Where There’s A Will Between Leaders
The Where There’s A Will vision has been shared with the next group of school leaders at a summit held in Aberdeen recently.
Students who attended a National Youth Leadership summit came together with other students from the five local high schools to share their experience.
“We learnt skills on how to become a better leader and better versions of ourselves – it was really beneficial and we took a lot away from it,” Muswellbrook High School student Imogen Owen said.
“What we have tried to do is preserve the main messages that we took from Adelaide and take that back, spread it further and wider and hopefully the people here can further expand and teach as many people as possible,” fellow Year 11 student Will Rankin explained.
One of the main things they focused on in both Adelaide and here at their own summit was the power of language.
“We talk about how much language can either build up or break down our psyche, our mental health, and just overall has a great effect on us,” Will said, adding that positive and effective communication can change how ideas are portrayed.
Millie Harris from St Joseph’s High School Aberdeen put her name forward to take part in the event as she hopes to be able to take on a school leaders role next year.
“I have found today excellent, learning all different leadership skills and how to step up,” she said.
Throughout the day there was discussion about what kind of leaders participants would like to be, about their journey, and qualities of a good leader.
“Some of the ideas people have in relation to improving their schools are really positive and I think there is a lot of potential for some really good change that can happen,” Will said.
“What is more important than that I think is people are recognising that they really do have the potential and the ability to impact this change.”
“We really want to make it clear to the students that if they see a problem in their school they are able to stand up for that and make a difference,” Imogen concluded.