Student Voice

The prefect system at PCS

It has always been a part of school life in Portumna Community School to have prefects in 6th year: pupils who have the respect of the student body as well as the staff and who are entrusted with certain duties and responsibilities.

There is an application process each spring and the staff convenes each May to appoint prefects for the following year upon.

Prefects, therefore, work closely along side their year head and provide a very valuable layer to the day to day school running of the school.

The role of the prefect is always expanding to try and help meet the needs of an ever-expanding school community.

Prefects 2023-2024

Student Council

The student council plays a crucial role in our school by representing students interests, fostering leadership skills, organising events and serving as a bridge between students and school administration.

Role of the Student Council

• To enhance communication between students, management, staff and parents
• To promote an environment conducive to educational and personal development
• To promote friendship and respect among pupils
• To support the management and staff in the development of the school
• To represent the views of the students on matters of general concern to them

Student Council recent activities

• Student council members meet daily to discuss concerns that students have brought forward to council members.
• Student council members attended student voice conference in PortLaoise, to learn about strategies in preventing bullying and students also discussed assessment and student teacher relationships.
• Two of our students from our student council attended the ACCS student voice conference in Dublin castle. Students liaised with other student council members, they expressed their opinions on bullying and developed strategies on how to reduce bullying in school.
• Student council members attended ISSU Galway Roscommon election day. A leaving cert student council member was elected for regional officer for Galway Roscommon.
• Student Council liaise with management to organise our annual community coffee morning in aid of Breast Cancer Ireland and Galway hospice.
• Student Council members are involved in the decision making of the school and voice their opinions on key issues including school uniform, well being classes and our annual opening evening.

Experience from Student Council Member

Adriana Valuodzaite, TY

In September, I was elected to attend ACCS to promote student voice through zoom calls with Izzy Tuohy. I was given the opportunity to train to be a facilitator. I used this skill at their conference.

The Department of Education is working with our school and student body to rewrite the Anti-Bullying policy as was discussed at an ACCS conference at Dublin Castle in October. In school, we meet with students from all other years. Nobody is afraid to voice their opinion.

It’s a great opportunity to get to know the other students, especially first years. I am looking forward to helping out with the teacher/leaving cert activity at the end of the year as well dealing with any issues that is brought to our attention.

Elected Student Council Members 2023 – 2024