The Braidside IPS Student Council is made up of Primary 7 pupils who have volunteered and been elected by their peers to serve as a member of the council. Each year children prepare and make speeches to their peers as to what they would choose to do if elected and how they would help all pupils through their role. Each year we have had between 6-8 children who are elected and who work under the guidance of a P7 teacher.

During 2016-17, pupils held mock elections, carried out school-based research concerning the provision of new playground equipment children would like for break and lunchtime. They sourced the equipment, as well as investigating and comparing costs. Following a meeting, whereby they presented their findings and proposal to the Principal, they were able to purchase their preferred equipment and held a school assembly to share what they had bought and how pupils could access it.

(Council 16/17: N. Dickson- Moore, E. Hamill, C. McAuley, M. McConkey, R. O’Brien, J. Prior)

In 2017-18, under the supervision and guidance of Mrs Young, the Student Council organised a Mothers’ Day Event and Sale. They coordinated with the teacher to arrange items for the sale, store the items and then held a hugely successful sale on 9^th March 2018; raising £620. This money was again used to purchase and refresh our stock of playground equipment; including new football nets. All children enjoyed coming to the sale, chatting with the student council members and making their purchase.

Later in the year the Council worked alongside our local Police and Traffic Branch to carry out the first Kids’ Court in Ballymena. Police monitored traffic speeds along the Fry’s Road and those who were over the 30mph limit were invited in to answer questions put to them by the Kids’ Court. All the children participated enthusiastically; took their responsibilities earnestly and we were very proud of each one of them during the event.

(Council 17/18: C. Hume, K. McDonald, B. McGaughey, E. McIlwee, S. Millar, D. Smith, S. Wilson)

This year (2018-19) we will once again seek to find new members of the Student Council and we look forward to their endeavours throughout the year.

(Council 18/19: L.Graham,A. Kerr, B. Marrs, A. McLaughlin, D. O'Neill, K.O'Mullan, L. Waddoups)