Senior School Update

The beginning of a new school year always brings a sense of possibility, and 2026 has opened with energy, optimism and purpose across our Senior School. Students in Years 9 to 12 have engaged wholeheartedly in the life of the School throughout Term 1, embracing opportunities in the classroom, on stage in Music, Dance and Drama, on the sporting field, and through service and community engagement.

What has been particularly heartening is the speed with which students have established positive and productive routines. Learning is being approached with curiosity and commitment, while co-curricular and enrichment activities are embraced not as add-ons but as integral to each student’s growth. These experiences are shaping confident, capable young people who are willing to contribute, collaborate and lead.

As is the case right across the School, we understand leadership not as a title reserved for a few, but as a quality that can be nurtured in all students. Leadership is developed through participation, taking initiative, and stepping forward in both familiar and unfamiliar settings. Whether through academic pursuits, sport, music and creative endeavours, or service to others, every student has opportunities to discover and develop their own leadership capacity.

Student leadership at our School is grounded in Quaker values of discernment, equality and deep listening. It is a process that ensures student voice is not only heard but actively shapes the life of the School. The election of student leaders begins with an open invitation for senior students to consider how they might serve their community. Leadership is framed as service rather than status - an opportunity to contribute, listen and act with integrity. Students who feel called to serve participate in reflection and preparation, supported by a nominated staff referee, considering their strengths, values and hopes for the School.

Candidates then share their intentions with the student body through a range of formats, including written statements, small group conversations and presentations, honouring different communication styles and neurodiverse strengths. We intentionally avoid performative or popularity-based campaigning, encouraging students instead to speak authentically about their desire to serve and the perspectives they would bring.

The selection process reflects our commitment to collective discernment and ensures appointments are thoughtful, balanced and aligned with the School’s values. Voting is conducted inclusively, with equal representation from both students and staff.

Diversity and inclusivity are central to our approach. Leadership is enriched when it reflects the breadth of experiences within our community. The Student Council includes positions designed to represent different year levels, interests and perspectives. Alongside Head Students and House Captains, there are Year Level Representatives and portfolio leaders focused on wellbeing, learning, service and inclusion. Co-leadership models are adopted where appropriate to ensure balanced representation. The result is a Student Council that genuinely reflects the diversity of gender identities, backgrounds and viewpoints within the School.

For students not appointed to a formal role on the Senior School Council, there are still meaningful avenues for leadership, including the Senior School Stewardship Committee, which is open to all students in Years 9 to 12. Meeting weekly, the Committee provides a platform for students to plan and lead service initiatives within the Senior School and across the broader community. Guided by the Student Council Service and Environment Representatives, members take responsibility for shaping projects, collaborating with peers, and ensuring initiatives reflect whole-school themes. Participation in the Committee enables students to accrue service hours toward the Service Award and The Friends’ Certificate, but more importantly, it empowers them to take meaningful action, influence outcomes and exercise leadership in tangible ways.

Our current Student Council is a vibrant, thoughtful group working collaboratively rather than hierarchically. They ensure every cohort has a voice, focus on key areas of School life and engage constructively with staff. Together, they model leadership as shared, service-oriented and community-minded.

Ultimately, our approach is shaped by the Quaker testimony of community. Leadership is most powerful when it is shared, when it arises from careful listening, and when it seeks the good of all. Through this process, we do not simply select student leaders; we cultivate a culture in which every student feels empowered to contribute, confident that their voice matters and their actions can make a difference.

Adam Chambers - Head of Senior School (Years 9 to 12)