Standing Tall

Most of us remember at least something from our time in Year 6. Like when you played Santa Claus in the school play with a fat lip from taekwondo class. In our day, being leaders of the school meant you had a turn carrying the lunch order basket to the office, and didn't you feel pretty damn good about yourself – that there was peak leadership circa the mid 90s.

It's 2025 now, and Year 6 has changed. Evolved, actually. Our young people have the greatest of expectations put upon them; before lunch on a Tuesday, they've already thought of others but maintained boundaries, competed and succeeded while sharing and empathising, been selfless but empowered, but also, not too much. They go home and eat healthily and get more sleep, but aren't lazy, are tech-savvy and screen-free, are social, spend time alone, train to be professional sportspeople and musicians and save the world. Oh, and they're sure to be grateful. 

Take a breath (but make it a quick one, don't waste time).

Despite the above, a sense of calm surrounds Minimbah's Year 6 group, even amongst the swirling sea of expectations. We sat down together on a sunny afternoon to speak about what it means, to them, to be in Year 6, to be the big kids and the leaders of their school, on the cusp of heading to Senior Campus.
Something about Minimbah kids that always amazes is their easy way of conversing. They are considerate and engaged listeners and contributors. Very quickly, a sophisticated definition of leadership came to the fore. They discussed introspection and having the integrity and bravery to empower others, definitions of leadership well beyond 'authority' - but best to take it from them.

"I thought that being in Year 6 would be the prime of my life and everyone would automatically respect me, but then I realised that it's kind of the same, and that I have to earn respect." You said it, Ike. With Year 6 power comes Year 6 responsibility, like it or not. "Once you know you are expected to be a leader, straight away you stand tall," says Claire.

The Buddy Program is a long-standing tradition at Minimbah, and it so happened that the day we visited, the Year 6s were assigned their Foundation buddies. Once you stand tall, "There is no one way to lead because everyone is different and unique in their own way. You need to get to know people first." It's a nuanced and empathetic understanding for anyone, let alone a primary school student.

"Be Humble," says Jacob. Showing leadership means "Doing the right thing, even when no one is looking." A profoundly wise statement from Ike, who also values calm interactions in making stronger leaders. So, back in the 90s when we were swinging the lunch order basket, we may or may not have known that there was more to leadership, and even more to good leadership. Considering the expectations put upon them, this generation of young people has considered more than we may even have known existed. We can learn a lot from them.

Common themes around the group were bravery and courage, supporting others and sharing your opinions. Claire is heading the production team for The Minimbah Leaf-let, the student-produced Campus Newspaper, and she told us about a time in class she felt too shy to share her idea, "And then, like a bolt of lightning, it clicked. How about….and I just started talking! Boy, was it the best decision I made. It taught me that my ideas are worth hearing and that hiding them was a mistake."

At Woodleigh, we value childhood and know that students' primary years require joy, camaraderie and play as much as anything else. Minimbah kids experience those things and more in their day-to-day lives. They also develop emotional intelligence and an understanding that strong leadership supports and strengthens community, rather than one person in authority. “Lead others not because you want to succeed, but because you want others to succeed”, says Ben. These high-level perspectives will see these students through their secondary years and beyond, as they adventure through everything school and life will offer them.