DEPUTY PRINCIPAL'S REPORT 

Our Year 11 Reflection Day this week focussed on leadership and in particular, leadership informed by values. Throughout the day our students explored their own personal values, our school values and then considered how these values might shape their decisions and the way that they lead. One thing we determined very early on was that leadership is something that we can all do. Leadership experts, of which there is an ever increasing amount, have many definitions for the term however, at its core, leadership has to involve people, influence and action. It is taking people towards a destination or a goal but this doesn’t have to be on a grand scale. Simon Sinek suggests that if you decide to look after the person to the left of you and look after the person to the right of you, you have become a leader. In a Christian context, Jesus offers a model of servant leadership where the leader puts the needs of others before their own. It is not to say that we disregard our own feelings and needs; rather that we have an outward concern, we look for opportunities to respond. We must have our eyes and hearts open if we are going to recognise where we can help. Too often, even when we see a need, we do not act and we know what Mary MacKillop would say about that!

In the first few weeks of Term 4 our Year 11 and Year 8 students will have the opportunity to put themselves forward for our Student Leadership roles. This is something that I hope many of our students will consider. Student voice is vital in ensuring that our community is inclusive and engaged. Application forms are currently available in Pastoral Care for our senior students, Years 10 and 11 and will be available for our junior students in Year 8 at the beginning of Term 4. 

Along with the designated leadership roles, each and every student has the chance to demonstrate leadership everyday through the choices they make, through their actions and through what they say to people and about people. It is about caring for the person on either side of us, leading in the small moments as much as the big ones. 

Our students can also show leadership by upholding the College Community Expectations. Term 4 offers us all a chance to start fresh, for students to re-establish good habits with school work and study and to improve the way the school uniform is worn. It is also a chance to remember that the way we treat every person around us reflects our own integrity and our own values. Our school theme this year challenges us to respect all members of our community and to contribute to the life of our school. A simple question, “How do we show respect to others”  posed to google provided the following response, one that shouldn’t be a surprise:

• Practice Active Listening.
• Look for common ground.
• Seek to understand others.
• Show empathy for differences. 
• Serve others. 
• Apologise when you're wrong. 
• Be polite.
• Show gratitude.

Thank you to all our students and all our staff for another successful Term. I hope that the next two weeks gives every member of our community time and space to relax and spend some quality time with family and friends. I am sure that there will be many moments for which to feel grateful.