Aurora and I had the pleasure of attending the Heads of Schools Conference, hosted by Wells Cathedral School. This was a very insightful and enjoyable day where we listened to talks on what it means to be a good leader, participated in team building and public speaking workshops as well as the opportunity to meet and talk to other Heads of schools. 

We learnt so much, including ‘owning the floor’ in public speaking, how to chair meetings, inspiring your team, in addition to the necessity for integrity, trust and the importance of smiling as a leader. However, for me, the most valuable part of the day was a talk delivered by the leadership advice company, Ivy House. There were countless points to take away as the speaker explained how to be an ‘Extraordinary Leader’. While there were too many tips to write down, what resonated with me most included: 

• Adopt a ‘Rhino approach’ to life; ensuring things happen because of you, not to be a ‘Cow’, letting things happen to you.
• To be motivated by learning and not by being right.
• The values that constitute becoming a courageous leader, including holding your opinions lightly, mean you are open to new perspectives and ‘failing forward and failing fast’; understanding that there will be failures, but not to let that hold you back, but to instead learn from them and keep moving forwards.

Overall, the day was a great success. We met lots of other really nice people in the same position as us and with similar responsibilities and values, and we plan to stay in touch. It was an opportunity to broaden our skills in public speaking, networking and inspirational leadership while growing in confidence and getting a feel for operating in a professional environment that will aid us at university and into our working life.

Thank you to Wells Cathedral School for generously hosting such an invaluable event. The skills we have learnt will last us a lifetime.

Poppy, Deputy Head Girl, UVI