Student Leadership

Our vision for our young people is for them is to be thriving people, capable learners and leaders for the world God desires. Our foundational story of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32) reminds us that like the mustard seed we can nurture leadership capabilities and skills in our young people to enable them to authentically contribute to a more just and loving world.

As a Josephite School we take inspiration from Blessed Mary MacKillop of the Cross who as a young woman saw that every child had the potential to flourish.

We believe every child has agency and can make a difference in our world.

Informal student leadership

All children can be leaders. For this reason, we use the CESA Key Capabilities to help children name, reflect and grow in their leadership.

Leadership from a catholic perspective means leadership which is focused on:

• An understanding that everything is interconnected
• Ecological awareness
• Listening and being able to dialogue with other viewpoints
• Offering “just” leadership which want to serve others
• Being compassionate and focused on the common good

Opportunities to develop leadership skills across the years

Leadership opportunities range from classroom based to school and community leadership.

IN THE CLASSROOM

From the moment children enter our school they are involved in developing their leadership through classroom roles such as:

• Being a special helper
• Leading prayer
• Teaching others
• Taking on classroom responsibilities
• Taking responsibility for their learning

BUDDIES PROGRAM

Each year classes are paired with another class. This gives an opportunity for children to show leadership and to develop the following capabilities:

• Collaboration
• Engaging authentically with others
• Communication
• Transferring knowledge
• Recognising that humanity is interconnected

ECOLOGICAL LEADERSHIP

Ecological leadership is a shared responsibility of all the students in the community and this is expressed through involvement in Integral Ecology events such as Clean Up Australia day, Laudato Si’ Week etc. This leadership is also expressed daily through caring for our environment, recycling, putting food scraps in an organic bin etc.

YEAR 3 /4

In the Year 3 / 4 Unit the children have more formal Ecological Leadership which involves the coordination of the composting, paper recycling and reduction of plastic wastes at our school. They also have a role in educating the community through their actions.

LEADERSHIP IN THE SENIOR YEARS

In the senior years the children are involved in a Leadership Formation Program which helps them identify their leadership strengths and capabilities and areas they would like to grow in.

EMU CROSSING MONITORS

In Year 5 and 6 children can offer leadership to the community by being trained by SAPOL in road safety and being registered to be an Emu Crossing Monitor. Each morning and afternoon three monitors will support the community and offer leadership to ensure the safety of those using the Emu Crossing.

CLASS LEADERSHIP

In Year 5 children are involved in the Student Leadership Program. They use the following capabilities as they offer their leadership to classes across the school through a range of experiences.

MARY MACKILLOP AWARD

Each year the St Joseph’s Parish Tranmere offers an award to a student/s in Year 5.  This award is voted on by the staff of the school and recognises students who have modelled the values of leadership founded in the life of Jesus and Mary MacKillop.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP GROUPS

In Year 6 all children are members of a Student Leadership Group. These groups can involve experiences such as:

• Advertising and media
• Planning and action
• Outreach programs
• Ecological initiatives
• Peer support

Children are asked to express an interest in a group and then apply identifying their capabilities for such a group naming what capabilities they would like to develop. The children are selected by the Year 6 Teachers and the Leadership Team.

SCHOOL CAPTAINS

In Year 6 children have an opportunity to apply to be a School Captain. Each term,2 children are selected to be School Captains. The children apply by identifying what capabilities and skills they would bring to the role. The School Captains are involved in leadership tasks such as:

• School tours
• Offering leadership at school assemblies
• Representing the school at outside events

HOUSE CAPTAINS

In Year 6 children are given the opportunity to express an interest in the role of House Captain. The role of the House Captain is to:

• Motivate the house teams for Sports Day
• Nurture and promote Spirit Points before the day and on the day
• Create, present and lead practices in the Health Hustle
• Devise, share and teach a house chant

Interested children identify why they believe they would make a good House Captain and they prepare a presentation. The children in their house teams votes on the candidate they would like to have as a House Captain. Each team has two captains.

Leadership must enter into service, but with a personal love for the people.” Pope Francis, May 2014