On Wednesday 12th October, Saint Christina’s School Councillors from Years 1 to 6 attended Mayor’s Question Time at City Hall. This excursion offered valuable opportnities to learn about leadership, politics and governance.
During Mayor’s Question Time we were privy to many interesting and fascinating debates about key issues of concern to Londoners in the lead up to the Olympic Games in 2012.
Among the issues presented in the chamber during the meeting were developments in the Cross Rail Project, plans for the Olympic stadium and corporate sponsorship, plans for the new Cable Car project on the east side of London and a review of the use of the ‘Boris bike’ Barclays cycle scheme. Our attendance at this meeting gave the councillors an opportunity to receive first hand insight into how a meeting is chaired, how an agenda is followed and how decisions are reached. We enjoyed listening to Mr. Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, as he answered many important questions put to him and witnessed involved debates during the meeting.
During our educational visit to City Hall we were given special access to the meeting chamber and we took great delight in being able to sit where the Mayor and London Assembly Councillors sit during the meeting. As we toured the beautiful Norman Foster designed building, we were able to look down on London from the top of City Hall on the wonderful spiral staircase! We also found out information about future plans for London and we attended a special education session with Mr. Richard Nicholson. Most importantly, we learned more about London and future plans for our great city.
Our experience and the memories of our day will stay with us and will assist us in our work at school council meetings this year.
Miss Villani with the School Councillors of Saint Christina’s School.