These leaders have class

By Emma Sun
YARRA Junction Primary School’s new ‘The Leader in Me’ program is giving students a chance to perform better in their studies and improve their interpersonal skills.
The program is based on the same principles as Stephen Covey’s book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, which is an internationally renowned personal growth program.
The seven habits in the book, including be pro-active, begin with the end in mind, put first things first, think win-win, seek first to understand then to be understood, synergise and sharpen the saw, are mirrored and simplified for children.
The version the students learn is: you’re in charge, have a plan, work first then play, everyone can win, listen before you talk, together is better and balance feels best.
School principal Chris Thomas said the program had been highly effective in various aspects of the students’ school and home life.
“We’ve seen an improvement in (the children’s) interpersonal skills; their achievement skills have exceeded our expectations and bullying has diminished,” Mr Thomas said.
“The core principle is developing leaders in every child so that every child has greatness.
Mr Thomas says the school runs the seven habits program throughout all their programs and the students often take charge in the organisation.
“It’s about the kids developing themselves to be leaders and lifelong learners,” he said.
Students are encouraged to be pro-active both at school and at home, and prioritising is an important lesson that they learn.
“We talk to them about home life such as doing chores before watching TV,” Mr Thomas said.
“It’s a program that is about them improving not just in school, but improving their characters and developing their characters so they’re life-long.”
Mr Thomas said Yarra Junction Primary School was currently the only public school in Victoria doing the program, and hopes the program will achieve even better results.
“We think every child can achieve, this ensures they can achieve academically and socially so we can create life-long citizens,” he said.