Frequently asked Questions - Student Leadership and SRCs

Student leaders from across the state have added their ideas to answer these questions.

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• What does SRC stand for?
• How do SRCs provide opportunities for students?
• What is the difference between an SRC and a School Parliament?
• How do schools elect their SRC members?
• What can a student do if they don’t think their SRC is relevant to them?
• What is the difference between school, inter-school and state SRC forums?
• How much work and time is involved in being a SRC member at school, inter-school and state level?
• How are school SRC students elected to the inter-school and state SRC groups?
• Does the NSW SRC represent all government school students in NSW?
• How does the State SRC Conference operate?
• How is the State SRC Conference theme selected?
• Who attends the annual State SRC Conference?
• How do school SRCs have a voice at the State SRC Conference?
• At state level what other leadership opportunities are there for students apart from the SRC?

A Student Representative Council (SRC) is an elected group of students. The role of SRC members is to represent all students in the activities in which the SRC becomes involved.

"SRCs promote the views of students, encouraging them to become more active in the decisions that affect them." Jeremy

The role of SRC members is to promote the views of students and to encourage students to become actively involved in their school. Students can have their say on a wide variety of issues from school uniform and appearance to anti-discrimination policies in schools.

School SRCs provide participation and leadership opportunities by asking for input from peers, holding open meetings where all students can personally voice their opinions and by holding special activities/events in which students can participate.

""School SRCs provide students with the opportunity to interact with teachers, parents and volunteers to provide the student body with a voice on the issues that ultimately affect them. This opportunity gives students a crucial leadership role within their school environment." Lauren

"By being on a school SRC, students can actively participate in the decisions that ultimately affect them. By becoming more involved in the running of their school they will gain respect from their peers while at the same time creating a more harmonious environment in which students and teachers can interact." Kaila

School parliaments operate in some primary schools as an alternative to an SRC. Both include students democratically elected by their fellow students to represent them. They both facilitate leadership and decision-making by all students in a school.

School Parliaments are based on the Australian system of government and include students elected to positions such as Prime Minister, portfolio ministers, Whip and Speaker. They operate by following parliamentary procedures, such as moving and debating motions, voting and parliamentary sittings.

Student Representative Councils are based on a committee structure with some students elected to positions such as chairperson, secretary, treasurer and class/year representatives. For secondary schools there are school, inter-school and state level SRC groups.

"The most significant aspect of both a School Parliament and an SRC is that they function as a representative organisation for the students." Jeremy

The most successful SRC will have members who really want to represent student ideas and opinions and who are prepared to work to improve student participation in all areas of the school.

Members of the SRC can come from all years and they are democratically elected by their peers. The SRC election process will vary from school to school. It could involve:

• An awareness campaign, using items such as posters, pamphlets and speeches to stress the aims and achievement of the SRC and the need for responsible voting.
• Compiling information sheets on candidates, including photos and lists of their school based interests, which can be displayed and distributed.
• Students who would make good leaders being lobbied to stand for election.
• People such as local Members of Parliament acting as election observers and drawing comparisons with Australian and state government election processes.
• Former SRC students talking to students.
• Speaking at school assemblies and highlighting the SRC as an active body that is valued and respected by the whole school community.

Students can talk to an SRC member or their SRC teacher adviser to voice any concerns they may have about their SRCs relevance to them. A principal, year adviser/coordinator or other trusted teacher might also be approached.

"If this happens speak up because if a SRC isn’t relevant to a student then there is something wrong." David

School SRCs operate in ways that are appropriate to school needs.

School SRCs liaise and communicate with a number of groups within their school community, including:

• students
• local community
• School Council
• School Principal, executive, staff, committees
• Inter-school SRC.

Inter-school SRCs discuss recommendations from school SRCs, they:

• help to improve school SRCs within regions
• help to improve communication between school SRCs
• deal with issues that affect the local community
• provide leadership training.

Inter-school SRC forums focus on local community issues and issues arising from school forums.

"At State Level the SRC is made up of two groups, the NSW SRC (the Department's peak student leadership forum) and the State Conference Working Party (the group responsible for organising and running the annual state conference)." Kaila

The State SRC Conference forum debates and votes on recommendations passed on from inter-school SRCs. Approved recommendations are called resolutions. The NSW SRC works to accomplish the resolutions that were passed at the State Conference.

""The more work a student puts into their SRC the more they are going to benefit from the opportunities the SRC can provide." Kaila

At all levels, being an active SRC member involves commitment. Most school SRCs meet on a weekly basis. Inter-school and state SRCs usually meet once each term. Members are expected to perform as a team and effectively contribute to discussions, decisions and action planning.

All SRC members need to take time to communicate with their fellow students and represent the interests of all students from their school/local community.

SRC members may also be an ambassador for their school or local community at activities and/or forums. State SRC representatives also take on a liaison role on a committee with an associated organisation that relates to the NSW SRC. Involvement and time commitment for these roles will vary.

"You have to put in a fair bit of time to achieve the goal you are after." Paige

Secondary school SRCs elect students to their inter-school SRC.

Inter-school SRCs elect students to participate at state level in the NSW SRC and the State SRC Conference Working Party.

"Yes, the NSW SRC represents all government secondary school students in NSW." Ruth

The NSW SRC is the Department's peak student leadership consultative and decision-making forum. It meets regularly to discuss student issues with Senior Officers in the Department of Education and Training, other government departments, business and community groups.

"SRC is there to voice all students' opinions." Michael

"The State SRC Conference is run by the students themselves." Daniel

The State SRC Conference Working Party organises and runs this annual conference. The Working Party chooses a conference theme. Key note speakers, workshops ('flexi-shops'), discussion groups and a Student Forum provide opportunities for examining the theme. Social activities, such as a dance party, are also an important aspect of the conference.

At the Student Forum recommendations from inter-school SRCs are put forward, debated and voted on and the resolutions are forwarded on to the next years NSW SRC to work on.

"The theme of the conference is selected by the State SRC Conference Working Party." David

In total 130 conference participants attend from Years 9, 10 and 11.

"Students are supported by a team of adults comprising SRC teacher advisers, Aboriginal Education Consultant and the Senior Education Officer Student Leadership and Participation." Jeremy

"Special guests are invited to attend and present at the conference concerning issues relevant to the conference theme." Ruth

A school SRC can take issues to their inter-school SRC. The inter-school SRC debate the issue and can resolve to take a recommendation to the State SRC Conference.

There are many other leadership opportunities that exist for students.

"There are leadership opportunities in sporting fields, drama orchestra, vocal, debating etc." Kimberley

Many of these opportunities arise through students actively participating in school life. Other leadership opportunities arise through activities students may be involved in out of school hours.

"Students can take on liaison roles with different government and non-government organisations." Scott

The NSW Commission for Children and Young People and the NSW Youth Advisory Council of the Premier's Department are examples of organisations that invite young people to apply for positions on advisory boards and committees.