• Everyone can be a leader
• Leadership is about self-knowledge and awareness
• Leadership can only occur in communities
• Leadership is primarily about service

Our Leadership philosophy is underpinned by an understanding of "servant leadership" whose role models include Jesus Christ, Mother Theresa and Nelson Mandela.

Schools must be contributors in the process of nurturing and promoting positive youth leadership. We believe this will promote fairness, compassion and moral fortitude, essential ingredients for society today.

POSITION STATEMENT: OUTWARD RECOGNITION vs. INNER VALUE -

"THE REAL REWARDS" 

St Stithians Girls' College prides itself on its forward thinking in what is best practice in educational policy. As the College evolves, we constantly review our philosophies. A tradition is only good as long as it is of benefit and still maintains value within current educational thinking and more importantly, our school. 

Our policy is different to many schools in that we do not mark academic achievements with outward symbols like braid, badges and colours blazers. What we have identified in our girls is a need for a sense of inner worth. What we are trying to nurture in all of our girls is the understanding that self-worth is not attached to a badge, but to a deep sense of knowing that they are all gifted in so many ways beyond any outward symbols. 

Although there is no outward recognition at the Girls’ College in the form of braiding, badges or scrolls, or the wearing of colours/honours blazers, excellence in all spheres is recognised at annual Celebrate Awards Evenings (sports and culture),  Academic Awards Evening and  Service awards given at Community Service Chapel service.   Achievements are published in school newsletters and the local press. Recognition is given in weekly assemblies too.  Girls add these awards to the CVs which they take to University or to the job market. 

More important than outward recognition are values such as loyalty, pride and self-esteem that the school strives to instill. Labels limit us; we all have the potential to achieve in our own way.

Actions should display leadership capabilities as opposed to scrolls or badges on a blazer.

We don’t want girls to be reliant on badges for their self-esteem and confidence. 

We want our girls to excel in all areas. Academic, cultural,  sporting and community service achievements are encouraged.  A girl’s achievements become really valuable when they become part of a child's own self-worth and growing confidence. This is a confidence that is worn in an upright posture, in a positive outlook and a feeling of wholeness that will carry her for life. A metal badge may give its wearer authority but real reward and value is in those who wear the inner badges of humility, courage and compassion. 

It is easy to see how rewards can be an incentive. However, research has found that these types of rewards are low impact in terms of making lasting change. The latest research, widely accepted by psychologists, suggests that extrinsic motivation may in fact squelch interest rather than encourage it. 

Extrinsic recognition seems to make people: less likely to take risks; perform to a set standard where they do not  look for a greater ‘stretch’; see themselves as being controlled by the reward; limit their experience of being self-determined; find tasks less pleasurable. 

Without exception, those who achieve the greatest heights are those who have a sense of purpose and who are driven by the knowledge that there is something greater than self. The key lies in how reward is experienced. Dr Richard Ryan of the University of Rochester concludes that the difference is between recognising the value of what is achieved by individuals rather than giving rewards because people have lived up to pre-set standards. 

It is difficult to make sense of this sometimes in an increasingly materialistic world that looks to outward signs and symbols as a measure of worth. We are not trying to deprive our girls in any way. We believe that we are empowering them with the greatest gift of all: to know that their worth is greater and more lasting than any badge that they might wear.  

A St Stithian’s girl does not wish to be remembered for the awards that she has won for herself, but for the legacy that she has left for all.