Student Leadership Development

*“As the world becomes more complex and changes at a faster pace, we need to have many more leaders in every sphere and at every level. Leaders who have a clear purpose, who earn our trust and inspire us to continue our best to improve the lives of those around us. In that way, we can do more together as a team, than working alone.” Mr Heng Swee Keat, Minster for Education speech delivered at Character and Leadership Education Forum (28 May 2012)*

Our Student Leadership Development (SLD) Programme aims to equip Pioneer Student Leaders with the necessary leadership know-how and skills to lead self and others in school projects, events and activities, serving the school community and beyond. With intentional planning, these opportunities form a critical pathway by which student leadership competencies are progressively developed, starting from the early years at lower primary level.

In Pioneer Primary, we firmly believe that every student has the potential to be leaders. We emphasise the importance of providing all students with opportunities to learn and develop student leadership skills and competencies though Student Development Experiences and Character and Citizenship Education Lessons.

Our Leadership Model

We look to The Leadership Challenge (TLC) Model by Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner in planning school wide student leadership training. The model comprises The Five Practices and Ten Commitments of Exemplary Leadership :

The 5 Practices	The 10 Commitments
Model the Way	Clarify values by finding your voice and affirming shared values
	Set the example by aligning actions with shared values
Inspire a Shared Vision	Envision the future by imaging exciting and ennobling possibilities
	Enlist others by appealing to shared aspirations
Challenge the Process	Search for opportunities by seizing initiative and looking outward for innovative ways to improve
	Experiment and take risks by consistently generating small wins and learning from experience
Enable Others to Act	Foster collaboration by building trust and facilitating relationships
	Strengthen others by increasing self-determination and developing competence
Encourage the Heart	Recognise contributions by showing appreciation for individual excellence
	Celebrate the values and victories by creating a spirit of community

Tiered System of Leadership Training and Development

We adopt a tiered system of training and development to provide differentiated leadership development for students, helping all to receive the baseline training in leadership competencies and dispositions. Student leaders with higher potential will undergo customised training programmes to maximise their potential further.

STEER Approach for Leadership Training and Development

Tier	Student Leaders	Leadership Dimension	Skills and Competencies
1	Every student a Leader	Leading Self	Self-Management and Team-Management SEL Competencies focusing on: • Self-awareness • Self-management • Social Awareness • Relationship Management Responsible Decision-Making Effective Communicator
2	Class Leaders & CCA Leaders	Leading Self Leading Others
3	CCA Leaders (Key positions ONLY) and P3 – P5 Student Councillors	Leading Self Leading Others Leading Leaders	Self-Management, Team-Management and Project Management SEL Competencies focusing on: Social Awareness – via group project Relationship Management Interpersonal Skills – via group project Effective Communicator Public Speaking Skills (P4 & 5) Communication Skills SEL Competencies focusing on: Relationship Management – mentoring Project Management Skills (Planning & Organisation skills) Conflict Management Skills (Peer Support) – EXCO ONLY (Interpersonal Skills) Responsible Decision Making Problem Solving Skills appropriately with moral and ethical considerations Conflict Management Skills (Peer Support) – EXCO ONLY (Assessing Situation) Effective Communicator Public Speaking Skills (P4 & 5) Communication Skills