The Representative Council of Learners (RCL) is the backbone of leadership in the learner body. It consists of a group of 80 learners from Grades 8 to 12 who have been elected by their peers to lead and represent them. The RCL members elect an executive team, each member of which is eligible for district and provincial leadership and serves on the school’s governing body. In 2022, Greenside High School has two members of its RCL executive representing the school on the Johannesburg North District RCL body.
The RCL is responsible for embodying the rights and responsibilities of the learners. The members act both as role models and as advocates for their peers. The body upholds the school’s code of conduct whilst encouraging healthy and value-based debate on how it can better serve and protect the learners of the school. RCL learners lead the process of encouraging learner input in the smooth running of the school and make sure that our code of conduct is relevant and up-to-date.
The twelve values of the school are fully present in the RCL’s active service to the learners of the school and the wider community. The RCL has initiated some successful collections throughout the year, which have made a difference in many lives in the school and the wider community. Over 1 500 non-perishable food items were collected in honour of Mandela Day 2022. These were donated to local charity organisations and were immediately put to good use. A successful Women’s Day fundraiser generated a large donation towards alleviating period poverty.
Our RCL encourages leadership, accountability and service throughout the school. In the words of Albert Schweitzer, “Example is leadership.”