School leaders given food for thought

Almost 100 leaders from local secondary schools got together last week (Friday 18 March) to learn more about effective leadership and how to be good role models.

USQ Fraser Coast organised and ran the Youth Leadership Day to help the students move into their new roles as school leaders.

The day was attended by student leaders from seven local secondary schools: Hervey Bay State High, Urangan State High, Isis District State High, St Mary’s College, Riverside Christian College, Maryborough State High and Aldridge State High.

Students attended a series of workshops on subjects such as leadership skills and competencies and communication for effective leadership.

They also worked on their public speaking skills, which will help them when they have to speak to school assemblies. USQ Fraser Coast Education lecturers Trevor Black and Dr John McMaster ran the workshops.

'The students were able to get to know another and learn how to work together and support one another,' Trevor said. 'They were able to think about what they want to get out of their senior years and find out what their schools expect of them. The teachers clearly explained what they were looking for from the student leaders.'

Staff accompanying the students took part in sessions run parallel with the student workshops. They were aimed at assisting the teachers to develop important mentoring skills and to enable them to mentor both student leaders and their colleagues more effectively.