2 NEWMAN MORE THAN A BADGE: THE REAL STORY OF STUDENT LEADERSHIP Newman Senior Technical College Student Representative Council In Catholic schools across the Lismore Diocese, student leadership is far more than a title or a line on a résumé, it is something much deeper. It's a powerful, transformative experience that builds young people into capable, confident, and compassionate leaders. Through the Student Representative Council (SRC), young people are stepping into meaningful roles that shape not only their school communities but who they are as people. It's a journey of growth, purpose, and service that leaves a lasting mark. At St Joseph's Regional College, MacKillop College, and Newman Senior Technical College, leadership is not reserved for the spotlight. Leadership goes beyond speeches and badges. It's about stepping up, speaking up, and making a difference in classrooms, on campus, and out in the community. The SRC is where leadership begins. It gives learners a platform to represent their peers, collaborate with staff, and take part in decision- making that impacts school life. It's also where many Captains and Vice Captains start their leadership journey. Student leaders in these schools are not just figureheads. They are doers, thinkers, and changemakers. Whether they are leading assemblies, running charity drives, or sitting in on school planning sessions, these student leaders are trusted voices in the room. They represent their peers, help shape school initiatives, and most of all, they lead with heart. They learn to communicate with clarity, advocate respectfully, and own the outcomes of their efforts. These are lessons that stay with them, well beyond the school gates. At St Joseph's Regional College and MacKillop College, leadership is about service, voice, and visibility. Leaders are involved in planning and facilitating charity events and peer-support initiatives. DIOCESE OF LISMORE CATHOLIC EDUCATION St AGNES' CATHOLIC PARISH Their SRC adopt a servant leadership style and their members bring enthusiasm and energy to finding ways to strengthen a positive community. At Newman Senior Technical College, leadership takes a hands-on approach. With a strong vocational focus, students prepare for real careers. They take on leadership roles that mirror the real world. Whether they're helping in leading programs, representing the College at industry events, or modelling professionalism on the job, these students are already making their mark in the working world. Sure, there's a badge. And maybe a speech. But what lasts is deeper. The real rewards of student leadership are the skills and self-belief that grow behind the scenes: the confidence built through public speaking, the resilience earned from balancing priorities, and the empathy developed in service to others. Student leaders gain the kind of wisdom that isn't taught, it's lived. Leadership teaches students far more than how to organise an event or deliver a speech. It begins with confidence and communication. Student leaders learn to express themselves clearly and connect meaningfully with others. Over time, this builds poise and the ability to speak with purpose. Just as important is resilience and time management. Being a student leader means there's a lot more in hand; schoolwork, leadership responsibilities, extracurricular activities, and even part-time jobs. And balancing them all is never easy. It takes focus, determination, and knowing when to push and when to pause. In navigating all this, students build resilience. They learn how to set priorities, stay grounded, and show up fully, without running on empty. Student leaders also grow in collaboration and compassion. By working alongside peers, teachers, and the wider community, they build MacKillop College Student Representative Council 2-8. Gomper Looper Collinge Copname, Killy St Joseph's Regional College Student Representative Council the kind of empathy and teamwork that helps them understand people, not just projects. Finally, these roles equip students with future- ready skills. For MacKillop and St Joseph's students, leadership instils habits of initiative and self-direction. For those at Newman Senior Technical College, it connects directly to the world of work, offering practical experience that helps them stand out when applying for jobs or apprenticeships. Student leaders are taught to take initiative, manage time independently, and stay focused on long-term goals. For school leaders in Year 12, the final terms of school are both a challenge and a milestone. At St Joseph's and MacKillop, as they study for their HSC and prepare for life after graduation, leadership becomes less about a role and more about who they've become. They lead not just through words, but by example, through their discipline, compassion, and continued commitment to the school community. At Newman College, many leaders are completing qualifications, industry placements and traineeships or are continuing with apprenticeships. Others are applying for further training. But wherever they're headed, they bring with them leadership experiences that have shaped their confidence and sense of purpose. As students and families look toward the future, the Diocese of Lismore offers a helping hand with Transition Times, a practical, accessible resource full of tools, advice, and alumni stories that can be accessed through lism.catholic.edu.au/transition-times. Whether a student's next step is university, training, work, or something in between, leadership experience adds real value. Leading into the Future Student leaders across these three schools are living proof of what Catholic education strives for, an education of the whole person, one that inspires students to lead with wisdom and serve with heart. They are proof that student voice matters. Their leadership is grounded not in prestige, but in purpose. Leadership doesn't end with the last exam or the farewell assembly. For these students, it's just the beginning. With every step into their futures, they carry the lessons, values, and experiences that shaped them, and they do so ready to make a meaningful impact wherever they go. TA5944992 2 NEWMAN MORE THAN A BADGE : THE REAL STORY OF STUDENT LEADERSHIP Newman Senior