Through a curated selection of programs and initiatives, ELTHAM College nurtures ambitious students to achieve their full potential. We speak to Lesley Moulin, Director of Senior School, and Jess, current Year 12 student and College Vice Captain, about the leadership opportunities on offer at ELTHAM.
Q: What qualities do ELTHAM’s leadership programs aim to nurture?
Lesley Moulin >
The opportunities offered at ELTHAM College embed foundational skills to forge world-ready graduates, from public speaking to event planning and mentoring. Beyond that, by reinforcing the House System and collaborative relationships across all levels of the College, we foster a rewarding sense of community, contribution and belonging.
ELTHAM’s leadership programs are intentional ecosystems, whereby younger students learn from and aspire to those more senior to them — in turn becoming role models for the next generation of students as they grow.
Q: How do you inspire and encourage students to embrace leadership?
Lesley Moulin >
From Year 7, each student has a teacher mentor who helps them choose one or two co-curricular activities to build their confidence and connect them with older student role models.
Year 9 and 10 students start having access to more formalised leadership initiatives, such as leading the organisation of a school Assembly, holding key roles in the production of House Music, or the Year 10 Outdoor Education Leaders program.
Engaged Year 11 students are given greater opportunities like delivering keynote speeches at College events — serving as a trial for a future College Captain role.
We remind students that you don't need a badge to be a leader and we listen to all student voices. Anyone can have an idea, tell their mentor, and the mentor will then facilitate a meeting with the year level coordinator and myself.
Q: What’s been your most memorable leadership experience at ELTHAM?
Jess >
Being Vice Captain has tested and pushed my organisation and public speaking skills and I am now a far more confident person which is a great strength to carry.
One of my favourite opportunities this year has been hosting a panel of women at our full school assembly, presenting for International Women's Day. This opportunity developed my public speaking skills, presenting at a 5 – 12 assembly, and my ability to work with and bounce off a panel.
Outside of my leadership position I have also volunteered my time to assist younger students with their work in the school's MESH program, assisted at Junior School Division carnivals, helped at the Brisbane Lions Football Clinic, volunteered for the Big Group Hug multiple times, run programs for Year 7 Orientation and Think ELTHAM days, aiding in the Prep – Year 2 maths competitions as well as being heavily involved in sports and music programs.
Q: How has your leadership experience shaped your outlook on the future?
Jess >
There are constant challenges in a leadership position that you have to manage, however one of the biggest incidental strengths you gain is to problem solve. This skill is not something that can be taught but is so crucial for any positions you hold in the future, whether it be workplace conflict, resolving social issues or financial dilemmas to organising yourself and working out how to problem solve when you have too much on your plate at once.
In the future I would like to continue my studies to set myself up for a job in medical science. My leadership skills are not just something that look good on a resume, but will help in my confidence talking to or in front of groups of people, help me be a super organised person, and someone who is a good problem solver. These qualities make me feel far more prepared for leadership roles beyond ELTHAM.
