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Slow down, salvage, streamline, and stand alongside – that’s the message from cancer survivor, author, and adventurer Jake Bailey.

Speaking at the joint ������ҹ��’s College and St Margaret’s College Year 12 Personal Development Day, Jake has urged the students to break any personal challenges down into smaller goals and seek out anything good within those challenging situations.

He has reminded everyone to only put your attention where it matters and never climb mountains alone.

Meanwhile, mentor Mike Roberts has highlighted the value of “good leadership”, detailing what it looks like and the skills and focus required. He has shared his leadership insights with the students, reflecting on core personality traits, values, and behaviours.

Dedicated to equipping young people with life skills, Attitude’s Jade Normani and ������ҹ��ian Gallen have delivered workshops in leadership, and choices, resilience, and self-esteem, respectively. Leadership coach Joel Bouzaid has also driven a workshop on the role of self-discipline in creating mental freedom to make clear choices.

College Director of Character & Leadership, and Service Matt Cortesi points out that staff have also played integral roles on the day, with Amy Fisher presenting a workshop on active listening and leadership and Liz de Lautour underlining the importance of effective communication in relationships.

Tony O’Connor has spoken about leading under pressure and Matt Thatcher has led a very active workshop on teamwork, collaboration, and relationships while College counsellors Malcolm Scott and Chelita Fonmoa have accentuated the power of mindfulness.

The Development Day has concluded with a presentation from former Black Cap Todd Astle, BetterMan co-founder Ged Robinson, Crusaders player and Old Boy Johnny Lee, and Matatū and Black Ferns player Pip Love. Their workshop has highlighted the importance of connecting with others to help manage stress, and “how a flexible mindset can make us adaptable and resilient”.

“The purpose of the day was to engage students in discussion on leadership and the importance of self-management as a leader,” Matt Cortesi says. “Self-management for leaders is based on the long-standing best practices of values-based leadership, demonstrating trustworthiness, resilience, perseverance, and leading by example.

“By understanding the role mindset, emotional intelligence, and communication play in managing themselves, leaders will be able to strengthen their adaptability to manage inevitable changes that come their way.”

For student Will Crawford, “it was a great opportunity to be able to hear from some super-talented and inspiring speakers with amazing backgrounds, as well as get to know the St Margaret’s College students through this programme”.

“I took a lot away from it, such as a newfound appreciation for life after listening to Jake Bailey, and I look forward to applying my knowledge of how to be a better leader over the rest of my time at College and when I move into the working world.”

Fellow student Charlie de Costobadie agrees that “it was good to meet our counterparts from St Margaret’s College and be part of engaging workshops from inspiring people”.

“It taught us some great lessons in leadership that I look forward to putting into action in the next couple of years and in the future,” he says.

Student Felipe Felitti-Duter also reflects on “another valuable opportunity that ������ҹ��'s College has provided” in building resilience through the Personal Development Day.

“Today, I was given access to amazing resources, such as speaking to upcoming leaders like Johnny Lee and Pip Love,” he says. “Also, being able to speak to people like Jake Bailey, who has fought against cancer, has lifted my knowledge in life and highlighted that it is important to not take anything for granted.

“And Attitude’s ������ҹ��ian Gallen has opened my eyes to the day-to-day things I am facing, expressed through his own experiences. I think it is very important for students at this age to have these types of days to understand more, and be filled with new and improved knowledge to grow into better young adults.”