Spotlight post: Meet our new Sixth Form Students’ Council

Spotlight Post:
Meet our Sixth Form’s new Students’ Council

We’ve reached out to our newly elected council members to learn more about their aims, plans, and the Council itself:

Tell us a little about the Council and how it works. What does it represent/mean to you?

The Council is a group of students chosen by other students to represent them in front of the administration. The council for me is important as the gap between the administration and the students is overcome by us, the representatives. The Council is also a way to voice the students’ opinions and ideas.
– Kristy Spiteri, Council Secretary

In short, the Student Council for me is the place where all students’ voices are heard. This student organisation is made up of democratically elected individuals that work tirelessly to hear and communicate what the student body has to say.
– AlexanderJoe Camilleri, Vice Treasurer

The council to me is a bridge between the students and the management where the students of the college are able to get their ideas and comments through to the management team. It is also a team who tries it’s best to make sure that the short two years the students have at sixth form are the best they could possibly be. This includes organizing fun events, as well as fund raisers for good causes.
– Nathaniel Cuschieri, Treasurer

The student council is seen as a form of communication between the admin and students and as an institute, we give representation and voice to every single student. There are 4 main pillars of the council which are aided by their vices. We have the roles of the president, treasurer, public relations officer and secretary. Each and every person plays a vital role in our council and we work together as a harmonious team. To me, working in the student council brings a great deal of satisfaction and joy after all the work we do. Not only to we enhance the school experience but we also create a more active community.
– AimeeJade Galea, President

Firstly I feel honoured and thankful to have been elected and am now part of the SAC Student Council. The Student Council is united and willing to work together for the students. Basically, the Council organises activities for the students throughout the year. The Council represents the students and their point of views, and their thoughts and suggestions are then forwarded and brought forward by us, the Council. For me Council is an amazing opportunity for me to bring forward new ideas and expand my skills.
– Mariah Debattista, Vice President

The SAC Student Council is made up of 8 students, 4 first years and 4 second years. Together with Administration, we mainly work towards the following goal: building a bridge between students and administration. Through constant meetings with admin, we strive to make the voices of our fellow schoolmates heard and amplified. The council holds a special place in my heart as it is a way of working towards making a positive difference in the lives of those around me. Being an Aloysian council, we keep the school’s ethos; “Men and women for others” in mind. Events such as Pink October Cupcake Day are used to raise funds for voluntary organisations such as cancer support groups which undoubtedly make such a  positive difference in people’s lives.
– Megan Ekezie, Secretary

The Council is the primary representative body for the students at the Sixth Form, we are their bridge between them and the administration of the school to voice their concerns and opinions and make sure they are heard. To me, the Council means that through it the students have a means with which they can make sure they feel comfortable, safe and represented in their second home and are given a unique experience enhanced by the holistic education provided by the school.
– Gianni Farrugia, Vice Public Relations Officer

What are your individual roles and responsibilities?

I am the Secretary of the council, and my individual role is to take down the minutes of each meeting that happens within the council, in order to have everything organized and each event is well planned and everything clear, even when we go back to discuss past decisions.
– Kristy Spiteri, Council Secretary

Apart from being a representative, my role within the student council is that of a vice-treasurer. The key responsibilities of this role is to assist the Treasurer in overseeing the financial affairs, assist him/her to ensure proper records are kept and that effective financial procedures are in place, assist the Treasurer in monitoring and reporting on the financial health of the organisation to the council at regular meetings and finally, to assist the Treasurer in overseeing the production of necessary financial reports/returns.
– AlexanderJoe Camilleri, Vice Treasurer

My role in Student council is that of ‘Treasurer’. Basically I take care of the finances for events and make sure everything is organized. It is important to have a statement for expenses and incomes so that we can present everything neatly to the students and the management team the following year.
– Nathaniel Cuschieri, Treasurer

My role as the president entails a lot of work and responsibility. I am in charge of organising the meetings and making sure that there is order within our team. As president one assists their team in times of need is in charge of the events taking place and ensures that the team is working well together. Although being president comes with a lot of work and time it is not a job that is possible without a team. The other members of the council act as puzzle pieces to the puzzle.
– AimeeJade Galea, President

I am the Vice President. I am really thankful to have been given this role. My responsibility is to make sure that everything is going fine, to help in organising activities and to also help the President with whatever help she needs. I am ready to pull up my sleeves and help to bring forward suggestions and organise as many activities as possible.
– Mariah Debattista, Vice President

The role of the Secretary is to take down the minutes of the meetings we have and compile them. The recording of notes is essential for the sake of  organisation and continuity. Once they are ready,  they are sent to the other members for everyone to have access to them. As the Vice-Secretary of the Council, it is important for me to help the Secretary along the way to help facilitate this and in her absence, write the meeting minutes myself.
– Megan Ekezie, Secretary

Myself, I am the Vice Public Relations Officer of the Council. I deputise for the Public Relations Officer (PRO) and together we manage the school’s social media, online channels and are the main relational intermediaries between the council and the students. However, all council members share the same collective responsibility in which we have the obligation to serve to the best of our ability by constantly being there for the people who elected us, vouch to openness and build a trustworthy connection between them, listen to them, and learn from them.
– Gianni Farrugia, Vice Public Relations Officer

What do you plan to focus on in the coming year? Which areas do you believe need most attention?
What are your main goals/objectives?

