Assistant Principal Pastoral Care

Captains

With the departure of our Year 12s at the end of Term 3, the College has begun its process of electing Captains for 2024 which will be finalised by the end of Week 2 and then we will move on to House Captains, Junior House Captains and Indigenous Captains (Junior and Seniors). 

What makes a good School Captain? I suppose there are a thousand opinions and millions of words written about leadership…but I will ignore opinion and scholarship and talk about what I have seen.  The “perfect” Captain (probably like the perfect person in anything) doesn’t exist. But they probably have some of this about them: 

• Collaboration. Listening. Surveying. And by doing this being representative of those whom they lead. At LCCC - K to 12 (with emphasis on the K). Kindness. Patience. 
• Initiative. Chase it, don’t wait. Time races away. Enthusiasm. Involvement. 
• A very mature, almost peer-like, relationship with the staff with whom you work that is based on mutual respect, shared vision and trust (reciprocal gratitude?). When dealing with the very best Captains (and House Captains), I don’t say much, just carry out their instructions. 
• Some “Front of House” ability is a great asset. Public speaking skills a bonus. Worked with a few charismatic Captains (a big ask of any 17 year old). 
• The ability to involve others in leadership. I don’t think “inspire” or “delegate” are quite accurate in what I am trying to say. More like “invite” others to share in leadership. Great Captains often bring a quality “leadership” team with them. Know what you do well and let talented others do what they do well. 
• Stamina. Resilience. If you think that you are going to please all the people, all  the time…and that’s just in Year 12. Imagine how hard it is the engage Year 9 boys! As well as being Captain, you are also in Year 12 with all those academic demands (and the things that go along with being 17 going on 18). 
• Credibility. Integrity. It’s not about being perfect, but you need to be a role model as best you can. The reality is that a Captain is the flagship for the rules and expectations. And values. Followers peel away quickly when credibility wanes. 
• The understanding that leading is serving. 

The last comes first. 

And I appreciate my own shortcomings in not ticking all my own boxes - working on it.