DEVELOPING LEADERSHIP SKILLS

A feature of a King's School education is the prominence we give to the development of leadership skills in our students.

The first "Centre for Leadership Studies" in an Australian school was built at King's. The Centre was opened by the Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. John Anderson (a King's Old Boy) early in 2002.

The teaching of leadership at King's does not centre on the pursuit of power, privilege or position, it centres on service and on having the courage to change things for the better.

Learning about leadership involves the teaching of values, citizenship and character. It also involves instruction in teamwork and "followership"

Leadership training at King's begins in the Kindergarten where boys are taught to take responsibility and care for each other and for a small farm of animals. An adaption of the Duke of Edinburgh program for Junior School boys has also been introduced in the Preparatory School and is called "The Enterprise Project."

In the Senior School, leadership skills are promoted through a unique four-year course of instruction using the "Learning Leadership" series of interactive books. The "Learning Leadership" series was written by the School, and in only a few years, the series has become a best-seller, and is now used in schools throughout the world.

Students at King's study the "Learning Leadership" series in their tutor periods. A selection of leadership examples from around the world are studied, and skills are developed in areas such as giving a speech, running a meeting, writing a resumè, strategic planning, counselling techniques, resilience, and being a captain of a team.

For those wanting more information on the Learning Leadership' series, click on the book cover. Leadership skills at The King's School are developed in many other ways such as through the Army Cadet Program, the Duke of Edinburgh Program, Social Service activities, and a wide range of camps, retreats, talks and seminars.