Shining Lights for Week 2, Term 4, 1910/2023
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.
Setting and achieving goals
Written by Study Work Grow
To make the most out of your high school years, mapping out what you want to achieve is important. That’s where SMART goals come into play. In this blog, we’ll discuss how setting and achieving SMART goals can not only enhance your high school experience, but also serve you well in all aspects of life.
SMART goals
Think of setting SMART goals like crafting a roadmap for your aspirations. These goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely. They provide a clear direction and a concrete plan to follow, which is crucial for staying focused and motivated throughout your high school years.
Specific
Be clear about what you want to achieve. Instead of saying, “I want to do better in school,” be specific and say, “I want to improve my maths grades from a B to an A.” You’ll be able to track your progress, and it provides a tangible way to see how far you’ve come, which can be incredibly motivating.
Measurable
You’ll need to measure how you’re doing to stay accountable and keep on track. If your goal is to read more books, set a number, like “I want to read 10 books this school year.” This way, you’ll easily be able to measure your progress, and feel motivated to keep going.
Achievable
While it’s good to aim high, it’s equally important to set goals that are within reach. Setting goals that are too challenging can lead to frustration and discouragement. For instance, if you struggled with maths last year, aiming for an A+ might be a bit too ambitious. Instead, opt for a goal like “I’d like to improve by one grade each semester.” This allows for steady progress without overwhelming yourself.
Relevant
Goals should align with your aspirations and interests. Setting goals just for the sake of it won’t provide the same level of motivation. For example, if you aspire to be a scientist, setting a goal to enhance your science grades is both meaningful and relevant. When you’re genuinely invested in a goal, you’re more likely to put in the effort needed to achieve it.
Timely
Establishing milestones or checkpoints along the way can help maintain your motivation. For instance, “I want to be able to run a mini marathon by July.” These time-bound targets give you a sense of progress and a deadline to work towards. But remember, it’s important that these milestones are still realistic and achievable, allowing you to celebrate your achievements along the way.
Setting SMART goals isn’t a rigid process. It’s perfectly fine to adjust your goals as you go along, adapting to new circumstances or gaining a better understanding of your capabilities. Stay motivated, work hard, and enjoy your high school years to the fullest.
The Musical Takes the Stage!
This week our primary students shone brightly on stage as they brought the musical Shrek Jr to life. It was truly remarkable to witness the culmination of countless hours of dedication and effort. Our students have every reason to be proud of their achievement. The cast members delivered exceptional performances, and we eagerly anticipate watching these budding stars continue to grow as they progress through their educational journey at the college.
Participating in the musical allowed students to explore their creativity and develop their artistic skills through singing, dancing, and acting, fostering self-expression and self-confidence.
The musical was a wonderful showcase of talent and creativity, and we owe a heartfelt thank you to the incredible individuals who made it all possible.
Our dedicated director, Amy Chester and assistant director Alex Haslam poured countless hours into shaping the production, from auditions to the final curtain call. Their unwavering commitment to nurturing the students' artistic abilities and bringing this enchanting story to life is commendable.
The captivating dance routines that brought the characters to life were thanks to our amazing choreographers Danelle Ayres & Cassandra Michelin.
Victoria Cordova's exceptional work on costumes and the Shrek Jnr Creators Studio added depth and authenticity to the characters, elevating the entire performance.
We extend our gratitude to the incredible parents and grandparents who generously contributed items to our Shrek Creator Studio, helped rehearse lines and songs with their children and gave their time to help create costumes, in particular during the working bee for the Kindergarten students.
The sets were designed by Sarah Bowden using drawings from Years 5 & 6 and painted by a team of staff and primary and secondary students.
Cristal Dinwoodie has been instrumental in bringing together different elements of the show, from ticket sales and set painting to organising sound and lighting.
Thank you also to Nick Cooke and Matt Russell for their help with the set and stage, we couldn’t have done it without you.
To the primary staff, congratulations on a job well done! Thank you for the many extra hours you have all contributed, taking on extra yard duties and classes, making costumes, props, set painting, and doing all those little jobs that have helped make this amazing experience possible for our students.
Together, our team of passionate educators, dedicated families and talented students created a musical experience that will be cherished for years to come. Thank you!
