Year 9

The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,

and their tongues speak what is just.

The law of their God is in their hearts;

their feet do not slip.

Psalm 37:30–31

This week the Year 9 students will vote for the girls who will become their school leaders for 2020. Jesus tells us that the things that come out of someone’s mouth originate in their heart. (Matt.15:18) A leader needs to pay attention to the things they say because their words are an indicator of their spiritual condition. A good leader’s words will bring light and life. Just as the psalmist reflects, we hope that each leader chosen will be wise, speak the truth and walk with God throughout their leadership journey.

Year 9 students can apply for a variety of leadership roles including:

Middle School Captains - Two students
Student Representative Council (SRC) - Two students
Community Action Leaders - Two students
Sustainability Leaders - Two students
Living Justice Leaders - Two students
Health and Wellbeing Leaders - Two students

All applicants for these positions are expected to have met the following criteria as a minimum:

Visibly live the College Theme for 2020: Justice – making the needs of the vulnerable paramount
Be available to attend fortnightly Friday meetings promptly starting at 8:00am
Have an excellent attendance record
Lead by example e.g. wearing the correct school uniform
Be willing to be flexible, work as a team and be a mentor for others.

All elected leaders will be provided with full leadership training on Monday 24 February run by yLead, an organization that works with young people at schools to develop their leadership skills and help them to make a positive contribution to their community.

Catholic school leadership (just as all aspects of Catholic life) takes its inspiration from the life and mission of Jesus. Jesus said that he came to serve, not to be served (Mark 10:45). This model of servant leadership is one that is very different to the dominant utilitarian model of leadership in today’s world, which celebrates power, efficiency, productivity and quick decisions.

Perhaps the best example of a servant leader today is Pope Francis, who only six days after his election (on the Feast of St Joseph), declared: “authentic power is service.” One of his first acts as Pope was to break with tradition on Holy Thursday evening during the annual Mass of the Lord’s Supper and wash the feet of prisoners in a jail, rather than Bishops in St Peter’s Basilica, as previous Pontiffs had done.

This seemingly simple act reimagined the Church as a field hospital that cares for the sick and outcast, even if this invites hatred and envy. Good leaders may have to do things that bring scorn and derision upon them. In Pope Francis, the girls of Kilbreda who wish to be leaders have a perfect role model.

I invite you to pray for those whom the Year 9 students call upon to lead, and for those whom they lead. I look forward to announcing the successful applicants to the Kilbreda College community in the next Newsletter in a fortnight’s time.

Bill Fitzsimons

Level Leader: Year 9