Leadership
To prepare students to take their place in society, St Aidan’s offers many opportunities for the girls to take on responsible roles. Leadership skills are developed in various ways through Academic and Social/Emotional Learning and Co-curricula Activities at St Aidan’s.
There are many benefits for our students who embrace the challenge of leadership roles. Our leadership program fosters relationships, personal development and the skills necessary to form and maintain teams. Students who are interested in this area are given assistance, mentoring and the opportunity to reflect on their own unique qualities and talents.
Teamwork is fundamental to the workplace of the 21st century, and our students embrace this co-operative learning with enthusiasm. Each Prefect Role in the Senior School co-ordinates a committee of year twelve students, working together for the benefit of the whole school community.
Leadership Selection
Student leadership is often seen as the domain of the senior year group. At St Aidan’s we encourage students in each year level to stretch their boundaries and strive to reflect, problem-solve, negotiate, make decisions and motivate others. Opportunities exist in each Form Class for two captains per semester. A Student Council representative is elected for the year.
Students in Year 11 are prepared well for their forthcoming senior student leadership roles. A full day conference, conducted by Peer Power, aims to accentuate the abilities, skills and personalities of each of our students. Students nominate for the senior positions (i.e. Prefect, School Captain/Vice Captain, Sacristan, House Captain, Debating, Music and Sport Captain).
The process continues with a show of support from our staff and senior students. Interviews are conducted for the nominees for School Captain and Vice Captain. The Principal, Year Co-ordinator and other Educational Leaders oversee the process, which results in a final list of Prefects, House Captains, Sport, Debating and Music Captains.
Interested students also nominate for the position of Sacristan. The students are interviewed by the Chaplain and other Educational Leaders to determine who will be called to serve in this capacity.
Leadership Camp
The final week of year 11 is set aside for our leadership camp, which is an important opportunity for the group to gather, discuss the year ahead and make their plans.
Leadership Retreat
At the start of the school year, all students elected to positions of leadership participate in a special retreat. The Chaplain leads the workshops and members of the Educational Leadership Team and the Year Coordinator participate, as well.