Year 10 Young Leaders Program

Across Semester 1 four Year 10 Students have been involved in the Young Leaders Healthy Masculinity Program. This pilot program has brought together nine Outer East Secondary Schools in which 4-6 Year 10 Boys from each school attended Emerald Secondary College across two dates to explore, dissect and discuss what it is to be a Young Male in today's society. The program offered one full workshop day back in March which explored the topics of Gender Norms, Stereotypes, Where's the Line with Banter, Leadership, Role Models and Social Peer Pressure. The amount of discussion, group collaboration, storytelling and genuine interest was really terrific to see from all students across the nine schools. It was pleasing to hear students discuss their own male role models, personal challenges felt as a young male and the community expectation on them.

Students were then asked to take this information back to their Schools and complete a project to create awareness around one of the topics discussed. On Wednesday 6 May our students took over the successful Wellbeing Wednesday and encouraged students to have a M8 D8 on the upcoming M8's Day (Friday 8 May). This campaign gave students conversation starters and asked Norwood students to make an effort to genuinely check in with a friend rather than just the superficial chats and banter routinely used in social settings. The afternoon was highly successful with lots of insightful conversations held in the wellbeing space and surrounding courtyard.

This week Students returned to Emerald SC for their Presentation Day. All schools spoke for approximately 10 minutes about what they organised within their own school, and detailed their challenges, successes and everything in between. We are very proud of the boys who (in my opinion) gave the best Presentation but across the whole program showed genuine interest, care and a want for change in the space of male leadership. Hopefully the information provided will allow our Male students greater confidence to be themselves, display vulnerability and not just follow the pack. A key focus moving forward is to highlight the importance of respect for themselves, each other, woman and giving a strong academic performance for future opportunities.

A huge well done to Jack, Cooper, Lucas and Toby for representing the College so well.