SCHOOL NEWS

LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

The Senior School Captains gathered on a brisk Thursday morning on 20 February ready for our leadership conference at St Leonard’s College. The early morning began as we took the trip down together from McKinnon to St Leonard’s; grouped in a minibus, chatting excitedly for the inspiring day to come.

We met at 8:45am with captains from a variety of other schools including; Brighton, Bentleigh, Glen Eira, St Leonard’s, Scotch College and various others. It was engaging to speak and mingle with everyone, seeing the differences in how schools are run and how different captains have different responsibilities. The theme for the day was ‘Dare to…’: Dare to Inspire, Dare to Innovate, and Dare to be Vulnerable.

The first lecturer was Alex Dekker, founder of ‘Alex Makes Meals’ a food charity that provides meals to those in need. His story began at the height of covid where his sister, a healthcare worker, was struggling and needed help so he decided to cook for her. Alex then proceeded to post on facebook asking if anyone else needed meals and if anyone was willing to help. As a 19-year-old, he had thousands of responses from both those willing to help and those in need, and as a result, he needed to join the two. 

Alex continued and has since won various awards including Young Melbournian of the Year in 2024. A few key lessons he taught us includes kindness pays dividends, break the course outlined for you and make your own way. All of which, contributing to the overarching question he had us asking ourselves, ‘how do you create change?’, especially as young leaders.

This was then followed by a workshop run by Dr Ananth Gopal. He posed a few ideas to us and then we discussed what we had learnt with a partner (a random captain). We had some very interesting conversations that included what we were passionate about and even how Alex used various techniques when he spoke to seem authentic and engage us such as moving around and having strong eye contact without relying on a speech.

After a delicious morning tea, the captains attended another inspiring lecture, given by Jeremy Loeliger, the former Commissioner, CEO and General Manager of Australia’s National Basketball League from 2015 to 2024. When Jeremy joined the NBL leadership team, they were on the brink of bankruptcy and it was up to Jeremy’s responsibility and innovation to rebuild the company, eventually becoming a flourishing mainstream national sporting league that has basketball fans following closely from around the globe. 

In his presentation, Jeremy’s focus was on failure and how to tackle those challenging moments when all seemed lost. Everyone who attended could relate to this fear and Jeremy provided some useful advice to take onboard. From past experiences, Jeremy knew how to use failure as a stepping stone to success and made an emphasis on failing quickly to rebuild and learn from those mistakes that are made.

We were greeted by Dr Ananth Gopal once again for another workshop, following the lecture we had just attended, unpacking what we had just heard. Sitting at tables full of more captains we’d never met, we discussed various topics regarding leadership and the safety net we create for ourselves through anxiety. We explored innovation and delved into how it relates to us as young leaders, proving to be valuable information.

We had an amazing lunch catered by St Leonards which was then preceded by another lecture by Alison Budgen. She is an organisational consultant, speaker and coach who has a varied and diverse yet extremely impressive past in leadership. Alison spoke about being vulnerable and about how once you do, given the correct circumstance and delivery, it opens people up to you and allows for leadership. She provided examples of when she was vulnerable but importantly why she was vulnerable and in what circumstance she chose to be vulnerable. For example in a group assessment for a job, Alison was initially uncomfortable and then decided to rely on her own background giving her confidence in herself. Only once she made this decision was it suitable for her to be vulnerable. 

She asked us to talk to our partners about good and bad leaders that we have experienced and some common themes for good leaders included: caring, making an effort and understanding people. This led to the ultimate takeaway that once you are vulnerable people open themselves up, communicate better and work more collaboratively but this must come in specific situations where it is appropriate.

The day then wrapped up with a group photo, with all the captains coming together one last time before departing and taking this information with them, adding to their knowledge as the next generation of young leaders at their respective schools. We would like to thank all those who spoke on the day, the caterers, St Leonard’s College, the St Leonard’s captains who were crucial throughout the day, as well as Ms Jobson who drove us to St Leonard’s and back as well as motivating and supporting all the captains throughout the day. 

Jake Lasnitzki & Amelie Villella

Senior School Captains

THE TOMORROW PERSON

I think we all had a collective feeling walking into the Hall on our first day of Year 12. How on earth will we become a connected cohort?

Every year, as we watch the Year 12 assemblies, we watch them gather as a team. And every year we wonder, will we be like that?

The tomorrow person seminars have been ongoing for several years, giving our year level a safe place to reflect and bond with one another. Yet, this year felt different... Groups of about 25 were chosen by gender and ran throughout the day. These small intimate groups encouraged us to be vulnerable and honest, providing a safe space to explore our relationships with one another.

One activity prompted us to walk to various spots in the room when asked particular questions. The various points in the room indicated whether behaviours such as "rumours" and "support" were always or never present, or somewhere in between. The activity highlighted the similarities and differences we experience as a cohort, and it made us wonder why different people felt differently.

Our final exercise of the day pushed us to express our true thoughts towards one another, including compliments and apologies. As we all sat in a circle, we gradually began to melt together, realising that we were truly going through this together. People expressed their genuine emotions and pondered on their connections during our school experience. People got an opportunity to compliment people with whom they had never spoken before, or people they’ve known their entire lives.

The Tomorrow person workshop has helped our year level get one step closer. Suddenly people smile at you in the hallways, who never used to. Bringing us one step closer for the next Year 11’s to ask: How on earth will we become a connected cohort?

Alice Fletcher

Year 12 Student

THE TOMORROW MAN

Overall, the Tomorrow man workshop was a very positive and enjoyable learning experience for myself and Lachie. It shed a light on what people truly experienced in their everyday life and helped us reflect on how we can band together to help support each other through their own mental journeys. 

On the day we started off by analyzing what it is to be a man, and we took in many different life lessons on what qualities and stereotypes are stigmatized in men in today's day and age. We talked about and expressed how important your mates are and checking up on each other and that it's vital to ask are you ok? The room I was in was very respectful when people were speaking, and I felt very comfortable to help support people and talk openly about issues lots of people face. 

The employees from the tomorrow man workshop were very professional and really helped to bring out everyone's true genuine self to the room. I was very glad I was able to be a part of the workshop. It truly has been a highlight of my high school experience and an eye opener.

Ben Lewis & Lachlan Jackson

Year 12 Students