Anglican school student leaders explore “Being Together: Embracing Joy” at annual symposium
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Canterbury College recently hosted senior student leaders from south-east Queensland Anglican schools at a “Being Together: Embracing Joy” Anglican Schools Student Leadership Symposium
Canterbury College recently hosted senior student leaders from south-east Queensland Anglican schools at their Waterford campus for the second annual Anglican Schools Student Leadership Symposium.
This year’s symposium topic was the Diocesan theme, “Being Together: Embracing Joy”, as outlined by Archbishop Phillip Aspinall:
“ ‘For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit (1 Corinthians 12.12-13).’
“Embracing Joy will focus on celebrating the way that our differences help to make us whole and the importance of diversity.”
The symposium nurtures closer relationships between like-minded schools; this year supporting student leaders to embrace the joy of difference and diversity that helps strengthen our Anglican unity and identity.
The annual event brings various student leadership groups together, so they can compare their different college approaches, philosophies and leadership values, while joining forces to “group think” ways of being better role models for others.
It also served as a chance for the whole group to pray together in the Canterbury Chapel for a joyful year ahead for their respective colleges.
The prayer was led by Canterbury’s new College Chaplain The Rev’d Melusi Sibanda.
After chapel service, student leaders listened to keynote presentations from The Rev’d Richard Browning – Director of Mission, Anglican Schools Commission; Natalie Waters – Business and Leadership Coach and Mentor; and, global speaker Duku Forè GAICD – Founder of the Rich Dreams Program and App.
The messages from these keynote speakers to the student leaders were powerful.
These post-event feedback from various student leaders about the day summed up the symposium eloquently:
“Growth is only possible outside your comfort zone, that saying yes opens a million opportunities, and that you just need to put yourself out there, because anything is possible.”
“Their stories were very engaging, and the topics they brought up were extremely applicable, especially for Year 12 students.”
“Leadership is about putting yourself out there, taking risks, and respecting the people you represent.”
“The diverse panel of speakers showed me that being a leader is a diverse experience.”
“Be the role model you needed when you were younger.”
Canterbury College thanks the staff who escorted their students from The Glennie School, St Andrew’s Anglican College, Toowoomba Anglican School, The Southport School and Coomera Anglican College.
Canterbury would also like to thank the Heads of the attending schools for their continued support of the symposium.
The next annual symposium will be held at Canterbury College on Friday 24 February 2023.
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