From the Director of Pedagogy and Innovation

Capacity to Thrive 

The end of term three is a unique time in the Senior School, particularly in Years 11 and 12. Year 12 can now count their remaining days on two hands, and Year 11 are eager to make the switch next term into their final year. As I worked with Year 11 this week it is easy to see the change in them since many of them were recently given School Leadership positions. There is a sense of pride, duty and excitement as they start to work out how to best fill the role they were awarded. In thinking about this, I realised as a school we need to make sure these students have what they need to fulfil their role, on top of their study requirements.  Wickman and Boer suggest that the four types of capacity we should be building in our students are emotional, intellectual, physical and time capacity. 

Emotional Capacity

Student leaders need to have the heart to feel what others are feeling and a willingness to be real and connect with others. They need the capacity to be able to walk a mile in other’s shoes to understand the challenges they face. Emotional capacity also includes the ability to be open and honest with themselves. It is important to be humbly confident and to be self-aware enough to know how you are influencing other people. 

Intellectual Capacity

The brains to do the work of leading. Leaders need the ability to anticipate, prioritise, think critically, strategise, systematize, solve complex problems and plan. F. Scott Fitzgerald describes intelligence as “the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.”

Physical Capacity

The energy, tenacity and stamina to do what it takes to finish what you start. Many of us are great ‘starters’ but as a leader it is also important to be a great ‘finisher’. It is vital that leaders get their hands dirty when necessary and devote the time and energy to implementation and completing projects and initiatives. Balancing this with their workload is a dynamic and fluid process. 

Time Capacity

Effective leaders need to have the self-discipline to use their time well. Wickham and Boer say they need “to avoid the tyranny of urgency, to structure, prioritise, organise and delegate in a way that frees up and optimizes the most precious resource of all – time.”

These four capacities may seem obvious and simplistic. However, as teens with competing priorities, focusing on these areas and making incremental steps will be a 12 month journey. I am looking forward to seeing their confidence and leadership grow as they reflect on their personal strengths and what they bring as an individual to the role. 

Mr Chris Sanders

Director of Pedagogy and Innovation