CDNIS’s Upper School leadership retreat for executive club leaders has once again returned. Hosted at Soho House in Central, the leadership retreat spanned the whole school day on September 18th and provided student leaders with an exclusive opportunity to network and engage with different CAPs at CDNIS.
The retreat commenced with a welcome speech from Mr. Power and Mr Lee. Students were reminded of what qualities make a good student leader–including passion and cooperation, as well as briefed on the events for the day to come. Throughout the retreat, students were engaged in a total of four workshops, each with a different focus, but all of which aimed to help improve student leadership skills. The first session– Visioning, Turning Over and Legacy–discussed the importance of having a clear vision and purpose for each club. Sessions two and three were focused on understanding the foundations of what makes a CAP successful. Student leaders analysed the hidden unseen logistics and structures that ensured their clubs ran smoothly.
Head of Grade 10, Mr Vidotto expressed his satisfaction with this year’s retreat. He pointed out how “[the retreat] is a chance [for executives] to go back to school and hit the ground running. [He sees] the value of getting everyone on the same page and giving them the space they need to feel empowered and make a positive impact.” Not only that, but he revealed a key takeaway from the retreat was the “dedication to time for club leaders to clarify what they’re all about and what they hope to achieve this year.”
CDNIS Law Society Co-Presidents, Seniors Ethan C and Preston H, found the retreat particularly beneficial because they found the time to “establish the underlying goals” of the club and nail down the direction that they wanted to pursue for the year. They determined that their vision statement for the club would be to “to empower and educate students with a passion in law,” which they have set themselves up for success to achieve by
During the Collaboration and Community Impact segment, CDNIS Esports executive and USSC President Advisor Senior Jaiden Y, reflected on his past three years attending the leadership retreat as a “truly formative experience” and noticed that his transformation as a leader over the years is evident from the leadership skills he has picked up over the years. Esports Vice President Andre J wants to “overturn the stigma” surrounding Esports by ensuring that people have the awareness to join.
The leadership conference proved to be an invaluable opportunity for student leaders. With the new CAP season commencing, it’s no doubt that student leaders will use the new skills and knowledge they gained from the retreat to make their clubs even better.