Park Ridge High’s leadership program is helping to shape the leaders of the area’s future.
The school’s leadership group which includes school captains and vice captains and year leaders from years 10 and 11 hosted year six school leaders from numerous local schools for a leadership day last week, as the high school student leaders looked to inspire the student leaders of tomorrow.
The year six students were put through their paces in a variety of activities designed to test their leadership and teamwork skills as well as get them out of their comfort zones by splitting them into groups with students from other schools than their own.
“It made them a bit uncomfortable at first not knowing the kids from the other schools, but after we split them into the groups and started the activities it came together really well,” Park Ridge High School school captain Taylor Meerwald said.
“it made the kids think about how they would address the issues or problems as a team even though they were all from different schools,” fellow school captain Catie Jordinson said.
The unique leadership roles taken on by the students at the high school seeks to guide the students leaders to improve the school experience as a whole for all students according to teacher and AFL academy coach Derek Berry.
“Our leadership program is helping to unit our school as one,so every student whether they’re in a music , sport or academic program can benefit,” he said.
Mr Berry said staff expect the student leaders to take a hand on role in helping school activities run smoothly.
“We have our cross country this week for example so we will expect our senior leadership team to run it,” he said.
The student leaders take time out from their weekly routines to work on their leadership abilities and plan ways to improve the school experience for the peers.
“We meet weekly before school, some captain meet with staff weekly as well and sometimes we meet up after school on top of that,” vice captain Lucas Coleman said.
Catie said the groups aims to set an example for the rest of the school.
“We strive for success by encouraging our fellow students to follow the three core values, we are here to learn, we are here to do what is right, and we are here to work together, leadership has become ingrained in our school culture to better our relationship with the wider school community,” he said.