Throughout this year, I plan to focus on giving all the students the best possible experience in their days at our school, with fun and beneficial events and activities. I believe that activities that yield a learning experience need most of our attention. My main goals and objectives are to provide all the students with an amazing experience for each and every one of them, to make the most of their years at the college.
– Kristy Spiteri, Council Secretary

My goals for the council include being more receptive to students’ ideas and opinions. As a result, I’ll be working on organizing a weekly/monthly calm and mature debate on various themes, some hotter than others. Students should be permitted to debate a variety of topics in this secure and established setting. Aside from that, I want students to be more integrated with the student council, such as being allowed to collaboratively select where the money generated go rather than leaving it up to the council to decide. I will also push for more cooperation with the other school councils.
– AlexanderJoe Camilleri, Vice Treasurer

This year I’m trying my best to lessen the distance between the first years and second years as I feel this is becoming a problem lately where everyone detaches himself and doesn’t intertwine with other people of different age, class, and interests. I think apart from this, events also need a big push. Events are what strengthen the SAC community and creates meaningful experiences that students will remember and talk about for the rest of their lives, so this surely needs to be at it’s best.
– Nathaniel Cuschieri, Treasurer

In the coming year we plan to strengthen our bond together as a team and also help in very popular activities like Soiree. We plan to bring out our skills to make this year one of the best here in college. We plan to create many activities in the coming year, like Amplified in the coming weeks. We plan on doing fundraisers and many more activities depending on the season and the festive feast coming up, e.g. Christmas, World Cup etc.
I believe that the area that needs the most attention is our bond. Since the first years are new to the Council we need to start creating relationships with the Administration and between us. However, this aspect is going quite well at the moment and we’re looking forward to working together for the students. Our main goals are for the students to feel part of a community and a family. We want to work on many activities for this year as much as we can. We want to make this year the best for the 1^st years and the best final year for the 2^nd years.
– Mariah Debattista, Vice President

In the coming year, I plan on ameliorating the student’s experience in sixth form by organising fun and memorable activities for the students. By doing this, I aim to bring first years and second years alike closer together as one Aloysian family. Furthermore, I aim to create a safe space for my fellow peers, where they can discuss and voice out their concerns and needs. I feel that this is an area which needs to be given a lot of importance as if students don’t feel appreciated or welcome to voice their thoughts, they can never be happy within the school grounds.
– Megan Ekezie, Secretary

This year, I’d particularly like to work on rebounding all the activities and events that in these previous 2 years the Council couldn’t organise due to the pandemic. This year is a particular year, in which the school as a community is finally brought back together in normality. We now have the means and resources to explore new ideas of innovation and creativity for the school. Personally, I particularly want to work on building a more connecting and accessible means for students in which they can reach out to us, such as through Q&A sessions, among other events. I see the Council as the most ideal institution where students from both first and second year, irrespective of class or subject, can come together through it and feel more included and integrated within our Aloysian community.
– Gianni Farrugia, Vice Public Relations Officer

Are there any upcoming initiatives you are working on at the moment?

Amongst a lot of activities happening in the college, initiatives that we are working on at the moment are, helping the Soiree Committee with their projects of fundraising for Soiree, creating a World Cup environment by organizing different days; such as ‘Wear the gear of the team you are supporting day’, and the biggest initiative that we are all working on is Amplified.
– Kristy Spiteri, Council Secretary

We are currently working on a number of exciting projects, the most important of which is Amplified. We are also debating whether we should have a live-in as a school community, as well as what Christmas events will take place at our school.
– AlexanderJoe Camilleri, Vice Treasurer

Currently the Student council is finishing up planning the Amplified event where SAC students can come see their friends perform as bands and singers.
– Nathaniel Cuschieri, Treasurer

At the moment we are working on a Christmas door decorating contest between the classes and Amplified – a student concert where students get to perform their music and spend the night together as Aloysians.
– Mariah Debattista, Vice President

At the moment, the council is working on Amplified, a yearly musical event which takes place at our college. A competition is also taking place between the 5th and 7th December in which students decorate their respective class door with Christmas decorations and after discussions with the council members, the best- decorated door will be chosen and the winners will be given a prize. On the 7th of December, a small activity related to the World Cup also took place. Here, students were invited to wear a colour which represents the country they are supporting or the country’s respective gear.
– Megan Ekezie, Secretary

The Council is currently working on a number of various projects, all aimed at strengthening the sense of community within the school. A major upcoming project that we as a Council and the school excitedly look forward to is Amplified, a concert-like event in which students can display their musical skills while also creating a comfortable atmosphere for spectating students to enjoy the night in each others’ company. We are also organising events with a seasonal theme, such as the ‘Decore the Door’ competition in which students decorate their class door with bright Christmas-themed decorations, along with a multitude of other events held throughout the year.
– Gianni Farrugia, Vice Public Relations Officer

Is there anything else you wish to share with the College community?

It is important for all the students to know that they can approach any council member with any idea or difficulties; after all that is what we are for.
– Kristy Spiteri, Council Secretary

We wish to share the aspects of bonding, creating relationships together and love, because after all that’s why we are here, at St Aloysius College!
– Mariah Debattista, Vice President

I will try my best to make sure that the student body will be as happy as can be when entering SAC, a place we call home <3
– Megan Ekezie, Secretary

Along with what I’ve said above, I’d also like to send a clear message to the students who elected us; a message to ensure them that we’re always there for them and ready to listen to them on anything they think needs addressing within the school. Something that the Council works towards is making sure that our friends at SAC leave with memories of an unforgettable experience and the special bonds they created during their time here.
– Gianni Farrugia, Vice Public Relations Officer

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Thank you and good luck to you all!

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