Young Leaders National Day

Hearing important messages from inspirational speakers, taking part in fun activities, a singalong, and the unexpected appearance of the ‘Briscoes Lady’ were some of the highlights of the National Young Leaders Day for a group of 23 Year 8 prefects.

The students joined more than 1700 students from throughout Canterbury and the West Coast at the event in the Christchurch Town Hall, which had the theme, ‘Leading the Self’. This tied in beautifully with the curriculum key competency, managing self, says Year 8 Team Leader, Morgan Sheppard. “Being able to manage ourselves is one of the first ways we show leadership. If we want others to trust and believe in us as leaders, we must trust and believe in ourselves.”

The National Young Leaders Day is a well-established programme aimed at developing leadership skills in young individuals. It includes motivational talks, question time, videos, music, and interactive activities, allowing students to engage with and learn from leaders in various fields, whose aim is to motivate, inspire, educate, and connect them.

Among the notable speakers at the Christchurch event was Brad Smeele, a quadriplegic former professional wakeboarder, who has overcome tremendous challenges. His story resonated with the students, with Connor McIntosh (Year 8) saying, “I enjoyed hearing Brad Smeele speak and his positive outlook on life after he suffered a horrific, life-changing injury. His message to never give up and stay positive had a big impact on me.”

Graci Kim, a diplomat, turned New York Times bestselling author, also captivated the young audience. Maja Clark and Lila Cook (both Year 8) said they loved Graci’s message. “She told us to keep trying and never give up. You have to try all the ice cream flavours because sometimes you don’t know what will happen unless you give it a go. We found her really inspiring!”

Lively MCs kept the day running smoothly, and the biggest cheer of the day was reserved for the ‘Briscoes Lady’, with the response from the audience resembling Beatlemania, says Morgan.

Mental wellness communicator, Julia Grace, also spoke to the students, and the day concluded with a talk and performance by musician, Georgia Lines, who shared her personal journey from attending the National Young Leaders Day as a 12-yearold to becoming a recording artist. “Georgia sang one of her own songs, then a cover of the Miley Cyrus song, Flowers, which turned into a great big singalong, ending the day with happiness and joy.”

This was the fourth time the Year 8 prefects have attended National Young Leaders Day, and the students were grateful for the opportunity to learn from remarkable individuals and witness first-hand the power of leadership, says Morgan. “The students really loved the day. It reminded them that leadership begins with self-management, and they have the potential to make a positive impact throughout their schooling, in the community, and beyond.”

Rector, Christine Leighton, says she ‘gets goosebumps’ every time she is taken on a tour inside the impressive new Performing Arts Centre, currently under construction. “It’s incredible to get a sneak peek of what this new facility will offer our students, staff, and community. It’s going to be like a mini Theatre Royal.”

Undoubtedly, the highlight of the development is the Gough Family Theatre, with seating for 265 and a stage twice the size of the previous theatre, says Christine. “While the Theatre will serve as a stunning performance space, providing an unparalleled experience for performers and audiences, it can also accommodate a whole year group for various activities such as listening to guest speakers, speech competitions, Dean’s meetings, and visiting performances. It promises to be a versatile venue that goes beyond just hosting productions.”

Christine says one of the core groups to greatly benefit from the Performing Arts Centre is the Ballet Academy. “Our ballet students are currently located in a temporary space, but once they move into the Performing Arts Centre, will have access to two dance studios – the dedicated Ballet Studio and a separate Dance Room where they can train and showcase their talent. These spaces will also be available for co-curricular dance, which is largely run by senior students.

The Black Box Drama Room is another special part of the development, which as well as being used for Drama classes at all year levels, also has seating for 50 people, creating an intimate, immersive performance space.

The Gough Family Theatre’s sophisticated acoustic and lighting design will make it a premier performance space in Christchurch, and provide opportunities for students involved in Media and Television Production at the College to explore a whole new world of technology and backstage operations.

Ongoing fundraising efforts are crucial to make this ambitious project a reality. With a total cost of $20 million, it is the most expensive development at the College to date, says Christine. “We are immensely grateful for the generous support of those who have already contributed to bringing this amazing facility to life, including our Strowan Club members, current and past families, and Old Collegians.

Before the official opening of the Performing Arts Centre early in 2024, we hope to have sold the remaining Theatre seats and notes for the College Song, so I encourage those who have yet to donate to seize the opportunity, help us to reach our goal, and show your support for performing arts at St Andrew’s.”

There are various options available to those considering donating to the project. Theatre seats in the Gough Family Theatre can be purchased for $2000 which will have a plaque with the name of a student or family on the back. Notes from the College Song are also available for purchase, with bronze at $3000, silver at $5000 and gold at $10,000. Naming rights to the Ballet Studio are also available for $50,000.

Christine envisages many breathtaking performances and unforgettable moments to come in the Performing Arts Centre, which will have a lasting impact on the lives of St Andrew’s students. “I have no doubt that from 2024, our Drama, Production, Dance, and Music students at St Andrew's College will build upon the amazing legacy for the Performing Arts created by all those who have gone before them.”

To donate, please visit stac.nz/DonateNow