Student Leadership Programme
Learn how we nurture student leaders
Student Leadership Development @ STC
Introduction
Student Leadership Development in STC nurtures every Theresian to discover, develop, and demonstrate her leadership potential to the fullest. Throughout their secondary school journey, Theresians are provided with purposeful opportunities to learn, practise, and refine leadership skills through authentic experiences of service to the school and the wider community.
Anchored in the Theresian values and aligned with the 21st Century Competencies (21CC) framework, our leadership development focuses on building personal mastery, social-emotional competencies, and responsible decision-making. Through these experiences, students cultivate self-management, relationship skills, and civic literacy, empowering them to lead with empathy and moral courage. Ultimately, we aspire to shape Theresians into Learners, Leaders and Ladies.
At STC, leadership development of all students is aligned to our school’s vision of developing a community of leaders and learners for God and for others. Our leadership development programme is organised at two strata:
1. Leadership for all Theresians – nurturing every student with foundational leadership dispositions, opportunities for class leadership, and platforms to develop confidence, collaboration, and character.
2. Leadership for Theresian Student Leaders – providing structured pathways, specialised training, mentorship, and roles for students who take on formal leadership positions to contribute meaningfully to the school community.
Theresian Leadership Development Framework
The Theresian Leadership Development framework is anchored in Kouzes and Posner’s Leadership Challenge Model, which serves as the guiding compass in nurturing our student leaders. This model outlines five key practices of exemplary leadership that form the foundation of our Theresian approach:
Model the Way – Theresian leaders lead by example, demonstrating integrity, humility, and commitment to the school’s values in both word and deed.
Inspire a Shared Vision – They articulate and rally others around a common purpose, motivating peers to contribute towards a shared Theresian dream.
Challenge the Process – They are courageous in questioning norms, exploring creative solutions, and initiating positive change for the betterment of the school community.
Enable Others to Act – They empower and support their peers, building trust, collaboration, and teamwork to achieve collective goals.
Encourage the Heart – They celebrate the achievements of others, show appreciation, and foster a spirit of care, compassion, and gratitude within the Theresian family.
Through these five practices, the Theresian Leadership Development framework seeks to grow Learners, Leaders, and Ladies who lead with purpose, serve with humility, and inspire with heart.
The Theresian Student Leader
The Theresian Student Leader is recognised as a leader of leaders — one who exemplifies the school’s values and sets the tone for others to follow. She is appointed to a formal leadership position within the school and has undergone a rigorous selection process that takes into consideration comments from her Form Teachers, Subject Teachers, CCA Teachers, and other key stakeholders.
This holistic process ensures that each Student Leader is chosen not only for her leadership potential and commitment to serve, but also for her character, sense of responsibility, and influence among her peers.
As a leader of leaders, the Theresian Student Leader is expected to:
Model the way by demonstrating integrity, humility, and the Theresian values in her words and actions.
Inspire and influence peers through positive role-modelling and service-oriented leadership.
Mentor and support fellow student leaders, fostering collaboration and unity across leadership groups.
Represent the student body with confidence and respect in school and external engagements.
Demonstrate 21st Century Competencies (21 CC), showing self-management, social awareness, and responsible decision-making in all situations.
Lead with compassion and moral courage, standing up for what is right and advocating for others with empathy.
Qualities of the Theresian Girl as a Leader and the Theresian Student Leader
As Leader, an active contributor & a concerned citizen who is rooted to Singapore
1. She models a sense of belonging to class, school and country; 2. She appreciates diversity; and 3. She contributes to the betterment of community & environment, with special reference to the disadvantaged. | As Theresian Student Leader, 1. She has the moral courage to speak up and stand up for what is right and wrong as a role model for others 2. She takes the initiative to take the lead when she needs the need to step in instead of waiting for others’ instruction 3. She guides her peers and exerts a positive influence on them; 4. She upholds racial & religious harmony and promotes cohesiveness amidst diversity; 5. She spearheads initiatives for the betterment of the community & environment, and responds to the needs of the disadvantaged. |
Developmental Approach
The Student Leadership Development E4 approach is used to engage different segments of students. E4 represents – Engage (leadership development for all), Encourage (leadership development for the disadvantaged), Enthuse (leadership development based on specific interests) and Enlighten (leadership development for student leaders selected to take up positions in the highest tier).
Level 1: To Engage and Encourage all Theresians in leadership development
The Student Leadership Programme takes a values-based approach that emphasises the individual's ability to work effectively with others to create community change. There is progression in the leadership development of all Theresians, which is illustrated in the table below:
Development Approach Level 1 and Level 2
Level | Description | Activities |
1 | Developing the Self | Leading through participation in class activity / event |
2 | Leading and Working in Teams | Leading through spearheading and contribution in group work |
At the Self level, Theresians recognise the need to be proactive in their actions and behaviors. They are able to identify their short and long term goals that they can work towards. This allows them to be learners and leaders for themselves first, so that they can influence their peers positively through their own role modelling.
At the Team level, Theresians recognise the need to collaborate and accommodate during group work and projects so that they can perform more effectively as a team to achieve common objectives and goals in the best way possible. Theresian leaders are those who listen to their team, and incorporate the diversity of views and opinions as part of their decision making process.
Students from disadvantaged backgrounds are given equal opportunities to participate in leadership programmes through subsidies from the Financial Assistance Scheme and Opportunity Fund. We treasure each child’s leadership potential and seek to hone her leadership skills in her years here with us, regardless of background.
LEVEL 2: To Enthuse and Enlighten Theresian Student Leaders on their Leadership Journeys
Students who have excelled in the first two stages of leadership development will move on to the next two levels as officially appointed Theresian Student Leaders with different portfolios.
Development Approach Level 3 and Level 4
Level | Description | Activities |
3 | Serving and Leading in School | Leading in planning and implementing school-wide events |
4 | Serving and Leading in Community | Leading in initiating and spearheading projects for the wider community |
LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Theresian Student Leaders are provided with authentic platforms to apply and demonstrate their leadership skills. Through opportunities to plan, organise, coordinate, and execute key school initiatives, they put into practice essential 21st Century Competencies (21 CC) such as collaboration, communication, creative problem-solving, responsible decision-making, and global/civic awareness.
These experiences enable them to grow in confidence, strengthen resilience, and develop a deeper sense of service and responsibility to the school community.
a. Lead and manage the planning and execution of major school events such as:
Secondary One Orientation Camp
School-wide VIA
IFD Sports Carnival / House Activities / Cross Country
Teachers’ Day Celebration
Happy Week, Book Drive, Friendship Week, Budget Sharing, International Women’s week.
Graduation Day Celebration and Prom Night Dinner
Other major school events or programmes (e.g., Open House)
b. Assist teachers in the organisation and facilitation of key school commemorative events such as:
Total Defence Day
Racial Harmony Day
National Day Celebrations
STC Bazaar
Student Leadership Investiture
c. Co-plan with teachers and support the implementation of leadership development programmes such as:
The Leadership Challenge (TLC) training for all Theresians
Leadership training programmes for cluster primary schools (e.g., monitor leadership, sports leadership)
Cluster primary school Sports Carnival
External community events in collaboration with Sports SG
KL & Japan Exchange Programme.