Student Leadership

After their Reflection Day on Monday, Year 11 gathered on Tuesday morning to engage in a Leadership Program, which provided both an opportunity for each student to consider the qualities of leadership and to reflect upon the reality that they will be student leaders at Mater Dei in a little over a term. Leadership is hard to define, but effective leadership is easy to see! Leading is not the same as managing. Events and activities are managed but people are led. Therefore, leadership is about relationships, about empowering others, about developing the team and being able to say together “We did it!”

As part of my time with Year 11 on Tuesday morning, I shared the following thoughts about Servant Leadership, which underpins our Catholic culture:

A servant-leader focuses primarily on the growth and well-being of people and the communities to which they belong. While traditional leadership generally involves the one at the “top of the pyramid”, harnessing and using all the power themselves, servant leadership is different.

The servant-leader shares power, puts the needs of others first and helps people develop and perform as highly as possible. Servant leadership is actually an ancient approach advocated by leaders of the world’s great religions like Jesus, Gandhi, Buddha, and the Dalai Lama.

They all offer us a common message, that we are called to serve others and that service is a path that connects us to Spirit and empowers us. When people are open to God, they receive guidance, hope, power, and love to accomplish our divine servant leader mission. They can have a sense of joy and peace regardless of outcomes because they experience grace so that success does not matter all that much. But success often does result.

I reminded Year 11 students of the expectation that they serve as an example of the Vision of the College. Our Vision aspires for the College to be a nurturing community which:

- is founded in Catholic faith, justice and love

- is inclusive

- is learner centred and,

- seeks excellence and wisdom.

I also reaffirmed the expectation that they serve as an example of the Mission of the College. That Mission is to:

- care for each individual, affirming their dignity and uniqueness

- foster right relationships with God, creation, self and others

- provide particular attention to those most in need; and,

- build a welcoming, safe and supportive school environment.

We took some time to consider how a servant leader responds to challenges so that individuals and groups are empowered and built up and relationships strengthened.

After sharing some thoughts about leadership I asked students to determine which of the following quotes would be reflect their understanding of what it means to be a student leader at Mater Dei Catholic College in 2021:

The easy part of leadership is to use one’s gifts for the betterment of oneself. The hard part of leadership is to use one’s gifts for the betterment of others.
The easy part of leadership is to be popular. The hard part of leadership is to be unpopular.
The easy part of leadership is to wear the badge. The hard part of leadership is to deserve the badge.
The easy part of leadership is to do what is popular. The hard part of leadership is to do what is right.
The easy part of leadership is to deal with policy. The hard part of leadership is to deal with people.
The easy part of leadership is to enjoy its success. The hard part of leadership is to endure its failure.
The easy part of leadership is to follow consensus. The hard part of leadership is to follow conviction.
The easy part of leadership is conservation. The hard part of leadership is innovation.
The easy part of leadership is to cope with the friends. The hard part of leadership is to cope with the enemies.
The easy part of leadership is to judge others. The hard part of leadership is to judge yourself.

The statement that most resonated with the Year Group was:

The easy part of leadership is to wear the badge. The hard part of leadership is to deserve the badge.

The Leadership Program launched the process that will culminate in the appointment of our Student Leaders in 2021 next term. As our Year 11 students reflect upon the contribution that they are called to make to our College community, we pray:

Lord God, you call us to life in all its fullness,

following the path set out by Jesus your Son.

As we reflect on his leadership as Servant,

we ask you to deepen our desire to imitate his example.

May we use the gifts you have given us as a faithful

reflection of his presence at work in our lives.

We make this prayer to you through Christ, our Lord.

Amen

Celebrating NAIDOC

The National NAIDOC Committee has decided to postpone NAIDOC Week 2020, which was to be celebrated from 5 July to 12 July in the interest of community safety. In response to COVID-19 restrictions, Mater Dei like most other schools and organisations will defer its recognition of NAIDOC until November. This year, our focus will be on classroom activities that highlight the 2020 NAIDOC theme ‘Always was, Always will be’.

As Semester 1 Concludes

As we reach the midpoint of the 2020 school year, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our Mater Dei students and families on all that has been achieved in these challenging past months. With the dedication of our staff, we have continued to roll out the coursework for all who have, for the most part, engaged with their studies to the very best of their abilities. This is in spite of the challenges of technology and of working at home with our families. I am proud of what we have achieved together!

COVID-19 has brought us challenges but also opportunities. In some ways it has allowed us to “reset” our priorities, to be thankful for what we have, especially the love of family and friends and all we hold dear. Thank you to each of our Mater Dei families for the contribution you have made to supporting your child/children’s learning this semester and to supporting the College as partners in their education.

I wish you all a relaxing holiday break and look forward to the safe return of our students and staff for Term 3 on Monday, 20 July.

Best wishes,

Mrs Val Thomas | Principal

"Mater Dei Matters"

Issue 10 · 02 Jul 2020

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