Student reps set goals for school year

Realschule Heepen students in grades 8-10 elected new representatives in September for the 2020-2021 school year. Sherif Gariba and Candy Tappe spoke were interviewed after election victories about future goals for the school and how it feels to have been elected by peers. Who are you? Candy: My name is Candy, I'm 15 years old, and I am in the class 10b. Sherif: I'm Sherif Gariba, I'm still 15 years old, and I’m in the 10c class with Mr. Tie. How does it feel to be elected by the students of this school? Sherif: I feel very honored that 237 students elected me. I didn't expect that myself, and it is a very nice feeling to be elected. And I am also very grateful that the students chose me. Candy: In general, I found the election campaign very fun and exciting. I am also very thankful to have been elected by so many people, to get a confirmation that you have done something right. Sherif: Because I know that a lot of people are not behind you, but are rushing after you – and what Candy said is a confirmation, that people are behind you, and that people support your stuff. I think that's very good. Why do you think you are suited for this job? What qualifies you, or which character traits make you perfect for the job? Candy: I speak for both of us. We want to make a difference at this school, and we just believe that there are many things that can be changed or improved at this school, and I think that we can help the school even more. Sherif: I am also very happy that I am not the only student speaker, because then I have a right hand beside me, and it is better to work as a team than alone. And I'm very goal-oriented and interested in the job because, like Candy said, I want to change things with the students, teachers, and parents. What do you think was the reason why people chose you? What was the background idea? Sherif: I think what appealed to a lot of people, which was similar to what we had, was the cell phone usage that we wrote. I was often told that I would become the student representative because many people know me. But that doesn't matter, in my opinion. It's one thing if people know me, and it's another thing if you convince people with the things you want to bring to the table. Candy: I think that was also because I asked other students what they would like to improve or change at school. And I also took some [of their] goals, and I think the fact that they came from the students made it more [compelling], because they agreed with the message.

What do you want to change at this school? And what is your first goal? Candy: Well, I think we want to change as much as possible. But for me, it was, for example, what I want to change is that there is an app where you can see the substitution plan, because it was also a wish of the teachers, and so I think we will work on it together.

Sherif: Well, first of all: exactly what she said. And my goal is that every student should feel comfortable at school, and that is a very important thing. What I want to concentrate on is the substitution plan, and it would be nice to have a water dispenser here in [our building].

So, the concrete goals that you are striving for is a water dispenser for the main building and an online substitution plan. Sherif: But in my opinion, it's bad if we don't manage to do all the things on our list, give them to the next students. It's just a small step we take, but it still makes a difference. Candy: But if we can do this during Corana, is the other question. We will try for it will be available after Corona times. How exactly do you want to achieve these goals? Do you have an exact plan? Sherif: Well, we have an SV meeting and then we will talk together about the pros and cons of it, and when we have talked about it, we would go to the teachers or to Principal Schweter and present our ideas and suggestions. And, that is also his decision and the decision of the parents and students, if we will do it.