12. Student Leadership

12

STUDENT LEADERSHIP

As students move through the school we very much hope that their progress is linked to a greater understanding of the values and needs within the community. There is a range of positions that provide opportunities for our students to develop leadership skills and social responsibility. The school provides a number of leadership training opportunities to all senior students.

THE BIG EIGHT

The Big Eight are a group of Halla students who apply for the posts to lead and represent the school in the following capacities: ∙ Leaders of the School Council ∙ Global Awareness Ambassador (leads the student Cultural Committee) ∙ Sports Ambassador (leads the student Sports Committee) ∙ Student Welfare Ambassador (leads the Student Welfare Awareness Group) ∙ Service Ambassador (leads Toweraid, the school’s service and charity committee) ∙ SEC Chair (Societies Executive Committee) ∙ Arts Ambassador

Two of the Big Eight also carry the roles of Head Girl and Head Boy. Their tenure begins at the end of Term 2, Year 12 and runs for twelve months.

SIXTH FORM PREFECTS

In addition to the Big Eight, Year 12 students have the opportunity to apply to become prefect and contribute to one of six project areas including: Academic English, Arts, Beyond the Curriculum, Enterprises, Events ,Rewards and Achievement. In addition to this, they provide supervisory support at school events and join with members of staff on duties in an ambassadorial capacity and promoting good behaviour The Big Eight are usually prefects first.

THE SCHOOL COUNCIL

This group sits at the heart of the school’s pastoral structure as they represent the interface between the student voice and the management of the school. Students nominate themselves to represent their Tutor Group and if successful, in a student election they serve a twelve-month tenure on the Council itself. The School Council discusses a variety of topics, which include student concerns, school events and future changes. The Council is made up of 14 students from Years 7-13 and attend a weekly meeting during CCA time which is led by the Chairs of the Student Council (members of the Big 8).

HOUSE CAPTAINS AND HOUSE COMMITTEES

A male and female Year 11 student are elected House Captain at the start of the academic year. The House Captains lead the House Leadership Teams, which consists of other Year 11 students in House performing supporting roles such as Deputy House Captains, Sports Captains, and Creative Captains. House Captain applications are encouraged from both day students and boarders, and all students must recognise that a significant amount of time will be needed to lead a House.

BOARDING LEADERSHIP AND HOME COMMITTEES

Boarding Homes are the responsibility of the individual BM, however, they are supported by a number of boarding students who work with the BM and ABMs to ensure the smooth operation of the home. The Boarding Leadership structure has

A number of senior students meet with the BM and this forms the Home Leadership Team which provides an opportunity for students to gain experience of leading certain important aspects of Boarding life. The younger students are asked to start taking responsibility for the community in which they live by engaging with their Boarding Year Group Reps who then form a Boarding Home Committee which is chaired by a student Boarding Captain but meets with a supporting ABM when needed. All students’ views and opinions are important to Boarding staff and feed into the development and future of each Boarding Home.

ACADEMIC SOCIETIES

One of the defining features of a North London Collegiate School is its academic societies which provide many leadership opportunities and roles. These same opportunities also exist at NLCS Jeju.

PEER MENTORING

Older students have the opportunity to train as a Peer Mentor. These students provide a listening and mediation service for students who may be experiencing social or emotional difficulties at school. The Peer Mentor’s role operates in conjunction with an Emotional Guidance Counsellor who will always take over cases that require more specialist support. Peer mentors are trained to work with and support individual students over a sustained period. They also fulfill a number of other duties in support of our student body, from academic reading support to designing systems to combat bullying in the school.

BUDDY SYSTEM

The Buddy System aims to ensure that each new student has a named student to support their induction into the school and House. This relationship enables each student to be able to seek advice and guidance from their buddy and helps avoid disorientation and isolation in the first few weeks after joining the school. Buddies are allocated from within a student’s Tutor group by the Head of House Senior students may also be allocated as senior buddies to a group of students entering the school within a particular Year group.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF OLDER STUDENTS

We expect our older students to take an interest in the welfare of younger students within their House as well as by being positive role models and building positive, supportive relationships. We encourage all older students to take on a role of responsibility in order to build their personal portfolio, which is an essential feature of the university application process.