Towards Leadership
CCGS alumni and parents shared their experience during a two day program empowering students to explore their personal path to leadership.
Students learned that leadership requires awareness and skills and that these are attributes which you can learn and develop. Workshop topics included the importance of consistency, planning and developing your critical path, goal setting for self leadership, stress management, digital innovation, social media branding, assertive communication and having difficult conversations.
James Bracey (2002), sports journalist and TV host, shared why it was special coming back to CCGS, “Now I have had the experience of leaving school I can see it through their [students] eyes, “Where am I going? What am I going to do? How am I going to get there?”. It felt good to come back and share my experience. For CCGS alumni to come back and share their thoughts and give these students an insight was really special. I hope they realise that they can start now to forge their career ahead.”
Students engaged with a diverse range of professions including journalism, trades, police force, science, music, human resources, accountancy, property management, law, dentistry and clinical psychology. They were privileged to hear first hand from successful past students and ask questions to shape their career plans.
The ingredients of a good leader
Claire Richmond (1996), emergency physician with NSW Ambulance on the Rescue Helicopter, spoke about leadership, “There are three main ingredients that make up being a good leader: focus, discipline and reflection.” She challenged students to look at these three disciplines while at school and practice them whenever possible.
Past student Christian Whitfield (2013), now a Commercial Analyst at Wesfarmers, gave one solid piece of advice which has served him well, “Always take what you do really seriously but never take yourself too seriously.”
2009 Dux Lauren Holz, international lawyer, shared her thoughts on future career paths, “It’s challenging for students because there is so much choice available. A lot of the jobs in the future don’t even exist now.” She encouraged students to keep an open mind and have a willingness to explore things that they think might not be for them. “I’d encourage students to back yourself and don’t limit yourself. Careers are competitive and jobs might seem out of reach. Even if you’re not sure you can do it always try and see what might happen.”
Students embraced the program learning how to manage themselves better and become a more effective group member. They walked away understanding that leadership cannot be bestowed upon us by any formal appointment in or out of school. They understood that every student will travel some distance along a personal path towards leadership.
Relationships and team building
Robert Bacon, Year 10 student, shared his experience, “It was exciting to see how people had progressed from school to how they are now in the real world. I’ve learnt that it is great to know people and keep those relationships growing through life to help build opportunities for future jobs or work.”
The program finished with the Raw Challenge, a gruelling muddy obstacle course designed to test students' team building and leadership skills. Georgie Hyde, Year 10 student, said, “I really enjoyed the Raw Challenge. We worked together as a group and people got to take up opportunities of leadership. We all helped each other out.”
Further leadership seminars continue to run in 2019. Year 12 students recently heard from Natalie Borg of Human Connections who gave practical advice and strategies to focus on character strengths. Key elements of Senior College programs, including the leadership diploma, help prepare students for life post school.
It's fantastic to see alumni returning to challenge and reassure today's students. A sincere thank you to all the speakers who generously gave their time to present workshops during the 2018 Towards Leadership program.
