Becoming leaders in local and global communities

Becoming leaders in local and global communities

Head of Middle School Mr Brad Gill

Schools come in different shapes and sizes and with various resources, but there is one resource that every school has: its students.

Students need to be seen (and coached) as the assets that shape school culture and strengthen the connection between school and the wider community.

As adults in a school community, we often think of ourselves as the definitive architects of a school’s culture, but we misjudge the influence and effect students have on their own school community. There is something incredibly powerful in peer influence. Peers can quickly become role models and have the capacity to influence student values, attitudes and behaviours with an effectiveness school leaders can only dream of.

This year we introduced the role of House Leader to the Middle School with the intended purpose of understanding and recognising the importance of positive peer mentoring. Student leaders have an increased sense of responsibility to help others and to model leadership principles and values. Trust, autonomy, and relationships are enhanced through the development of leadership qualities.

The Middle School, in addition to the new House Leader roles, continues to provide all Year 8 students with the opportunity to experience a leadership role with House Senior positions. House Seniors are mentored by Mrs Giglia with a week-long Middle School leadership experience that culminates with students leading our community at our formal Middle School Assembly.

The framework encompasses the International Baccalaureate’s Learner Profile which represents 10 attributes valued by IB World Schools. We believe these attributes, and others like them, can help individuals and groups become responsible members of local, national and global communities.

The profile aims to develop learners (and leaders) who are:

• Inquirers

• Knowledgeable

• Thinkers

• Communicators

• Principled

• Open-minded

• Caring

• Risk-takers

• Balanced

• Reflective

Students at Scotch College have the opportunity to experience leadership at the College through the following avenues:

• Formal and informal leadership positions.

• The challenges of academic achievement in assessment tasks.

• Opportunities to achieve success with friends and peers in the classroom, on sporting fields, and on the stage.

• Showing appreciation for beauty and culture in artistic enterprises.

• Striving to embody the values and faith for which we stand.

With support and encouragement, every young person has the potential to become a leader in some area of their life. The qualities, values and skills invested in them during their formative years can determine their life’s success and the future success of our society.

Young people who find their own voice in supportive school environments are more likely to develop a confident voice, a capacity to act in the world, and a willingness to lead others. This is central to the Scotch College Middle School experience.

Student leadership is a process of social influence, which maximises the efforts of others, towards the achievement of a goal. It has nothing to do with seniority or position in the hierarchy of a community. Everyone has the ability to harness their leadership skills.

However, many young people require guidance and space to exercise and hone their leadership skills. Learning a range of skills and techniques from a young age can provide students with an excellent head start in life, allowing them to develop confidence and improve their overall mental wellbeing.

Self-confidence is necessary for leaders to take risks and accomplish their goals. It includes a sense of self-esteem and selfassurance and the belief that one can make a difference. Leadership involves influencing others and self-confidence allows leaders to feel assured their attempts to influence are appropriate and right. The Middle School experience allows all students the opportunity to develop their self-concept in an environment intentionally constructed to serve their age and stage of self-discovery.

Young people who find their own voice in supportive school environments are more likely to develop a confident voice, a capacity to act in the world, and a willingness to lead others. This is central to the Scotch College Middle School experience.

Student leadership means students take active roles in their school community and develop positive skills in the process. The goal of inspiring student leaders is to create a culture of ownership, collaboration and community in the classroom and beyond.

We are committed to continuing to develop our Leadership Programme, accepting that much of what I have shared is aspirational. By sharing this information with our larger community my intention is to overtly highlight the importance our teaching community places on developing empowered individuals, comfortable with who they are and aware of their areas of strength and growth. This will allow them to embrace Senior School with a growing set of skills to reach their potential.