The Junior School has settled into the new year, with classes focusing on their learning programs and a deeper sense of belonging in their new levels. With co-curricular activities commencing last week and planning underway for upcoming camps and excursions, it is safe to say that we have enjoyed a very successful start to the year.
Student Parliament
I am proud to introduce our new Year 6 Student Parliament Leadership Model, an initiative grounded in purposeful learning and closely aligned with the Civics and Citizenship curriculum.
In Year 6, students deepen their understanding of Australia’s democratic system, exploring how representatives are elected, the responsibilities of leadership, and the importance of active citizenship. Through participation in Student Parliament, the girls will learn about campaigning, voting, representation, and Cabinet meetings. They will not simply study democracy, they will experience, serve, and lead within it.
The year began with an immersive ‘minimester’, where the girls spent a full week exploring Australian democracy, state and federal parliamentary models, and the principles of leadership. They considered their personal strengths and areas for growth to determine which roles to apply for. Adding further depth to the program, we were honoured to welcome the South Australian Premier, The Hon. Peter Malinauskas, who shared valuable insights into the workings of State Parliament and the purpose of leadership in serving a community. His visit provided a meaningful real-world connection to the girls’ learning and reinforced the idea that leadership is about serving others, not oneself.
Inspired by the South Australian State Parliament, our Student Parliament includes the following roles each semester:
- Premier and Deputy Premier
- Minister and Shadow Minister for Community and Belonging
- Minister and Shadow Minister for Citizenship
- Minister and Shadow Minister for Media and Innovation
- Minister and Shadow Minister for Arts and Culture
- Minister and Shadow Minister for Library and Literature
- Minister and Shadow Minister for Health and Wellbeing
- Minister and Shadow Minister for STEM
- Minister and Shadow Minister for the Environment and Sustainability
- Minister and Shadow Minister for Reception to Year 2
- Minister and Shadow Minister for Years 3 to 5
- House Captains
- Members of Parliament for each class from Reception to Year 5
Each portfolio reflects an important area of Junior School life and Ministers are supported by a designated teacher throughout the year. A defining feature of the model is its commitment to authentic student voice, ensuring ideas and perspectives from across the Junior School are heard and thoughtfully represented. The Year 6 cohort will hold Cabinet meetings every three weeks, fostering collaboration, accountability, and shared decision-making.
The benefits for our students are significant. Through participation, they develop confidence in public speaking, respectful listening, negotiation, and informed decision-making. They learn to consider diverse perspectives, practise fairness, and understand that leadership is not about status but about service and responsibility.
As our Year 6 students step confidently into their roles, we are proud of the maturity and thoughtfulness they are already demonstrating. Through this model, they are building not only leadership capability, but also the knowledge and dispositions required for active and informed citizenship in the wider world.
I look forward to presenting our Student Parliament at next week’s Junior School Leadership Assembly and sharing their achievements throughout the year.
