Wellbeing and Engagement
A video update from our Assistant Principal: Wellbeing and Engagement, Stephanie Smyth.
Stephanie Smyth
Assistant Principal:
Wellbeing and Engagement
Our 2021 College Co-Captains
As College Co-Captains, Ellie Carter and Laura Mitchell commence their leadership roles, they share their thoughts for the coming year, as well as reflect on their experiences of 2020.
What do you hope to accomplish in your role as College Captain for 2021?
As College Captains for 2021, we hope to promote our college theme of ‘Wonder: Celebrating all that is good with joy and gratitude'. We hope all who are a part of our College community feel encouraged to kick goals this year and that each achievement, big or small, is celebrated and recognised. We want to remind every student that they each have their own unique talents and gifts which they bring to our community and that each of these deserve to be acknowledged. We hope to build on the welcoming and inclusive environment that Kilbreda already is.
How did you become interested in a student leadership role?
Student leadership has always been an integral part of our Kilbreda experience. Both of us are so appreciative of the numerous opportunities on offer. We became interested in positions of leadership as we saw it as an opportunity to work with others in a team environment and support our College community. We have been inspired and encouraged by past leaders, staff and the work of the Brigidine Sisters who live and lead by our college motto, Strength and Kindliness and who view leadership as service to and for others. We will continue to learn from those around us.
What are the key responsibilities of being a College Co-Captain?
We both feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to be College Co-Captains this year and feel the top three responsibilities of being a College Co-Captain are:
- To be approachable and reliable members of the community, and to listen to and learn from others.
- To ensure each individual is included and treated with respect at all times, to strive for a community where all members feel valued and recognised.
- To lead with Strength and Kindliness.
How did you think last year’s Kilbreda Connect remote learning experience better supports you in your leadership role, if at all?
We both admit that we found remote learning to be incredibly challenging, as we lacked our ‘normal’ routine and structure and at times felt socially isolated.
However, we are grateful for the Kilbreda Connect model in the way that we both realised and loved the time online that we did have with our peers and teachers. The remote learning experience taught us that in leadership, it is important to recognise that each individual will experience things differently and encounter different challenges, so it is important to listen to others to get their perspective.
The Kilbreda Connect model also enabled us to learn the importance of being flexible and adaptable as there are times in leadership when things don't go to plan.
What is one word that describes the kind of College Co-Captain you would like to be?
Laura would like to be described as a College Co-Captain who is fair and respectful, and who displays empathy at all times in her interactions with others. Laura values connection with students from all year levels, as well as staff, and is always happy to have a chat!
Ellie would like to be described as being an authentic College Co-Captain who is approachable and always willing to listen in a respectful manner. She wants all students to know that she is always open for a chat or to offer advice. Ellie values her relationships and connections with peers and staff from all year levels and learning areas and hopes to make more this year!
What is one quality a good leader needs to have?
Although there are countless qualities which make a good leader, Ellie believes that one important quality a good leader needs to have is to have passion. To be passionate about creating positive change in a position of leadership and also in supporting others. This is important in reminding all that they are valued, treasured members of our College community and are capable of achieving great things.
Laura thinks that each person’s idea of what a leader is differs, however she believes that one quality a good leader needs to have is the ability to empathise with and listen to others. This is important in striving to create an environment where each individual feels heard and recognised.
Describe the most enjoyable aspect of being part of the Kilbreda College community.
This is a hard one are there are too many enjoyable aspects! However, we think the fact that our College is such a welcoming environment already, which recognises and values each person, is what makes being part of this amazing community so enjoyable! We would describe it (as we have many times before) as being like “one big happy family”.
What is one thing you would like to take from the experience of being a College Co- Captain?
Being College Co-Captains for 2021 is such an honour, that we both feel so blessed to have been selected. We hope we can make the most of this opportunity in the year to come!
If there is one thing we would both like to take from this experience it would be to have built valuable connections with others and to have learnt lessons from working with others along the way.
Laura Mitchell and Ellie Carter
College Co-Captains