Shore Year 11 Leadership Day
On Tuesday August 15, our Year 11 students gathered for an engaging and insightful Leadership Day. The event was designed to cultivate essential leadership skills and foster a sense of responsibility and servant leadership amongst the boys. The agenda for the day featured a range of speakers, activities, and discussions aimed at shaping the next group of Shore Year 12 leaders.
The day commenced with a series of short speeches by executive staff members. Rev. Benn explained the Christian perspective of Servant Leadership as a guiding principle for effective leadership. Dr Collier, with his wealth of experience, then addressed the students about the significance of leadership in schools and shared with the boys a challenge to step up and be leaders in their final year at school.
Ms Emma Press, an external speaker, then addressed the boys, drawing from her experiences as an accomplished lawyer. She discussed emerging leadership trends and offered invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of corporate leadership. Her discourse provided students with an understanding of the importance of diverse and inclusive leadership approaches and the need to be courageous, empathetic, and respectful as a leader. This was a valuable and important perspective on the qualities that define a great leader.
Toby Brandon-Cooper (’22), the Second Prefect of 2022 at Shore, brought a relatable student’s perspective for the boys. He shared his triumphs and challenges in leading his peers and emphasised the significance of mentorship from strong leaders who guided him. This personal account resonated with the students, offering them a familiar narrative and illustrating the challenging nature of leading your peers as a school prefect.
The middle part of the day was delivered by the external group Burn Bright. Through engaging activities and team-building games, students were guided through discussions on values, goal-setting, and practical leadership strategies. This interactive session equipped the students with practical tools to enhance their leadership skills and emphasised the importance of strong relationships in leadership teams while reinforcing the need for guiding principles and values.
As the day ended, Dr Mansfield explained Shore’s leadership and application process. He outlined the various pathways through which students could engage in leadership roles within the school community, providing information about the numerous opportunities available to them.
To cap off the day, students engaged in reflective conversations with their Housemasters, exploring potential leadership roles within their respective house groups. This closing segment ensured that the students left the day with a clear understanding of the available avenues to practice and refine their leadership skills and an opportunity to discuss key learning from the day in smaller groups.
The Leadership Day at Shore School was a significant experience for the boys, leaving them well-informed and equipped for their respective leadership journeys. Each Year 12 boy is considered a school leader, as younger students look up to them as they take on mentoring roles in their House group and across a range of settings in the school. By exposing them to a diverse array of perspectives, experiences, and practical tools, the event will support them and shape their understanding of leadership.
Thank you very much to each of our excellent presenters, particularly Emma Press and Toby Brandon-Cooper, for giving up your time to speak and share your knowledge and experiences in leadership.
Mr D Champion
Acting Deputy Head Pastoral Care
