2009 MLC School Leaders

Opportunities for girls to develop their leadership skills can be an issue in some schools. This is not the case at MLC.

• By the time she leaves Kent House, every girl will have experienced what it feels like to lead an Assembly, a group or a team.
• Middle School girls will have researched what leadership means to them and developed and implemented a system based on their findings for their peers.
• The challenge for Senior girls is to qualify rather than just be nominated or elected as a school leader.

Leadership is a goal accessible to all. Leadership opportunities exist for all students PK-12, from classroom helpers of PK-2, to Class captains of Year 5, Middle School Leadership Team in Year 8 and House and School Captains in Year 12.

At MLC School, girls are taken seriously; their voices contribute to our agenda and the expectations of all concerned with them promote success. Students are encouraged to become involved in such student led initiatives as SRC, SMS and Rainbow Week, where multiculturalism is explored and celebrated, as well as the many committees and Service Learning initiatives that operate within MLC.

Students in Senior School are engaged directly in decisions about many aspects of school life. their collective and individual voices have been evident in the following ways:

• discussing, promoting and communicating ‘Support and Repair’ – our new approach to the MLC code of conduct. The Student Representative Council has been pivotal in communicating expectations to students, as well as suggesting effective strategies for ‘repair’

• MLC girls are used to acknowledging and celebrating each other's achievements, competencies and talents.

  2009 Middle School Leaders

  contributing to action research in Year 9 through membership of the student advisory group, participation in student focus groups and individual interviews with different members of staff to discuss all aspects of the Year 9 experience
• participating in ‘Student Mediation Services’ (SMS) to help resolve student conflicts
• participating in student-led committees and informal groups that address a range of social justice issues or particular areas of interest.

The inclusion of student voice in the governance of Senior School will continue to be a high priority. An additional opportunity for students will be participation in student advisory groups that will be established for each of Years 9-12. These advisory groups will help inform decisions that directly affect their year groups.

MLC girls are used to acknowledging and celebrating each other's achievements, competencies and talents. MLC is a dynamic and challenging school for girls. It works in a holistic way to fit young women for a future where:

• effective relationships
• ethical behaviour
• understanding of the many facets of leadership
• a positive approach to change
• flexibility and commitment
• as well as strong capacity as a learner

are essential to a fulfilling life.