Pupil Leadership Conference: Leading Self, Leading Others

WellingtonCollegeSH

2025-09-24

导读：Wellingtonians grow as learners, connectors, and changemakers through leadership.

Ling Coong

Head of

Pupil Leadership

At Wellington, leadership is an essential part of being a Wellingtonian. To be a Wellingtonian is to live our values as learners, connectors, and changemakers—developing the confidence, empathy, and skills needed to make a positive impact within the College community and beyond. The annual Pupil Leadership Conference plays a vital role in this journey, equipping pupils not only with leadership tools but also with the mindset to lead with purpose and effect real change.

Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders: The Pupil Leadership Conference

This year’s conference focused on the themes of Leading Self and Leading Others. Through a series of interactive workshops and activities, pupils strengthened their self-awareness, identified personal values, and developed practical leadership skills such as time management, active listening, strategic mapping, and effective communication.

Connecting Through Collaboration and Reflection

Equally important was the opportunity to collaborate and reflect. By working together and exploring different perspectives, pupils discovered how empathy, inclusivity, and listening are as essential to leadership as decision-making and direction, reminding us that Wellingtonians lead not through authority alone, but by connecting with others and creating shared purpose.

David with Mr Dan Eldred, Deputy Head of Secondary & Mr Dean Clayden, Director of Professional Learning & Organisational Growth, Wellington College Education (China)

“The most valuable lesson in this session was the identification of values, because it helped me gain a better understanding of myself, as well as how to interact with others better. I now understand better about how to minimize conflict in my team, because conflict is mainly caused by a difference or misunderstanding of values.”

David

Changemakers in Action: Leadership Beyond the Conference

The conference is just one part of Wellington’s wider approach to pupil leadership. Throughout the year, leaders across Early Years, Primary, and Secondary Schools receive personalised training, workshops, and mentoring. This structured support helps them turn ideas into action while fostering resilience, adaptability, and empathy. It also gives them the chance to grow as learners who seek knowledge, connectors who build strong communities, and changemakers who bring ideas to life.

Melody with Mr Dan Eldred, Deputy Head of Secondary & Mr Dean Clayden, Director of Professional Learning & Organisational Growth, Wellington College Education (China)

“The most valuable lesson I learned was actually learning about myself, and truly asking myself what I value the most. This is so important to me as it also helps me understand how I should lead my committee, and get to know myself better.”

Melody

Pupil leadership at Wellington is about more than holding a title, it is about taking initiative, living the College values, and shaping the community through meaningful contributions. Whether through charity projects, sustainability initiatives, arts and sporting events, or committee work, pupils are encouraged to lead with purpose and make a tangible difference.

By combining personal growth with practical experience, Wellington empowers its pupil leaders not only to enrich school life today but also to develop the skills and mindset needed to be the changemakers of tomorrow.

Hui Qi with Mr Dan Eldred, Deputy Head of Secondary & Mr Dean Clayden, Director of Professional Learning & Organisational Growth, Wellington College Education (China)

“Leadership is less about the talking and control but more about listening and asking good questions. I think this is really impactful to me because I feel like it would significantly increase the engagement in committee discussions when members actually feel like they are heard and are treated as equals.”

Hui Qi