Our Year 5 girls are keenly looking towards changing their roles within Barbreck as they become our Year 6 leaders in 2024 and accepting greater responsibilities with the upcoming student leadership election. 

As our girls progress through Barbreck, they receive instruction and guidance in various leadership qualities. Foremost, girls learn that leadership involves taking on responsibilities. 

In the early years, this may entail simple tasks such as collecting worksheets, delivering messages, or organising equipment. These responsibilities progressively expand as they move through our Junior School, encompassing tasks like organising House Teams for Cross-Country or leading fundraising events, as demonstrated by some of our Year 4 girls earlier this year. 

Leadership also revolves around setting a positive example and exercising sound judgment. Adhering to the School Uniform code with pride, abiding by School rules, and showing kindness and consideration to others all reflect a girl’s commitment to respecting her school and her peers. 

It underscores an understanding of the importance of membership and the social constructs of the Barbreck community. Additionally, it acknowledges that younger girls consistently look to their older counterparts for guidance and the important role our older students play in role modelling our School Values. 

Leadership extends to character building. Collaborating with our Barbreck parents, teachers work with our girls to instil a sense of right from wrong, values, ethics, effective problem-solving, resilience, persistence, and the art of forming and maintaining friendships.  

Leaders depend on the support of those who believe in them and are willing to follow their lead. It also involves nurturing a strong inner voice (conscience) that speaks clearly and guides them along the right paths in life. 

Our School Programs encompass the development of many qualities that complement leadership skills. This includes proficient speaking skills, as showcased at our recent Public Speaking Assembly, along with speech writing, event planning, organisational skills, teamwork, collaboration, and interpersonal abilities. 

In the lead up to our Student Election discussions with the girls will cover a variety of topics, such as: 

• Identifying the qualities that define a good leader.
• Making informed decisions.
• Recognising that voting is a personal and anonymous choice.
• Emphasising that leadership centres on fulfilling responsibilities, rather than merely wearing a badge.
• Highlighting the importance of being a role model, working behind the scenes, and occasionally participating in events.

Our Year 5 girls will learn about the election process, and we look forward to informing the Barbreck Community of the results in the coming weeks. 

Victorian Athletics State Championships

This week, eight Barbreck students competed in the Victorian Athletics State Championships in the 11 Years Relay, 10 Years Relay and 11 Years Long Jump. 

Congratulations to all our competitors who won gold in all three of these events. 

Year 6 student Imogen Brownjohn also won Gold in the 11-Years Long Jump with an incredible 4.62m jump.

Congratulations to the following athletes:

• 11 Years Relay Team: Sienna Yu, Allegra Gavilan-Bongiorno, Taylor Lee and Imogen Brownjohn  
• 10 Years Relay Team: Missoni  (Missy) Byrne, Abigail Chan, Lola Parker and Sienna Xu 
• Imogen Brownjohn, 11 Years State Champion Long Jump

11 Years and 10 Years State Champ Relay Teams with Mr Tom Crebbin

Imogen Brownjohn 11 Years Long Jump State Champion

This is an outstanding achievement for these girls and their sports coaches, Mr Tom Crebbin, Miss Olivia Cody and Mrs Jenny De Nardis. 

As a School community we congratulate them on their dedication and hard work to achieve their sporting goals. 

We look forward to celebrating them at Assembly soon. 

IMPORTANT DATES