Student Leadership Development Programme

Student Leadership Development @ Canberra

The Leadership Challenge Model

Our Student Leadership Development Programme @ Canberra aims to equip all Secondary 1 to 3 students with vital leadership skills, drawing inspiration from the acclaimed Leadership Challenge Model developed by Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner. This programme is designed to empower our Canberrans, fostering their growth into future-ready leaders.

	Secondary 1 – Self-Leadership Secondary 1 Canberrans are introduced to the fundamentals of leadership. They will develop personal leadership skills, learning to navigate new and unfamiliar environments with new friends, teachers, and situations. The focus is on the practice of “Model the Way”, where students set positive examples for others to follow, demonstrating the values and behaviours that reflect their character traits.
	Secondary 2 – Peer Leadership Our Secondary 2 Canberrans delve into the themes of "Challenge the Process" and "Enable Others to Act." They will develop peer leadership skills by fostering teamwork, creating innovative ways to solve problems, and providing support to their fellow students to promote collective success. This enhances their leadership capabilities and contributes to their holistic development.
	Secondary 3 – People Leadership Our Secondary 3 Canberrans will learn more about “Inspire a Shared Vision” and “Encourage the Heart”. They develop leadership skillsets to become People Leaders by nurturing a collective vision and inspiring others to unite in pursuit of shared goals, fostering a culture of teamwork and collaborative success.

Student Leadership Development Framework

In Canberra Secondary School, we implement a three-tiered Student Leaders Framework in the form of a pyramid, designed to cultivate comprehensive leadership skills among our Canberrans.

Tier 1: Personal Leadership

At the base of the pyramid, all Secondary 1 to 3 students are introduced to basic leadership principles through the Leadership Challenge Model. Class leaders are chosen to guide their peers and develop their leadership abilities. These leaders play a crucial role in fostering a positive class atmosphere and participate actively in school-wide projects such as the Cheer Competition and the YOLO project, promoting unity and teamwork.

Tier 2: Team Leadership

The next level of the pyramid focuses on Team Leadership, where Co-Curricular Activity (CCA) leaders collaborate to guide their teams towards achieving shared goals. These leaders also engage in synergistic projects, coordinated by the Student Leadership Committee, to enrich the school experience. Uniformed Group Student Leaders lead and organize events like the Sports Fest, National Day Parade, and Kids Read @ North Oaks Primary School.

Tier 3: Servant Leadership (Stewardship)

At the apex of the pyramid is Servant Leadership, where Student Council members act as Community Youth Leaders, engaging in initiatives that have a positive impact on the school and the broader community. The Student Council Executive Committee Members participate in advanced leadership development programs, such as the Student Leaders Network organized by Hwa Chong Institution and the Fit to Lead Programme by Republic Polytechnic. These experiences further enhance their leadership skills, enabling them to serve as effective ambassadors for the school community. They represent their peers and lead various initiatives, including the Student Suggestion Scheme, the Canberran Soundtrack, and the Canberran Spotlight, all aimed at enhancing the overall student experience in Canberra.

This three-tiered Student Leaders Framework ensures that all students have opportunities to develop and apply their leadership skills, preparing them to be responsible and engaged Community Youth Leaders.

LEADERSHIP TRAITS, ATTRIBUTES, VALUES AND SKILLS

At the end of their secondary school education, each Canberran would be able to develop and manifest the following SEL competencies and leadership attributes & skills:

• Self-awareness

• Social awareness

• Self management

• Relationship management

• Responsible decision-making

LEADERSHIP TRAITS

• Team development: To empower students with influencing and mentoring skills.

• Project leadership: To allow students to build up resilience, task and people management skills to solve problems positively.

• Peer leadership: To enable students understand the importance of teamwork and build up confidence to lead small teams.

• Self-leadership: To enable students to appreciate that integrity, personal responsibility and self-discipline are vital to becoming an effective leader.

ATTRIBUTES

• Confident

• Responsible

• Exemplary character

• Self-discipline

• Resilience

VALUES

Serving with distinction, Living with integrity, Learning with passion

SKILLS

• To be a confident leader who is able to challenge their potential and conquer their aspirations

• Be a student leader of Exemplary character for others to emulate

• Be a Responsible leader who is the voice of the student body

• Serve the student body with distinction and in turn contribute to the community

LEARNING OUTCOMES OF STUDENT LEADERS IN CANBERRA SECONDARY SCHOOL