2012 Year 13 Leadership Camp

The first week of the new year is very important for our returning Year 13 cohort.  These young men, the majority of whom are now between seventeen and eighteen years of age, play a crucial role in maintaining and developing the ethos of leadership and service in the school.  Almost all of the 370-plus Year 13s attended Leadership Camp last week.  Matthew South gave an account of his experiences there.

What was camp like?

It was a great experience.  It was an opportunity for all of us to show staff the ways that we've learnt to leader. We did team building exercises that pushed us physically, and made us problem-solve at the same time.  There were theory-based activities which explicitly talked about leadership and everyone had a chance at some stage during the camp to put what we had learnt into practice.  I saw specific examples very often - boys who were missing their friends were welcomed into other groups, students were working hard to keep the camp tidy and everyone was on the look out for chances to make things easier for the adults that were supervising us.

What was the main message you received?

You are a leader at Hamilton Boys' High School as soon as you put on the black shirt.  The junior students learn from the seniors about how to behave, and about what we value, as soon as they see us in that role.  Year 13 is the time to step up, if you haven't already.

What was the highlight of it all for you?

Watching blindfolded kayakers get directions from someone sitting on the front of their boat.  I have photos.  Enjoy :-)