Technical College Student Representative Council In Catholic schools across the Lismore Diocese , student leadership is far more than a title or a line on a résumé , it is something much deeper . It's a powerful , transformative experience that builds young people into capable , confident , and compassionate leaders . Through the Student Representative Council ( SRC ) , young people are stepping into meaningful roles that shape not only their school communities but who they are as people . It's a journey of growth , purpose , and service that leaves a lasting mark . At St Joseph's Regional College , MacKillop College , and Newman Senior Technical College , leadership is not reserved for the spotlight . Leadership goes beyond speeches and badges . It's about stepping up , speaking up , and making a difference in classrooms , on campus , and out in the community . The SRC is where leadership begins . It gives learners a platform to represent their peers , collaborate with staff , and take part in decision- making that impacts school life . It's also where many Captains and Vice Captains start their leadership journey . Student leaders in these schools are not just figureheads . They are doers , thinkers , and changemakers . Whether they are leading assemblies , running charity drives , or sitting in on school planning sessions , these student leaders are trusted voices in the room . They represent their peers , help shape school initiatives , and most of all , they lead with heart . They learn to communicate with clarity , advocate respectfully , and own the outcomes of their efforts . These are lessons that stay with them , well beyond the school gates . At St Joseph's Regional College and MacKillop College , leadership is about service , voice , and visibility . Leaders are involved in planning and facilitating charity events and peer - support initiatives . DIOCESE OF LISMORE CATHOLIC EDUCATION St AGNES ' CATHOLIC PARISH Their SRC adopt a servant leadership style and their members bring enthusiasm and energy to finding ways to strengthen a positive community . At Newman Senior Technical College , leadership takes a hands - on approach . With a strong vocational focus , students prepare for real careers . They take on leadership roles that mirror the real world . Whether they're helping in leading programs , representing the College at industry events , or modelling professionalism on the job , these students are already making their mark in the working world . Sure , there's a badge . And maybe a speech . But what lasts is deeper . The real rewards of student leadership are the skills and self - belief that grow behind the scenes : the confidence built through public speaking , the resilience earned from balancing priorities , and the empathy developed in service to others . Student leaders gain the kind of wisdom that isn't taught , it's lived . Leadership teaches students far more than how to organise an event or deliver a speech . It begins with confidence and communication . Student leaders learn to express themselves clearly and connect meaningfully with others . Over time , this builds poise and the ability to speak with purpose . Just as important is resilience and time management . Being a student leader means there's a lot more in hand ; schoolwork , leadership responsibilities , extracurricular activities , and even part - time jobs . And balancing them all is never easy . It takes focus , determination , and knowing when to push and when to pause . In navigating all this , students build resilience . They learn how to set priorities , stay grounded , and show up fully , without running on empty . Student leaders also grow in collaboration and compassion . By working alongside peers , teachers , and the wider community , they build MacKillop College Student Representative Council 2-8 . Gomper Looper Collinge Copname , Killy St Joseph's Regional College Student Representative Council the kind of empathy and teamwork that helps them understand people , not just projects . Finally , these roles equip students with future- ready skills . For MacKillop and St Joseph's students , leadership instils habits of initiative and self - direction . For those at Newman Senior Technical College , it connects directly to the world of work , offering practical experience that helps them stand out when applying for jobs or apprenticeships . Student leaders are taught to take initiative , manage time independently , and stay focused on long - term goals . For school leaders in Year 12 , the final terms of school are both a challenge and a milestone . At St Joseph's and MacKillop , as they study for their HSC and prepare for life after graduation , leadership becomes less about a role and more about who they've become . They lead not just through words , but by example , through their discipline , compassion , and continued commitment to the school community . At Newman College , many leaders are completing qualifications , industry placements and traineeships or are continuing with apprenticeships . Others are applying for further training . But wherever they're headed , they bring with them leadership experiences that have shaped their confidence and sense of purpose . As students and families look toward the future , the Diocese of Lismore offers a helping hand with Transition Times , a practical , accessible resource full of tools , advice , and alumni stories that can be accessed through lism.catholic.edu.au/transition-times . Whether a student's next step is university , training , work , or something in between , leadership experience adds real value . Leading into the Future Student leaders across these three schools are living proof of what Catholic education strives for , an education of the whole person , one that inspires students to lead with wisdom and serve with heart . They are proof that student voice matters . Their leadership is grounded not in prestige , but in purpose . Leadership doesn't end with the last exam or the farewell assembly . For these students , it's just the beginning . With every step into their futures , they carry the lessons , values , and experiences that shaped them , and they do so ready to make a meaningful impact wherever they go . TA5944992