Schools are not only centres for academic learning; they’re also the breeding ground for future leaders. For young women, schools hold the potential to shape leadership skills that will guide them throughout their lives. Queenwood is dedicated to fostering this potential, creating an environment where each student can discover her strengths, explore diverse leadership styles, and develop the skills that will empower her to make a difference.
What Makes a Leader?
Our society has evolved to value leaders who bring varied perspectives, who lead with flexibility and integrity, and who are willing to adapt. McNae (2011) and Archard (2009) highlight an important insight: young women often believe that leadership is tied to having an official title and being recognised through roles and responsibilities. While formal leadership roles certainly help boost visibility and recognition, genuine leadership often happens quietly, without titles, through everyday acts that foster growth and collaboration.
This emphasis on titles can shape the way girls perceive leadership, which is why it’s crucial to expose students to a broader understanding of what leadership entails. By offering a variety of leadership contexts, we can help students build a more rounded, resilient approach to leadership. As Avolio (1999) points out, young people who experience leadership in various settings develop more adaptable skills, preparing them for the unpredictable realities of life beyond school.
Building an Inclusive Leadership Framework
In 2024, we revisited Queenwood’s Senior School student leadership model, guided by Nicole Archard’s 2013 study, Preparing Adolescent Girls for School and Post-School Leadership. Archard’s research underscores the need for leadership programs that start early, provide mentorship, and include a range of leadership styles and concepts. This ensures that leadership is not an abstract concept, but a lived experience integrated into the fabric of students' daily lives.
To meet our goals, Archard’s research recommendations provide a valuable framework:
- Establish a sequence of leadership opportunities across grades, review selection criteria, and expand training and skill development programs. Leadership should be woven into the curriculum, offering chances for both formal and informal leadership.
- Create early leadership opportunities and encourage participation. We also aim to instil resilience, confidence, and self-belief through structured support, allowing each student to find her unique leadership path.
- Build mentorship programs and provide exposure to role models in the workforce, fostering a real-world perspective on leadership.
Closing the Gaps in Our Program
The current Senior School student leadership model aligns with many of these recommendations, yet there are gaps. For example, we can enhance our leadership education for Years 7–11, increase awareness of gender issues, and provide consistent role-modelling experiences. Another important aspect is to broaden our selection criteria for leadership roles, so students are required to demonstrate prior contributions to school life. This change encourages students to see leadership as a commitment rather than a status, emphasising service to the school community.
Our Vision: Leadership Aligned with School Values
Rather than limiting our framework to one model, we envision a leadership program underpinned by Queenwood’s core values:
- Lead in Truth: Cultivate honesty and integrity.
- Lead with Courage: Encourage bravery in all pursuits, from academic challenges to social change.
- Lead through Service: Foster a spirit of giving and support for others.
These values provide a holistic foundation for leadership, encouraging students to act with purpose, empathy, and resilience. Through a blend of mentorship, structured leadership programs, and values-based leadership, we aim to equip our girls with the confidence and skills to be impactful leaders, both within Queenwood and in the world beyond.
As we refine and expand our Senior School leadership framework, we are committed to creating opportunities for every girl to discover her unique strengths, find her voice, and inspire others. We are excited for what the future holds and look forward to building a leadership program that prepares our students not just to lead, but to lead with purpose, compassion, and courage.