New leaders: Next year’s young leaders receive badges from Barbara O’Brien.
Photo by
Gianni Francis
Grahamvale Primary School’s 2022 school leaders were announced on Monday, December 6.
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The new leaders were announced in front of the whole school by principal Simone Higgins, who highlighted the importance of the school’s leadership values of respect, teamwork and community.
“Leadership is one of the most important skills that we can learn to be the best person we can be and to make the world a better place,” she said.
“It’s not a right, but a privilege.
“Leaders are not bossy or loud and they don’t always get things right, but they take feedback on board and look at the big picture.”
Greater Shepparton Secondary College executive principal and former Grahamvale principal Barbara O’Brien spoke to the group and presented the badges.
Ms Higgins said this would further strengthen links with the college and the transition of students to the high school.
Ms O’Brien, who left Grahamvale Primary in 2008, said some of the Preps she taught back then were graduating Year 12 at Greater Shepparton Secondary College.
“They remember me putting them through a little test, when they used to come in for their first meeting before school started,” she said.
“I’d say ‘now tell me your name’, you know, ‘can you write it?’, and ‘what colours can you tell me?’ and ‘how far can you count?’, and they remembered it.
“But when they came up to me I couldn’t recognise them, they were all grown up.”
Two generations: Current principal Simone Higgins (left) and former principal Barbara O’Brien sing the school song.
Photo by
Gianni Francis
The young leaders represent the school at key events and take part in the junior school council meeting where they put forward ideas for the school, including special days.
The leaders also host fundraisers for the school and undergo leadership training with teacher Suzanne Watts.
They also practise their public speaking skills and regularly address their peers.
The new student leaders will also be mentored by the current leaders to learn about their roles and responsibilities.
These will include being a buddy for new Foundation students, helping them settle into daily school life.
New kids on the block: (From left) Grahamvale Primary School principal Simone Higgins, student leaders Jamilla Silvera, Samuel Carroll, Ruby Kiker, Leah Druitt, Karthik Birudaraju, Jayda Dagger, Lincoln Blyth, Lucy Hemming, Noah Sabri, Ethan Montgomery, Tarlia Rudge, Eve Ferremi, Savannah O’Bree and Mia Corish and former principal Barbara O’Brien.
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