Leadership, Mentorship and Experiential Learning Across Our School Community

Across Oakleigh Grammar, students and staff continue to embrace the spirit of Round Square through programs and experiences that challenge students to grow in character, compassion and leadership.

Our Year 8 students have recently been engaging in a series of Leadership lessons as part of both their Pastoral Program and MYP alignment. Through inquiry-based discussions and collaborative activities, students explored a range of leadership styles while being encouraged to shift their understanding of leadership away from titles, badges or positions of status. Instead, students examined the ways in which Round Square defines leadership - as service to others, empathy, integrity and the ability to create meaningful change through small acts of kindness and everyday actions.

Students demonstrated considerable engagement throughout the program, contributing thoughtfully to discussions and reflecting deeply on the qualities required to positively influence a community. The lessons encouraged students to recognise that leadership can be demonstrated by anyone, regardless of age or position, and that authentic leadership is often shown in moments of courage, respect and compassion.

Last term, and continuing into this term, our Year 7 and Year 10 students also commenced the Mentorship Program. The initiative provides Year 10 students with the opportunity to mentor younger students as they transition through important stages of their school journey. During the program, Year 10 mentors met with their Year 7 mentees to discuss personal goals, school experiences and strategies for supporting one another throughout the year.

The Mentorship Program is an important opportunity for our senior students to embrace leadership through service, guidance and connection. By acting as mentors, Year 10 students develop empathy, communication and responsibility, while Year 7 students benefit from supportive peer relationships and a stronger sense of belonging within the school community.

During the school holidays, a delegation of students and staff attended the Round Square Conference hosted by Ballarat Grammar, titled “You’re the Voice.” The conference challenged students to explore the foundations of democracy and active citizenship through a range of experiential activities and collaborative challenges.

Throughout the conference, students engaged in UN-style discussions, Barazza groups, performances, physical and arts-based challenges, and explorations across Melbourne and Ballarat. These experiences encouraged students to broaden their perspectives, strengthen their confidence and further develop the character, resilience and communication skills that underpin the Round Square IDEALS. The conference provided students with valuable opportunities to connect with peers from other schools while reflecting on the ways young people can use their voices to contribute positively to society.

In another exciting initiative, our Round Square Student Ambassadors recently distributed a community survey inviting members of the Oakleigh Grammar community to share their ideas about how our school can become more environmentally aware and sustainable. The survey aims to gather authentic student, staff and community voice data, with the hope of identifying a meaningful environmental action to implement in Term 3. This initiative reflects the importance of student agency and demonstrates how young people can lead positive change within their own community through collaboration, inquiry and action.

Meanwhile, our wonderful Junior School staff recently participated in professional learning centred around the Round Square Discovery Framework. Discussions explored the purpose and philosophy of the framework, as well as its capacity to shape learning experiences that are experiential, student-centred and deeply connected to curiosity, discovery and global understanding.

The professional learning highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for students to learn through authentic experiences, challenge, reflection and action - continuing our commitment to embedding the values and spirit of Round Square throughout all areas of school life.

Rebecca Bettiol

Round Square Coordinator