March 2012 Newsletter - Seaview High School

The Change Makers: Our StudentsWhat do we expect of student leaders these days? Earlier in the year our Care Groupteachers worked with their students towards identifying the characteristics of a goodleader. Major foci were around accessing Student Voice, bringing it into the light andproviding advocacy for our young people as they make their way through school.Student Leaders’ work is hard work. Many students from across our school wereprepared to step up, out of their comfort zone and commit to making a seriouscontribution to the life of our school.Care Groups carefully elected their forty seven Care Group Leaders. These studentspresented themselves to be selected as Captains. Each prepared and submitted astatement identifying their skills, understandings and experiences together with araft of Voice-enabling strategies that they expect to use to access and advocate forthe voice of the young people.Student statements included:• I want to be able to make a difference and help all students to have theiropinions heard as well as being someone they can talk to and get advice from• I can listen to others and work with them to solve issues that they might have• I would love this school to have more student voice and I can try my best toget what the students would like to change by respectively communicatingand interacting with the teachers and other staff• I would really like to change a few things• I’ll try to make the school a happy, healthy and safe place for all of my fellowstudents and teachers.• If people ask me something I will definitely bring it up at meetings and try toget it changed to make the school a better place.• I have strong leadership qualities including working well in a team, bringingup fresh ideas and being organised• I’m an excellent problem solver and simply just do not give up• If something is not right then I’ll stand up and fix it• I can make the school as strong as ever with new, unique and innovative ideas• I am keen to work with young people from all groups in order to get theirideas out there. I am inclusive, understanding and get things done• I am a loud speaker, good listener and quick learner.Students within the International Student group also selected their Captains.Our school Captains were presented to our whole school community at theInternational Women’s Day/Student Voice Assembly on Thursday 8 March. CareGroup Leaders were also acknowledged.The very next day these young people were conferencing with their peers to identifyand prioritise issues as they planned for their work in 2012.Students have also stepped up into a number of key decision making committees.These include The Uniform Committee, The Facilities Committee and The CanteenCommittee. Three Year 11 Captains have also embraced the opportunity to be theStudent Voice representatives on our Governing Council.Our students now need to work effectively so that our school can continue to build,strengthen and thrive.Mick DineenASSISTANT PRINCIPAL