Everyday I feel privileged to work at PCS. I get to work with great colleagues, with great students within a great school. As part of the Executive team, I am involved in forward planning and decision making, and as Stage 6 Coordinator, I get to work closely with the senior students and help them work towards achieving their goals for life after school.
However, one of the greatest privileges for me is working with our High School Captains and SRC.
For some reason I have found myself thrust into leadership positions ever since I was a kid. From captaining sporting teams back in Primary School to being the Editor of the Champion Post, and now working within leadership at PCS, it is something I have never sought out, but somehow always landed in.
Leading is not an easy job. You generally find yourself under more scrutiny, have to maintain higher standards, you always have to have time for people, and people tend to share their criticism and complaints with you far more than positivity.
However, it is also such a rewarding job.
It is satisfying to personally set a goal and reach it, but to get alongside someone else and help them achieve their potential, or simply improve their skills, knowledge or confidence, is simply the most rewarding thing I have experienced.
I am constantly amazed by our student leadership group. Teenagers are (very unfairly in my opinion) often painted as self-involved and bereft of genuine empathy. However, every year I see young people step up as leaders and display care, compassion and selfless service for others.
This week the High School captains shared some of their plans for 2025 with me – and the thing that stood out is their care for others.
They want to host events for their peers to enjoy, they want to organise activities to bring students together, they want to provide safe spaces for kids to come and have a chat with them at any time, they want to raise money for charity.
The SRC reps have the same heart for their classmates – constantly talking to them about how they can make school a better experience for them.
None of these things are dictated by myself or anyone else on the leadership team. We stand at a distance and guide the students. Sometimes they need a bit of help, or gentle correction because they don’t always get things right (who does?) but they are the ones making the decisions and leading the students.
I am excited for the year ahead. In my time at PCS we have had some wonderful student leaders, and this year is no exception.
Keep an eye out for these students – and the other students who don’t hold official positions but are still leaders anyway. They are our future, and our future is in good hands.
Greg
