Over the course of the past two weeks, our Grade 11 aspiring student leaders have gone through the comprehensive leadership election process. Students had to apply for a leadership position through the submission of a detailed covering letter and CV, as well as the creation of a video to introduce themselves, their motivation and their leadership philosophy. The Girls’ College students and staff were invited to vote online, with our Grade 11 student vote carrying the most weight. The top six students who emerged as successful candidates from the voting process underwent a series of panel interviews last Friday afternoon. Each candidate participated in three interviews, with each panel consisting of members of the GC staff and Campus staff, as well as current Matric leaders.

It gives us great pleasure to announce the Girls’ College Student Leadership Executive for the 2020/2021 cycle:

Please watch the announcement video here:

https://youtu.be/WfR67XJuXVw

Head Girl

Wantekenesha Mucharambeyi

Throughout her high school career, Wantekenesha acknowledges that she has been on a journey to know what it means to be a true leader. This definition has changed from being the smartest, loudest, or sportiest person to what she understands now. Leadership requires genuine resilience and teamwork. Serving on the Valentine’s Day Roses Committee and the Matric Dance Committee reinforced this notion of teamwork, as well as creativity and the importance of patience when leading or working in a team.

Wantekenesha’s experience on the Grade 8 interview panels was pivotal in understanding how special each person is. It was in that space that she had to be vulnerable and thoughtful as each group of potential students was different. This led her to the realisation of the importance of adaptability in leadership and has solidified her belief that each of our students is unique and deserves special consideration.

As an elected member of the Student Representative Council, Wantekenesha has grown her leadership skills and abilities and lists: compassion, communication, time management, appreciation for diversity, and hearing the views of others among the skills she has acquired. Another attribute Wantekenesha has realised is critical to leading is the necessity of sometimes taking a step back, analysing, thinking, and only then reacting or taking a stand.

Deputy Head Girl (Wellness and Student Affairs)

Niike Neervoort

As an active member of St Stithians, Niike has broadened her understanding of the needs of our girls. Her vision for the Girls’ College in 2020/2021 is to create authentic vulnerable spaces where each girl can use her unique talents, to help those around her. Niike encompasses the Spirit of Ubuntu and believes that a (fulfilled)good existence, is a communal one. She has one focus - the well-being of every student.

Niike has embraced the opportunities afforded her as a St Stithians student and has purposefully developed her leadership skills. During the three weeks at Kamoka Bush School, she learned that vulnerability plays an important role in teamwork. Without vulnerability, a team will lack cohesion, a bond, and support for one another. Cultural differences were very evident to Niike while on her Round Square Exchange and this compelled her to learn how to take a step back, listen more, and to truly understand someone else’s point of view.  Being the SRC rep in 2019 allowed Niike to work on her communication skills and she is now confidently able to speak to an audience and successfully get her message across.

Niike loves being involved in Dramatic Arts events and as these events require a great deal of determination, teamwork, and a sense of responsibility, she will now be able to showcase these skills in her new leadership role. Each performance is an ensemble of lights, sound, actors, and backstage working perfectly together to achieve one goal. Every element is integral to the whole. This is Niike’s vision of leadership. People bringing their best attributes together to work towards one goal, each understanding that they are as important as the other.

It is an honour to give Niike a platform where she can make herself available to all the girls and lead them in a time where everyone’s wellbeing is important.

Deputy Head Girl (Student Events)

Jenna White

Jenna’s love for St Stithians is evident in all that she does. Jenna has immersed herself in Saint’s life whether on the sporting field, dance studio, or volunteering in a committee or community engagement. All these activities have resulted in her gaining exceptional experience in project management and leadership.

Jenna is not only known for her patience and kindness, but also as a risk-taker, team-player, and role-model. Another fundamental attribute Jenna possesses is humility, she understands that others have gone before her and have learned critical lessons and she, willingly seeks and accepts advice and guidance.

An important skill Jenna has exhibited is the ability to change her approach in order to achieve the goals that have been set. This skill results in extraordinary flexibility and adaptability which is required from all successful leaders regardless of the portfolio held. With Jenna’s extensive leadership experience comes her compassion for people. Her ability to quickly ascertain the complexity of a problem and accurately address each obstacle has helped many of her peers remain calm in difficult situations. Each of these skills that she has developed has set her up to be an extraordinary Deputy of Events.