Leadership Week

The first semester of the year began with great success, all thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Johns XXIII 2023 Leadership Team. One of the keys to this success was the college’s leadership week, held before the start of term. The week was jam-packed with activities that challenged the leaders both mentally and physically, all while promoting teamwork and collaboration.

The highlight of the week was the inspiring speech delivered by guest speaker Michael Lee on authentic leadership. Michael’s speech encouraged the leaders to be authentic and genuine in their leadership style, and provided valuable insights into effective leadership. Another exciting activity was the Tough Mudder course, which involved leaders working together to navigate a challenging obstacle course. We had to wade through mud, climb obstacles, and navigate a rope course. While it was a muddy endeavour, the activity allowed the team to develop communication and cooperation skills by learning how to overcome challenges together.

Another highlight of the week was the escape rooms; leaders having to work together to solve puzzles and escape the room within the hour. This activity encouraged the team to communicate and think creatively to solve problems, strengthening our problem-solving and teamwork skills. A scavenger hunt around the university campus was another activity that helped familiarize the leaders with the campus while encouraging them to work together to complete challenges and foster teamwork.

In addition to the team building activities, the Leadership Team also participated in a first aid course during the week. The hands-on course covered basic first aid and CPR, providing valuable knowledge on how to properly respond to various emergency situations and how to perform CPR on an adult, child, or infant. The week concluded with a fun-filled leadership cruise around Lake Burley Griffin. This was a great opportunity for staff and leaders to enjoy and celebrate the successful completion of a challenging but fulfilling week.

Overall, Leadership Week was a great success, allowing the student leaders to bond with one another, to develop key leadership skills, and to prepare for the challenges ahead. The variety of activities throughout the week encouraged the team to work together, and to support one another in achieving their goals. The week and wide range of activities emphasised teamwork and support, which has only improved throughout the semester, making the team even closer.