Year 11 Update – Our Students leading the way to 2021
Let me take you back to the three key themes of the Year 11 Wellbeing Program – ‘We Accomplish’ outlined at the start of Term 1:
- Maximise opportunity
- Develop leadership skills
- Strive for goals
The starting point was for students to develop their goals for 2020 and consider the strategies that could be adopted to support them successfully achieve these. This was followed up with the opportunity for the Year 11 students to apply for leadership positions, including the Year 7 Mentoring program and Student Representative Council. As well, our Year 11 cohort were offered the opportunity to put their hat in the ring to take responsibility for key areas of the much loved and revered House Arts program.
These amazing leadership opportunities were enthusiastically embraced by the Year 11 cohort and the diverse roles allowed for the students to further develop and consolidate the important skills associated with leadership. Skills such as problem solving, teaching and mentoring, and teamwork were explored by our students with a great deal of success.
Throughout the Year 11 wellbeing program this year, there has been a focus on building resilience in our students and the importance of showing gratitude as an integral aspect to leadership development.
With the outbreak of COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdowns in Terms 2 and 3, this resulted in the shift to our Learn@Home program, and with it a change of routine, a loss of both social connections and the comfort of the classroom learning environment. Navigating their way through this time forced students to self-reflect and appreciate strengths within themselves and to develop awareness of their own resilience to get them through this new way of life.
The significant challenges faced by all students during the pandemic should not be underestimated. But with it, has seen how each individual has found within themselves the ability to overcome the challenges they have confronted and push through both academically and personally. I have been so warmed by the gratitude the girls have shown throughout, recognising that it is “being thankful that makes one happy” and not the reverse. Students have voiced that they are grateful for their teachers, technology, supportive social networks, the outdoors and appreciated the flexibility to renegotiate their time.
Perhaps, having lived through this pandemic, the future leaders of our School will have developed capabilities that will prepare them for the road ahead, however rocky. While the class of 2021 may be looking forward to kissing 2020 goodbye, I sincerely hope that they can reflect with pride on how they have grown, and acknowledge the skills and qualities they have attained which they will take with them on their leadership journey.
