Redhill School hosted the Grade 7 Leadership Summit, an annual event on the school’s academic calendar, on 11 May.
The summit was established by the Redhill Grade 7s in 2014, with a dual objective to collaborate with other schools in empowering the youth with the skills and inspiration to develop their leadership capabilities and to initiate fundraising projects that will support disadvantaged communities.
“The summit participants from neighbouring schools benefit from the way in which this programme broadens their minds, instils empathy and creates sensitivity about diversity,” said Redhill’s head of natural science and the summit convenor, Dhevan Marimindi.
“The Grade 7s leave this summit with a new understanding of the duty they have to contribute meaningfully to our society.”
Redhill welcomed children of Grayston Preparatory, Dainfern College and Kyalami Preparatory School, as well as from three outreach partner schools, Lulama Primary School, Reshomile Primary School and Riversands Primary School.
This year, Redhill School partnered with LeadSA and Community Hours, an organisation which matches youths with volunteer opportunities, to produce a summit that was engaging and effective. For the duration of the school morning, the children enjoyed group discussions and presentations from a number of inspiring South Africans. Among them were Oscar von Memerty, Irini Moutzouris and Lyndsay van der Byl.
Social worker Talia-Jade Magnes and psychologist Sherri Errington were joined by their colleague, Lucky Mlaklaa Nhassambo who works at Fight with Insight, a Johannesburg inner city boxing gym. The gym teaches children important life skills while learning to box and receiving mentorship from professionals.
The Grade 7s also heard from brothers James and John Mangunza, heads of the Activation Team at Community Hours who spoke about leadership through active citizenship.
“We watched our Grade 7s approach leadership collaboratively, and with the understanding that they are the pioneers of change,” said Dimitra Adramitoglou, head of the high school.
“They brought such energy, creativity and insight to the summit and this, too, speaks to the ‘Redhill magic’. We are proud of the Grade 7s and we cannot wait to see how they evolve further into young leaders.”
Details: Redhill School 011 783 4707
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