HIGH SCHOOL LEADERSHIP CAMP
– “Leadership is not about a title or a designation. It’s about impact, influence, and inspiration.” – Robin S. Sharma. –
What happens when you bring together 73 aspiring leaders, 10 teams, and 2 days of exciting activities? You get the Prefects’ Leadership Camp — a two-day adventure full of teamwork, laughter, and lessons that will last a lifetime. On January 10th and 11th, this camp was not just about building leadership skills but also about forging unforgettable memories. From thrilling challenges to cosy campfire moments, the Prefects proved that great leaders can rise to any occasion.
To start off the camp Dr Dan delivered an inspiring speech underlining the significance of teamwork, and quickly had the participants diving into the chaos of the “Human Knot” activity. Teams twisted and turned to untangle themselves, a great demonstration of a journey of navigating challenges together. This was followed by “Get the Item,” the first icebreaker that put everyone’s speed and resourcefulness to the test as they scrambled to gather random objects from their teammates. From a pen to someone’s left shoe, the air filled with laughter as teams began to warm up with each other.
Later during the afternoon, Ms Junaida’s workshop provided a thoughtful pause in the excitement, as she explored what makes an event truly meaningful and how and what it means to create a “good” event. Students learned that sometimes events will not be able to please everybody, but at the end of the day, that is completely fine and there will always be room for improvement. This was followed by a lighthearted activity, “Becoming Aunties”, where participants recreated iconic poses inspired by typical aunties.
Mr Gareth then took the stage with a workshop on the importance of leadership, emphasising qualities like integrity, adaptability, and empathy. The lessons learned were soon put to the test during “Obor-Obor,” an evening event that combined strategy, teamwork, and a lot of fun. Teams worked together to transport their candles across a field while dodging relentless water balloons hurled by teachers and STUCO members. Enduring the splashes, they lit the torch at the other end, igniting not only the fire but as well as a well-earned achievement.
After dinner, students embarked on the thrilling “Walk of Bravery,” navigating the dark school grounds in their groups whilst completing missions. Thunder and rain unexpectedly followed, turning the adventure into an even more adrenaline-inducing experience. Finally, the night ended with a cosy campfire, complete with roasted marshmallows, hot chocolate, and the soothing sound of rain in the background.
Day two began bright and early with a morning exercise that had everyone stretching and shaking off their sleepiness. The energy continued into a scavenger hunt where groups competed with each other but also worked with one another to tackle creative challenges. From filming TikToks about why they wanted to be prefects, to guiding blindfolded teammates in “Touch the Colour,” and working together to solve the intricate “Maze Mania,” the activities highlighted every member’s trust in each other. Teams also demonstrated patience and precision in the “Roll Race” and the quirky yet challenging “Sock Balance.” These moments showed each team the importance of communication, quick thinking, and teamwork all together.
After those testing activities, the “Clean-Up” activity celebrated the school’s unsung heroes — our professional cleaning service staff. Students eagerly listened as the cleaning staff shared tips on maintaining a safe and comfortable environment and put those skills into action. The appreciation shown for their hard work was a reminder that small acts of gratitude can go a long way.
The day wrapped up with practical workshops. Everyone created detailed action plans, crafting timelines for hypothetical events with their teams. A budgeting workshop led by Ms Diah, taught students the importance of financial planning and resource management. These skills are unquestionably going to be needed when working in an organisation such as the Prefects. By the end of the camp, everyone walked away with new friendships, valuable skills, and unforgettable memories. Most importantly, every student who participated learned that a good leader does not order, rather– they support every single person on their team in order to reach far greater achievements.
