Self Awareness, Courage and Responsibility

As a Round Square school, MLC Junior School uses the Round Square Heroes of Discovery to foster key character traits in our students. To support this, we’ve developed a leadership program based on these principles, equipping our Year 5 girls to lead confidently within the Junior School.

In Year 4 this program starts with:

Self-Awareness: What are my likes and dislikes? What am I good at? What are my interests? By becoming self-aware the girls can discern what leadership portfolios they might be suited to and enjoy. There are leadership portfolios in Junior School Captaincy, Junior School Student Council, art, environment, library, music, service, sport and technology.

Courage: It takes courage to put yourself forward for a leadership position and potentially miss out on it. It takes courage to give a speech in front of others. The girls also learn about strategies to handle their nerves and disappointments (a very important element in this program).

Responsibility: All leadership positions have responsibilities to action. The girls learn what responsibility is and how it can look in their actions. We look at the responsibilities of different leadership roles, so the girls understand what is expected of them in each one.

The program includes stories about the Round Square Heroes of Discovery, along with a response on Seesaw, our Junior School Learning Management System, so parents can be informed of the girls’ reflections and ideas. 

Once in Year 5, the leadership program continues with the character traits of teamwork, communication and problem solving – traits that can be well used when taking responsibility of their leadership portfolios.

Through this program, our students develop the confidence, character, and skills to lead with integrity, preparing them not just for Year 5, but for a lifetime of leadership.

– Joanne Sharpe
Deputy Head of Junior School – Wellbeing