Student Leadership
The newly elected student leaders at The Isle of Sheppey Academy have begun their first term of office in style. They have
represented the Academy and their individual schools at a variety of welcome events to celebrate their election to their new roles.
The Student Leaders have had several triumphant events displaying their commitment and loyalty to the Academy. On 14th October 2011 the Head and Deputy Head boys and girls invited local councillors to the Academy to attend a speed dating event organised to create an environment with which to quiz the councillors about their roles and responsibilities and how they support the youth of today. The students, including sixth form presidents, had a visit to County Hall on 21st November 2011 to question and debate with members of County Hall on issues that concern them and the children on the Island. The students raised their concerns about, transport for young people, the development of the economy on the Island and the ideas for youth activities.
We now have 3 of our students elected to the positions of Deputy Kent Youth County Councillors after a fantastic response in school and on the Island when voting for them. They now represent the children on the Island in the council offices every month, taking the points of view and concerns to County Hall.
Our Environment Leaders have been hard at work creating some stunning art work in collaboration with an artist in residence. The beautifully drawn and painted board was designed to inform the public about the concerns of litter in the local alley ways. The students investigated the alley way in Sheerness and spent hours developing work to deter people from dropping litter. Since the project they have been working with the Academy’s Estates manager and Refectory manager to generate ideas for recycling and garden development in the new build.
As always our students are extremely generous when raising money for many good causes such as porch light and Remembrance Day, poppy collections. For the past term the Interact Leaders have invited members of the public into the school to share their knowledge and understanding of all things technological. The BIT 50 programme has allowed the students develop interpersonal skills whilst supporting the over 50s to learn IT skills. On 8th February our Interact Leaders were invited to the Rotary Club to share ideas, fun and food with local businessmen and women. Our students made us proud by taking part in all activities and informing the Rotarians of ways in which to promote new ventures, such as the Welly Walk set to take place in May.
A group of highly trained Learning Leaders have been sharing their knowledge and skills with Hartsdown Technology College students in Margate. Developing a wider understanding of the Academy’s development at this exciting time, students are sharing ideas with staff and each other on the best ways to Learn Believe and Achieve.
The commitment that our students have towards supporting each other is commendable. Our Anti-bullying Ambassadors have given up a great amount of their spare time, decorating and furnishing their lunch time club. Students are invited to join to develop relationships across year groups, schools and sites with great success.
On Thursday 14th October 2010 the Environmental Leaders were given the rare privilege of visiting ‘Little Cheyne’ Wind Farm in New Romney. As part of their research into this form of renewable energy students were given a presentation by the site manager who also gave them the opportunity to climb inside one of the impressive wind turbines. Gulya Isyanova Communications Officer for Partnership for Renewables who was responsible for arranging the visit stated;
“Wind energy is viewed by environmental groups and governments across the world as having a major role to play in moving towards a more sustainable energy mix. It’s important that the next generation of engineers, scientists and decision makers are given the opportunity to learn about, and witness first-hand, technologies such as wind energy. It’s great to see Sheppey Academy working proactively to provide students with the knowledge and inspiration to potentially benefit from the predicted future employment opportunities in the growing environmental sector.”
On Friday 19th November 2010 the Interact leaders, a group of young people committed to fundraising for local, national and international charities held their inauguration event with The Rotary Club of Minster-on-Sea. They shared both a fun and interactive afternoon, cementing a working partnership within our local community. As a youth group within the International organisation of Rotary they will be working in partnership with a local Rotary Group to co-ordinate charity events at the Academy. These young leaders have already begun fundraising to purchase literacy boxes for children less fortunate than themselves for schools in Africa.
On Tuesday 23rd November 2010 the newly elected Sports Leaders experienced a motivational visit to Wembley stadium, touring every aspect of this iconic sports arena including walking down the tunnel on to the pitch and chanting from the stands. Their first leadership responsibility will involve them in organising the Sports Winter Cup Academy wide.
The student council of the Isle of Sheppey Academy; comprising all Head Boys & Girls from each of the five individual schools have already established themselves as a dynamic force to be reckoned with. On Thursday 14th October 2010 they took on the challenge of speed dating some of the Islands local councillors debating real issues that face young people on The Isle of Sheppey. Lesley Ingham, local councillor commented that ‘They were a pleasure to meet and very interesting to talk to, they also asked some very probing questions. Their Head of School should be very proud of them as they should be of themselves’. Following their debating success at this event the Student Council represented The Academy at the Swale Youth Forum establishing their voice and student presence across the Swale. To celebrate their election to the most senior positions in student leadership these students were invited to attend the Executive Head teachers Tea party attended by each of the Academy’s Headteachers.
The development of leadership and taking on responsibility is recognised at the Academy as an excellent way for students to demonstrate our mission statement in action;-
The key aims of the Student Leadership Matrix of responsibility are to:
- Improve self-confidence
- the development of organisational and communication skills
- to build a capacity for student voice to shape the future and influence future decision making
- to provide evidence for CV's of leadership skills
- to provide leadership training
- to develop a rewards structure to include service to the Academy and community
School Structure
