The importance of student leadership at school

 

Through student leadership at school your child can practice modern leadership skills. The skills obtained will allow them to excel in the classroom and prepare them for their future in the workforce.

Alongside their education, student leadership at school provides important skills and benefits for your child’s future.

Responsibility, planning and organisation

Most student leadership opportunities at school entail planning events, fundraisers and more. Such opportunities give your child a larger sense of responsibility early on in life.

Meriden’s student leadership structure acknowledges that all students have leadership potential. Through various programs, the girls are supported to become confident, articulate, and responsible leaders.

In the Junior School, the Prefects serve the school by planning focus weeks and developing age-appropriate activities for Kindergarten to Year 6 students. The experiences encourage students to be compassionate, generous and kind.

Meriden’s House Captains model participation and sportsmanship in our carnivals. They raise awareness of the children sponsored by the Junior School and encourage generosity towards them.

Mrs Cath Evans, Dean of Academic Care, Meriden Junior School

Being involved ‘behind the scenes’ of school events and fundraisers allow students to participate closely. Your child will gain first hand engagement in a diverse range of events and activities. Your child will have worldly experiences and get the most out of what their school has to offer.

Participating in workshops, student-run meetings, engaging with relevant literature and attending leadership forums all contribute to the improved student motivation within the classroom, as well as the development of knowledgeable global citizens.

Denise Tyrikos, Student Leadership Coordinator, Caroline Chisholm Catholic College

Team building and collaboration

As a student leader, your child will be working in teams and collaborating with others. This differs from classroom teamwork. Your child will have leadership responsibilities to fulfil within the team.

Your child will learn emotional intelligence skills essential in the workforce. Many students enter the workforce with little experience in team building and teamwork. A lack of experience with a diverse range of people may make it difficult to manage corporate relationships.

“The students at Caroline Chisholm are provided with the platform to enhance their skills in public speaking, problem-solving, teamwork, negotiation as well as building respectful relationships, connections and belonging.”

Students will also have the opportunity to practice their communication skills. They will liaise with a diverse range of people including teachers, students, parents or peers.

Our student leaders are willing to serve others. They are supported as they develop as collaborators, communicators, problem-solvers and responsible leaders.

Mrs Cath Evans, Dean of Academic Care, Meriden Junior School

Students also learn to ‘network’ through internal and external collaboration as student leader.

Strategic thinking and problem solving

As a student leader, your child will experience problems, conflicts and decisions to make.

Thinking creatively to resolve issues in a group setting is beneficial for future situations your child may face.

Student leaders can apply strategic thinking in a more practical, real-life sense.

Strategic thinking in leadership is considered “the biggest gap for new leaders” by the Center for Management & Organization Effectiveness.

Students will gain the unique experience of balancing priorities from an early age. They will focus resources and time on priorities to ensure future success in their planning. Students leaders learn to make decisions to overcome setbacks.

Students can exercise their passion

Student leadership at school empowers your child in many ways.

Students are able to contribute directly to decisions in areas they are passionate about.

All Year 6 students can choose to join Leadership Teams, enabling them to contribute to areas they are passionate about, such as Student Christian Groups, Cultural Awareness, STEM, Environment, News and Library. The Leadership Teams, working with a teacher, plan and deliver events related to their area.

Mrs Cath Evans, Dean of Academic Care, Meriden Junior School

They can become a voice within the school to make changes or influence school decisions or events.

At Caroline Chisholm Catholic College, staff and students highly value student leadership and acknowledge the immense benefits to the entire College community. Engaging in student leadership fosters a culture where student voice is highly regarded and allows students across different year levels to share their diverse opinions and recommendations to the teaching, learning and opportunities available at the College.

In education we know that student agency significantly increases student engagement throughout the teaching and learning process via increased student motivation. With increased motivation, students can feel confident and capable of making changes to their learning environment, that not only benefits their immediate environment, but has the potential to assist the wider community also.

Denise Tyrikos, Student Leadership Coordinator, Caroline Chisholm Catholic College

Your child may also find value in achieving success in a non-academic form. Schools provide fulfilling opportunities for student leaders that can build up their resume, and give them confidence and motivation that is lacking in the classroom.

Experience as a leader

After school, many young employees have to spend years working their way up to leadership. By starting at school, your child has the rare opportunity to lead at a young age.

This is beneficial to your child before entering the workforce as a young professional. Whilst they demonstrate competence, many young leaders at work lack experience leading others.

Student leaders are able to practice leading a team and be prepared for career opportunities that may arise later in life.

Choosing a school for your child can be difficult, if you wish to receive further information please see Choosing a School NSW 37 or Choosing a School VIC 34.