St Catherine’s Centre for Ethics and Enterprise
One of the world's leading experts on management once said that "we don't know a lot about management, and so all we can do is write books about it". The same might be said of leadership – the term is eternally elusive, and yet the concept is so important that we must keep trying to understand it. One thing is certain: History is shaped by the people who are able to influence the outcome of important events, and we often refer to these people as our 'leaders'. Here at St Catherine's we have the potential to create some of the most influential people of the twenty first century. To help make this possible, in 2011 we will launch the St Catherine's Centre for Ethics and Enterprise.
During 2010 many students have been involved in the introductory programs that will form the foundation of the Centre for Ethics and Enterprise. For example, the Year 7 students have started to learn about saving money. Influential people need to know that there are constraints – money can act as a constraint, but if you learn about the ways it can be controlled then it can also be a driving force. Year 8 students have learnt about global inequality. Great leaders know that they have a responsibility to assist those who struggle to find a voice in the global community. Year 10 students have participated in a Constitutional Convention, and Year 9 students will soon take part in a simulated United Nations conference. Some Year 11 students chose to participate in the Business Initiative Program – this is an opportunity that will be extended to Years 9 and 10 students in 2011.
All of these activities help us to shine a light on one small part of what it means to act as a leader. Next year the Mary Davis Centre will act as a central hub for these activities, and many of the commerce classes will happen in this venue. Years 9 and 10 students will co-ordinate their Leadership Diploma through this centre, and the new Year 12 leaders will be asked to report on their goals and their progress on a regular basis. Mr Bryan Wood, our Head of Humanities, will be the director of the Centre of Ethics and Enterprise and all our programs related to business and commerce subjects will have the lens of practical ethics as one of the main focuses.Through this initiative, we will certainly develop some of the skills that are possessed by those who are influential.