A student council in a primary school is a group of pupils chosen to represent the voices and ideas of all the students. Council members help share suggestions, raise concerns, and work with teachers to make the school a better and happier place. They often help organise events, support charity activities, welcome new students, and encourage good behaviour and teamwork. Being on the student council also helps children learn leadership, responsibility, and communication skills.

Brusna National School has recently held elections and formed a newly elected student council. Students voted for their representatives, giving many pupils the chance to take part in democracy at school level. The new council will now meet regularly, listen to classmates’ ideas, and work with staff on projects and improvements throughout the school year.

At Brusna National School, we had a great opportunity to learn about the election process while the Presidential Election in Ireland was taking place. By watching and discussing what was happening nationally, we were able to understand how elections work in real life and connect this learning to our own student council election.

We explored important parts of the election process, such as how candidates create a manifesto to explain their ideas and plans. The students wrote their own manifestos, outlining what they hoped to achieve if elected to the student council. We also learned about the importance of public speaking, as candidates presented their ideas clearly and confidently to their classmates.

Another key part of our learning was canvassing for votes. Students discovered how candidates respectfully ask others for their support, explain their goals, and encourage people to vote. By linking the national election to our school election, we gained a better understanding of democracy, leadership, and active participation in our community.