Student Wellbeing and Learning

Student Leadership in Action

We are proud of the direction and strength of our Student Leadership Program at Greenhills. We see student leadership not only in what we do inside the classroom but how we support the younger students in the school yard. Our Year 5/6 LEAD program provides students with a strong foundation for developing and demonstrating the qualities of effective leadership.

In Year 5, students begin by learning about the traits of successful leaders and work towards earning four leadership badges:

L - Listen E - Empower A - Agency D - Drive

In Year 6, students can earn two additional badges:

E - Engage R - Reflect

To earn a badge, students must provide three documented examples of how they have demonstrated that leadership quality. These are then reviewed and approved by their classroom teacher and a member of the Principal Team. In Year 6, these badges become a key part of the process for selecting formal Student Leadership positions.

All Year 5/6 students are seen as leaders, regardless of whether they hold a badge or a formal role. Each Friday, students work in Action Teams that aim to make a meaningful impact on our school and the wider community. These Action Teams are a highlight and allow students to explore things they are passionate about improving at school and inside the local community. Below are summaries of some of the exciting work being undertaken by our Student Leadership Teams:

Community Action Team

Are aiming to bring a further sense of connection across the school. This week (Friday), they have organised a lunchtime disco for students and next week they have a comfy clothes and movie day. The group will also be supporting the Breakfast Club program. They are excited about an upcoming Bake Sale where they will raise funds for a local charity and also looking at other ways to have a positive impact on the community.

Environment Action Team

Have been working hard to improve the school grounds by cleaning up rubbish and improving garden beds. They have been keeping Curiosity Creek looking great by raking sand and clearing out the creek area. They are working at turning Max’s shed into ‘Max’s Memorial Garden,’ where students can go and garden and it will be a special place for all. The team is looking to replant planter boxes, repainting the friendship seat and covering up the fence area of the Tiger Turf oval to stop balls going under.

Inclusion Action Team

The Inclusion Action Team has focused on making Greenhills a better place, where all feel valued. The team is busy working on some mini projects, which include the following;

Kindness rocks, where students will paint special messages of kindness.
Creating mini lessons, which they will teach to younger students around how to treat people at school and lessons around understanding culture to support Harmony Day
The team is also working towards creating a mural around the school.

Teaching and Learning Action Team

The Teaching and Learning Team has been working on several smaller projects including:

Surveying students about how they like to learn.
Developing mini lessons for 5/6 students to teach younger students.
Developing guides for Year 4 students starting Year 5 next year, including explaining how things work in Year 5/6, like Inter-School Sport.

The teaching and learning team also includes the Technology team, who have been:

Developing digital school displays to display important information in some classroom windows.
Maintaining the printers across the school including refilling paper.
Checking 3/4 iPads to ensure they are charging and working.
Using school maps to explore where security cameras could be placed

We also have our House Leaders, Junior School Council and Specialist Captains working hard on their individual projects. This leadership in action truly helps make Greenhills the GREAT place it is!

Janine Hough Brad Ryan

janine.hough@education.vic.gov.au bradley.ryan@education.vic.gov.au