Cardinia Shire children heard loud and clear at Student Leaders Conference
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More than 100 students from 17 Cardinia Shire primary schools took part in Council’s first-ever Student Leaders Conference at Pakenham Hall on Wednesday 12 September 2018.
Cardinia Shire Councillors Carol Ryan, Graeme Moore, Letitia Wilmot and Michael Schilling also took part in the highly interactive event.
As a designated Child Friendly City, Council recognises children are important citizens in our community. The Student Leaders Conference gave primary school-aged children a platform to be heard, and for Council to listen.
The conference, which was designed and facilitated by children themselves, featured many group activities and opportunities for students to talk about what they liked about their community, what they thought would make it better, and what it takes to become a great leader.
Sessions conducted by several Council staff also gave students valuable insight into how local government works.
Special guest speaker, Pakenham Secondary College school captain Mehdi Ahmadi, shared his fascinating and inspiring experience of coming to Australia with his large family as an Afghan refugee in 2015.
Schools also presented on the importance of the ‘student voice’ and why it is vital for children to have their say and be heard, both at school and as part of their communities.