Pastoral Focus

Humility, clarity and courage

There are three essentials to leadership: humility, clarity and courage." 

_ Chan Master Fuchan Yuan

Leadership is the ultimate act of service to a community. Earlier this term we asked our Year 11 students to nominate themselves for leadership. I was thrilled when 31 students expressed an interest in becoming student leaders in 2025. That’s around one in three of the cohort. 

Each student was then required to write a vision statement about leadership. Master Fuchan Yuan would have thoroughly approved of each one for its humility, clarity and courage. All the more impressive when you consider the age of the applicants writing these vision statements to be read by their peers. 

The first round of voting included the whole school - students and teachers. The numbers of votes polled showed just how highly regarded the Year 11 aspiring leaders are in this school.

The top six students are now preparing a speech to deliver to the whole school on Monday at St George’s Cathedral, on what kind of School Captain they would be. An interview with Mrs Campbell, Mr Hayward and myself will follow - not an easy process to navigate. The results will be made known at the Handover Assembly in Term Four. The feeling that 2025 is fast approaching is tangible. I wish each of these six students the very best as they consider what it means to be the School Captain of our school. 

R U OK? Day

Tuesday 10 of September is R U OK? Day at St George’s. Please take the time to check in on a friend or loved one. It is impossible to quantify the impact such a simple statement can have on someone’s life. Equally, as I tell all our students, don’t be afraid to say ‘I’m not OK’. Help can always be found for someone in need.

Mr Ian Thompson

Head of Pastoral Care - Wellbeing