SRC Matters
The concept of having a Student Representative Council at the Junior School emerged from previous traditional Prefect or Monitor systems. The body of office-bearers consists of Grade Seven boys who represent all boys of the School, carry out daily duties, generate support within the community and act as role models and custodians of various School Codes.
Councillors are elected to office after peer and staff voting processes have been carried out during the boys’ Grade Six year. From this process arises the selection of two boys to lead the SRC – otherwise known as the Guardians of the Banner. Like their predecessors and fellow councillors, they are expected to be fully committed to the cause – to serve; to maintain traditional standards and to be involved in the Academic, Sport, Cultural and Social (acronym: SACS!) arenas of the School.
The Council attends a Team-Building Camp and receives Peer Mediation training at the beginning of each year. Here, aspects of teamwork, communication, conflict management and community service are introduced through a variety of experiential activities. Following this, each boy is assigned to a class ranging from Grade
One to Grade five. Duties for the year include a support role for the Class Teacher as well as general tasks such as litter-watch and reports at weekly assemblies. It is especially in their roles as Class Monitor that they learn to harness their interpersonal skills, to practice their mediation techniques and to exercise true patience.
The highlight of the year for the team is the annual Worcester/SACS/Rustenburg Leadership Exchange Programme. Cultural diversity issues are addressed and better understood. New friendships are forged.
An important part of the Councillor’s role at SACS is involvement in the School’s Outreach Programme. The SRC is actively involved in the co-ordination of events such as Sandwich Collections, Games Evenings, Film Shows and visits to hospitals, animal care centres, the elderly and needy children.
Against the backdrop of tradition, new trends have been adopted over the years. Many Councillors move on to take up various leadership roles through their High School careers. A major feature of the School’s philosophy is played out in the existence of the SRC. Each SACS boy is expected to ‘spread the name and swell the fame of the SAC’ whilst acting out the meaning of our School motto, ‘Spectemur Agendo’ – Let us be judged by our deeds. The SACS Junior Councillor is no exception to this long-standing tradition from South Africa’s oldest school.
(Click on the following links to view our SRC in action!)