Over two days Ellen Lock and l had the pleasure of working with the students who have nominated for the Prefect Preparation Program. Students from both Campuses took part in a retreat designed to strengthen their leadership skills and broaden their understanding of the ‘Spirituality of Leadership.’
On the first day, students travelled into the city and worked in one of the workspaces at St Francis Church before attending the 11.00am Mass.
After lunch we participated in a workshop with The Big Issue. The session gave students valuable insight into the ongoing issue of homelessness in Australia, the factors that contribute to it, and the importance of compassion and social responsibility in leadership. Through interactive discussions, the students were encouraged to consider how they, as future leaders, can help create a more inclusive and supportive society.
The second day of the retreat was held back at the College and focused on exploring what student leadership at Parade truly means. Through a range of activities and reflections, students examined the qualities of effective leadership, with a particular emphasis on the spirituality of leadership. They were invited to reflect on their role as servant-leaders within the school community.
The retreat encouraged students to think deeply about how leadership is not just about position, but about service and the ability to inspire others. Both Ellen and I were proud to witness the enthusiasm, maturity, and thoughtful engagement shown by our students across the two days.
This experience marks an important step in their Prefect journey, and we look forward to seeing how these young leaders continue to grow and contribute to our school community.
Last Thursday, the students that have nominated for the 2026 Prefect group spent the day in the city for our annual Prefect Retreat. We began our day at St Francis Church, where Miss Lock led us through a thought-provoking workshop filled with difficult Agree or Disagree questions. These discussions encouraged us to reflect deeply on our values, beliefs, and responsibilities as leaders. Following the workshop, we attended Mass at St Francis Church. It was a meaningful experience, and a great opportunity to take in the surroundings of one of the oldest Catholic churches in Victoria. In the afternoon, we had the privilege of hearing from Carolyne and Phil from The Big Issue, who spoke powerfully about homelessness and social marginalization. Phil shared his personal experience of homelessness, which gave us a real and raw insight into how easily someone can be pushed to the margins of society and how difficult it can be to find a way back. It was a talk that left a lasting impression on all of us. We then took part in The Big Issue Challenge, a hands on task where our groups had to work within a set budget to support a fictional person experiencing homelessness. Tasks included finding job interview clothing, locating places that were hiring, and navigating public transport, all designed to mirror real life challenges. One of my group's favourite task was spelling out TBI (The Big Issue) with members of our group and asking a member of the public to take a photo. The retreat pushed us out of our comfort zones, brought us closer together as a group, and reminded us of the importance of empathy, resilience, and leadership. A huge thank you to Miss Morello and Miss Lock!
Year 11 Keira Caddy L10B
I found the retreat extremely rewarding as l was able to share ideas with my peers. The Big Issue City challenge was fun - being able to navigate the city as a team while completing numerous tasks where we were to imagine we were homeless proved to be a challenging yet satisfying experience. Unfortunately, my team did not win but we had fun running around the city. On the following day, we managed to have a Q and A from the current College Captains, giving key advice for next year as we step into their shoes. It was an extremely beneficial experience that us student leaders shared with many tricky but rewarding tasks to complete.
The Prefect retreat took place over two days. The first day was spent in the city where we learnt about the importance of working as a team, and the important issue of homelessness that our community is facing. The second day took place on campus, where we discussed what it means to be a true leader, encompassing how a leader focuses on the wider community. We explored different initiatives the 2026 Prefect body could introduce to benefit the Parade community.
I found this to be a very beneficial experience that can help me become a better leader in the future.
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