Student leaders take the reins A Full College Student Representative Council (SRC) has been established at MLC, thanks to the vision and leadership of Senior Student Leaders.
“Although we have had an SRC for many years, we identified an opportunity for improvement,” explains Year 12 student and 2021 Senior Student Leader, Steph Gordon. “The 2020 Senior Leadership Team came up with the idea of the Full College SRC, and we’ve progressed the concept in 2021.” The Full College SRC is, as the name implies, a vehicle for students from Years 7 to 12 to participate and contribute.
Mentoring and leadership skills
“It allows students to have an active voice and present ideas for change and improvement. Five student representatives from each year level are elected by their peers,” explains Steph. “Having students from all secondary year levels has been positive and helped more ideas come through.” While COVID-19 has impacted the activities of the 2021 Full College SRC, Year 12 student and Senior Student Leader, Annika Lardner says the group has still been able to hear and progress student-led change. “We have been able to realise a student request to have more chargers around the College and also have conversations about the length of recess break.”
Improving the student experience
30 students from Years 7 to 12
Cohesive leadership model
Leadership and mentoring in focus In establishing the Full College SRC, students wanted a cohesive, non-hierarchical leadership model and to provide opportunities to develop leadership skills. “One of the nicest things about the Full College SRC is the opportunity to work with students from Years 7 – 12. As Senior Student Leaders, it’s our role to demonstrate a consultative style of leadership where everyone is heard and included. We also mentor and encourage younger SRC members,” Annika says.
The new Full College SRC model initiated by the 2020 Senior Student Leadership Team.
Meet inaugural SRC Prefect, Clare Beaton-Wells For Year 11 student, Clare Beaton-Wells, being chosen as the inaugural SRC Prefect for 2022 represents a chance to build the profile of the Full College SRC. “I am looking forward to boosting the reputation and prestige of SRC throughout the school,” she says. “The SRC is grass roots and student-led. It’s a chance for students from all year levels to bring to life initiatives, projects and ideas that matter to them.” When she takes the helm next year, Clare will be responsible for planning and chairing SRC meetings, liaising with students and staff and working to promote change that benefits the MLC student experience. “I am passionate about the SRC as an opportunity for students to activate change. I also want to foster leadership skills, both through student involvement in the group and also through formal training.”
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