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Students being put their paces at Student Leader Training

Mai Hanh from Graduate House

Catherine McNamara from International House and Aija Zablovska from W...

LIVING AT UOW - STUDENT LEADER TRAINING

Over 70 student leaders Living @ UOW got together for their annual week long training program in early February.  The training program is lead by the Student Residence Management team, and this year saw returning student leaders play more of a guiding role in the facilitation of the program.

Students from Campus East, Weerona College, International House, Keiraview, Kooloobong, Graduate House and Gundi all took part in sessions covering topics such as:  The role of a student leader, Role challenges and boundaries, Building a high performing team, Managing conflict and challenging conversations, Emotional intelligence, Understanding and managing bullying and harassment and Team development. 

“The role of the student leader is vitally important to maintaining a harmonious culture in the residences,” explained Leanne Robinson, Student Residence Manager for Weerona College and Gundi.  Our student leaders take on a variety of roles including assisting new students with homesickness, organising cultural and social activities, providing academic support and practical issues for new students such as where to buy groceries.  They are all trained in how to deal with emergency situations and hold current first aid training certificates.  Student leaders are responsible for ensuring that there is a harmonious environment in the residence and are trained to recognise signs that a student may need professional help and where to seek this. 

“Importantly they also assist with easing the transition of moving into residence and making sure new students feel welcome and comfortable in their new environment.  Students moving into residences will be experiencing a range of emotions from excitement to trepidation and for many students this is their first time living away from home.  For students coming from other countries, there may be exciting cultural differences that they will encounter.”

“Sessions were delivered by a range of experts and the focus of the week is very interactive”, explained Leanne.  Drake WorkWise conducted a range of experiential type session which were tailored to the student experience.  The program also included guest presentations from UOW staff including Lynne Wright, Director, Employment Equity and Diversity, Scott Hamilton I.T. Security Officer and David Anderson Manager of UOW Security.

New this year was the “Panel of Knowledge” where students were able to put any burning issues to the Student Residence Managers and “Behind Closed Doors” where experienced student leaders acted out scenarios that may occur in residence.  New student leaders were required to deal the situation. 

But it wasn’t all hard work.  The week was also a great opportunity for the students leaders from all the residences to get to know each other and discuss ideas.  A bbq dinner held at Campus East on Friday night was the perfect end to a busy week.