Council’s Youth Leadership Program will again be offered to students in years 6 and 10 after a pilot program extending it to include primary schools last year.
At the 19 July Ordinary Meeting, Council endorsed a recommendation to continue the program in schools later in 2022.
Mayor Greg Christensen said it was exciting to see the program expanded to include primary school students.
More than 380 Year 10 students have participated in the program since 2011.
The program was initially aimed at Year 10 students to prepare them for leadership roles through coaching to improve self-awareness, deliver effective presentations, make informed decisions, and actively contribute in a group working environment.
In 2020 and 2021, due to Covid, the program of six full-day workshops at Council venues was condensed into one-day programs delivered in schools.
“The previous Council-based program could accommodate up to 30 students each year, however the revised school-based format provided an opportunity for 86 students to participate in 2020 and 78 students in 2021,” Mayor Christensen said.
“The revised one-day format has exceeded expectations and Council has received a great deal of positive feedback by parents and students, and principals from participating schools.
“Enabling schools to host the program has provided an opportunity for greater student participation and a more inclusive environment as previous formats meant a limit on numbers. The new format has also enabled schools to schedule the program to complement the school curriculum.”
