Student Leadership

“Learning today, leading tomorrow”

This term we begin the process of selecting our student leadership council for 2025. This will be a cohort of Y8 student leaders who have responsibility for providing critical student voice on our school direction. They will represent the student body when required, have responsibility to support our student wellbeing initiatives and have the opportunity to learn key leadership skills.

The process of choosing student leaders at ANI is something we are extremely proud of with so many students showing interest in leadership opportunities. It becomes quite a logistical challenge and is a great learning opportunity for those who apply.

Here is a brief overview of the process. It is subject to some minor changes but in essence, it will go as follows:

Leadership @ ANI Afternoon – Thursday October 31st 2pm – 4pm (Week 3)

Students keen to learn about the process and/or apply for leadership will be invited to an afternoon in the MPS from 2pm – 4pm (parents, please note the 4pm finish). This afternoon will be led by the Senior Leadership Team, key staff who support the student leadership at ANI and some of the current Y8 student leaders. The focus of this afternoon will be to:

• learn a little about leadership in a broader sense, 
• the opportunity student leadership presents at ANI, 
• the expectations of our student leaders at ANI
• the process for selecting our 2025 student leadership council
• leadership/teamwork challenges to allow the potential leaders to showcase and learn some key skills involved in student leadership

Attendance at this event will be recorded to support individual applications.

Student Leadership Application – Week 4

Students keen to apply will complete an application form (google form) before the deadline of Friday (Week 4) @ 3pm. This form will allow students to showcase the motivation behind their application form, share some insights into initiatives they would be passionate to lead as a student leader and detail some opportunities they have been engaged in across their Y7 journey which speak to their leadership capabilities. Each application will also require an endorsement from an ANI teacher which will allow students to have robust conversation with key adults in their homeroom or specialist classrooms.

Shortlisting – Week 5

The student leadership coordinating team will spend a week carefully analysing the applications, the endorsements and seeking feedback from staff members on our wonderful applicants. At the end of this considerable challenge, we will be offering an interview to a shortlist of candidates. The number of shortlisted candidates is not fixed and will be decided based on the applications received. This moment in the process is a key learning opportunity for our aspiring leaders. With limited positions available, we always end up in a position where most of our applicants will not be offered an interview slot and this can be a challenging moment for our students. Naturally, many will be disappointed but it is an opportunity for some growth conversations and a realistic example of application processes they will encounter many times in life. 

Shortlist Interviews – Week 6

In week 6, our shortlisted candidates will have the opportunity to interview with staff members from the coordinating team. Details/structure of these interviews will be shared with the shortlisted candidates as far in advance as possible and they will have a short window to prepare for the opportunity to present on their leadership application. This is a wonderful opportunity for our leaders to practice the skills required in an interview and we embrace the nerves that come with this. Having led this process for many years now, I can safely say it is a highlight of the year for all the staff involved and we always leave so proud of the cohort of Y7 students we have.

Student Leadership Council Announcement – Week 7

In week 7, we will announce our leadership council for 2025. Again, another key learning opportunity for our leaders who have been part of the process up until this point. Our community’s support of these leaders will go a long way to ensuring their growth mindset has the opportunity to develop and they learn from this opportunity.

First meeting of the 2025 student leadership council – Week 8

This week, we will arrange our first meeting of the 2025 student leadership council. The focus will be on celebrating their opportunity, goal setting and some team building. Our current leaders will also have the chance to offer their advice and guidance to the new leaders.

End of Term Assembly – Announcing our Council and Head Students – Week 9

At our end-of-year assembly, we will announce our Student council and our Head Students (students from the council) to the Y7 student body. Whānau of council members will be invited to this celebration.

I am so looking forward to this process and hope you are too,

Kieran Gleeson

Deputy Principal