By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
IT may be just as well for our political leaders that primary school pupils aren’t old enough to vote.
Heatherhill Primary School’s group of newly elected student leaders say they look for role models on the sports fields and classrooms — but no mention of parliament.
Year 6 pupils Adam, Angela, Caitlyn and Leon, who were recently voted in by their peers, discussed the noble and ambitious hopes they have as future leaders.
Leon hopes to be coach of a soccer team — preferably Chelsea — in the UEFA Champions League; Adam a captain in the Spanish national league
The boys were quick to nominate Australian men’s cricket captain Michael Clarke and Serbian soccer captain Branislav Ivanovic as their role models.
“It would be exciting to show leadership qualities to my teammates,” Adam said.
Angela, who greatly admires last year’s student leaders, hopes to become a teacher to “make sure children are having a good education”.
Caitlyn wants to follow in the footsteps of the school’s principal Mary Verwey.
However, when the Journal asked who were admirable political leaders, the only replies were silence and blank looks.
But what the budding leaders are clear on are the qualities of good leaders — self-belief, organisation, helpfulness, listening and responsibility.
This year, they are expected to put their leadership qualities to the test, organising fun days like ‘crazy hair days’ and ‘electronic games days’ to raise money for charities and disaster appeals.
As Angela says: “You have to be responsible and not muck around or anything.”
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