Secondary Thought Piece
Article by Mr Duncan Greenbank, Head of Senior School
The Flinders Lead Well is a year-long program designed to equip our Year 11s in Senior School with leadership skills and wellbeing support. The aim is to prepare students for the rigour and opportunities of their Year 12 graduating journey.
The Year 11 Lead Well program has two areas of focus:
- Practical leadership experience, giving students the opportunity to develop, evaluate and apply leadership skills; and
- Integration of The Resilience Project’s nationally-recognised wellbeing program, which enhances the academic care we provide for our students.
Practical Leadership at Flinders
Throughout the year, students are able to gain practical leadership experience through assisting with House activities, which span sporting events, team building activities and charity fundraising campaigns. There are specific leadership roles which require students to take ownership of tasks, fostering accountability and building an understanding of clear role definition and task allocation.
As part of the Lead Well program, our students learn five practices of exemplary leadership:
- Model the Way: Leaders demonstrate expected behaviours and are clear about their guiding principles and values;
- Inspire a Shared Vision: Leaders envision the future and encourage others to contribute to shared aspirations;
- Challenge the Process: Leaders embrace innovation and risk-taking to improve processes. This requires resilience and creative problem-solving;
- Enable Others to Act: Leaders build relationships and foster collaboration by engaging team members and building trust; and
- Encourage the Heart: Leaders recognise contributions and celebrate others’ achievements to create a culture of appreciation and community.
Learning Skills and Strategies for Wellbeing
There is extensive research that reveals children with healthy wellbeing are more engaged and successful learners. By integrating The Resilience Project's award-winning wellbeing program within our Year 11 pastoral care framework, we are able to support our students’ academic care.
Our Year 11 students are learning a range of wellbeing skills and strategies:
- Mindfulness and stress management techniques to develop their concentration and focus during lessons and when completing assignments, leading to improved academic performance.
- Practising gratitude to recognise positive aspects of their lives, which fosters a more positive attitude towards learning, boosting their academic motivation and engagement.
- Effective time management strategies to balance their academic responsibilities and workload with their personal wellbeing.
- Practising empathy to reduce academic anxiety, helping students to approach their studies with a calmer and more positive mindset, which can lead to better outcomes.
- Resilience and coping strategies to develop stronger problem-solving skills, essential for overcoming academic challenges.
A Healthy School Culture - Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness
Another key aspect of academic success is the environment in which students learn. A school culture that incorporates principles of Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness fosters a supportive and inclusive learning environment. This encourages students to seek help when needed and collaborate effectively with their peers.
Additionally, training teachers in these principles enhances their ability to support students' emotional and academic needs. This is the supportive environment we strive to provide at Flinders for our students to feel valued and understood.
Furthermore, the Lead Well program supports students' holistic development and growth, so they are not only academically competent but also emotionally and socially well-adjusted. Encouraging empathy within the program helps students work better in group settings, promoting collaborative learning and peer support, which are vital components of a well-rounded education.
In our Senior School, we look forward to developing the Lead Well program to provide a comprehensive framework for our Year 11 students to develop essential leadership skills through hands-on experience and structured guidance.
