Each year level has eight representatives, including two from each house group, with the successful applicants elected by Monivae peers and staff members.

The program is mainly organised and conducted by Monivae College captains, Klay Collins and Harry Hein, but it is overseen by teacher Jane Nankivell.

Klay said the senior student leaders really value the presence of the younger students in the program as they provide a voiced opinion from each cohort. 

“This acts as a foundational motive as to how we can make Monivae a better place for the entirety of the student body. We encourage them and help build their confidence, so they feel comfortable to have a say in many different aspects of what we achieve as a student leadership team,” she said.

“It’s also about setting up these younger students so they promote a positive influence not only for the year but for the remainder of their time at Monivae.”

The leadership group have meetings each week that are run by the senior students and consists of open conversations which allow all people in the leadership group to contribute in a way they’re comfortable with. It also allows open and honest conversation between the group.

“Applying for a year 12 leadership position entails a more prestigious application process than that of the other year level positions. The actual application process requires the student to nominate themselves which they then get shortlisted and interviewed by a particular coordinator representative of the chosen leadership field i.e. house leader, arts captain etc,” she said.

“Disregarding the physical process, for a student to get accepted into the leadership program at Monivae it is important that they are engaging members of the community that practice love, kindness and show a responsible and respectful attitude to represent the student body.”

Student Leadership Group co-ordinator and Monivae College teacher, Jane Nankivell, said all leaders from years 8-12 are selected by students and staff, so all community members have a say on who represents them.

“I hope for the students to gain confidence as leaders and develop skills that not only help them here at school, but also as they go out into the world,” she said.

“It’s about creating leaders that care about their community and feel empowered to speak up and enact change, wherever they see it.

“As an MSC (Missionary of the Sacred Heart) school we also adhere to the servant leadership model, whereby our leaders are actively engaged and encouraged to help others.”