LeadHER in Action

Leadership is talked about constantly, and just as often left as talk. LeadHER in Action, an entirely student-led symposium designed, planned and hosted by our Year 8 cohort, set out to change that, welcoming young leaders from Year 7 and several surrounding schools for a day of connection, learning and inspiration.

The Year 8 girls began planning from the start of the year, shaping every part of the programme themselves: brainstorming workshops, coordinating activations, and managing the logistics that brought it all together. That process became the day’s theme, with every session pushing students to move beyond ideas and into confident, decisive leadership.

A student-led waiata welcomed the group and had everyone involved from the beginning. From there, students moved through a series of Action Labs and activations, testing out practical leadership skills and connecting with peers from other schools.  

The keynote from Alexia Hilbertidou, founder of Girl Boss New Zealand, landed like a gut punch in the best way. It was equal parts encouragement and challenge, urging the girls to hold themselves with confidence and dream bigger. A panel of senior student leaders from other Auckland schools followed, sharing their own leadership journeys and prompting thoughtful reflection on what leadership might look like in each student’s own context.

Before the day closed, every girl was asked to name one action she would take as a result of what she’d heard. A final task for the event built on the idea that leadership only counts once it’s put into practice.

The polish, energy and care the Year 8 girls brought to running their own symposium said more about this school's leadership culture than any speech from the stage could.