For anyone who's interested in student leadership at this school, here's an update that was sent to Year 5 families earlier this week. Be sure to read the last section, even if you skip the rest, as we have a special event next Friday that some year 5 families won't want to miss!

We have been busy preparing for the year 5s to become our student leaders next year! This is what we've done so far:

1) Luke talked with students about what leadership means to him and then students brainstormed their own definitions of leadership after a 'leader/not leader' concept game.

2) The current Year 6 student leaders presented the 2026 student leadership roles and responsibilities to the year 5s, noting several changes coming about as result of Year 6 student experience and feedback this year.

3) Students completed an expression of interest form. We had a record 54 students express interest in a leadership position, but there are only approximately 28 positions available! For students who aren't interested in a formal leadership position or don't manage to secure a 'badged' leadership role, there will be other opportunities including committees (one for the production and one for Science Week) and of course the Buddy program, which they may be able to help organise and run.

4) Sra. Karren has been supporting me and the year 5s by exploring what leadership means in Wellbeing (including the challenges of being a leader), and has started working with the Year 5s on the new student leadership contract by getting them to review the old contract. I'm keen to get student input into the new student leadership contract, which will need to be signed by students and families (just for the students getting a 'badged' leadership position).

5) We ran student interviews. Each student had 5 minutes to do some final preparation (the waiting area had inspirational quotes about leadership and a reminder of the questions that I would be asking) and then they had a 5 minute interview with me. I asked them about leadership, responsibility and dedication, and the roles that they're interested in. I touch typed, so that I can share everything that every student said with the other teachers when we make joint decisions. We will also take into account their behaviour and effort in all of their classes and out in the yard. Roles will be finalised after the Bilingual School Leaders are decided upon through preferential voting.

What's next? Speeches & voting for the 2026 Bilingual School Leaders

Next Friday 5th December, the students who are running for the Bilingual School Leader role will present their speeches to the whole school and then all students and staff will cast their votes. Voting will be preferential, like in our government elections.

This special assembly on Friday 5th December will take place in the gym starting at 12:15pm and should conclude by 1:00, when voting will begin.

Families are welcome to come along if they'd like to be present for the speeches, but they will need to leave for the voting. We will do our best to record the speeches and hopefully also livestream the event unless technology fails us!

It's such a pleasure and privilege to be working with this year's student leaders and preparing next year's students for leadership, and I greatly look forward to supporting them as leaders next year.

Warm regards,

Nerida

Community Inquiry specialist teacher and Student Empowerment

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