The ‘GRIP Student Leadership Conference’ is a one-day event held in numerous cities across several countries and is enjoyed by tens of thousands of students each year.

The central focus of the conference is equipping student leaders with practical ideas and skills which will allow them to make a significant contribution to their schools.

GRIP Leadership is a values driven organisation. The core values below represent the heartbeat of all GRIP Leadership staff and volunteers.

• GENEROSITY: Willingness to use what you have been given (time and resources) on behalf of those you seek to influence.
• RESPONSIBILITY: We all have a responsibility to develop what we have and help others to live well.
• INTEGRITY: A commitment to truth and honesty in dealings.
• PEOPLE: Every human being is of great significance, and has a purpose to fulfil.

The GRIP Student Leadership Conference is unique in that it concentrates specifically on training student leaders for their role as SCHOOL LEADERS. The style, topics, and content of this conference all focus on what the students can do RIGHT NOW.

 The goal is that the student leaders would leave the conference with a clear vision, a solid understanding and dozens of ideas for their time as a leader.

Nine of our Senior students attended the Conference.  They attended the following sessions:

SESSION 1 - The Compass of a Leadership Team

Many student leadership teams commence with great potential and ideas, but few groups know how to transfer this to make a noticeable difference in the school. This session teaches teams how to develop a comprehensive plan to provide direction. By looking at numerous examples, students will gain valuable insight into the way that leaders at other schools have successfully organised themselves as a team. Before the session concludes, teams will be able to walk away with a clear direction and a comprehensive plan.

Making Assemblies Amazing

A growing trend is for schools to invite student leaders to oversee or contribute to assemblies. This short session provides student leaders with practical tools and ideas to host an amazing assembly, using the framework of preparation, participation and presentation.

SESSION 2 - The 4 Expectations of Responsibility

Often students are excited about the role of a leader and give little thought to the responsibility associated. Responsibility in leadership means accepting the duty to contribute to others and follow through on expectations. This session will assist leaders in developing responsibility by understanding the importance of role modeling values, upholding the trust of others, responding to needs and developing one’s own strengths.

Generating Ideas that are Outside The Box

Student leaders seem to like the concept of being creative, but often default to only replicating the events and activities of previous leaders. This practical workshop will teach leaders how to use a valuable tool for generating new and exciting ideas that meet the necessary balance of being both creative and realistic.

Overcoming The Challenges of Leadership

The journey of every leader will involve challenges of some kind. This workshop will explore challenges that leaders face in the form of people, places and personal struggles. Students will learn practical ways to show resilience so that challenges can be embraced and become a positive experience in a leadership journey.

SESSION 3 - Turning An Idea Into Action

Often great ideas only ever remain as great ideas! This practical workshop will teach leaders how to use a reliable process for bringing a great idea to life and following it through to the end.

Seeking The Support of Your Peers

Passionate leaders can easily be disappointed when their peers do not share the same enthusiasm for their ideas. Leaders often find it challenging to gain the support of fellow leaders, only to discover that it’s even harder to gain the support of the whole student body. This workshop will explore practical ways for leaders to understand the principles of constructing and communicating ideas to achieve maximum support.

It was an eye opening experience for the students and they got a lot out of the day.  A big thanks must go to Miss Tucker for organizing the day and transporting the students.