During our time as Junior School Captains, we have developed our leadership skills. When looking at the Tintern Compass, we see how this role has helped us grow through these values. It has boosted our confidence, especially when speaking in front of large audiences. In addition, it has developed a sense of responsibility, as we are relied upon for certain tasks and trusted to represent the Junior School and guide younger students to be the best they can. We always try to lead by example.
Qualities like commitment, compassion, and independence were also needed during our time as Captains. There are several great aspects of being a Junior School Captain, and one of them is the feeling of the School’s belief in our capabilities. We also get to attend Student Representative Council meetings where we discuss issues affecting students. This aims to improve our School’s environment to make it more comfortable for everyone. It’s an opportunity to use our voice and improve our confidence in speaking out about our issues. The process involved writing a speech, delivering it in front of Year 3 to 6 students, and undergoing an interview with our Head of School. We also studied various leaders from around the world and talked about the traits we admired in them.
To the Year 5 girls and boys considering their own leadership, we have one main piece of advice – GO FOR IT! This is your time to shine, and being a leader allows you to grow in many ways. Despite facing challenges, it offers a lot of opportunities for personal development. It also serves as excellent practice for future leadership positions in the Senior School and beyond Tintern. Sometimes we will miss out – and this is also a part of the lesson in leadership. Don’t give up and still demonstrate these qualities even if you’re not a Junior School Captain. We wish you good luck in your leadership journey ahead, and always remember to be proud, no matter what happens!
Eryn Lee & Felix Meddings | Junior School Captains
Eryn Lee
Felix Meddings
