What does effective leadership look like? For Year 5 and 6 students, it meant listening to others, sharing ideas, overcoming challenges and celebrating each other’s strengths during the latest Leadership in Action Day focused on collaboration.
Throughout the day, students explored the idea that Together Everyone Achieves More (TEAM), taking part in a series of hands-on challenges designed to strengthen communication, teamwork and creative problem-solving.
The day began with students investigating what collaboration looks like in action before putting their learning to the test in a team obstacle challenge. Working together to design, build and refine a course that moved balls from start to finish, students quickly discovered that success depended on listening carefully, valuing different perspectives and finding ways to combine individual strengths.
Students then took on Supreme Incursions’ Shelter Building experience, where teams were challenged to design and construct shelters capable of withstanding a simulated hurricane. Applying STEM thinking, budgeting skills and creativity, students worked together to test ideas, adapt their designs and persevere when things didn’t go to plan.
Their enthusiasm was clear throughout the day, with students sharing reflections such as, “This is incredibly difficult but exciting!” and “We really need to listen to each other and share ideas for the best outcome.”
In the afternoon, the focus shifted to communication and feedback. Students explored how positive and constructive interactions with peers, parents and teachers help build strong relationships and supportive learning environments.
Inspired by the story of a student named Austin, who improved his work by embracing feedback, students were challenged to apply the same mindset while working in teams to design a paper bridge capable of holding as much weight as possible. The results were impressive, with some bridges supporting almost one kilogram despite being built from only two sheets of paper.
A key message emerged across every challenge: leadership is not about having all the answers. Instead, effective leaders ask questions, seek out different perspectives, support others and work collaboratively towards a shared goal.
To conclude the day, students took part in a Shout-Out activity, recognising a peer whose actions had a positive impact on their team’s success. Through these reflections, students celebrated the everyday leadership shown through encouragement, active listening, creative thinking and teamwork.
Year 6 student Maggie captured the spirit of the day beautifully:
“During the day of collaboration activities, I believe everyone should have a shout out because individually they contributed their strengths and supported each other. I believe everyone played an important part in each activity, making sure there were smiles on faces all day long.”
The Leadership in Action Program continues to provide students with authentic opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and character needed to lead with confidence and purpose. Through experiences like Collaboration Day, students are learning that some of the most valuable leadership lessons come from working together, learning from others and rising to challenges as a team.
