Leadership
Academy
"Empowering leaders of faith, service and purpose"
The Leadership Academy is designed to reflect the journey of a young leader moving from self-awareness to community impact across their years at our College.
Leadership Pathway - Kildare Campus​
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'Discovering My Leadership' - Year 7-9
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These formative years focus on personal growth, contribution to community and discovering leadership style.
Key Themes:
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Self-leadership and values exploration
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Teamwork, respect and community identity
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Stepping forward through service and initiative
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Year 7 - 'Leading Myself'
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Introduction to College values and Gospel-based leadership
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Participation in House spirit events and liturgical life
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Peer support connections with Year 10 mentors
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Year 8 - 'Leading with Others'
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Team-based projects (e.g. House events, sustainability clubs)
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Public speaking opportunities and LM, Assembly and Mass readings
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Reflection on Brigidine service (serving with strength and kindliness)
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Year 9 - 'Leading in Action'
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Application to Emerging Leaders Program
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Justice Action Projects (e.g. Vinnies Winter Appeal, Reconciliation Week)
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Voice in campus decision-making through year level forums​
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Leadership Pathway - Brigidine Campus
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'Influencing My World' - Year 10-12
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Leadership becomes more strategic, intentional and outward-facing. Students are expected to shape school culture and contribute to the wider community.
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​Key Themes:
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Mentoring and modelling for younger peers
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Strategic leadership and voice in decision-making
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Advocacy, planning and public engagement
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Year 10 'Emerging Leadership'
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Serve as peer support leaders for Year 7
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Lead in liturgy, sport, justice or cultural programs
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Participate in leadership workshop series
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Application to formal roles (e.g. House leader)
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Year 11 'Leading in Community
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Captains and Ambassadors lead projects, events and assemblies
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Community-based service leadership
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Host leadership panels at Kildare Campus
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Begin mentoring junior students or acting as co-leaders in School of Excellence Academies
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Year 12 'Legacy Leadership'​
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College Captains/Vice Captains lead across the College
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Brigidine Leadership Council coordinates legacy projects
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Provide leadership formation support for staff and young leaders
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Student speeches, graduation representation and public forums
Student Leadership Journey at SJC
Year | Campus | Focus | Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
7 | Kildare | My Leadership Identity | Retreat;
Reflection;
Discovery;
House Spirit |
8 | Kildare | Stepping Out | Public Speaking;
Supporting Projects |
9 | Kildare/Brigidine | Community | Peer Support;
Formal Roles;
Embedding Voice in House |
10 | Brigidine/Kildare | Team Voice | Workshop Presentation;
Mentoring;
Presenting |
11 | Brigidine/Kildare | Action and Impact | Project Leader;
Cross Campus Influence |
12 | Brigidine/Kildare | Senior Leader | Culture Shaper;
Mentor;
Legacy Creator |
Leadership Academy Recognition
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To ensure clarity and purpose, we introduce a recognition structure:​​​
Leadership Structure | Requirements for Recognition |
|---|---|
Emerging Leader | Participation in two campus-based initiatives; Journal Reflection |
Service Leader | Lead two campus-based initiatives; 10 public speaking opportunities; New Metrics portfolio entries |
College Leader | Mentor to junior and emerging leaders; Present at leadership workshop; Lead College initiative |
Senior College Leader | Formal position; Lead a student group; Mentor to service leaders; New Metrics portfolio complete |
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All graduates receive formal certificates. College Leaders are recognised at Awards Night, Leadership Assembly, and in College publications.
Staff Involvement & Campus Coordination
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Each campus has a dedicated Leadership Academy Coordinator (or team) to ensure:
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Age-appropriate delivery of content
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Cross-campus continuity and mentoring
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Integration and liturgy, justice, sport and the arts
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Ongoing student tracking and recognition
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Bridging the Campuses
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Each year, selected Year 10s are paired with Year 8 leaders to form Leadership partnerships, fostering mentoring and visibility across sites.​
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Student Voice at the Heart
Through the Leadership Academy, students participate in:
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Campus Voice Committees (Kildare + Brigidine)
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Student Leadership Summits (each semester)
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Whole-school feedback sessions tied to real College decisions
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Regional Partnerships and Collaboration
To deepen leadership and community engagement, the Leadership Academy will establish partnerships with:
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1. Parade College (Melbourne): Co-develop workshops on strategic leadership, enabling students to engage with metropolitan peers and broaden their perspective.
2. Mount St Joseph's College (Altona): Share leadership models emphasising advocacy and public engagement.
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3. Iona College (Geelong): Joint initiatives in environmental sustainability, tying to regional land care and ecological practices.
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4. Notre Dame College (Shepparton): Facilitate inter-school leadership forums and cultural exchange, focusing on rural challenges and solutions.
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Integrating Melbourne New Metrics Competencies
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The competencies of Communication and Collaboration will be demonstrated through:
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Digital Leadership Portfolios: Students will showcase:
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- Leadership narratives
- Evidence of team projects and public speaking engagements
- Reflections on collaborative efforts with partner schools
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Collaborative Leadership Projects: Each year level will contribute to a cross-campus initiative, documented and presented in their portfolio.
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Regional Focus and Connection to Country
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Local Initiatives:
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Reconciliation Week and Indigenous Leadership: Collaborations with local Elders and Indigenous leaders to embed understanding of cultural heritage and leadership in connection to the land.
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Rural Sustainability Projects: Programs addressing issues such as water use, farming innovation, and rural community health.
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Global Perspective:​
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​Leadership excursions to international partner schools emphasising global citizenship and understanding of Indigenous cultures worldwide.
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Case studies linking local and international rural challenges.
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Enriching the Program
Year-Specific Leadership Pathways
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Year 8: Collaboration with local councils to run community engagement projects
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Year 10: Peer mentorship with metropolitan schools to bridge urban-rural leadership perspectives.
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Year 12: Develop and lead 'Leadership for the Future' workshop, involving partner schools and local community leaders.
Capstone Project for Senior Leaders:
A culminating task for Tier 4 leaders, focusing on a significant regional issue or partnership project.
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