St Edmunds College implements a formal process to induct School and House Captains.
“Ask yourself, what makes a good leader?” President John Quincy Adams once said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” At St Edmunds College Canberra, we take great pride in nurturing and empowering our students with the confidence, ability, and desire to take on leadership roles within our school community.
As students progress to Year 11, they are presented with the opportunity to apply for various leadership positions, each carrying significant responsibilities. These roles include College Captain, College Vice Captain – Justice and Solidarity, College Vice Captain – Liberating Education, College Vice Captain – Gospel Spirituality, House Captain (one for each of the 6 houses), and House Vice Captain (one for each of the 6 houses). The selection process takes place in Year 11, allowing the chosen leaders to represent these positions throughout their final year, Year 12.
We are excited to announce that our 2024 prospective leaders will soon be invited to apply and submit their applications. College Leader applicants will have the chance to present to their cohort in week 6 on August 23rd. Following the selection and announcement of College leaders, House applicants will present to their respective house groups during Formation class in week 7 on August 30th. The college community will be formally notified at the College assembly, making the process transparent and inclusive.
At St Edmunds College, we understand the crucial role that leadership plays in fostering student well-being, safety, and positive relationships. Leadership is one of the five key elements of the Australian Student Wellbeing Framework that guides our efforts to create a thriving and supportive school environment for all.
Our practices for selecting school leaders are founded on the principles of the National Safe Schools Framework, emphasising the following:
Develop the school’s vision and values (Eddies Pride): We build upon existing strengths to enhance student learning and sustain the safety and well-being of our entire school community.
Actively seek and incorporate students’ perspectives: We value the input of our students and encourage their active participation, ensuring positive learning outcomes.
Effective communication: We prioritise open communication, sharing the priorities for student learning, safety, and well-being, and fostering collaborative partnerships to fulfill the school’s vision and values.
Collaborative development of policies and plans: We work together to create whole school policies, plans, and structures that protect the safety and promote the well-being of our staff, students, and families.
Continuous improvement: Regular monitoring and review of our school’s capacity to address safety and well-being help identify areas of strength and areas that require improvement, ensuring ongoing growth and development.
In the words of Vince Lombardi, the esteemed American Football Coach & NFL executive, “Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile.” We believe in the potential of every student to become a leader through dedication and commitment.
As we embark on the journey of selecting the future leaders of our school, let us celebrate the qualities that make a good leader and support the growth of our students as they step into these significant roles.
We look forward to witnessing the positive impact our leaders will have on the St Edmunds College community and beyond. Together, let us inspire, learn, do, and become more.
Alana Beard –
Head of Haydon House