



PREFECTS IN PENANG
GIS’s new Prefects have
been learning about how to become better leaders during a conference in
Malaysia.
GIS's
six new Prefects for 2016-17 headed to Penang in Malaysia to attend a Student
Leadership Conference from September 22-24. Organised by the Federation of
British International Schools in Southeast Asia (FOBISIA), the event was hosted
by The International School of Penang (Uplands).
The
first day began with guest speaker Mr Poul O.G. Hoiness, who has served as
Danish Ambassador in the Middle East, South Korea and Japan over the past 30
years. He talked about the extra significance of cross-cultural understanding
at a time when globalisation is becoming increasingly important.
Australian
Army leaders then spoke to the 66 students, from 15 international schools,
about how to become good leaders and what special skills are needed.
Students
had a chance to work together on a variety of tasks, including completing an
online survey to discover their strengths as leaders. They also discussed
issues at their schools and then discussed how these could best be solved,
using a model for leadership they had earlier learned.
IB
Coordinator Mark Beales, who accompanied the Prefects to Penang, said:
"This was an excellent event where our Prefects were able to meet with
other young leaders. The guest speakers were fascinating and offered some great
tips and advice. Uplands organised engaging and practical activities that
allowed our students to think about their own leadership qualities.
"At
GIS we always encourage students to act as communicators and this conference
helped our Prefects develop their leadership skills even further."