Principal's Message
Mrs Josie Crisara
Student Leadership
We congratulate the student leaders who had their Induction Assembly on Wednesday. The theme for the induction was about how Leadership takes courage. Leaders need to be able to:
- Face challenges
- Make decisions
- Take opportunities and give things a try
- Motivate others to action
- Communicate well
- Provide inspiration.
As well as:
- Be positive
- Be honest
- Be supportive
- Be creative
- Be humble
Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of England, during a period in the second world war and for a period shortly after said: “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen”. Great leaders need to stand up for what they believe, but also importantly listen to others, consider feedback and reflect on it.
Good leaders make a path for others to follow. Great leaders, however, inspire their people to reach higher, dream bigger and achieve greater. They take on challenges and importantly have the ability to provide inspiration. To be a good leader, you sometimes need to go down the untravelled path. Being bold in the face of uncertainty will help give others courage and motivate them to keep striving when the going gets tough. Good leaders walk with confidence. They take opportunities and give things a try and motivate others into action. Being a leader sometimes means you cannot please everybody. You lead by having belief in what you are doing and working towards having others believe in it too. You listen to others and you communicate well. You support and facilitate others in what they do. Great leaders are humble. They know they have more to learn, so you need to recognise your own faults and reflect on this so you can grow as a leader and a human being. As a leader you need to make decisions and importantly lead by example. These are the leaders people like to follow and who have the greatest impact. It takes courage to do this.
I shared a story that shows great leadership by example.
Over 200 years ago, a man in civilian clothes rode past a small group of tired and battled weary soldiers. They were digging what appeared to be an important defensive position.
The soldier in charge wasn’t making any effort to help. He just shouted orders and threatened to punish the group if the work wasn’t completed within the hour.
“Why aren’t you helping?” the stranger on horseback asked .
“I’m in charge! The men do as I tell them,” said the leader. He added “Help them yourself if you feel so strongly about it.”
To the leaders surprise the stranger got off his horse and helped the men until the job was finished.
Before he left the stranger congratulated the men for their work and approached the confused leader.
“You should notify top command next time your rank prevents you from supporting your men – and I will provide a more permanent solution,” the stranger said.
Up close, the now humbled soldier in charge recognised General George Washington and was taught a lesson he would never forget!
Leaders should be prepared to get their hands dirty. You need to know what it is that you are asking of others. You talk the talk and walk the walk. You show that you care, you are honest, you have integrity, you show kindness and you respect others. All of this takes courage.
Interact Club
The Interact Club of Aitken College was represented at the Multi District Rotary Conference on Saturday 16 February by eight students. There were seven Interact Clubs represented from across Victoria. Our students were met by Rotarians who co-sponsor our Interact Club from Brunswick-Tullamarine and Greenvale. The interactors had the opportunity to listen to what the other Interact clubs do, be inspired by great guest speakers and watch some wonderful rotary sponsored performances, such as Busy Feet, which is a dance program for young people with disabilities. They also helped prepare education packs for students in Timor Leste with donations made from various organisations. They also worked in groups to plan potential projects.
