Leadership at St Mary’s
St Mary’s School is committed to developing leadership skills in the pupils to ensure that they are equipped to present themselves as future leaders in our country. There are some who are ‘natural leaders’ but most people need a level of instruction regarding leadership styles, different types of leaders and the qualities required to lead effectively.
All girls, from Forms I to IV, attend regular Tutor Leadership lectures throughout the year. These provide the opportunity for girls to learn about leadership and interrogate issues concomitant with leadership.
All girls in Form III are invited to join our Leadership Programme from the third term. Girls and their parents sign a Declaration of Commitment as they embark on the Programme. There are three separate aspects to this Programme, each of which must be fulfilled for a girl to become a Leader in the School.
These aspects are:
Mentorship – each girl is expected to mentor a Form I girl (or girls) from the beginning of the mentee’s Form I year until the end of Term II in
Form II. This is closely monitored.
Citizenship – each girl must uphold the School’s Code of Conduct, wear her uniform correctly and with pride, have an excellent discipline record, participate in a sport each term, participate in a cultural activity each term, attend all compulsory House and School events (including camps) and complete 16 hours of community service which is separate from any Life Orientation requirements.
Leadership – each girl will undertake a portfolio each term where she will be required to demonstrate her leadership skills. The portfolio must be structured so that the candidate is able to ‘lead’ rather than to ‘do’. Each portfolio will be monitored by a staff member who will determine the pupil’s success in that area.
The Leadership Programme runs for one year during which time each candidate’s performance in each aspect is tracked. Girls are encouraged to reflect on their performance and to engage with the staff member in charge of the portfolio if they require guidance. The Form Tutor is also available for assistance. It is important to note that the onus is on each candidate to keep relevant records and to ensure that she is coping with her responsibilities and duties.
Each girl who completes the Programme successfully is entitled to apply for leadership positions at the beginning of Term III in Form IV. Only successful candidates may hold leadership positions in the School.
