CGGS Newsletter No. 21 – 3 August 2007

We are beginning the selection process for 2008 Student Leadership positions and your daughters will receive information about making application for positions available.

Given the importance of student leadership, we have continued to review the process over the last two years.

The first step in the process is for the senior students themselves to consider whether they would like to apply for a leadership position in 2008. This year, after discussion with the Heads of House, we have developed selection criteria which will be used by the Nominations Committee when considering applications for positions. I have included the selection criteria in this article.

All students who are considering making application for a leadership position must attend our Leadership Seminar which will be held at the Elizabeth McKay Aquatic Centre. During this Seminar, we give attention to leadership and our expectations of Student Leaders.

Students who are applying for a position on the Senior Council or House Vice Captain position will be required to submit a one page curriculum vitae and a one page document which outlines their ability to meet the selection criteria.

Students who make application for the positions of School Captain, School Vice Captain or SRC Chairperson will give a two minute speech at Assembly. This year, the students will be asked to give a formal presentation in which each will address the selection criteria.

Students who make application for House Captain and House Vice Captain positions will make a two minute formal speech which addresses the selection criteria at their House Assembly.

The Nominations Committee consists of :

• Principal
• Head of Senior School/Deputy Principal
• Director of Pastoral Care
• Director of Operations and Logistics
• Heads of House
• Head of Boarding House
• Head of PDHPE
• Co-curricular Sports Coordinator
• Director of Music

The Head of Dance and Drama, Head of Art and Photography, Head of Textiles and Design and the Teacher-in-Charge of Debating and Public Speaking will be consulted in relation to positions specific to their Departments.

The role of the Nominations Committee will be to consider all applicants and their ability to meet the selection criteria. In my position as Principal, I will interview students who have nominated for School Captain, School Vice Captain and SRC Chairperson. The Heads of House may also interview applicants for House Captain.

The voting procedures which have previously been used, will be continued for 2008.

Our student leaders are valued in the School and they make an enormous contribution during the year. It is important that students consider their applications in light of the time commitment and responsibilities involved. Students who are considering leadership within the School must also remember that they are making a commitment to servant leadership. Such leadership focuses on the contribution an individual can make to the School community and a desire to serve others, rather than the extrinsic awards which may come with a leadership position.

I would encourage parents to speak with their daughters about leadership and the responsibility that those who vote for the student leaders have to the School community. The selection criteria give attention to skills and qualities that are expected in a leader which go far beyond whether a student is popular with her peers. The students who vote for our student leaders must consider whether the candidates have made a contribution to the School and whether they are individuals who are prepared to stand by what they believe is right, rather than adopt a point of view because they believe that this will gain popularity with their peers.

The selection criteria to be used by the Nominations Committee follows:

Selection Criteria	Year 11	Year 12
Leadership	A student who routinely completes assigned tasks to a high standard. A student who understands the importance of servant leadership.	A student who demonstrates a very high degree of leadership ability. A student who demonstrates a commitment to servant leadership.
Teamwork	A strong team player whose contribution is highly regarded.	A student who appreciates the value and contribution of everyone in the team, and whose presence in the team enhances the outcome.
Values	A student who shows a strong regard for the values of the School and our community.	A student who demonstrates the application of high values in all facets of life.
Problem solving	A student who can be relied upon to produce workable solutions to problems.	A student with excellent problem solving ability and who can think creatively.
Resourcefulness and Organisational Skills	A self-starter who can act independently and complete tasks in an organised and competent manner.	A student who takes the lead in achieving tasks and utilises excellent organisation skills.
Communicator	A student who effectively communicates in a clear, concise and articulate manner. A student who can transfer from formal to informal register to suit the needs of situations.	A student with excellent communication skills. A student who can transfer from formal to informal register to suit the needs of situations.
Cooperator	A student who works hard to ensure harmonious working environments. A student who has an awareness of current issues and needs of the community.	A student who is willing to listen to other points of view and incorporate them where necessary. A student who has an awareness of current issues and needs of the community.
School/House Involvement	A student who actively engages in School and/or House activities.	A student who engages in and will take the lead in School and/or House activities.
General Behaviour	A student who consistently follows the Behaviour Guidelines of the School and has received no serious consequences for infringements.	A student who consistently follows the Behaviour Guidelines of the School and has received no serious consequences for infringements.
Presentation	A student who consistently follows the Uniform Guidelines and has received no consequences for infringements.	A student who consistently follows the Uniform Guidelines and has received no consequences for infringements.

• 5 Aug Anglicare Family and Friends’ Service, Chapel of the Annunciation, Senior School campus, 9am
• 5 Aug Concerto Concert - Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra, CGGS Hall, 3pm
• 6 Aug Y7 WALNA testing
• 6-10 Aug Y3-Y5 WALNA testing
• 7 Aug Senior School Student Leadership Seminar, Elizabeth McKay Aquatic Centre, 5pm
• 7 Aug University of Wollongong Information Evening, CGGS Hall, 7pm
• 7 Aug P&F Meeting, Board Room, Senior School campus, 7.30pm
• 12 Aug Junior and Senior School Choral Festival, CGGS Hall, 3pm
• 14 Aug Year 6 Father/Daughter Dinner, CGGS Hall, 6.30pm
• 15 Aug CGGS/CGS exchange - Y5 CGGS to CGS, Y6 CGS to CGGS
• 15 Aug Y11/12 History excursion to the National Jewish Museum, Sydney
• 15 Aug Senior Big Band Workshop, Australian National University, 4pm
• 16 Aug Moderation Day - No School for Senior School students
• 16 Aug Junior School Athletics Carnival, Woden Athletics Park
• 16 Aug Gabriel Foundation Investment Seminar, Multimedia Theatre, 7pm
• 18-19 Aug Senior School Percussion Eisteddfod, Sydney
• 20 Aug ‘Applying for Tertiary Study’ Parent Information Evening, Multimedia Theatre, 7pm

IN THE NEWS

More articles on School news, activities and events are available in the section ‘In the News’ on our website.

Featured articles this week:	Junior and Senior Snowsports	Senior School Co-curricular Sport
Prep News	Year 7 News WALNA Testing	Message from the Director of Pastoral Care
Year 6 News	Year 12 News - Guesstimates

There are many kinds of harps – from the large concert harp you see in the orchestra to tiny harps that can sit on your lap. At school we have a small lever harp for lessons and practice, so there is no need to haul a harp to school or even to have one at all. If you love it and want one of your own, just call HarpLore Australia or GanYar Harps, here in Canberra, and you can rent or buy harps of all shapes and sizes. Harp music is as varied as the sizes they come in and you can play classical, celtic, folk, jazz, blues or pop.

Lessons start in Term 3 with Liena Lacey, a new instrumental teacher to CGGS. If you would like to have lessons please come to the Music Department to collect a form.