School Leaders Meet With Councillors

16 school leaders and accompanying staff from Kempsey Adventist School, Kempsey High School, Melville High School and St Pauls College met with Councillors on Tuesday to share their perspectives, ideas and aspirations for their local area.

Not only were the students able to gain a deeper understanding of local governance and how it impacts their community, the meeting also gave them the opportunity to meet with their peers from other schools, encouraging collaboration and creation of shared goals.

Councillors led the workshop and students brainstormed what they value, what they need, what they are concerned about and where do they want to be, focusing on Council's Community Strategic Plan.

School worked in their individual groups and were paired with a Councillor/s to discuss their ideas. Both teachers and students appreciated the opportunity to share their ideas and passions at a local forum.

Issues that came up as important to the young people included general safety and wellbeing, access to health services, access to tertiary education and employment, having opportunities to stay in the Shire after school, the need for facilities like a multicultural sports complex or similar, as well as activities and events.

Councillor Ring, who took the idea of inviting the school leaders as a Notice of Motion to Council last year, noted how positively engaged the students were, and how it was a rare opportunity for school leaders from both private and public schools to come together in the region.

"While their ideas might have crossed between local, state, and federal issues, the important message was that our Youth have a strong voice, and we should continue to provide them a platform that gives them confidence and encouragement to be leaders in the wider community beyond school," said Cr Ring.