committee, led by Ms Lyons Murphy and Mr Shepard, organised a ‘Cultural Diversity Day’ in the school. Students in our school from around the world had the opportunity to present items, clothing and food that represented their culture. The school also put two world maps up on the walls in the social area of the Le Peton building. We used thumbtacks to represented the different languages spoken in our school as well as the different countries students come from on the maps. The aim was to celebrate diversity in our school and showcase the rich tapestry of cultures within our school community. All involved really enjoyed the day.