The Royal Ballet School's White Lodge students have shared insightful reflections on how the Student Council has significantly enhanced their confidence and empowerment.
At this institution, numerous leadership opportunities are available for students across all year groups. With roles ranging from the Student Council to Head Boys and Girls, many students eagerly seize the chance to express their opinions and represent their peers.
Madeline and Rafferty, both Year 7 students, quickly became involved with the Student Council shortly after arriving at White Lodge. Following a call to action from Tara Kirkwood, the head of Year 7, they were encouraged to submit brief paragraphs explaining their interest in joining the council.
Maddie explained her motivation: "I chose to join the Student Council because I wanted to enhance my confidence and advocate for those who might not feel brave enough to voice their thoughts. I aimed to ensure fairness for everyone, allowing them to enjoy their time here. As I was still gaining confidence in interacting with others and adapting to boarding life, I believed that being part of the council would give me a significant boost. It has indeed enriched my experience here; I now feel comfortable speaking openly with everyone, fostering a sense of openness that I truly appreciate."
Rafferty echoed Maddie’s sentiments, adding, "Having participated in the Student Council at my previous school for several years, I felt that continuing this involvement at White Lodge would allow me to help others express their opinions and ensure their voices were heard. I am grateful to be part of the Student Council as a Year 7 member because it feels like our contributions are valued just as much as those from older students who have been here longer. It’s an exhilarating feeling."
Lucinda, a Year 8 student who joined the council this year, expressed her enthusiasm about representing her peers and acquiring valuable leadership skills. She stated, "Last year, I applied for the Student Council but wasn’t selected, so I tried again this year and was thrilled to be chosen. I see it as a fantastic opportunity. Being part of the Student Council can lead to important positions like Head Girl and Head Boy. I enjoy being in the council because it provides a platform to share feedback about various aspects of the school with my classmates and staff. It’s also great to connect with representatives from other year groups, as we don’t often interact with them otherwise."
Each week, the members of the Student Council send out a link to their fellow students, allowing them to share suggestions or concerns. The council reviews these messages and forwards them to the house parents, who may arrange additional meetings to address common issues. This term, Maddie and Rafferty have been particularly focused on improving meal options and ensuring proper nutrition for all students.
"We held a meeting with the catering staff to gather everyone’s preferences regarding food. Naturally, everyone has unique tastes based on their home experiences, so we're striving to incorporate these ideas in a practical way," Maddie elaborated.
Rafferty added, "Some students prefer spicy and flavorful dishes like curry, while others lean towards simpler options such as pasta. Our goal is to provide enough variety so that everyone receives adequate nutrition and enjoys their meals."
During their nightly house meetings, the council discusses past meetings, upcoming events, and any potential changes. They aim to incorporate everyone’s perspectives. Each morning during registration or assembly, they gather ideas to bring to their next meeting, allowing for swift changes within just a few weeks.
The student representatives also meet biannually with staff members from various departments, including catering, maintenance, and academic staff. Rafferty remarked, "The staff actively took notes during our discussions about potential improvements, demonstrating that they were genuinely listening to us and providing constructive feedback on how we could collaborate to enhance our environment. It feels rewarding to know that our opinions are being acknowledged and that our hopes are materializing."
Lucinda highlighted a recent success achieved by the council: introducing sushi to the menu and advocating for more pinboards in the common rooms to create a cozier atmosphere. "Our buildings are steeped in rich heritage, but there’s always room for improvement. It’s gratifying to see our year group’s requests come to fruition and realize, yes, we made that happen."
For all three students, the inaugural half-term meeting with staff was a memorable experience. Maddie recalled, "My favorite memory was that first meeting; I’d never participated in such a formal discussion before. One of the house parents was taking minutes, and I genuinely felt that my opinions, along with my friends’ views, were valued. I felt significant."
Rafferty agreed, stating, "Mine is likely the first meeting too. Even though I’ve participated in Student Council meetings at my old school, this felt distinct. It seemed more official since everyone had already documented their ideas, and the staff were genuinely engaged. In my previous experience, our suggestions didn’t always lead to change, but here, every opinion matters, making our vision possible."
Lucinda enjoys witnessing the collaborative spirit among different year groups and staff: "My favorite aspect of being in the council is attending the meetings and meeting various artistic and catering staff members. We don’t typically see them all together. I’m hopeful that we’ll have more meetings in the future, and that each one will be even better than the last."
