By Beauty Boois
Primary/Middle School Counsellor
Primary Student Leadership Leader
Being the Primary Student Leadership Leader at Northbridge International School Cambodia has put me in a position to bloom as a leader because of the transformational student leadership skills and style that our Student Council (STUCO) seem to embody so beautifully.
Initially I was surprised by the student’s eagerness to take up leadership positions within the primary school as it is generally not common that young children want to take on so much responsibility. It did not take me long to realize that PYP students, including those at NISC, are outliers in the best way possible.
The IB Learner Profile enables the students to flourish as leaders, go-getters, and game changers organically! They are caring, confident, open-minded, knowledgeable, unique, balanced, reflective, principled thinkers who are excellent communicators and risk-takers – all the traits that make them transformational leaders with the ability to inspire and drive positive change in their learning environment.
Every time we gather to learn more about leadership, agency and share all the concerns expressed by their fellow students, I am wonderfully blown away by the way they empower themselves and each other to amplify the voice of all students.
In under three months STUCO representatives from grade 3-5 have already collaborated with secondary STUCO and the schools Wellbeing Team to organize activities that promote mental health and fellowship. They have planned and run a successful Sprit Week to bolster school spirit, and are currently working on launching a competition to promote an attitude of gratitude which increases student wellbeing - as well as taken on the roles of Master of Ceremonies during International Day celebrations, where they showcased their confidence and public speaking skills!
The one thing that shines through in everything that NISC STUCO representatives are involved in, is their passion to create a positive, fun and inclusive environment for themselves and for the students who elected them to represent their interests.
With their expressed objectives to host more events, engage in community upliftment initiatives, support other students, be more reflective and keep finding ways to create and inspire positive change in the school – NISC STUCO representatives are ones to watch!
I for one am extremely thrilled and grateful to be lucky enough to work with them and witness them grow and flourish as transformational young leaders.
When people think about leadership, what often comes to mind are the concepts of power, decision making, delegating and innovation. Seldom does one think about care, empathy, kindness, and generosity – however these traits that highlight the emotional skills for successful and effective leadership, including by students at Northbridge International School Cambodia, are just as important.
What are the Primary Arts all about? Is it just a load of fun and messing around? It is fun, which is why we love it but there is so much more to the programme than some people might think.
Take a visit to our early learning spaces at Northbridge International School Cambodia, both inside and out, and you will observe a wealth of play activities happening. Students are interacting in playing on their own (solo play), playing with the same thing or in the same space (mirrored play) or sharing together (collaborative play).
