East Campus News

Student Leadership @ Year 11 & 10

Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 August, 2018 were very important training days for students in Years 10 & 11 as they experienced training and reflected on the importance of leadership. This week’s newsletter will focus on the Year 11 Leadership day, with a reflection on the year 10 day held over until next week.

The principal aim of the Leadership Training Day was to explore the ministry and essence of leadership within an environment of care and respect for everybody.  Leadership recognises the gifts and talents of the many, the community and the individual and harnessing these gifts for the good of all. The day took students on journey to explore their uniqueness, talents, weaknesses and strengths to open their eyes, hearts and minds to the prospect of becoming College Leaders in 2019. Regardless of title, the true leader is the servant leader, as we know in Jesus and our beloved St Peter.

Jesus washes the Disciples Feet – the servant leader

…..He came to Simon Peter, who said to him “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”  (John: 13)

The following are student reflections as they best describe this wonderful day.

"Year 11 leadership day was a very influential and inspiring event due to every talk a teacher gave and the activities that represent leadership itself. When that day had finished, I had definitely become more motivated and confident for house captain." (Trishaal)

"Year 11 Leadership Day was a very insightful experience which gave us helpful tips on how to approach leadership positions. We learnt about successful leaders in society, how to overcome fears regarding public speaking and we even got advice from the captains themselves. This experience has encouraged me and others I know to go for leadership positions for 2019."  (Monica)

"For me, leadership day was a motivating experience which had concreted my decision to go for a leadership role. I’ve taken into account the characteristics/qualities of inspiring leaders which has given me an insight of how I may lead others. It also allowed us to utilise team work and communication skills within our year level. I look forward to further developing my skills, and demonstrating them as a senior leader in the college." (Tenneale)

On Monday, we participated in a leadership day program for the upcoming leadership positions for next year. It was a great way to gain perspective on roles and what it means to work in a team. Personally it inspired me to work on myself to be of leader I can be. " (Maureen)

"The leadership training day this year has really helped me make my decision on the leadership role I would like to apply myself in for next year. The Q&A panel with the College Leaders from this year really helped me understand the roles and what was expected of for each of the leaders. The teamwork activity we did involving the egg drop was a really fun activity that had everyone working together to find the best solution. Overall it was an extremely helpful day and it has definitely urged me to go on to apply for a leadership position."  (Natasha)

"The Reflection Day provided us with a clear understanding of what it takes to be a Servant Leader. Working in small groups allowed us to gain a better insight into the other people in our house we may not have spoken to. It was also interactive, like when we worked in groups and tried to drop an egg without it smashing and also having the chance to talk to the current leaders of the school." (Liam)

"I found leadership day this year to be very different from other years, it was much more organised and had so much more information on what makes a great leader and how we can use our strengths to become one. Having the current student leaders and Ms Banda come in and talk to us was not only a really informative part of the day, it was an example of great leadership. The day has really inspired many students to take charge and has opened up a whole new avenue for others who had never thought of being a leader before."  (Ophelia)

"Yesterday’s leadership training day was motivating. I thought that working in groups to make the egg parachute, observing and learning from different leaders, understanding who a leader is and learning about what the different leadership roles required you to do were interesting and enjoyable.  These encouraged me to go for a Captain role because I was inspired by the different types of leaders and the personality quiz result motivated me as well because it helped me understand who I am more." (Prerna)

On behalf of all Year 11 students, I would like to sincerely thank staff and students involved in this most successful day, especially  the House Leaders, our Pastoral Care Leader (Ms McRae), Mr Matt Williams and the College Captains 2018 for their insight and wisdom.

College Captains Video and Q & A   Panel Reflections from the 2018 College Captains

Last week the Leadership Group was asked to create a short video on what our roles were in the school. The main aim of these videos were to give everyone in the school and mostly the Year 11's (future leaders) a look at what our roles were and how we were able to manage our study time and our duties as leaders. In these interviews, held by a group of Year 9’s, we were given the opportunity to reflect on our roles and the contribution we were making to the college community. In being paired with another captain, we were able to see how diverse the college community really is, and the change that can be created through the many different avenues that the college provides for us. It was an eye-opening moment to realise that everyone had the opportunity and potential to be a leader, and to contribute to our legacy as the College Executive of 2018 was a great opportunity.

"As part of the Captain role, the Executive College Captains took part in the Year 11 Leadership Day Q&A session. This was beneficial not only for the Year 11’s looking to be future captains, but for us as well because it gave us time to reflect on our roles, and what we have been working so hard for this year. This was really good for us because we were all proud of our achievement in becoming apart of the executive team, as we could inspire others to leave a legacy as we have done, and to become the best leaders they can possibly be."  Arizona

This session was able to prepare those going for leadership roles as they became aware of the extra work behind the scenes done, not just what we do at an event that we’ve organised. It was also a good opportunity for the Year 11’s to ask any clarifying questions that they may not have had an opportunity to ask before hand

"As College Captain, I was invited to attend a Q&A at the Year 11 Leadership Day. Many Year 11's asked questions directed at Eddie and I such as 'what do you really do?' 'how do you manage your VCE, your uni subject, work and being college captain?' and many others. I enjoyed this Q&A as we got a feel of who was interested in taking on the role of a captain within the school. Following on from this, Eddie and I received many questions last night and this morning regarding our position and the other positions. As well as attending the Year 11 leadership day, all of the college captains were asked to be interviewed by a few Year 9 students regarding our roles, what we do, what the best part of it is and if we would of done anything different. These interviews will be played during tutor group directed at all students who are looking at becoming leaders or if the students just want to see what we really do." Natalia

Mrs Julie Banda

Deputy Principal - East Campus