Year 9
‘You are the light of the world.
A city built on a hill cannot be hidden.
No one, after lighting a lamp, puts it under the bushel basket,
but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before others,
so that they may see your good works
and give glory to your Father in heaven’.
Matthew 5:14-16
One of the priorities of our College is to develop strong leaders from amongst our students. Whilst some would argue that good leaders are born, I would say that many great leaders have become so due to hard work, perseverance and resilience. These qualities are paramount amongst the successful leaders throughout history, and serve as a reminder to our girls that they should never 'dim their lights', or to use a biblical metaphor, 'never hide their light under a bushel basket'.
In Year 10 in 2021, the students can apply for the following leadership roles that have been filled in 2020:
- SRC
- Health and Wellbeing
- Community Action
- Sustainability
- Living Justice
and a new leadership position:
- Student Ambassador
They can also apply to be a Peer Support Leader, which involves guiding a group of 2021 Year 7 students as they make the transition to secondary school. This is a significant role and requires empathy, excellent communication skills, warmth and initiative. Those who have been chosen for this role were invited to a Leadership Training day on Friday 9 October, facilitated by yLead. yLead works with young people to develop their leadership skills and help prepare them for the challenges and rewards of leadership. More information about yLead can be found HERE.
Below are student reflections on the experience of preparing to be a Peer Support Leader in 2021:
On Friday 9 October, Year 9 students who had volunteered were given the opportunity to attend a Zoom meeting with Ylead, an organisation working with students to develop leadership skills. The students who volunteered are a part of our Peer Support Program, helping new Year 7 students settle into secondary school life.
Ylead asked us to reflect on our first day in Year 7 and what that was like and also, what we would have liked to feel more comfortable and safe. We did lots of fun and exciting activities that gave us tips and tricks in how to interact with all types of kids. Coming back from this experience has really helped us recognise the troubles and stress that Year 7 student will be feeling going into secondary school. We are very lucky to have had YLead talk to us especially during these difficult times.
We are all so excited to meet the new Year 7 students in 2021 knowing that we will make a difference in their first year at our College.
Vali D’Souza
Year 9
Along with many other Year 9 and 10 students, I have had the amazing opportunity to be involved in Peer Support for 2021.
Last Friday 9 October, Lucy and Amy from YLead spent the day teaching us about leadership, and skills you have to undertake as a role model for younger students. The activities and games they got us to do were super fun, and made everyone feel present and included.
These activities also got us thinking, and as well as teaching us important skills. They also gave us confidence in ourselves, to know that all of us are capable of being a good role model for the Year 7 student to come.
Catalina Leitch
Year 9
We pray for all of the leaders at our College, and for those that they lead during these difficult times. As one of the Year 9 girls said in our Microsoft Teams class this week, “We’re almost there!”.
Bill Fitzsimons
Level Leader: Year 9