This year, all year 8 pupils at St Joseph's School are being cultivated as leaders to make a positive difference for both themselves and younger pupils.
Due to the size of St Joseph's, each of the 18 year 8 pupils has been able to take on leadership roles in sports, liturgies, drama, and a buddy initiative.
Principal Trisch Inder met pupils at the start of the year to discuss the roles, and said they had a "strong sense of their potential" to be positive role models.
"Once the students had identified which leadership role best suited their skills and attributes, they put together a presentation for their teachers and peers outlining their strengths and what they would do in the role."
Pupil initiatives have included a fundraiser for disaster-torn Australian states, a Christchurch earthquake appeal, dance and drama clubs and a buddy system for new entrants.
All year 8 leaders will be attending a leadership conference in Dunedin next term to learn from a range of motivational speakers, and Mrs Inder expects they will pass their knowledge on to the younger pupils.
"St Joseph's School's vision is to create confident learners who, like Jesus, make a positive difference to the learning opportunities offered to all students and really enhance the community of learners at St Joseph's School."
