Community
27 September, 2024
Wellbeing front-of-mind for student leaders
SCHOOLS in Camperdown and Derrinallum are basking in the success of their student-led projects following a recent night of celebration as part of the Student Leaders Congress.
Students from Year 6 at Camperdown College and Year 5 and 6 at Derrinallum P-12 College completed projects over the course of Term Three under the theme of health and wellbeing.
Camperdown College’s junior campus leaders set weekly challenges for their school community, which were shared at the school’s weekly assemblies and online through the school’s Facebook page.
Topics included gratitude, spending time out in nature, spreading kindness, making healthy food choices, learning a new skill, being creative, and drinking the recommended amount of water each day.
Derrinallum P-12 College’s Year 5 and 6s created a pair of wall decals with aspirational quotes to boost confidence.
Derrinallum P-12 College Year 5/6 teacher Liz Johnstone said the students chose a project they were interested in and nominated themselves for the program.
“We had eight positions given to our school, and so they nominated and applied to myself and the principal with a short letter saying why they would be a good candidate to go onto this program,” she said.
“They came up with the idea of aspirational quotes that were put in a prominent position, so the kids could look at the quotes and read the quotes and that might give them a bit of a boost.
“It was a great opportunity for the students.”
Mrs Johnstone said the students felt “really good” about the experience, and she felt “very proud” of their accomplishment.
“I think the school feels very proud of them as well because from the implementation phase right through to the completion, it took a little bit longer than we thought but they maintained the stamina of the project and saw it right through to going down to Camperdown and actually seeing the decal being printed,” she said.
“We are thankful that we are able to participate in these things, and that the region provides these opportunities for students who are looking for leadership opportunities locally.”