On 12 May we welcomed over 90 student leader representatives to Haberdashers’ Hall, kicking off the annual student leadership conference, part of Haberdashers’ Advantage Character.
The evening began with networking tips and challenges from Simon Lough (Member of the Livery ). This was an opportunity to network not only with the adults in the room who shared advice on leadership and career paths, but also the student leaders from other Haberdasher schools – building a community of peer support.
Over dinner, students heard powerful words from CEO of BIGKID Foundation and Member of the Freedom, Shaninga Marasha. Shaninga spoke about his own journey to leadership and how he was inspired by the tragic death of a young person he mentored.
This was clearly impactful on the young people in the room, who described the speech as ‘inspirational’.
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You see, my journey to leadership didn’t begin in a boardroom. It didn’t begin with a fancy title or a five-year plan. It began with that phone call. With a deep sense that something had to change. I didn’t have all the answers - in fact, most days I still don’t. But what I did have was a heart that refused to give up on young people like Negus.
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The following day, students returned to the Hall and heard keynote speeches from Lord Dr Michael Hastings of Scarisbrick CBE, and Claire Kennedy – both Members of the Freedom. Lord Hastings presented powerful, and at times challenging, stories of leaders who showed courage and challenged convention, encouraging students to be ‘unreasonable’ and lead with integrity. Claire Kennedy spoke about the importance of self-reflection in leadership, and running the right race, encouraging students to “think about your own particular race – what makes you excited, what feels like success to you, what is the purpose that drives you?”.
Three workshops throughout the day gave opportunity to hone leadership skills, show effective teamwork and practice public speaking. Students constructed a Lego Haberdashers’ Hall as part of a team working challenge with Claire Kennedy and Victoria Gordon (Members of the Freedom). In a public speaking workshop with actor Robin Kermode, they practiced introducing themselves, storytelling to captivate an audience and learnt tips and tricks for overcoming nerves. Working with Angus Watson (Clerk) and Naomi Barker (Head of Schools’ Projects) they heard insights from Angus’ leadership experience as a Brigadier, with key practical advice such as carrying a notebook to encourage ongoing learning, leading with integrity, having humility and learning from mistakes. Using Angus’ advice, they considered a challenge they might face as student leaders, the stakeholders they need to consider, and how they can overcome this. Challenges included:
- Increasing collaboration
- Improving awareness of the student leadership team across younger year groups
- Leaving a legacy and improving the experience of younger year groups
At the end of the day, students were given chance to show off their new public speaking skills in a reflections session hosted by HRH Anuja Dhir KC (Member of the Livery and Assistant). Anuja also shared advice from her own experience, inviting students to push on doors they think are closed to them.
Student feedback
As a result of this event, students...
Students shared the actions they will take as a result:
- To become a great leader, and be innovative and ambitious
- Although my role isn’t as important as Head Girl, I won’t let that deter me from trying to make a difference
- Communicating with younger years and building a school community
- Implement structures into the school’s leadership team as inspired by the other schools
- Be a bit ‘unreasonable’ and not be phased by ‘glass ceiling’
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