Message from the

Director of Boarding

Student Leadership in a Boarding Community

As the eyes of the world focus on the leadership qualities of two world leaders at the US and North Korean summit, we are reminded of the challenges of modern day leadership and diplomacy. It begs the question: what does strong and effective leadership look like and are we, as individuals, all capable of being leaders?

Strong leadership is not inherited – it takes practice and is developed through experience and through positive role models and a quality education should play a significant role in developing within our children the qualities that will shape the leaders of tomorrow. When we think of leadership, and when we analyse the leadership of others we are usually drawn to leading sportsmen and women, Presidents and Prime Ministers, military heroes, film stars and celebrities. We are drawn to their magnetic personalities, their charisma, their sense of confidence and significant achievements. We naturally assume that these characters were born that way and that we as mere mortals start our own journey from a point of disadvantage. However, all of us, given the right opportunities have the capacity to be leaders in some form or other.

Leadership at Kinross Wolaroi takes many forms. In the classroom, on the sports field or in the recital room, our boys and girls are challenged to communicate, make decisions and influence. In the boarding houses, I have heard it said that leaders are forged as a by-product of the system; ‘the cream will rise to the top’. I disagree. Leadership is confidence and courage; confidence in one’s own abilities and courage to follow your heart. Leadership is also being able to listen and respect the views of others; leadership is about putting other people first. Leadership can be developed in us all given the right opportunities; opportunities to take risks, develop confidence and think critically.

The boarding community at Kinross Wolaroi should have a defining role in shaping leadership within young people with integrity, selflessness and a sense of service to the wider community. Boys and girls can thrive in quality boarding communities where the family values of mutual respect, integrity and honesty are championed, and which allow them the freedom and confidence to take risks.

As a boarding leader, I am committed to developing within our boarding students the understanding that they are contributing citizens in a global community so that they develop the capacity to serve and lead in an increasingly global world.  Through various opportunities and programs, our boarding community seeks to raise the self-worth and self-esteem of those in our care through leadership opportunities and the development of a supportive and nurturing culture where young people are encouraged to contribute and most importantly, to be themselves. One such program is happening in Weymouth House; the Wey talks (modelled on TED talks) provides an opportunity for each boy to stand up in front of his peers and engage them on a topic of his own choosing for a whole two minutes. It is a fantastic initiative and one of many that we, as a community, are looking to introduce in the coming months.

As a boarding community, we are entering a period of time where Heads of House and myself are looking to our next generation of leaders. We are looking for individuals who may not necessarily be the most popular, or be the best at sport or excel at the arts; we are looking for young people who have the courage to be themselves, who have a propensity to put others first and who have the confidence to lead by example in all that they do.

Leadership is a quality we can all aspire to and it takes many different forms. With the right opportunities and strong guidance, all KWS boarders can aspire to improving their leadership skills and maybe, one day, be in the spotlight themselves for all the right reasons.

Matt Curran

Director of Boarding