Nexus Student Leadership Summit

David Smith Economics Teacher, Nexus International School Malaysia

The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant. — Max DePree

First Thoughts

From the initial idea of a live in person two day conference on Student Leadership skills to the final online only one day summit, Nexus International school created a one of a kind virtual summit attended by nearly 300 learners from around the world. With over 30 schools participating and operating in different time zones there were a number of logistical challenges the technical team had to overcome.

• Dr Rozana Huq, Author, Masterclass Developer Leadership

Coach, Employee Empowerment expert • Sue Langley, Leading Neuroscientist & Emotional Intelligence

Expert • Vaughan Rivett, Entrepreneur & Futurist

Guest Speakers

There were 16 guest speakers arranged with ten speaking live and six prerecorded; the learners had to time their day and work to watch and absorb all the information presented. They collaborated with each other using the technology of StormBoard and a purpose build Discord server.

The speakers included:

• Alia Durrani, UCL Student & Former Student Leader • Brenda Frisk, Digital Strategist & Company Director • David Griffiths, Principal, Nexus International School Malaysia • David Smith, Economics Teacher, Nexus International School

Malaysia • Fatimah Moors, Student Leader of Nexus International School

Malaysia • Hannah Wilson, Leadership Development Coach & Inclusion

Advocate • The Rt. Hon. Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of

New Zealand • James ER Unsworth, Deputy Head, Australia

International School Malaysia • Karen Tui Boyes, Champion for Life Long Learning,

CEO of Spectrum Education, NZ Educator of the Year,

NZ Speaker of the Year • Morag McCorie, Head of Secondary Nexus

International School Malaysia • Neil Marshall-Inns, International Leadership Coach • Phil McCabe, Head of Y11 & Inclusion Teacher • Prof. Peter Stokes, Professor of Leadership &

Professional Development

Students were surrounded by a wealth of information on leadership skills and how to practically apply their leadership skills. They learned about the brain, how it worked and how emotions impact on us especially as leaders and how to apply emotional intelligence skills to aid our leadership.

Students learned that leaders were learners and that they needed to develop practical learning skills that could aid them to understand the complexities of leadership of teams whilst also maintaining their school work.

Applications of leadership were discussed like the importance of a recognition of diversity and how to actively encourage and support inclusion and diversity within their school community.

They learned about the importance of empathy and looking at your team as people with their own emotions and backstories and the need to engage with them as people. They added to their understanding of leadership looking at how to deal with difficult situations that often arise when leading teams.

Technology played a key role in the summit but also contained learning for the students who discussed uses of technology and pitfalls to their use as leaders. Also looking at possible future uses of technology that might add to their tool box.

Communication was a key skill often repeated and one the learners admitted in their reflections that they needed to strengthen. They learned some key strategies on communicating to teams and in general as a leader.

Following the Five C’s talk there were major themes discussed linking together the leadership skills of capability, caring, commitment, connection and communication. The learners looked at these key skills and how they could apply them in their roles.

Most often they learned that leaders were in the end servants and that they needed to display caring and concern for others.

A big big thank you!

A big thank you to all the attendees for all your work and effort over one very long day. We hope that you gained a lot out of your time and are able to take back to your schools a wealth of knowledge and resources to use/develop leadership where you are. Our amazing guest speakers who gave up their time to prepare and present, not only well thought out materials aimed at the students but, also were very happy to answer any questions and some even offered extra resources to support them in their leadership journey.

The Technology team from Nexus International School Malaysia who worked hard preparing what seemed an ever changing program over the course of a year.

The support from FOBISIA HQ, especially from Janine Minchin who was both our champion and critical friend, kept us on track and advised us on how to solidify the program.

The senior leaders at Nexus International School Malaysia who gave us the green light and the time to prepare and run the summit.