Parliament

Ministers for 2011

This is a democratic, pupil orientated activity, and as such, parliament plays a most significant role in this school. all pupils are given the right to express an opinion and to make recommendations, no matter how irrelevant the subject matter might appear. The Cabinet inherits much responsibility. As well as being answerable to the Prime Minister, each minister must also answer to all members of parliament.

Each minister has a portfolio and it is the duty of the minister to ensure that all matters relating to his or her area, which are raised by Parliament are dealt with to the best of his or her ability.

Meetings are conducted weekly and are attended by all years 5 and 6. Later in the year, the Year 4 pupils will also attend.

Outcomes

Pupils come to a realisation that the giving of ones service to one’s fellow pupils, teachers and the school generally, results in a better school community.

Pupils learn that living together requires certain worthwhile standards and patterns of behaviour.

Correlation

Government. The function of local government, together with those of the State and Federal Parliaments, can be more readily understood.

Elementary parliamentary procedures can be taught.

The practical application of citizenship within the school has particular rewards for each pupil.

Members

All Year 5 and Year 6 pupils are recognised as Members of Parliament. When in session, these people are addressed as “the Honourable Member for Jones”, i.e. ones surname. Pupils in other years may be present if they wish to raise a particular subject, or they may attend as observers. School Captains become the Prime Ministers, Vice Captains and Prefects become the Ministers. Two extra members are elected to be ministers. The serjeant at arms is appointed by parliament at the first meeting.

Ministers

The following Ministers are elected each year:

            Prime Minister

            Opposition Leader

            Secretary

            Environment

            Transport / Communication

            Education

            Functions and Finance

            Sport / Recreation

            Health

Minister’s responsibilities

Each minister has a small group of assistants to help in the administration of his or her portfolio. The Minister selects these persons each term. Each minister is to choose an “acting minister”.

Prime Minister

This position alternates between the two school captains allowing each to chair every second meeting. The students also assist each Minister as the need arises. Both also chair School Assemblies and other special functions such as ANZAC Day. Each also has their own portfolio. The Prime Minister is to give direction at meetings, ensure order and give as many members as possible the opportunity to contribute at meetings.

Opposition

The task of the Opposition Leader is to ensure that all matters raised by Parliament are followed up. If not the Opposition Leader should then request explanation from the Prime Minister or Minister. The Opposition Leader is to be vigilant in checking tasks are performed and to give suggestions as required.

Secretary

Records the minutes of each meeting. Report these to Parliament as well as the weekly assembly. Ensures a summary of the minutes appear in the newsletter. A copy of the minutes is to be placed on the noticeboard in the COLA, and a copy is to be given to each staff member, no later than Monday following the meeting.

Lands/Environment

Responsible for the playground – tidiness, beautification, watering of plants. Encourages recycling program, composting and energy conservation. Promote cleanliness through fostering pupils to clean paths COLA, garden areas, hardcourt and concrete areas. Inspect trees and play equipment regularly for safety. Ensures bins are available.

Transport/Communications

Responsible for matters concerning communication throughout the school – distribution of notices, answering the telephone calls during break period as required, ringing of the bell and morning messenger in administration area. Responsible for bus monitoring and encouraging a high standard of behaviour on the buses. Responsible for crossing road flags. Weekly reminder for school banking.

Education

Responsible for matters concerning educational activities in the school-in conjunction with a teacher organising competitions, library activities, audio visual room, resource room and collection of achievement awards and citizenship points. Changing messages on the notice board, daily flying of the flags and photography records for the newsletter and school promotions.

Functions/Finance

Responsible for matters concerning special days and occasions – setting up for School Assemblies, and Parliament and assisting in activities such as socials, ANZAC Day, Casual days etc.

Responsible for matters relating to money – collection and redistribution of bankbooks, collection of money for charities, socials, sausage sizzle etc.

Sport/Recreation

Responsible for communicating the needs and recommendations of Parliament to the Sports Organiser, liaising with sports captains to ensure playground games are organised, sports store is well stocked, equipment maintained and issued and returned to sports store. Make suggestions for regular sports activities.

Health

Supervising of toilets and general health habits of the pupils. Checking Canteen lines and giving recommendations from Parliament to the canteen committee.

Check students in playground are wearing hats

Supervision of play equipment

Promoting a healthy diet e.g fruit count

Reports

Each Minister reports to Parliament every session on the activities of his/her assistants. Business arising from these reports are dealt with at each meeting.

Parliament Meetings

Meetings are under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister.

The teacher acts as a guide and helper only.

• Ministers wait outside
• Parliament is told to stand by Serjeant-at-arms (bangs mace on floor)
• Ministers enter
• While everyone is standing, parliament repeat “The parliamentary Oath”
• The Serjeant-at-arms places the mace on the table and everyone sits
• Minutes of previous sitting read. Business arising from minutes.
• Ministers reports
• Business arising from minister’s reports
• One word business from previous week
• Class representatives
• General Business
• One word business for next week
• Close (National Anthem)

Parliamentary Oath

We the members of Hinton Public School parliament, Promise to obey the rules, honour our position and serve our fellow students with pride. To obey the rules of parliament and set a good example for others to follow.