An individual who recognises they can build and develop their skills, that can collaborate constructively with others and can use their initiative in a proactive and effective way is the type of person a forward-looking organisation wants to add to their ranks. And this week, I have seen all these qualities and more in the students I work with every day.

Students who understand they are a 'work in progress', building knowledge, understanding and the capacity to apply what they know to unseen questions, are evident across Year 12 and Year 13. They are using teacher feedback to improve their essay writing, answers to past paper questions and in the numerous mini assessments set to ensure active recall. Such a growth mindset enables students to increase their academic skills and performance, self-confidence, collaborative and leadership competencies. 

Teamwork was clear to see during the website photo shoot this week when students supported each other with encouraging words, thumbs up, helping each other identify their role in each photograph, and making sure they had the appropriate props too. Natural leaders came to the fore, suggesting creative and original ideas, bringing others along with them as the ideas developed and celebrating the resulting successes. You will be able to see the outcomes of this extraordinary morning in due course and I am sure you will be impressed with the wit and resourcefulness on show. Here is a peek behind the scenes with Ollie and Josh.

As Eileen Bistrisky explains, "leaders are not the best at everything. They find people who are best at different things and get them all on the same team."  That is certainly the way I approach my role and as our current and exceptional Year 13 Student Leadership team move on to focus fully on their exams, I look forward to the process of assembling a bright, new team from the current Year 12 that will continue to Aim High, Believe in Themselves and Make a Difference.

Have a refreshing weekend.

Mrs Rogers