Junior School
Week 3 Update
It used to be that leadership equated with years of accomplishment, education, experience and age. Thankfully, true leadership knows no age. Leaders are people of any age who just ‘stand up’. They grab your attention, take the initiative, are compelling and set an example.
These days, the world is showing signs of hunger for authentic leadership. There is a cynicism towards authority and a growing anger at the lack of moral fortitude to be found amongst some of today’s leaders. Fortunately, we are filled with optimism as we witness, almost daily, the empathy and resilience of our students at St Patrick’s College. Their courage gives us confidence that young people can manifest the best in humanity; and that is a light that will shine for generations to come.
Young people have the capacity to lead. They are not constrained by ego, time, place or limitation. Unfortunately, it can sometimes be adults who place limits on them. We must remind ourselves that the foundations of leadership are being nurtured during the formative years through a young person’s relationships and life experiences.
Schools are in a fortunate position to nurture leadership in young people. In the Junior School, student leadership and emotional growth are a strong focus. Our students have many opportunities to attain leadership roles during their time at school, developing their leadership skills in specific areas of personal interest or challenge. It is amazing to witness the care and support our students receive from their older peers through various initiatives and support groups, in addition to activities provided through sport and other co-curricular pursuits.
If we want our young students to become future leaders, we must teach them how to be quality people and allow them to live their own lives. It is important that we let young people learn from their mistakes and grow more resilient from challenges faced and overcome.
Tomorrow’s leadership depends upon young people having a team, including family and school, both sharing common values and striving to instil those values through positive relationships. As part of the ‘team’, our staff actively support students in finding their own influence, enabling them to gradually develop a confident voice, a capacity to act in the world and a willingness to lead others.
Speaking of student leadership, a selection of Year 6 boys was heavily involved in the running of our College Tour last weekend, which was offered to 400 prospective parents/carers. The nominated students were primarily tasked with conducting tours around the College, highlighting different aspects of the unique educational experience we provide at St Patrick’s. It was incredibly pleasing to witness the way in which the boys took charge of their group, conveying pertinent information and maturely answering questions. I have already received some wonderful feedback from various parents and carers who attended the College last Saturday and we look forward to hosting another round of families in two weeks’ time.
As we gear up for our final round of Winter sport this weekend, the forecast is looking rather promising. Good luck boys; it has been a rain-interrupted and mud-filled season. It will be great to finish the season on a positive note and hopefully enjoy a bright, sunny Sydney day for this last round of competition.
As always, if you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me via email (glenn.stephenson@spc.nsw.edu.au) or phone (8705 9247) and I will endeavour to assist you in any way that I can.
May God bless you,
Glenn Stephenson
Director of Junior School