Building

At Explore Discover Act we are students of and passionate about developing leadership potential. It’s a privilege to watch participants courageously accept the invitation to stretch, grow and contribute, as they build their capacity to be difference makers. We walk shoulder to shoulder with students, staff and school communities as we help foster ‘informed, connected and empowered individuals believing deeply in their own and others potential’.

"Leadership is no longer about position, but passion. It's no longer about image, but impact. This is Leadership 2.0." - Robin Sharma

Why is this important though? To us? To school communities? To the participants? Last week we were again provided with another powerful reminder as to why the answers to these questions matter. It's an ongoing journey. But we are so glad we're on it.

"Teaching is only demonstrating it is possible. Learning is making it possible for yourself." - Paulo Coelho

A participant had previously completed our 10 week L.E.A.D. with Me Program in 2017 whilst in Year 4. I remembered him from within that cohort; he would often sidle up during or after our sessions to share connections he was making or to say thank you. Last week he was back. Now participating in our L.E.A.D. with Me Program experiences as a Year 6 student. What he shared with me this time though left me in awe of his courage, strength and the embodiment of his ongoing growth.

"Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it." - Helen Keller

He said, 'I just wanted to say thank you, all that I learnt in Year 4 has really helped me, especially when my dad passed last September'. My heart filled with empathy, even though I'm so privileged to still have my mum and dad in my life, I could feel with him how hard it is to lose those that we love. My first words were, 'I'm so sorry', which were met with such a sincere thank you, then I shared a few reflections of how he'd inspired me working with him in 2017, and then again today.

"Courage starts by showing up and letting ourselves be seen." - Brené Brown

I remember feedback we received from one of the Year 4 teachers after working with that cohort back in 2017. It read, 'Thank you so much for delivering such meaningful and lifelong lessons to year 4 over the last 10 weeks. I know that they will take away understandings that will not only serve them for their future but that they will remember and pass on to create the ripple that you so often talk about.' These words came flooding back to me as I interacted with this inspiring participant last week. It's such a privilege to help build; connection, character and capacity!

"No significant learning without a significant relationship." - Dr. James P. Comer