Fostering the skills of service and contribution at Grimwade House
I have a vivid memory of standing on a basketball court on a muggy summer’s morning, holding a microphone that would sometimes make an awful screech.
I remember looking out at a sea of children in red polo tops at my small primary school in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne. I was shaking. I felt like I was about to speak in parliament, accept a Nobel Prize, or sing in a worldwide arena tour.
But I knew I was about to do something much more important than that. I was in Grade 6. I was the School Captain. And I was about to say, “Good morning everyone – Please stand for the National Anthem.”
As teachers and parents (but most significantly, adults), we forget the sheer weight that we attributed to responsibility as a child. We forget the sense of beaming pride we used to feel when our efforts were noticed.
At Grimwade House, we teachers remember these feelings. That’s why we run leadership programs designed to get as many students as possible out of their comfort zone, and into that feeling of accomplishment.
Our approach to student leadership at Grimwade House consists of three programs: School and House Captains, Year 6 Service Teams, and the Student Representative Council (SRC).
Those in formal leadership roles such as School Captain and House Captain represent their peers and the School at formal occasions, lead assemblies and special events, and act as role models for younger students. They learn that leadership is more than a title, but it is about service, contribution, and making a difference in the lives of others.
By nature, formal leadership roles are typically embraced by students who already exhibit leadership qualities. But in our Year 6 Service Team Program, every student has the opportunity to develop this skillset through meaningful contribution.
Service Teams consist of small groups of Year 6 students aligned by their interests; the Junior Primary Reading Service Team visit Year 1 classrooms weekly to listen to the younger children read aloud, the Chapel Service Team work with Reverend Helen to host sacred events in the Anglican calendar, and the Environment Service Team lead sustainability initiatives across the School. By engaging in regular, meaningful acts of service within their community, they build their confidence, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
Our students are passionate about making a difference, and the Student Representative Council is designed to amplify their voices. The SRC is a group of Class Captains from Years 2 to 6 that meet fortnightly to discuss what is going well in their year levels, and the things they would like to change.
Earlier this year, the SRC had the idea to paint the wooden garden beds in the quadrangle to improve the environment for the community. Building upon each other’s ideas, they discussed the best way to decide what to paint on them, deciding on a drawing competition amongst students.
As the supervising teacher, it was wonderful to see the group vote unanimously to support Harrison of Year 3’s beautiful drawings of native Australian animals. These drawings will soon become a permanent fixture at Grimwade House and a wonderful reminder of the power of student voice in making change for good.
Phoebe O’Shaughnessy,
Year 5 Classroom Teacher and Student Leadership Coordinator
