Student Leadership Development Programme
Find out how Canberra Secondary School builds future-ready leaders through a structured programme spanning Secondary 1 to 3.
Student Leadership Development @ Canberra
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.
The Leadership Challenge Model
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
Student Leaders Learning Outcomes
Level | Skills | Attributes |
Secondary 1 Personal Leadership | To be a Responsible and self-directed learner, with Integrity | Self-discipline Personal responsibility |
Secondary 2 Team Leadership | Be a Confident student leader of Exemplary character | Confident Teamwork |
Secondary 3 Servant Leadership (Stewardship) | Be a Resilient leader who can act as the voice of the student body and conquer their aspirations to contribute to the school | Servant leadership Resilience |
Secondary 4/5 People Development | Be a Passionate mentor who can Serve the student body with distinction; and in turn contribute to the community | Mentoring skills |