All our Year 8 girls spent their last two days of the term attending an overnight leadership and service camp at the school aimed at creating a culture of student empowerment based on the idea that every child can be a compassionate leader.
We were privileged to have TVNZ’s Chief Financial Officer, Ciara McGuigan kick start the programme with a leadership talk where she engaged the girls on her life experience and career.
Over the two days, the girls were challenged to take part in a series of teambuilding activities, opportunity to showcase their many abilities including their cooking skills through the masterchef competition and a visit to the new Specialist Facilities on Shore Road.
The girls would agree that the highlight of the programme was the walk from the current Girls’ School on Remuera Road to the new school facility on Shore Road, a symbolic ‘rite of passage’ as the first cohort of Year 8 leaders to mark the upcoming move.
The activities for the camp were designed to encourage the girls to discover their inner leadership qualities; challenging them to stretch their ability to be even more self-reliant, enhancing their interpersonal skills through teamwork and problem solving, and developing their self-confidence.
Another significant focus of the programme was instilling values of compassion and generosity through service to others. The girls had the opportunity to reflect on the importance of making a difference through their actions and contribution of their time and energy for the benefit of others, with the culmination in the litter clean up.
Inspite of the two busy days, the girls were brimming with smiles and excitement at the end of the programme. What a way to end the term!
