At Aspley State High School, our leadership program has many humble beginnings, one being the Big Brother and Sister Program. The program invites Year 10 students in Term Four to apply for the position of Year 11 Big Brother and Sister to mentor our new Year Seven students in their first year of high school.
Our application process involves applicants using a growth mindset and telling us of their leadership and communication skills; their personal understanding of the Big Brother and Sister role, and what they hope to bring to the program in support of our Year Seven student cohort. Leading this group, are teachers who coordinate the program, assisting our Big Brothers and Sisters throughout the year.
The bonding relationship between our Sevens and Big Brothers and Sisters are built early on through our Orientation Day, which is held when our Sevens are still in Primary School and visit Aspley State High School to introduce them to their teachers, classes and the Aspley way. Our Big Brothers and Sister are also there on the Sevens first day of school, greeting them and guiding them through their first steps into High School and again at the Year Seven Sleepover.
Each Big Brother and Sister is placed into a Year Seven Pastoral Care group under the guidance of a Year Seven Teacher. Every week on entering Year 11, our Big Brothers and Sisters each visit their Year Seven Pastoral Care group at the beginning of the day where they facilitate morning routines and activities with their Year Sevens. Through these weekly visits, a strong rapport is built between our Big Brothers and Sisters and their Year Seven group; a rapport that lasts in the memory of all our students as they continue through High School.
Our Big Brothers and Sisters also participate in other school-wide initiatives, including helping with the Year 11 Social, Parent Nights, Twilight Tours, Investiture Ceremonies, and running lunchtime activities with the younger students of Aspley State High School.
The Big Brother and Sister Program allows our Year 11 students to learn and excel in skills of leadership, mentoring, time management, and a positive growth mindset. Through Aspley's vision and values, our Big Brother and Sister Program works to encourage respect, responsibility and cooperation in our future leaders, embedding within our program our mantra "Not for oneself but for all."