Year 11 Leadership Camp

The first learning session we participated in was about the Herrmann Brain Preferences. It was really interesting to learn about our thinking preferences and styles of which there were 4 different preferences. The preferences were strategise, organise, analyse and personalise, with strategise and organise going against each other, as well as analyse and personalise going against each other. As a part of the activity for this session we all had to choose, trade and find the cards (which had personality traits on them) that best fit ourselves, it was a very fun activity and by the end we had all learned a lot about ourselves and our peers.

The collaboration with Professor Lea Waters was the first session  the leadership group had the chance to gain visible well-being by identifying the character strengths we individuals obtain, but need to explore on how to use them. Professor Lea organised some activities that focus on the strengths and weaknesses we all have in ourselves and the 24-character strength quiz we all did was really utilised well to help all students see the top strengths they have and the ones they need to work on. Followed by a fun activity with character cards, incorporating everyone into communicating with each other, seeing the similarities we all hold and the differences that make us unique. Further on everyone was organised into groups according to their colour and strengths they belong to and received a challenge to make a rap about why their colour (represents their main strength) was the best. It involved everyone working with time, and words and learning to enjoy themselves.  Many teams made touches of humour and amazing and interesting raps which brought us all smiles. Thank you to Professor Lea Water for running her session with us, it really gave a new insight into ourselves and reflectiveness we all can take back into our lives. 

During the first night session for the LDP conference, we had a meaningful experience where we discussed issues that need to be addressed around the school with the help of the Attitudes to School Survey. It was wonderful to collaborate with each other, sharing our insights and perspectives to brainstorm effective solutions. The conversations were engaging, and the opportunity to debate and refine our ideas boosted the process, allowing us to speak up on our opinions. The exchange of feedback was constructive and further allowed us to explore the different approaches and agree on the most efficient way to address these challenges. All in all, it was an eye-opening experience that left us feeling more optimistic and empowered to make a positive impact.

On the second day of our leadership camp, we had the privilege of working with Edmund King, who organised us into teams of 6-7 members. Our first challenge was to balance a set of nails on top of each other, a task that initially seemed impossible. However, as we began to communicate more effectively, sharing our thoughts and ideas, the task became easier. This activity emphasised the importance of teamwork, good communication, and patience. By collaborating and supporting each other, we successfully balanced the nails, proving that what seemed difficult at first could be achieved through collective effort and mutual understanding. 

In the second activity, we were rearranged into new groups and tasked with passing a ball among team members as quickly as possible. The goal was simple, but each team approached it with increasing creativity and determination. With each round, we explored different strategies, showcasing our adaptability and innovative thinking. This exercise highlighted not only the value of creativity and teamwork but also the importance of maintaining good communication and patience. As we worked together, we discovered that by listening to each other and trying new ideas, we could continuously improve and achieve our goal more efficiently. Overall, the activities reinforced the critical role of teamwork in overcoming challenges and reaching our objectives.

The amazing race uplift event was an exciting team based challenge designed to bring people together through friendly competition. This was the most physically and emotionally challenging competition throughout the camp! We had to navigate through many checkpoints where we were tasked with completing challenges and solving puzzles. The amount of teamwork, nerves and patience required for this game is insane, however at the same time, I believe this was the thing that bonded our group. People who were strangers to each other just a few hours ago were now standing together figuring out the shortest and most effective way to get to our destination, were cooperating in order to finish the challenge or lead us to the nearest train station. Amazing experience!!!

On the last night students were put into several groups that required everyone’s participation and cooperation. Students enthusiastically engaged in a series of team challenges including quizzes, charades and general knowledge activities, fostering a vibrant and collaborative atmosphere. The quizzes tested their grasp of various topics, pushing them to recall and apply their knowledge under pressure. This tested the students ability to think quickly and accurately. Charades added a dynamic and humorous element, as team members acted out clues the teachers had to guess what the students were acting out. This encouraged students to communicate with each other and work as a team. Overall the experience was super fun, we all got to work with people we don’t usually interact with and got to make new friends. This helped the students step out of their comfort zone and work with new people which enhances their leadership qualities. 

On the final day of our camp, we had the incredible opportunity to delve into the theme of self-discovery with two remarkable speakers. Drew Ginn, a three-time Olympic gold medallist, shared his inspiring journey with us. He spoke candidly about his life experiences, including the setbacks and failures that have shaped him into the person he is today. Drew also provided valuable insights into true leadership, emphasizing the importance of resilience and personal growth. It was truly awesome having Drew speak with us.

Meanwhile, Mrs Ogden spoke to us about her journey of becoming the amazing leader she is today; Dandenong High’s principal. She taught us the importance of keeping our goal in sight to always move forward and to pursue our dreams. She also emphasised that there will be times in life when you might feel dissatisfied with something. However, it’s important to always remember the purpose behind what you’re doing and keep that in mind.

Both speakers left us with powerful reflections on the nature of leadership and the importance of embracing our own journeys.

Year 11 Leadership Development Students