Leadership and Service at the Senior School

Leadership

This year so much has been uncertain and required unusual levels of negotiation and sustained leadership from students.

What does leadership look like in a year where much of what you plan for needs re-planning? When even the re-plan often needs a re-think? Where everything is unpredictable? It looks like a crash course in change management, a key facet of leadership. So, while this year has been challenging for student leaders, it has also provided a unique opportunity for growth in leadership.

As a community, we can be proud of the way our prefects and council members have held themselves. They have led ably and with the humility required in a time where many of their peers have been disappointed at the way the year has played out. Perhaps most importantly, our school leaders have lived out our school mission statement as ‘servant leaders in the Kingdom of God’. They have continually focussed on how they can serve in the various areas they’ve been asked to and all in a positive way. The prefects, in particular, have taken the duties required of them in their stride, whether it has meant evening duties with parent events (fielding difficult questions from Mr Budler on the spot!), duties at the Primary Campus, drumming up support for their houses at Athletics Day, or being a part of planning so that their peers can enjoy events such as a Year 13 conference at the end of the year. We are blessed to have such willing and able servant leaders who model how to do this well for students who follow after them.

Service

Although COVID-19 has had a massive impact on everything this year, KingsWay students have still managed to serve our wider community and in the process, showing how they can be God’s hands and feet.

Service through sport continues to be a great way for students to develop their servant leadership skills and heart for others. Students have taken on a range of roles in sport, from coaching school teams, officiating after-school matches, assisting in junior sports days, and offering a helping hand during lunchtime activities.

Some of the wonderful ways our students have connected with the Primary students has been through student-led devotions, playground duties, and serving our younger community in being positive role-models.

Often unnoticed, there are a number of diligent students working behind the scenes to put on events here at KingsWay School. There have been countless hours invested by students in setting up wider school events including school assemblies, peer-support mornings, the Dance Festival, worship nights and open days.  These students continue to provide an invaluable service for the school and do so humbly and faithfully.

It has been encouraging to see a number of our students serving others with their musical giftings and heart for worship.  For example, before-school worship mornings on a Wednesday, where others have been blessed by being led into God’s presence by their peers. There has been a real sense of thankfulness and praise amongst the student body and those leading in this area. Furthermore, students have devoted time to prepare and lead worship nights for the wider KingsWay community.  Many of our students have also committed to faithfully praying for their school at times throughout this year. We greatly appreciate their heart for others and authentic love for God seen through serving others.