The new team at the top
MASADA College recently appointed its group of year 11 prefects.
The induction took place as part of the year 12 valedictory ceremony and allowed staff, parents, dignitaries and 650 students to be introduced to the 12 new prefects.
Masada College principal Wendy Barel believed that it was appropriate to celebrate these two events at one time.
“It was fitting that as one set of leaders departed we had a changing of the guard and welcomed in the new cohort,” Barel said.
The newly elected prefects were presented with a certificate, badge and pocket to sew onto their blazer, in recognition of their leadership role.
Barel also took the opportunity to thank the outgoing prefects who were so ably led by their school captains, Tahlia Bleier and Jarron Aizen.
In keeping with Masada’s strong focus on leadership, next year the school will be following a unique educational package based on a program by American leadership expert Dr Steven Covey.
Dr Covey’s program ties in with Masada’s existing values, which encourage each student to recognise their own potential and leadership skills.
After visiting an American school that also uses Dr Covey’s program, Barel was both inspired and impressed.
She said it was exciting to hear students in their earliest years of schooling using the language Dr Covey promotes in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
“They spoke of being proactive, beginning with the end in mind, synergising and finding a win-win solution,” Barel said.
Through this program, Masada students will learn to be organised, set goals, plan, negotiate and find solutions.
“At Masada, we have always aimed to provide students with leadership opportunities and training,” the principal said.
“Through the ‘Leader in Me’ program, we will be better equipped to unleash the unique potential of each student by recognising their individual strengths and providing them with life skills and strategies that will support them in all aspects of their life — social, academic and emotional.”
In preparation for the introduction of the program next year, junior school staff will receive training shortly.
CASSILEE KAHN