'Be the change you want to see in the world' – Mahatma Gandhi

Throughout 2024, we have partnered with WELS (Wellbeing, Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Sustainability) School. The aim was to co-design learning experiences that would:

• challenge our students’ current understandings of the concept of leadership
• build the leadership capacity of all Year 6 students
• amplify our existing leadership program.
  
  

The partnership was muti-faceted. Our Year 6 teaching team worked with a consultant to design a year-long inquiry which addressed the following key understandings:

• All people can lead and can be leaders in their life and in their community.
• I am a unique person and leader who can make a positive difference through my actions.
• Each situation is different, so I will lead uniquely and differently to other people.
• I can develop and improve as a leader with effort and practise.
  
  

Each term, the students were involved in experiential leadership days where they had the opportunity to explore, practise, think and learn about the three layers of leadership: leadership of self, leadership with others and leadership as service.

Students’ first exploration into leadership of self was to consider how their actions impacted the sustainability of their world. Following an inquiry into the social, economic and environmental issues affecting different countries in our world, students generated a pitch that addressed a sustainability challenge. The pitch that was deemed to have been the most well researched and would yield the highest impact was presented to our local members of both State and Federal Government.

Students then explored leadership with others. This is centred around our ability to co-operate and collaborate. Firstly, students gained a real-life understanding of the design and production process, and the different resources and sales tactics used to create and market products. They brainstormed an idea for a product and conducted market research to refine it. Students worked in groups to prototype and produce their product using craft and recyclable materials. Their products were sold at a school community market called 'Bizarre Bazaar' and proceeds from the market were directed to the JMB Foundation. The students donated $5188.55 to the foundation.

Our Year 6 students’ final act of service was to begin building the leadership capacity of the Year 5 students. As the students prepared for the formal leadership process, the Year 6 students engaged in an act of service by facilitating a leadership workshop. Each group created a provocation that allowed students to explore a particular leadership trait, for example, teamwork and empathy.

We are extremely proud of the way our Year 6 students and Year 6 teaching team have embraced the concept of leadership. They have embedded the layers of leadership throughout this year’s units of inquiry and we have seen, heard and felt that they have lived the mantra, be the change you want to see in the world.

Emma Chiera
Acting Deputy Head of Junior School Kew – Student Wellbeing