This experience is an important part of establishing our student leadership team culture - working together to make Casebrook a place where students have a powerful and active voice.

Eight House captains, 16 class leaders, 4 student council leaders, and our two Kapa Haka leaders spent Monday and Tuesday at 'PYD' (Loop) in Papanui, last week.

Students were engaged in loads of discussion, team-building, challenging activities such as rock climbing, lunch with special education students from Allenvale school, and finally presenting their experiences through speeches to their parents and peers.

Student highlights included:

"I learnt that leadership isn't just about leading others it about working together as a team and trusting each other. I learnt to face my fears of heights and to commit to my fears of rock climbing." Gafatasi Ierome

"To think proactive not reactive to work more as a team." Will Brown

"I learnt how to be a leader and what it means to be one." Brooklyn McDonald

"I know I can be a good leader if I get put in the role. And if I knuckle down I can get something done." Angus Hay

This experience sets up our students for a year of pro-active leadership and builds the confidence we want our young leaders to have in our school.

We would like to thank Hamish, Jeremy, Tom and Dan for their facilitation of the course and especially the food. Leadership on a full stomach is so much easier!

We are very fortunate to have a local community organisation such as PYD working with our Casebrook REPS. We are also very fortunate to have the Christchurch City Council supporting our leadership development through their youth development scheme which enables us to keep expenses for parents at a minimum.

Nick Leith

Casebrook Deputy Principal