Today’s Grammar School is organized to foster and develop true leadership capacity among our students. Developing student leaders and broadening active participation is a key component of an HGS education. Our student leadership model forms the basis of a system offering a range of formal student leadership opportunities.
The Halifax Grammar School launched a new Student Leadership structure in the 2006-2007 school year. It was developed in the winter and spring of 2006 by a Student Leadership Task Force, based upon HGS experience and best practices elsewhere. This new structure has created opportunities for more students to become involved. The roles and responsibilities for each Student Leadership position are clearly defined, and we are committed to the philosophy of “developing student leadership from within.”
The Student Cabinet consists of six positions including Head Girl, Head Boy, Secretary, Treasurer, Facilities Coordinator, and House Captain. Students submit an application to the Dean of Students expressing their interest and goals for each position for which they are applying. Students must have a minimum average of 70 per cent and be in good standing at HGS to be accepted. Throughout the month of April and May student campaigning and elections take place. These elections are staggered throughout the period, allowing students who are not successful in one campaign to submit an application for another position of interest.
We have also expanded our School prefect system, renaming them “stewards” and establishing a new body composed of Activity Stewards. Positions were created in this category to provide structure and leadership to various clubs and volunteer organizations at HGS. Each Activity Steward is assigned a Faculty Advisor, generally a staff member associated with the area of activity in previous years.
The creation of the Activity Steward positions has led to an improved awareness within the school about the diversity of programs provided to students in the athletics and arts, as well as the volunteer opportunities in our local and international communities. In addition, these positions enable more students to experience the challenges and rewards of leadership.
Students have the opportunity to participate in two leadership training workshops throughout the year. In August, students and faculty members travel to White Point Beach Resort to begin discussing goals of the Leadership Team for the next ten months. During this time, students become more familiar with the leadership structure, their specific roles and responsibilities, as well as individual and group expectations. Students leave this session inspired and eager to get the year underway.
A second leadership opportunity is sponsored by the Canadian Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and takes place at a host school elsewhere in the country. Recent locations have included Appleby College in Ontario and St. Michael’s in British Columbia. It is an excellent learning experience for our students. They return from this conference enthused and eager to share their experiences with all other members of the Student Leadership team for the coming year.
Student Leadership Team 2009-2010 (pdf)
“I consider myself lucky to go to school every morning to a diverse, talented environment. I tell jokes with talented debaters, walk to class with committed basketball players, sing in musicals with aspiring actors, and study with teachers who are experts in their fields. Every day, I become more confident the school is providing me with the best possible preparation for my future, whatever that may be.”
~ Ben Jain, Head Boy 2008-2009