High School students learn leadership skills

Over 100 High School Captains and prefects from schools across the region took part in the University of Southern Queensland’s (USQ) annual Youth Leadership Programme on Friday 22 February 2008.

The Year 12 students travelled from as far away as Charleville to attend the one-day Programme, which is designed to help them to begin to understand leadership and develop skills to support them in their role as leaders.

'Throughout the course of the day the students looked at what makes an effective leader,' Youth Leadership Programme Co-ordinator and Faculty of Education lecturer Susan Morgan said.

'Student leaders from 19 schools attended from across Toowoomba and the Darling Downs. At the end of the day, students returned to their school communities feeling empowered and better equipped to lead.'

The Programme included an address from the keynote speaker Janine Shepherd.

'USQ’s very own Robert Ketton presented a seminar designed to assist Youth Leadership Programme participants to become more dynamic public speakers,' Ms Morgan said.

'Former school leaders were also on hand to talk about their experiences in leadership during an interactive forum including Lana Harch, team member of the Australian Women’s Soccer team, the Matilda’s,  businessman and elite sportsman Troy Morgan and Issac Moody, CEO of one of Australia’s largest music festivals, Easterfest.'

Now in its fourth year, the initiative was originally organised in response to a request from High School Principals.

'Prior to the commencement of the Youth Leadership Programme in 2005 there was nothing like this locally on offer to support school leaders,' Ms Morgan said.

'The Programme has been well received by schools and School Principals have been very supportive of the concept and outcomes.'

Media Contact: USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2092