One school network is unlocking the potential of its young leaders. Pictured is Hannans Road Public School assistant principal of curriculum and instruction Michael Dickson, students Adiba Rahman and Jason Jiang, Beverly Hills Girls High School teacher Jessica Donohue and director of eductional leadership Clint White. Picture supplied

The inaugural ELEVATE conference has launched across the St George area, marking a shift in how schools identify and cultivate the next generation of gifted leaders.

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

or signup to continue reading

Hosted by the Beverly Hills network, the program brought together Stage 3 student leaders from 20 schools including Hannans Road Public School, Beverly Hills North Public School, and Beverly Hills Girls High School, to bridge the often-daunting gap between primary and secondary education.

Breaking away from traditional transition models where information typically flows only between staff, ELEVATE utilises year 9 and 10 mentors to run workshops with younger students. By documenting the fears, hopes, and expectations of year 6 pupils, the program provides principals with a direct line to student sentiment, allowing them to reshape how they support the transition to high school.

Michael Dickson, Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction at Hannans Road Public School, said the initiative was born from a desire to redefine student representation. "This all came about because we were looking for a way to give our student leaders some inspiration," Mr Dickson said. "We wanted them to be thinking about what they could do beyond the typical wear a badge and stand in front of assemblies."

The conference prioritised relatability over celebrity, opting for guest speakers who have direct ties to the school community. Mr Dickson said the decision to use high school captains rather than outside professionals allowed younger students to connect with mentors closer to their own age.

Participants are now tasked with returning to their respective schools to design initiatives rooted in the data gathered during the event. "The next steps are to put together an initiative that centres on student voice - what do they want in their school community based on their data," Mr Dickson said. "Then we will get back together and showcase our achievements".