ONE perk of becoming a school representative councillor is sharing the limelight with a local politician.
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At least for a chat and a cuppa.
Macintyre High year 11 students Caleb Hamilton and Sarah Flick were elected as the 2015-2016 school presidents and Bethany Zanco-Hinds and Aaron Denovan are the new vice-presidents.
They were presented with their leadership medals in assembly on Thursday, July 16.
The four enjoyed a small afternoon tea on Tuesday with Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall with principal Lindsay Paul.
The students filled the MP on their ambitions for their time in office.
Bethany said she ran to enact change and become collaborative with Inverell High School.
Her idea was shared with her three cohorts.
Caleb said they would like to launch a leadership day between Inverell and Macintyre High Schools for year 7 and primary students.
“We’d like to teach them leadership skills so that when they end up at our two high schools they can be great role models and follow in our footsteps,” he said.
Aaron said people look up to school leaders and follow by example.
“I think it’s nice to set maybe a more open example, maybe be more progressive and maybe people’s opinions and ideas can change,” he said.
Part of the progress may include introducing Macintyre into the world of social media. The students are brewing ideas for a school Facebook page.
“Even at least get our school more on the internet, so parents have more input into our school,” Sarah said.
“They can see our achievements,” Caleb added.
“We can put notices up if needs be so really put our school out there, and market it for people to come here.”
The new leaders thought kids need good role models, friendship, have access to new experiences, feel accepted and heard, and all the students agreed that kids need support.
Caleb said part of the support will be a suggestion box for all students to put in ideas.
“We’re going to check it once every month and see what they’d like and have votes on it and get their ideas put forward,” he said.
“We’d like to get their ideas out as well, not just our own. A lot of people can have good ideas that we might not know, and we’d really like to use them.”
Mr Marshall was impressed by the new leadership team at the table.
“They’ve got some wonderful ideas for not just occupying a position, but actually demonstrating genuine leadership and trying to harness the views of the school community, but also make some real changes to help promote the school,” he said.
